EngradeWikis › 5-Paragraph Essay Overview

5-Paragraph Essay Overview

The Big Picture

Do you know what is in a 5 Paragraph Essay?

Here's what your finished product will have:

Introduction Paragraph (3-5 Sentences total)
- Hook (1-2 Sentences)
- Elaborate ( 1-3 Sentences)
- Thesis (1 Sentence)

3 Body Paragraphs (4-7 Sentences each)
- Topic Sentence (1 sentence long)
- 1st Detail sentence (supporting sentences that explain your topic sentence)
- 2nd Detail sentence
- 3rd Detail sentence
- 4th - 5th Detail sentence (optional)

Conclusion Paragraph (3-5 Sentences total)
- Thesis Sentence (1 sentence)
- Summary Sentence (1 sentence)
- Connection to Reader (1-3 Sentences)

You can remember the parts of the essay with this poem:
I hate eating tomatoes (Intro-Paragraph: Hook. Elaborate. Thesis)
Because they don't do dinner (Body-Paragraph: Topic. Detail. Detail. Detail.)
Because they don't do dinner (Body-Paragraph: Topic. Detail. Detail. Detail.)
Because they don't do dinner (Body-Paragraph: Topic. Detail. Detail. Detail.)
Chuck tomatoes, serve cake (Conclusion-Paragraph: Thesis. Summary. Connection.)

Backwards Construction:
5 paragraph essays are written backwards.
Step 1: Pick your Essay Topic.
Step 2: Create a Thesis.
Step 3: Create a Tree Map.
Step 4: Make an Introduction Paragraph.
Step 5: Write out 3 Body Paragraphs.
Step 6: Write a Conclusion Paragraph.
Step 7: Scan for Errors.

Do you get it?

Close