How to Write the Five Paragraph Essay

The five paragraph essay is a classic, standard format. While not often employed by professional writers, it is often assigned to students as a way to learn basic story writing. You relay to your reader what you plan to tell him. Tell him, then repeat what you told him. Here is a breakdown of this process via the often-assigned essay, "What I Did On My Summer Vacation."

Instructions

1. Create an introduction paragraph which consists of a clear statement of subject matter. This is your thesis. Let the reader know what to expect as he reads on. Then pick three points you want to make in the essay and express each in a sentence. End with a sentence that brings the reader along to the meat of the essay. For example:

   My summer spent in Washington with relatives enriched my life in countless ways. Among them I road a horse for the first time, picked apples from a tree in the backyard and spent quality time with my grandmother. These events have changed me as a person.

2. Make the first paragraph of the body of the essay a closer look at the first of the three points you brought up in the introduction paragraph. Reiterate this point in a sentence and then make three new assertions in sentence form that explain your stance on this point. When possible, it is always a good rule of thumb to either cite a text directly using small quotes or quote other outside sources when you can. This will bolster the validity of your essay and can be used once in each step of the essay if warranted. To continue:

   Riding a horse for the first time was quite an adventure. I didn't know what to expect and I was nervous. But after I learned the commands the horse obeys I felt better. The best part was when he broke into a gallop and the world sped by like never before. I don't plan to ever forget the experience.

3. Tackle the second point you brought up in the introduction with the next paragraph. Remind the reader of the point in a sentence and then lay out three new examples that prove your point. Let each point have its own sentence. Cite sources if applicable. The next example paragraph could read:

   Behind my grandmother's house there are a few apple trees, and one day the whole family picked apples. I felt very safe holding the collection basket with my two feet firmly on the ground. But then I had to climb the tree to reach the highest apple and I must have been ten feet off the ground. I was scared at first but after I retrieved the apple I wasn't as worried and was proud of myself as I climbed down.

4. Unpack the third point in the introduction within the following paragraph. Restate the point in a sentence. Pick three notions that support your feelings on this point and explain each one using a new sentence for each. Cite sources as needed. Like this:

   Getting the opportunity to grow closer to my grandmother by spending time with her became the highlight of my trip. She told me the story of how she met my grandfather and how he passed away during World War II. I asked her what my mother was like as a child and she told me my mother was always curious as a child and how she loved to sneak into grandma's closet to play dress-up. I learned a lot about my family that I hadn't known before.

5. Tie everything together by illustrating your main point through the three examples you have written in-depth about. If you have sprinkled quotes from other works you should be able to convey an expert opinion in your work. Take care to rewrite your thesis and the three examples that follow and end by stating what you think your complete work has shown. As an example:

   My summer in Washington went by in a flash but I know I matured a lot as a person and had fun doing it. Speeding along on a horse remains a vivid memory. I felt a strong sense of pride once I picked the tallest apple from the tree in the backyard. I even appreciated my family in a new way after talking with my grandmother. I hope I have several more summer vacations like the one I just had.