tips for writing a 5 paragraph essay

The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay

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• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

A five-paragraph essay is a prose composition that follows a prescribed format of an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph, and is typically taught during primary English education and applied on standardized testing throughout schooling.

Learning to write a high-quality five-paragraph essay is an essential skill for students in early English classes as it allows them to express certain ideas, claims, or concepts in an organized manner, complete with evidence that supports each of these notions. Later, though, students may decide to stray from the standard five-paragraph format and venture into writing an  exploratory essay  instead.

Still, teaching students to organize essays into the five-paragraph format is an easy way to introduce them to writing literary criticism, which will be tested time and again throughout their primary, secondary, and further education.

Writing a Good Introduction

The introduction is the first paragraph in your essay, and it should accomplish a few specific goals: capture the reader's interest, introduce the topic, and make a claim or express an opinion in a thesis statement.

It's a good idea to start your essay with a hook (fascinating statement) to pique the reader's interest, though this can also be accomplished by using descriptive words, an anecdote, an intriguing question, or an interesting fact. Students can practice with creative writing prompts to get some ideas for interesting ways to start an essay.

The next few sentences should explain your first statement, and prepare the reader for your thesis statement, which is typically the last sentence in the introduction. Your  thesis sentence  should provide your specific assertion and convey a clear point of view, which is typically divided into three distinct arguments that support this assertation, which will each serve as central themes for the body paragraphs.

Writing Body Paragraphs

The body of the essay will include three body paragraphs in a five-paragraph essay format, each limited to one main idea that supports your thesis.

To correctly write each of these three body paragraphs, you should state your supporting idea, your topic sentence, then back it up with two or three sentences of evidence. Use examples that validate the claim before concluding the paragraph and using transition words to lead to the paragraph that follows — meaning that all of your body paragraphs should follow the pattern of "statement, supporting ideas, transition statement."

Words to use as you transition from one paragraph to another include: moreover, in fact, on the whole, furthermore, as a result, simply put, for this reason, similarly, likewise, it follows that, naturally, by comparison, surely, and yet.

Writing a Conclusion

The final paragraph will summarize your main points and re-assert your main claim (from your thesis sentence). It should point out your main points, but should not repeat specific examples, and should, as always, leave a lasting impression on the reader.

The first sentence of the conclusion, therefore, should be used to restate the supporting claims argued in the body paragraphs as they relate to the thesis statement, then the next few sentences should be used to explain how the essay's main points can lead outward, perhaps to further thought on the topic. Ending the conclusion with a question, anecdote, or final pondering is a great way to leave a lasting impact.

Once you complete the first draft of your essay, it's a good idea to re-visit the thesis statement in your first paragraph. Read your essay to see if it flows well, and you might find that the supporting paragraphs are strong, but they don't address the exact focus of your thesis. Simply re-write your thesis sentence to fit your body and summary more exactly, and adjust the conclusion to wrap it all up nicely.

Practice Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay

Students can use the following steps to write a standard essay on any given topic. First, choose a topic, or ask your students to choose their topic, then allow them to form a basic five-paragraph by following these steps:

• Decide on your  basic thesis , your idea of a topic to discuss.
• Decide on three pieces of supporting evidence you will use to prove your thesis.
• Write an introductory paragraph, including your thesis and evidence (in order of strength).
• Write your first body paragraph, starting with restating your thesis and focusing on your first piece of supporting evidence.
• End your first paragraph with a transitional sentence that leads to the next body paragraph.
• Write paragraph two of the body focussing on your second piece of evidence. Once again make the connection between your thesis and this piece of evidence.
• End your second paragraph with a transitional sentence that leads to paragraph number three.
• Repeat step 6 using your third piece of evidence.
• Begin your concluding paragraph by restating your thesis. Include the three points you've used to prove your thesis.
• End with a punch, a question, an anecdote, or an entertaining thought that will stay with the reader.

Once a student can master these 10 simple steps, writing a basic five-paragraph essay will be a piece of cake, so long as the student does so correctly and includes enough supporting information in each paragraph that all relate to the same centralized main idea, the thesis of the essay.

Limitations of the Five-Paragraph Essay

The five-paragraph essay is merely a starting point for students hoping to express their ideas in academic writing; there are some other forms and styles of writing that students should use to express their vocabulary in the written form.

According to Tory Young's "Studying English Literature: A Practical Guide":

"Although school students in the U.S. are examined on their ability to write a  five-paragraph essay , its  raison d'être  is purportedly to give practice in basic writing skills that will lead to future success in more varied forms. Detractors feel, however, that writing to rule in this way is more likely to discourage imaginative writing and thinking than enable it. . . . The five-paragraph essay is less aware of its  audience  and sets out only to present information, an account or a kind of story rather than explicitly to persuade the reader."

Students should instead be asked to write other forms, such as journal entries, blog posts, reviews of goods or services, multi-paragraph research papers, and freeform expository writing around a central theme. Although five-paragraph essays are the golden rule when writing for standardized tests, experimentation with expression should be encouraged throughout primary schooling to bolster students' abilities to utilize the English language fully.

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Guide on How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay Effortlessly

Defining What Is a 5 Paragraph Essay

Have you ever been assigned a five-paragraph essay and wondered what exactly it means? Don't worry; we all have been there. A five-paragraph essay is a standard academic writing format consisting of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

In the introduction, you present your thesis statement, which is the main idea or argument you will discuss in your essay. The three body paragraphs present a separate supporting argument, while the conclusion summarizes the main points and restates the thesis differently.

While the five-paragraph essay is a tried and true format for many academic assignments, it's important to note that it's not the only way to write an essay. In fact, some educators argue that strict adherence to this format can stifle creativity and limit the development of more complex ideas.

However, mastering the five-paragraph essay is a valuable skill for any student, as it teaches the importance of structure and organization in writing. Also, it enables you to communicate your thoughts clearly and eloquently, which is crucial for effective communication in any area. So the next time you're faced with a five-paragraph essay assignment, embrace the challenge and use it as an opportunity to hone your writing skills.

And if you find it difficult to put your ideas into 5 paragraphs, ask our professional service - 'please write my essay ,' or ' write my paragraph ' and consider it done.

How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay: General Tips

If you are struggling with how to write a 5 paragraph essay, don't worry! It's a common format that many students learn in their academic careers. Here are some tips from our admission essay writing service to help you write a successful five paragraph essay example:

• Start with a strong thesis statement : Among the 5 parts of essay, the thesis statement can be the most important. It presents the major topic you will debate throughout your essay while being explicit and simple.
• Use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph : The major idea you will address in each of the three body paragraphs should be established in a concise subject sentence.
• Use evidence to support your arguments : The evidence you present in your body paragraphs should back up your thesis. This can include facts, statistics, or examples from your research or personal experience.
• Include transitions: Use transitional words and phrases to make the flow of your essay easier. Words like 'although,' 'in addition,' and 'on the other hand' are examples of these.
• Write a strong conclusion: In addition to restating your thesis statement in a new way, your conclusion should highlight the key ideas of your essay. You might also leave the reader with a closing idea or query to reflect on.
• Edit and proofread: When you've completed writing your essay, thoroughly revise and proofread it. Make sure your thoughts are brief and clear and proofread your writing for grammatical and spelling mistakes.

