How to Write a 3.5 Essay

Many high school students define an essay as a tedious school assignment that challenges through boredom; however, Merriam-Webster's definition is "an analytic or interpretative literary composition usually dealing with its subject from a limited or personal point of view."
Many types of essays exist including those that are based theme, or topic (i.e. Argumentative and Informal Essays). Other essays are based on the format they employ, such as 5-Paragraph and 3.5 Essays. A 5-Paragraph essay has a specific format it follows, which requires the writer to introduce, define and conclude the thesis, or theme, using a maximum of five paragraphs.
Similar to the 5-Paragraph Essay is the 3.5 (pronounced "three point five") Essay, which also limits the author to conclude the thesis within five paragraphs. The difference between a 5-Paragraph and 3.5 Essay is that a 3.5 Essay is built around "body" paragraphs that make up three of the five total paragraphs. The three body paragraphs are prefaced with an Introductory paragraph. Additionally, the three body paragraphs are followed with a final, Conclusion paragraph.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• an essay topic
• time
• this guide

1. 
    

   Determine an essay topic if you have not been assigned one.
   Select a topic on which you will enjoy reading, researching, and writing, as it will not only help your focus, but also add to your enjoyment. Because the most important part of a 3.5 Essay's format are the three body paragraphs, a writer should select a topic on which three points may be made. This strategy will make writing the essay easy as 1-2-3.

2. 
    

   Create a Thesis Statement.
   The thesis statement will be the most important sentence of your essay; therefore, take great care in creating it. The thesis should amount to only one sentence and properly constructed. Further, try to incorporate three points (that you'll further explain later in your paper), in the thesis. Use powerful action verbs that invoke impact to further develop the sophistication of your thesis.
   For example, a strong thesis statement for a 3.5 Essay would be: "My favorite sweets to bake include chocolate chip cookies, white chocolate cheesecake, and creme brulee". This thesis introduces three desserts that may be thoroughly described in later paragraphs, namely the "body" paragraphs.

3. 
    

   The Introductory paragraph.
   The introductory paragraph should build interest into the thesis, by starting with two sentences that make general statements that apply to the thesis statement. Follow these "introductory" sentences with the thesis statement, which should ALWAYS be the final sentence in every 3.5 Essay's Introductory Paragraph.

4. 
    

   The Body Paragraphs.
   The body paragraphs are the three that fall in the "middle" of the essay.
   Begin building these paragraphs out by developing the first point as one paragraph, followed by the second point's designated paragraph; and finally followed by the third thesis point's paragraph.
   Each paragraph should contain three sentences at the minimum, though typically no more than five sentences.

5. 
    

   The Conclusion Paragraph.
   The final paragraph of the 3.5 Essay will be the Conclusion. Every Conclusion Paragraph must begin with a restated-version of the thesis used in the Introductory Paragraph. Follow the restated thesis with an additional sentence or two that concludes your essay's points in a general way.

[veryirie]

on 11/10/2008 Very detailed article on writing a great essay. Thanks!