5-Paragraph Essay Form
Paragraph 1 – Introduction
- Grab the reader’s attention with a compelling or thought-provoking quote, fact, anecdote, or argument
- Provide background information on the topic you are discussing, just enough for the reader to follow
- Provide a “road map” of the essay that follows (lay out how the essay will be organized)
- Clearly state the thesis or main argument of the essay, usually at the end of the paragraph
Paragraph 2 – Body
a. Topic sentence: state the paragraph’s main idea – MUST directly relate to the thesis
b. Evidence/discussion: support the main idea with evidence
c. Transition sentence: connect the main idea in this paragraph to the main idea in the following paragraph
Paragraph 3 – Body
d. Topic sentence: state the paragraph’s main idea – MUST directly relate to the thesis
e. Evidence/discussion: support the main idea with evidence
f. Transition sentence: connect the main idea in this paragraph to the main idea in the following paragraph
Paragraph 4 – Body
g. Topic sentence: state the paragraph’s main idea – MUST directly relate to the thesis
h. Evidence/discussion: support the main idea with evidence
i. Transition sentence: connect the main idea in this paragraph to the main idea in the following paragraph
Paragraph 5 – Conclusion
- Restate the main thesis or argument of the paper, but in a new and interesting way, as well as the key points/takeaways of the paper
- Explain what is at stake, why the topic of your paper is important in the first place
- Broaden the topic to comment on its larger significance, or suggest future action
- Give the reader a sense of closure, completion, and finality by leaving them with a lasting thought