By following these tips, you can write strong and effective five paragraph essays examples that will impress your teacher or professor.

5 Paragraph Essay Format

Let's readdress the five-paragraph essay format and explain it in more detail. So, as already mentioned, it is a widely-used writing structure taught in many schools and universities. A five-paragraph essay comprises an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion, each playing a significant role in creating a well-structured and coherent essay.

The introduction serves as the opening paragraph of the essay and sets the tone for the entire piece. It should captivate the reader's attention, provide relevant background information, and include a clear and concise thesis statement that presents the primary argument of the essay. For example, if the essay topic is about the benefits of exercise, the introduction may look something like this:

'Regular exercise provides numerous health benefits, including increased energy levels, improved mental health, and reduced risk of chronic diseases.'

The body paragraphs are the meat of the essay and should provide evidence and examples to support the thesis statement. Each body paragraph should begin with a subject sentence that states the major idea of the paragraph. Then, the writer should provide evidence to support the topic sentence. This evidence can be in the form of statistics, facts, or examples. For instance, if the essay is discussing the health benefits of exercise, a body paragraph might look like this:

'One of the key benefits of exercise is improved mental health. Regular exercise has been demonstrated in studies to lessen depressive and anxious symptoms and enhance mood.'

The essay's final paragraph, the conclusion, should repeat the thesis statement and summarize the essay's important ideas. A concluding idea or query might be included to give the reader something to ponder. For example, a conclusion for an essay on the benefits of exercise might look like this:

'In conclusion, exercise provides numerous health benefits, from increased energy levels to reduced risk of chronic diseases. We may enhance both our physical and emotional health and enjoy happier, more satisfying lives by including exercise into our daily routines.'

Overall, the 5 paragraph essay format is useful for organizing thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely. By following this format, writers can present their arguments logically and effectively, which is easy for the reader to follow.

Types of 5 Paragraph Essay 

There are several types of five-paragraph essays, each with a slightly different focus or purpose. Here are some of the most common types of five-paragraph essays:

• Narrative essay : A narrative essay tells a story or recounts a personal experience. It typically includes a clear introductory paragraph, body sections that provide details about the story, and a conclusion that wraps up the narrative.
• Descriptive essay: A descriptive essay uses sensory language to describe a person, place, or thing. It often includes a clear thesis statement that identifies the subject of the description and body paragraphs that provide specific details to support the thesis.
• Expository essay: An expository essay offers details or clarifies a subject. It usually starts with a concise introduction that introduces the subject, is followed by body paragraphs that provide evidence and examples to back up the thesis, and ends with a summary of the key points.
• Persuasive essay: A persuasive essay argues for a particular viewpoint or position. It has a thesis statement that is clear, body paragraphs that give evidence and arguments in favor of it, and a conclusion that summarizes the important ideas and restates the thesis.
• Compare and contrast essay: An essay that compares and contrasts two or more subjects and looks at their similarities and differences. It usually starts out simply by introducing the topics being contrasted or compared, followed by body paragraphs that go into more depth on the similarities and differences, and a concluding paragraph that restates the important points.

Each type of five-paragraph essay has its own unique characteristics and requirements. When unsure how to write five paragraph essay, writers can choose the most appropriate structure for their topic by understanding the differences between these types.

5 Paragraph Essay Example Topics

Here are some potential topics for a 5 paragraph essay example. These essay topics are just a starting point and can be expanded upon to fit a wide range of writing essays and prompts.

• The Impact of Social Media on Teenage Communication Skills.
• How Daily Exercise Benefits Mental and Physical Health.
• The Importance of Learning a Second Language.
• The Effects of Global Warming on Marine Life.
• The Role of Technology in Modern Education.
• The Influence of Music on Youth Culture.
• The Pros and Cons of Uniform Policies in Schools.
• The Significance of Historical Monuments in Cultural Identity.
• The Growing Importance of Cybersecurity.
• The Evolution of the American Dream.
• The Impact of Diet on Cognitive Functioning.
• The Role of Art in Society.
• The Future of Renewable Energy Sources.
• The Effects of Urbanization on Wildlife.
• The Importance of Financial Literacy for Young Adults.
• The Influence of Advertising on Consumer Choices.
• The Role of Books in the Digital Age.\
• The Benefits and Challenges of Space Exploration.
• The Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture.
• The Ethical Implications of Genetic Modification.

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General Grading Rubric for a 5 Paragraph Essay

The following is a general grading rubric that can be used to evaluate a five-paragraph essay:

Content (40%)

• A thesis statement is clear and specific
• The main points are well-developed and supported by evidence
• Ideas are organized logically and coherently
• Evidence and examples are relevant and support the main points
• The essay demonstrates a strong understanding of the topic

Organization (20%)

• The introduction effectively introduces the topic and thesis statement
• Body paragraphs are well-structured and have clear topic sentences
• Transitions between paragraphs are smooth and effective
• The concluding sentence effectively summarizes the main points and restates the thesis statement

Language and Style (20%)

• Writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand
• Language is appropriate for the audience and purpose
• Vocabulary is varied and appropriate
• Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct

Critical Thinking (20%)

• Student demonstrate an understanding of the topic beyond surface-level knowledge
• Student present a unique perspective or argument
• Student show evidence of critical thinking and analysis
• Students write well-supported conclusions

Considering the above, the paper should demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topic, clear organization, strong essay writing skills, and critical thinking. By using this grading rubric, the teacher can evaluate the essay holistically and provide detailed feedback to the student on areas of strength and areas for improvement.

Five Paragraph Essay Examples

Wrapping up: things to remember.

In conclusion, writing a five paragraph essay example can seem daunting at first, but it doesn't have to be a difficult task. Following these simple steps and tips, you can break down the process into manageable parts and create a clear, concise, and well-organized essay.

Remember to start with a strong thesis statement, use topic sentences to guide your paragraphs, and provide evidence and analysis to support your ideas. Don't forget to revise and proofread your work to make sure it is error-free and coherent. With time and practice, you'll be able to write a 5 paragraph essay with ease and assurance. Whether you're writing for school, work, or personal projects, these skills will serve you well and help you to communicate your ideas effectively.

Meanwhile, you can save time and reduce the stress associated with academic assignments by trusting our research paper writing services to handle the writing for you. So go ahead, buy an essay , and see how easy it can be to meet all of your professors' complex requirements!

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Related Articles

How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay [+Bonus Template]

Writing an essay, choose a credible structure used by thousands of students around the world. This format is called 5-paragraph essay, and has a couple of simple rules to follow.

