How to Write Five Paragraph Essay

The five-paragraph essay is a structured format for writing that is often taught in middle school and frequently used throughout high school. This basic model for writing helps students develop their thoughts in a tightly formatted five-paragraph composition. If you want to write a five-paragraph essay, you can do so easily with some basic guidelines.

Instructions

1. Write the introductory paragraph. The introductory paragraph should be composed of four to five sentences and should introduce the topic of your essay. A thesis statement, a sentence that outlines the point you will be arguing throughout the essay, should be positioned within this paragraph.

2. Compose three "body" paragraphs. Each of the body paragraphs should contain three to five sentences and provide support to your thesis statement. Each body paragraph should discuss one point and should be backed up with a quote. For example, if you are writing a five-paragraph essay on George Orwell's novel "1984," you might argue about the role of "Big Brother" within the novel and bolster your body paragraphs with direct quotations from the novel. Be sure to introduce the quotation, and then explain it afterward. Never end a body paragraph with a quotation.

3. Finish the essay with a paragraph of conclusion. The conclusion of your essay should be two to four sentences and should wrap up the main points of your essay. Discuss what you have proven throughout the body paragraphs and restate your thesis in different words.

References

• "Mastering The 5-paragraph Essay"; Susan Van Zile; 2006