The Formal Five Paragraph Essay

The Formal Five Paragraph Essay

Five-Paragraph Format 1. Introduction including thesis statement as the final sentence 2. First subtopic supporting thesis 3. Second subtopic supporting thesis 4. Third subtopic supporting thesis 5. Conclusion including a restatement of your thesis

Introduction The introduction should be composed of four parts: 3. The Hook 4. Statement of Situation 5. Theme 6. Thesis

Hook The first sentence of an essay should capture the reader s attention. Example: Imagine yourself confronted by the Jabberwock, the Jubjub bird, or the Bandersnatch!

Statement of Situation A sentence (or a few) that establishes the topic of the paper. It should be limited in scope (A brief summary of your topic). Example: In Jabberwocky, Lewis Carroll tells the tale of the manxome jabberwock, with its jaws that bite, the claws that catch and eyes of flame. It lives in tugley woods, near Tumtum trees, and burbles as it moves. A boy confronts it, slays it, and rides off with its head.

Theme The author s main idea; a universal truth developed by the author. Examples: In this poem, a heroic tale is created that builds from the reader's imagination, and fosters a different experience for every reader.

Thesis The main, controlling idea of the essay. Subject + verb + opinion + three sub-topics to support your opinion. Examples: Carroll achieves this throught the use of portmanteaux and nonce words. A portmanteau word combine several words into one word. It necessitates a personal interpretation. Nonce words are made-up words intended to be used for one occasion. They also necessitate a personal interpretation. Consequently, a variety of different visual representations have been created as illustrations, movies, and others, based on Jabberwocky.

Introduction Example Imagine yourself confronted by the jabberwock, the Jubjub bird, or the Bandersnatch! In Jabberwocky, Lewis Carroll tells the tale of the manxome jabberwock, with its jaws that bite, the claws that catch and eyes of flame. It lives in tugley woods, near Tumtum trees, and burbles as it moves. A boy confronts it, slays it, and rides off with its head. In the poem, a heroic tale is created that builds from the reader's imagination, and fosters a different experience for every reader. Carroll achieves this throught the use of portmanteaux and nonce words. A portmanteau word combine several words into one word. It necessitates a personal interpretation. Nonce words are made-up words intended to be used for one occasion. They also necessitate a personal interpretation. Consequently, a variety of different visual representations have been created as illustrations, movies, and others, based on Jabberwocky.

Body Paragraphs Each paragraph should include: Topic Sentence (Restates Example from the Introduction) 3 Example Sentences (Prove your Topic Sentence) Concluding Sentence (Explain how your example reinforces your thesis) No paragraph should be less than five sentences and paragraphs 2, 3 & 4 should all follow this format.

Body Paragraphs The body paragraphs should each develop one main idea (one of the three sub-topics in your thesis statement) Restate each subtopic in the topic sentence for each of the next three paragraphs.

Topic Sentence The main idea of the paragraph. It should state the topic of the paragraph and explain how the sub-topic proves or reinforces your thesis statement.

Concrete Detail Within your body paragraphs, you must provide concrete details or specific examples. Direct quotes from the source (state the speaker of the line before the quote) You use quotes to support you ideas. For Example: According to the Old English Dictionary, the portmanteau word galumphing, combines the words gallop and triumphant, and describes a way of trotting downhill with a horse. Prior to Carroll creating the word, it did not exist.

Provide Commentary for your Quotes Do not end a paragraph with a quote. Introduce the quote, and comment on it. Do not let the quote speak for itself.

Transitions Use transitions to move from one idea (paragraph) to the next. Moreover, however, although, in addition, furthermore, unlike, etc.

Conclusion Restate your thesis or main idea in different words. Explain how your sub-topics prove the thesis. Clincher: connect final sentence back to the hook Avoid In conclusion or To conclude Never add anything new to the conclusion

Five-Paragraph Essay Format 1.) Introduction (hook, statement of situation, theme and thesis) 2.) Discuss subtopic one (topic sentence and three examples) 3.) Discuss subtopic two (topic sentence and three examples) 4.) Discuss subtopic three (topic sentence and three examples) 5.) Conclusion (restatement of thesis, explanation of how you proved you thesis and the clincher)