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🗼 the 3 pillars of a consistent 5-paragraph essay, 🍰 feature of the cake layers, 📑 create a refined essay with our writing hacks, 🕔 draft an astonishing essay with a 5-minute outline, 📝 write a killer paper using our 5-paragraph essay example as a guideline, 🅰 getting an a+ grade for 5 paragraphs writing is easy.

The best part about this type of outline is that it fits any topic. Whether you’re creating a paper on technology, friendship, or global warming, you can use this structure and get a fantastic logical essay with statements, details, and conclusions.

In this article, you’ll know all you need to turn your ideas into an excellent piece of academic writing.

Can’t wait?

So, let’s start!

Did you know that you can effectively unleash your creative capacity and astonish everyone with your talent by creating just 5 paragraphs? Writing a 5-paragraph essay can be easier and faster than baking a 5-layer cake if you know the secret ingredient. Keep reading to get to the essence of 5-PE mastery.

You may be wondering: “What does this kind of essay have in common with a 5-layer cake?”

In fact, both are well-structured. All their components are coherent and interrelated.

• They start with a solid background (in the essay, an introduction = in the cake, a firm biscuit base).
• They contain 3 middle layers (3 body paragraphs = 3 cheesecake layers).
• They finish with a summary that wraps it all up (conclusion = berry jelly with fruits).

The 5-paragraph essay writing method helps inexperienced writers to state their ideas within the given topic in the most clear and logical way. Once you understand and get used to this writing formula, you’ll become more comfortable with it. The basic elements of a 5-paragraph essay are 3 pillars you will come to lean on.

So you’ve got a five-paragraph essay assignment.

What does 5 mean here? Why not 2 or 7?

In fact, it consists of 5 paragraphs, made up of 3 main parts:

• Introduction

Here are the key insights to each component of a correctly structured essay:

Our “cake study comparison” reveals the following distinctive features of the cake layers:

• Introduction: the solid biscuit base of the cheesecake sets the overall style of your culinary masterpiece. Its sweet and melting taste makes it the most promising part for the end-consumer.
• Main body: 3 magnificent cheesecake layers, each one different in taste and color, each complementing the creamy flavor of the basic cheesecake part of the cake.
• Conclusion: a berry jelly with fruits to conclude. Its sour-sweet taste complements the main body and contrasts with the cheesecake, contributing to the inimitable aftertaste.

As for the 5-paragraph essay conclusion, its “aftertaste” is exactly what will stay with your readers after they put down your paper. So carefully consider the structure of your essay to make sure all its parts are coherent and balanced. Take a look at some essay examples to have a better idea of how it can look like.

Now you know about structure, which is the secret ingredient that makes your essay convincing and your cake delicious.

Whatever project you have to complete ‒ creating a 5-paragraph essay or a 5-layer cake ‒ the perfectionist in you may not feel fully satisfied until your masterpiece is flawless. Harness these useful tips if you need to create an engaging essay that your readers will enjoy reading and talking about.

• To make an effective start, you first need to get organized.
• Analyze your task in detail.
• Determine your purpose.
• Think about your step-by-step plan.
• Don’t get lost in the detail. Before you set out with the actual writing, map it out . Otherwise, you may get lost.
• Divide your future essay into sections; develop each piece separately and incrementally.
• First figure out how to make an outstanding outline, and then you can go ahead and start your essay-building process.
• Develop your unique writing style and stick to it.
• Start strong by grabbing the reader’s attention . Aim to keep it until you reach your final point. Stay powerful and convincing.
• Use active voice instead of passive whenever possible.
• Don’t let your reader fall asleep: play with your English, vary sentence structures, avoid repetition, sharpen and diversify your vocabulary when you revise the text.
• Brainstorm to search for the best ideas that support your case. Include only the arguments that are effective and that you have some knowledge of, otherwise you won’t do a good job of presenting them.
• Writing introductory paragraphs on different topics can be very helpful. It will help set the tone for the paragraph, making it easier to write the supporting sentences. Moreover, seeing your pattern progress is always inspiring!
• Supporting ideas, examples and other details should all be relevant to the subtopic. It will help you and the readers to stay focused.
• There are some other specific rules that you can use as a guide to creating an outstanding 5-paragraph essay.
• Don’t use abbreviations and contractions.
• Avoid casual language (it’s better not to begin sentences with “sure”, “well”, “yes” or “no”).
• Don’t use slang (there’s a big difference between academic writing and a message to your friend).
• Try not to begin your sentences with “There is/are”. For example, instead of “There is a need to edit the essay”, write “Essay editing is essential”.
• Don’t begin sentences with conjunctions (“and”, “but”, “for”, “yet”, “so”, “or”, “nor”).
• Avoid using phrases like “a lot”, “lots” and “lots of”. Think about replacing them with “many”, “most”, “much” or “often”.
• Avoid using exclamation points; stay more or less neutral in your writing.
• Forget about your writing! Get some rest… and then read it again with fresh eyes. Polish and refine your essay as many times as you need to ‒ you won’t be sorry for spending time on it. Ask someone knowledgeable to review and criticize your essay as well – they may make suggestions that surprise you.
• Check your writing for spelling and grammar mistakes.
• Make sure your ideas flow logically.
• Avoid too much detail or wordiness.
• Be concise, specific and brief, but do give details and examples.

Also, make sure to check out free handout about essay writing.

Humans crave order. Anything else can lead them astray. A 5-paragraph essay outline is essential for those who want to create their short essay in the most effective and timely way. An essay outline will streamline your writing; it will also make you focus on the main topic and on the subtopics exposed in each separate part of the paper.

Have a look at our 5-paragraph essay writing outline for “How to Make Lemonade When Life Gives You Lemons”, and use it as an essay sample whenever you need inspiration for the framework of your own essay. It will take you just 5 minutes, and it will considerably save time when it comes to your own essay writing.

How to Make Lemonade When Life Gives You Lemons

You will soon discover that it’s not that difficult to learn how to write a 5-paragraph essay that will hit the spot and win you the highest grade. Our tips for writing a good essay can help you to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively.

Think about all the possible 5-paragraph essay topics and select the one that’s best for you – that’s the one that will make five-paragraph essay writing interesting for you!

Good luck with your writing!

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I’m so grateful to have found this nugget because my students are struggling with essay writing. Thanks.

Thanks for your feedback, Justina! Glad you found my guide helpful 🙂

You’ve got it in one. Couldn’t have put it better.

Glad you liked, Cherilynn!

Good tips! I think it can be useful for my writing.

Thanks for the feedback, Sophy!

Actually I have difficulties in the introduction of each type of essay, for example, the expository essay “developed by examples or developed by definition”. I need more explanations about each type, please.

Thanks for the feedback, Rawya! We will take into account your suggestion for our next post on essays.

Your essay writing system is very good.

Thank you so much!

Thank you so much. It’ s really great and amusing explanation of how to write an essay.

You’re welcome, Doha! Glad you enjoyed the article.

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Thank you for your feedback! We greatly appreciate it!

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How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay: Guide with Structure, Outline & Examples

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A 5-paragraph essay   is a common assignment in high school and college, requiring students to follow a standard structure. This essay format consists of five main components: an introduction paragraph, followed by 3 body paragraphs, and a final paragraph. Each paragraph serves a specific purpose and contributes to the overall coherence and organization of the essay.

Since this is one of the most popular assignments teachers give, you should be prepared to write using a five paragraph essay format. From structure and outline template to actual examples, we will explain how to write a 5 paragraph essay with ease. Follow our suggestions and you will be able to nail this task.

What Is a 5-Paragraph Essay: Definition

A 5-paragraph essay is as simple as it sounds: an essay composed of five paragraphs. It's made up of five distinct sections, namely an introduction , 3 body paragraphs and a concluding section . However, a 5 paragraph essay goes beyond just creating 5 individual sections. It's a method of organizing your thoughts and making them interconnected. 

Despite its straightforward 5-paragraph format, there's more going on beneath the surface. When writing a 5-paragraph essay, you should address the main objective of each part and arrange every section properly. 

Let’s learn about each of these sections more in detail.

5-Paragraph Essay Structure 

A five-paragraph essay structure is often compared to a sandwich that has 3 distinct layers:

• Introduction: This initial paragraph should introduce the main topic and tell what will be discussed further in the essay.
• Body: This part consists of three body paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect of your subject.
• Conclusion: The final paragraph rounds off the main points and offers key takeaways.

As you can notice, each of these sections plays an important role in creating the overall piece.

5-Paragraph Essay Outline & Template Example 

Imagine heading out for a journey in the woods without a map. You'd likely find yourself wandering aimlessly, right? Similarly, venturing into writing an essay without a solid essay outline is like stepping into the academic jungle without a guide. Most high school and college students ignore this step for the sake of time. But eventually they end up writing a five-paragraph essay that lacks a clear organization. 

It’s impossible to figure out how to write a 5-paragraph essay without having a well-arranged outline in front. Here’s a five-paragraph essay outline example showing subsections of each major part. 

5 Paragraph Essay Outline Example

• Hook: Spark the reader's interest.
• Brief background: Provide a general context or background.
• Thesis statement: State the main argument or position.
• Topic sentence: Introduce the main point of this paragraph.
• Supporting evidence/example 1: Provide data, examples, quotes, or anecdotes supporting your point.
• Analysis: Explain how your evidence supports your thesis.
• Transition: Tie the paragraph together and link to the next paragraph.
• Supporting evidence/example 2 : Provide further supporting evidence.
• Analysis: Discuss how the evidence relates back to your thesis.
• Transition: Summarize the point and smoothly shift to the next paragraph.
• Topic sentence: Present the main idea of this paragraph.
• Supporting evidence/example 3: Offer additional support for your thesis.
• Analysis: Show how this backs up your main argument.
• Transition: Sum up and signal the conclusion of the body section.
• Thesis reiteration: Revisit your main argument accounting for the evidence provided.
• Summary: Briefly go over the main points of your body paragraphs.
• Final thoughts: Leave the reader with a parting thought or question to ponder.

How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay Outline? 

When creating an outline for 5-paragraph essay, begin by identifying your topic and crafting a thesis statement. Your thesis statement should encapsulate your main argument. Identify 3 ideas that support your thesis to lay the foundation of your body section. For each point, think about examples and explanations that will help convince the reader of your perspective. Finally, plan what you will include in the concluding section. 

Throughout this process, remember that clarity and organization are key. While it's not necessary for your 5-paragraph outline to be "perfect", it is indeed important for it to be arranged logically. 

Below, you can spot an example of an outline created based on these instructions.

How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay Step-by-Step?

There is nothing difficult about writing a 5-paragraph essay. All you need to do is to just start creating the first sentence. But for most of us, it;s easier said than done. For this reason, we prepared informative step-by-step guidelines on how to write a 5-paragraph essay that your teacher will like. 

As we navigate these stages, remember that good writing isn't a destination, it's a process. So grab your notebook (or laptop) and let's dive into the art of crafting your five-paragraph essay.

>> Learn more: How to Write an Essay

1. Understand the Task at Hand 

The initial step is to make sure you have a full grasp of your assignment instructions. How well you understand the given guidelines can either make or break your 5-paragraph essay. Take a few minutes to read through your instructor’s requirements and get familiar with what you're supposed to do: 

• What’s your topic? Do you need to choose one yourself?
• What  essay type  do you need to write – argumentative , expository or informative essay ?
• What’s your primary goal – persuade, analyze, descibe or inform?
• How long should an essay be ? Is there any specific word count?

Understanding these crucial details will help you remain on course.

2. Research and Take Notes 

Now that you have a good idea of your assignment, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start researching. Spend some quality time gathering relevant resources to get acquainted with the discussed topic. Make sure you don;t refer to outdated resources. Always give a preference to credible, recent sources.

Read these sources carefully and jot down important facts – this is what will form the basis of your essay's body section. Also, you will need to save the online sources to cite them properly.

3. Develop Your Thesis Statement

We can’t stress enough: your thesis statement will guide your entire essay. Write 1-2 sentences that convey your underlying idea. Keep in mind that your thesis  must be succinct. There is no need for long introductions or excessive details at this point.

4. Make an Outline 

A five-paragraph essay outline shows how your paper will be arranged. This visual structure can be represented using bullet points or numbers. You can come up with another format. But the main idea is to prepare a plan you are going to stick to during the writing process. 

Did you know that you can send an outline to professionals and have your essay written according to the structure. Order essay from academic experts should you need any assistance.

5. Write an Introduction Paragraph 

To start a 5-paragraph essay, compose an attention-grabbing statement, such as a question or fact. This is also known as an essay hook – an intriguing opening sentence. Its goal is to spark curiosity and draw your reader into your topic.

Next, you need to establish a background and show what;s under the curtains. Write 1-2 contextual sentences helping your reader understand the broad issue you're about to discuss.

Your 5-paragraph essay introduction won’t be complete without a thesis statement – the heart of your writing. This 1 or 2-sentence statement clearly expresses the main point you will develop throughout your essay. Make sure your thesis is specific, debatable, and defensible.

A staggering report by the World Health Organization reveals that poor diet contributes to more disease than physical inactivity, alcohol, and smoking combined. In our fast-paced world, convenience often trumps health when it comes to food choices. With an alarming rise in obesity and diet-related illnesses, a closer look at our eating habits is more critical than ever. For this reason, adopting a healthy diet is essential for individual health, disease prevention, and overall wellbeing.

>> Read more: How to Start an Essay

6. Create a Body Part 

A body section of a standard 5-paragraph essay layout comprises 3 paragraphs. Each body paragraph should contain the most important elements of the discussion:  

• Topic sentence  
• Detailed explanation
• Supporting evidence from credible sources
• Further exploration of examples
• Transition.

Begin your body paragraph by introducing a separate aspect related to your thesis statement. For example, if you are writing about the importance of physical activity, your body paragraph may start this way: 

Regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

Don’t just make a bold statement. You will need to expand on this idea and explain it in detail. You should also incorporate facts, examples, data, or quotes that back up your topic sentence. Your evidence should sound realistic. Try to draw the examples from personal experience or  recent news. On top of that, you should analyze how this evidence ties back to your overall argument. 

It’s not a good idea to finish your body paragraph just like that. Add essay transition words to keep your five-paragraph paper cohesive. 

First and foremost, a healthy diet plays a pivotal role in maintaining individual health and vitality. A balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, provides the essential nutrients our bodies need to function effectively. A research study by the American Heart Association found that individuals who adhered to a healthy eating pattern had a 25% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This data emphasizes that a proper diet is not just about staying in shape. It directly affects critical health outcomes, impacting our susceptibility to serious health conditions like heart disease. While the implications of diet on personal health are substantial, the preventative power of healthy eating against disease is equally noteworthy, as we shall explore next.

>> Read more: How to Write a Body Paragraph

7. Write a Concluding Paragraph 

Wrapping up your 5-paragraph essay might seem like a breeze after developing your introductory and body parts. Yet, it's crucial to ensure your conclusion is equally impactful. Don't leave it to the reader to join the dots – restate your thesis statement to reinforce your main argument. Follow this by a brief recap of the 2-3 key points you've discussed in your essay.

The last taste should be the best, so aim to end your 5-paragraph essay on a high note. Craft a compelling closing sentence that underscores the importance of your topic and leaves your reader considering future implications.

As was outlined in this essay, a balanced diet isn't just a lifestyle choice, but an essential tool for maintaining individual health, preventing disease, and promoting overall wellbeing. Healthy eating directly affects our personal health, its power in disease prevention, and how it contributes to a sense of wellness. What we consume profoundly impacts our lives. Therefore, a commitment to healthy eating isn't merely an act of self-care; it's a potent declaration of respect for the life we've been given.

>> Learn more: How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay

8. Review and Revise

Your 5-paragraph essay should be up to scratch now. However, double-check your work for any errors or typos. It's worth revising your essay at least twice for maximum impact. Our practice shows that revising your essay multiple times will help you refine the arguments, making your piece more convincing.

As you proofread, make sure the tone is consistent, and each sentence contributes something unique to the overall point of view. Also, check for spelling and grammar errors. 

Once you're happy with your 5-paragraph essay, submit it to your teacher or professor.

5 Paragraph Essay Example

Students can ease their life by exploring a sample five paragraph essay example shared by one the writers. Consider buying a college essay if you want your homework to be equally good.

Extra 5-Paragraph Writing Tips 

Here’re some bonus tips on how to write a good 5-paragraph essay:

• Be clear and concise Avoid fluff and filler. Every sentence should contribute to your argument or topic.
• Keep paragraphs focused Each paragraph should be dedicated to an individual point or idea.
• Use strong evidence To support your points, use solid evidence. This could be statistics, research findings, or relevant quotes from experts.
• Use active voice Active voice makes writing direct and dynamic. It puts the subject of the sentence in the driver's seat, leading the action.
• Avoid first-person pronouns To maintain a formal, academic tone, try to avoid first-person pronouns (I, me, my, we, our). First-person pronouns are acceptable only when writing a narrative essay , personal statement or college application essay .

Final Thoughts on How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay 

Writing a five-paragraph essay may seem challenging at first, but with practice and determination it can become a piece of cake. Don’t forget to use your secret power – an outline, so that you have a clear idea of what points to cover in each paragraph. Make sure that you stick to the right format and cite your sources consistently. With these tips and 5 paragraph essay examples, you will be able to write an effective piece.

If any questions pop out, do not hesitate to leave the comments below or contact our professional writing service for expert assistance with your “ write an essay for me ” challenge.

Our team of experienced writers is ready to provide you with high-quality, custom-written essays tailored to your specific requirements. Whether you're struggling with a complex topic or short on time, our reliable service ensures timely delivery and top-notch content. Buy essays online and forget about struggles.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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FAQ About Five-Paragraph Essays

1. how long is a 5-paragraph essay.

A five-paragraph essay typically ranges from 300  to 500 words, depending on the topic and type of paper. It's important to consider the length of your essay when determining how much information you want to include in each paragraph. For shorter essays, it is best to stick to one main point per paragraph so that your essay remains concise and focused.

2. What is a 5-paragraph format?

The five-paragraph essay format is a classic structure used to organize essays and persuasive pieces. It consists of an introduction (which includes your thesis statement), 3 body paragraphs that explain each point, and a conclusion which sums up your fundamental ideas. Each paragraph should feature one main aspect, with supporting evidence discovered during research.

3. How to start a 5-paragraph essay?

The best way to start a five-paragraph essay is by writing an engaging introduction that contains your thesis statement. Your first paragraph should provide readers with some context as well as introduce your main argument. Make sure to cover at least 2 or 3 points in your thesis statement so that you have something to elaborate on further in your text.

Five Paragraph Essay Outline

10 May, 2020

7 minutes read

Author:  Tomas White

The five paragraph essay exists as one of the most commonly assigned essays, especially for high school students. In fact, the five paragraph essay format is so popular, it is often used not only in the classroom but for exams and admission essays as well. If you’ve never written a five paragraph essay, or find that you simply need a good refresher, you’ve come to the right place! We have thrown out all the useless information and boiled it down to the essential info you need to both understand what a five paragraph essay is and how to write one to earn the grade you want.

What is a Five Paragraph Essay?

Unlike some misleading names, the five-paragraph essay is exactly what it sounds like: an essay that consists solely of five paragraphs. This type of essay is strictly about the structure. That’s what matters much more than the topic or questions to be discussed in the essay. The paragraphs in the essay paragraphs follow a very specific outline.

This kind of essay was separated from all other types with a sole purpose – teaching students about the concept of the essay by practicing it’s most basic structure variant. Even though any kind of essay can have five paragraph – from a  definition essay to story-based narrative essay ; five paragraph essay is never limited to the approach. It might look like any other essay, but the structure is the king here.

Meet the Five Paragraph Essay Outline

This type of essay contains three distinctly different kinds of paragraphs including (in order):

• Introduction paragraph
• Three body paragraphs
• Conclusion paragraph

While all three types of paragraphs follow traditional grammar and syntax conventions, what goes into each paragraph varies based on its purpose.

Let’s take a look at what makes each of these paragraphs unique:

Introduction

The introduction paragraph should have three key parts: an attention getter , background information , and a thesis statement . These elements should appear in this order; the thesis statement typically appears as the last sentence in the introduction because it acts as a transition to the body paragraphs which each work to support the argument outlined within the thesis. Let’s say that the topic of your five paragraph essay is the best type of pet to own. After doing some research, you decide to write about cats. The attention getter sentence should capture the audience’s attention and make them want to read more about cats. Attention getter sentences often fall into one of four categories:

• An interesting fact
• An engaging statistic
• A relevant quotation
• A personal anecdote

It’s important to note that a personal anecdote or story from your own life may not be appropriate for all types of essays — especially if an instructor has noted that no personal pronouns be used in the paper.

Related post: How to write an Essay introduction

After gaining the audience’s interest, the next few sentences, anywhere from 3 to 10 sentences, depending upon the essay, should be about background information. Such information may define specific vocabulary or generally provide background information relevant to the topic.

In a five-paragraph essay about cats, relevant background information could include when cats became domesticated, how many breeds of cats are available today, and where individuals can find cats as pets.

Finally, the last part of the introduction paragraph should be the thesis statement. A well-written thesis statement should include an argument and a roadmap on how to prove it.

In this case, a simple yet effective thesis statement could be: “Cats make the best pets because they are intelligent, friendly, and sociable.” The first part, “cats make the best pets” is the argument while the second part, “intelligent, friendly, and sociable” is the roadmap. This is called a roadmap because it outlines the ideas that will guide the paper in the body paragraphs.

According to this thesis statement, there will be a body paragraph that provides evidence that cats are intelligent, another proving that cats are friendly, and a third proving that cats are sociable.

Stuck on writing your outline? Our essay writer will help You!

Body Paragraphs

A typical body paragraph is anywhere from six to twenty sentences; the length of a body paragraph depends upon the amount of research, analysis, and discussion needed in each paragraph to support the argument set forth in the thesis statement. Typically, a body paragraph will follow an organization such as this:

• Topic sentence
• Background sentence(s)
• Explanation

There could be more sentences if you have more quotations from research to include. Additionally, some topics may require several background sentences while others only require one.

Remember: value your time and your teacher’s time; skip writing sentences to pad the length of your paper and ask yourself if each sentence contributes to proving the argument outlined within the thesis. If the sentence doesn’t, get rid of it!

The conclusion paragraph should be the final paragraph in the paper. It is often the shortest paragraph. Its purpose is to review the main points and prove to the audience that the writer has successfully argued his or her point. A conclusion paragraph should never introduce any new information. Most teachers prefer students to skip obvious phrases such as “In conclusion” or “Before ending” because these statements are understood by the reader.

Related post: Cause and Effect essay outline 

Following the conclusion paragraph, you will likely need to create a “Works Cited” and/or a “Bibliography” page if you included any type of research within the five paragraph essay outline. After each quotation or paraphrase in the essay should be a parenthetical citation, and each parenthetical citation should be referenced in the Works Cited and/or Bibliography page. Your teacher or professor should clearly communicate their preference; a Works Cited page exists as a reference for all the works quoted in the essay whereas the Bibliography page lists every source you consulted during the research process.

Tips and Tricks

If writing isn’t one of your favorite requirements of academic life, check out these 10 tips and tricks to navigate creating a five paragraph essay smoothly:

• Begin early
• Make an appointment with the teacher to discuss your ideas/progress and get feedback
• Take good notes, and cite the sources as you go
• Create a sentence outline before the draft
• Edit the essay twice: once for content, once for grammar
• Get at least one other person to provide constructive criticism
• Make an appointment at the Writing Center if your campus has one
• Hire a professional editing service to catch pesky grammar errors
• Review the final essay against any provided rubric item by item
• Check the paper’s formatting for spacing, margins, and headers/footers

Writing assignments are never sprints, but they don’t have to be marathons either — try to find a happy medium!

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How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay: Outline, Examples, & Writing Steps

If you wish a skill that would be helpful not just for middle school or high school, but also for college and university, it would be the skill of a five-paragraph essay. Despite its simple format, many students struggle with such assignments.

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A 5-paragraph essay structure consists of an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. It is one of the fundamental techniques for primary English education. It is also used to test the level of knowledge in almost any humanities subject.

• 👣 7 Writing Steps
• 📝 Essay Examples

🔗 References

📑 5-paragraph essay outline.

This genre is probably the most structured type of writing. It starts from a broad explanation and definitions, continues with narrow argumentation, and finishes with another broad generalization. The Hamburger Format can help you memorize the step-by-step essay structure .

Top Bun: Five-Paragraph Essay Introduction

The first sentence is usually a hook . It may be a rhetorical question, a stunning fact, or an example from real life. Its purpose is to make the reader interested in what’s going to come next.

It is hard to recollect that some 20 years ago, cell phones used to be a luxury.

Then you are supposed to provide a “ trailer for the movie :” hint what you are going to talk about, without revealing the plot. Two or three sentences will suffice.

Secondary school teachers can tell the children to put away their gadgets, but this practice becomes hardly possible at college, where adult people are taught.

The last sentence of an introduction is a thesis . It introduces your message to the reader and is usually arguable.

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This essay explores why it is morally permissible to introduce cell phone control at colleges and what results it may entail.

5-Paragraph Essay Body

Lettuce: paragraph #1.

• The first paragraph should provide the most prominent and substantial argument .
• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence . It links your ideas to the thesis statement. If at some point, you realize that there is a discrepancy between your topic sentences and the thesis, you should update the latter.
• Then comes the evidence or explanation . Avoid generalizations here. Defend your argument in the most concise manner. If any words could be left out, they should be deleted.
• Finish each paragraph with an analysis : how does it refer to your thesis?

Tomato: Paragraph #2

The second and third paragraphs follow the same structure. Your “tomato” argument is the weakest and less evident than the first one.

Burger: Paragraph #3

Dedicate the last paragraph to the most persuasive claim. In an argumentative essay, the third paragraph dwells upon the opposing opinion, substantiating its wrongness.

Bottom Bun: Five-Paragraph Essay Conclusion

A conclusion intends to summarize the main body paragraphs and restate the thesis in different words. The last sentence of your conclusion should indicate that the text is over.

Having considered everything mentioned above, it shall be stated that the use of telephones ruins the learning process and should be controlled.

5-Paragraph Essay: Outline Template

To simplify the outline above, feel free to use the following 5-paragraph essay template. It will do for any essay length.

• “movie trailer”
• thesis statement
• topic sentence
• allusion to thesis
• overall concluding sentence

How Many Words Is a 5-Paragraph Essay?

A typical five-paragraph essay is 500 to 1000 words long . However, for easy writing, the average of 250 to 500 words is admissible. This word count should be distributed among the introduction, three body paragraphs (each consisting of a topic sentence and at least three evidence sentences), and the conclusion.

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👣 How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay: 7 Steps

Step 1. choose your 5-paragraph essay topic.

As a rule, the teacher provides the topic or at least the scope of topics in the assignment. However, it may happen that you will have to come up with your own theme. To avoid changing the title in the course of writing and starting the whole work from the beginning, make sure you observe the following rules:

• Avoid overused subjects if you don’t want half of your classmates to have similar essays.
• Try to find a narrow topic that suggests an argument.
• The best topic is the one that you would argue with your friend for hours . If you feel excited thinking about it, your readers will enjoy learning about your opinion.

Step 2. Create Your Thesis Statement

Simply put, the thesis statement is the point of your essay. A well-developed thesis statement is a one- or two-sentence summary of what your essay shows and how it shows it. In other words, it should outline the points that will be made in your body and indicate the conclusion made from those points.

A thesis statement is the centerpiece of your essay. And this is why writing a thesis statement should happen first . It shouldn’t be the first sentence of your essay, but it must be in your introduction. Ideally, the thesis statement should be tucked into the middle or end of the first paragraph while writing essay introductions.

Here are a few thesis statement examples to make sure you understand the idea:

Thesis Statement Example #1

“There are many organic foods available today, but the vast majority of conventional foods can be eaten without any concern about the consumption of toxic pesticides. This is because many foods are not grown with pesticides, while thick peels cover the edible parts of other crops, and some agricultural foods are grown with nontoxic pesticides.”

Thesis Statement Example #2

“Detroit did not become the automotive capital of the United States overnight. Rather, automotive manufacturing became established in Detroit because of its position in proximity to raw materials like steel, navigable waterways, and the efforts of local entrepreneurs.”

Thesis Statement Example #3

“Three key design elements that defined the Art Deco movement were bold geometric shapes, rich colors, and luxurious ornamentation.”

Notice the similarities shared by these thesis statements. They each list three points that will be elaborated on in the body. Five paragraph essays rely upon this magic number of 3 points, which is discussed next. And you can also imagine the essay that each of these statements belongs to.

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Step 3. Structure Your 5-Paragraph Essay

Five paragraph essays require a very special sort of discipline. In this case, you only have five paragraphs to work with, so there is only one structure that makes sense: one introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and one conclusion paragraph. Above there is detailed information about the five-paragraph essay outline. In the next few paragraphs, its part’s goals and the ideas they should convey are described in more detail.

Step 4. Write Your 5-Paragraph Essay Introduction

The purpose of an introduction is to demonstrate the focus of the essay. An introduction should provide enough information to orient the reader to the essay subject, state the thesis statement, and roughly outline the body’s content.

• When you are writing an introduction, you first need to grab the attention of the reader . Your introduction’s first sentence should be a bold statement, a striking fact, or a provocative question. The trick here is to use something memorable. This is one reason many essays begin with a famous quote.
• After you have the attention of the reader, give a little more background about your essay topic.
• Then use your thesis statement to indicate what your essay is about clearly.
• After this, you should conclude your introduction with a quick summary of the points you will be making in the body.

Step 5. Write Your 5-Paragraph Essay Body

The purpose of a body is to explain the content of an essay. If you are writing a standard college essay, like an argumentative essay or an analytical essay, each of these paragraphs will unfold one of the points you mentioned in your introduction.

Every paragraph of the body is like a miniature essay:

• Each paragraph has a point or thesis statement
• Each paragraph starts with an introductory sentence
• Each paragraph ends with a brief conclusion

If the body paragraphs feature separate topics, sometimes they will appear disconnected to your reader. Transition sentences fix this problem. As the first or last sentence of a body paragraph, they help transition the reader from one idea to another.

There are countless ways to write transitions, but this is the easiest process. Write each of your body paragraphs as you naturally would. And then revise your text to link the ideas with transitions. One of the basic essay example thesis statements was from an essay about the automotive industry in Detroit. You could link a paragraph about access to raw materials with a paragraph about adjacency to waterways using the following transition sentences:

Transition Sentence: Example #1

“Steel was cheap because it was produced near Detroit, but this raw material was made even cheaper by the Great Lakes’ nearby waterways.”

Transition Sentence: Example #2

“Proximity to coal and iron ore was not the only advantage Detroit had in becoming the automotive capital of the 20th century.”

After you’ve written your essay, go back and check to make sure that you use a transition sentence between every paragraph. Often, you can turn the first or last sentence of a paragraph into a transition.

Step 7. Edit Your 5-Paragraph Essay

For most essays, you will have time to check your work and revise it. Though exams and tests may limit you, try to budget enough time to reread your essay. As you are doing that, here are some great questions to ask yourself. As you answer these questions about your writing , try to put yourself in the position of your reader.

The top trick for how to write a college essay is, of course, the same top trick for writing a high school essay or any other writing at all—that is, rewriting. This is the stage when good writing becomes great writing. This is your chance to fix the issues you uncovered while rereading your essay. Keep it simple. If you encounter a difficult sentence to understand or is more than two lines long, try to figure out ways to break it up. Simplifying your ideas is an essential part of the rewriting process.

📝 5-Paragraph Essay Examples

In this section, you’ll find a free 5-paragraph essay sample. It focuses on the disadvantages of home-based education. Note that the full version of the text is downloadable!

Disadvantages of Home-Based Education

Currently, education seems to be more accessible than ever before. The technological progress of the last century rendered information and learning instruments more available, facilitating alternative education types such as home-based learning. Compared to formal education, homeschooling practices seem to have a long-standing history since for a significant part of human existence knowledge and skills were transmitted directly from parents to their offspring. Although home-based education predates formal schooling, its long history should not be the reason to select this type of education since it has several downsides: effectiveness, socialization, and time and monetary resources.

5-Paragraph Essay Topics

• Cooperation of Treyarch and Pepsi’s from the virtue ethics perspective. 
• Examine the situation with food packaging litter in Ireland . 
• Should World Trade Organization tasks and policies be revised?  
• Discuss how Codex Hammurabi helps to understand the judicial system of ancient Babylon.  
• Analyze the stylistic devices Elie Wiesel uses in his novel Night .  
• What can be done to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia ? 
• Analyze the storming of the Bastille.  
• Describe the different meanings of the term honor .  
• Why the Internet is an effective instrument of advertisement.  
• How artificial intelligence facilitates the accountants’ work.  
• The collaboration agreement and its advantage to companies.  
• Analyze the Ritz-Carlton Hotel’s company. 
• Analyze the importance and methods of quantitative research .  
• Why do we have to protect sharks from extinction?  
• The influence of peers on behavior change of teenagers.  
• The role of clothing designer in a movie production.  
• Discuss college experience of a nursing student.   
• How to get rid of fear of public speaking .  
• Analyze the development of the U.S. household appliance stores.  
• Foreign relations of Korea in the first decades of the 19th century. 
• Review of the article Why the Student Loan Crisis Is Everyone’s Problem?  
• Describe the main character of Sophocles’ Oedipus the King.  
• The effect of cancer on the DNA replication .  
• Are the anti-bullying programs really working?   
• Examine the rhetorical techniques used in Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery . 
• The pathogenic bacterium of streptococcus : definition, prevention, and treatment.  
• Explore the task of the manager in modern empowered teams. 
• Analyze the reliability of the article Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment .  
• Discuss the issues and possible solutions for the gifted education program .  
• The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on social media activism .  
• The effectiveness of sensitivity training against workplace prejudices.  
• How does a vacuum cleaner work?  
• Describe the ways media can promote terrorists’ agenda .  
• The role of prayers in major world’s religions.   
• The defining traits of Meursault in The Stranger by Albert Camus . 
• Describe the field experience at the science lesson . 
• Discuss the importance of employee motivation.  
• Benefit corporations as a new element of modern business.  
• Role of advertisement in creating the nursing image .  
• Is goal attainment theory compatible with personal nursing philosophy?  
• Why it is critical to eliminate orientation-based prejudices in the workplace . 
• Reasons of the failure of Superior Bank FSB. 
• The crucial meaning of a qualified nurse for preservation of patient’s health.  
• Compare different ideas of a good life from an ethical perspective .  
• The importance of development the cybersecurity industry .  
• Explore how the authors reveal the theme of true freedom in The Cask of Amontillado , Dark They Were and Golden-Eyed , and The Story of an Hour . 
• Shakespeare’s sonnets from the perspective of Lynne Magnusson.   
• The interpretation of healthcare in Health Care Reform and Equity by Fiscella . 
• How can a leader establish a friendly and calm atmosphere in the team?  
• Role of social media in promotion of positive changes in society.  

✏️ 5 Paragraph Essay FAQ

A concise paper with an Introduction, 3 paragraphs in the body part, and a Conclusion, is a popular format for student essays. Each paragraph of the body should present a new idea with a couple of arguments or examples. This structure looks neat and cohesive.

A 5-paragraph essay is relatively fast and easy to write. Here are 3 simple steps you may take:

1. Create an outline with key ideas (at least 3 points for the body),

2. Write those 3 body paragraphs with examples,

3. Add an introduction and a conclusion.

The time you spend to write about 2 pages depends on multiple factors:

1. The complexity of the topic,

2. How experienced you are,

3. How serious you take the task.

In any case, 2 hours should be enough. Create an outline to save time.

The second paragraph typically opens the body part of the essay. Some ways to begin it are:

1. present the first argument;

2. provide an example (remember to explain why it is relevant);

3. write down a hypothesis.

In rare cases, the second paragraph might be an addition to the intro.

• The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay: Grace Fleming, ThoughtCo
• Ending the Essay, Conclusions: Pat Bellanca, for the Writing Center at Harvard University
• Writing Paragraphs: The Writing Centre, University of Ottawa
• Essay Introduction: OWLL, Massey University
• The Basics of Effective Essay Writing: Becton Loveless, Education Corner
• Suggestions for Proofreading Your Paper: Purdue Writing Lab
• Basic Essay Structure: The Five-Paragraph Essay (Study.com)
• Example Five-Paragraph Essay (UW Madison)
• Write Your Essay | UNSW Current Students
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• Knowledge Base
• How to write an expository essay

How to Write an Expository Essay | Structure, Tips & Examples

Published on July 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

“Expository” means “intended to explain or describe something.” An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a particular topic, process, or set of ideas. It doesn’t set out to prove a point, just to give a balanced view of its subject matter.

Expository essays are usually short assignments intended to test your composition skills or your understanding of a subject. They tend to involve less research and original arguments than argumentative essays .

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Table of contents

When should you write an expository essay, how to approach an expository essay, introducing your essay, writing the body paragraphs, concluding your essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about expository essays.

In school and university, you might have to write expository essays as in-class exercises, exam questions, or coursework assignments.

Sometimes it won’t be directly stated that the assignment is an expository essay, but there are certain keywords that imply expository writing is required. Consider the prompts below.

The word “explain” here is the clue: An essay responding to this prompt should provide an explanation of this historical process—not necessarily an original argument about it.

Sometimes you’ll be asked to define a particular term or concept. This means more than just copying down the dictionary definition; you’ll be expected to explore different ideas surrounding the term, as this prompt emphasizes.

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An expository essay should take an objective approach: It isn’t about your personal opinions or experiences. Instead, your goal is to provide an informative and balanced explanation of your topic. Avoid using the first or second person (“I” or “you”).

The structure of your expository essay will vary according to the scope of your assignment and the demands of your topic. It’s worthwhile to plan out your structure before you start, using an essay outline .

A common structure for a short expository essay consists of five paragraphs: An introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Like all essays, an expository essay begins with an introduction . This serves to hook the reader’s interest, briefly introduce your topic, and provide a thesis statement summarizing what you’re going to say about it.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

The body of your essay is where you cover your topic in depth. It often consists of three paragraphs, but may be more for a longer essay. This is where you present the details of the process, idea or topic you’re explaining.

It’s important to make sure each paragraph covers its own clearly defined topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Different topics (all related to the overall subject matter of the essay) should be presented in a logical order, with clear transitions between paragraphs.

Hover over different parts of the example paragraph below to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

The conclusion of an expository essay serves to summarize the topic under discussion. It should not present any new information or evidence, but should instead focus on reinforcing the points made so far. Essentially, your conclusion is there to round off the essay in an engaging way.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a conclusion works.

The invention of the printing press was important not only in terms of its immediate cultural and economic effects, but also in terms of its major impact on politics and religion across Europe. In the century following the invention of the printing press, the relatively stationary intellectual atmosphere of the Middle Ages gave way to the social upheavals of the Reformation and the Renaissance. A single technological innovation had contributed to the total reshaping of the continent.

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An expository essay is a broad form that varies in length according to the scope of the assignment.

Expository essays are often assigned as a writing exercise or as part of an exam, in which case a five-paragraph essay of around 800 words may be appropriate.

You’ll usually be given guidelines regarding length; if you’re not sure, ask.

An expository essay is a common assignment in high-school and university composition classes. It might be assigned as coursework, in class, or as part of an exam.

Sometimes you might not be told explicitly to write an expository essay. Look out for prompts containing keywords like “explain” and “define.” An expository essay is usually the right response to these prompts.

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

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The 5 Steps to Writing a 5 Paragraph Essay

As the parent, you play an important part in how well your child learns. One of the most significant subjects to focus on is writing. Regardless of the career path your child follows, writing will play an essential role. For now, let's take a quick look at tips and tricks for helping your child learn to create a five paragraph essay. 

Step 1: How to Form a Paragraph

If your child is struggling with creating a single paragraph, creating a five-paragraph essay is going to seem like an astronomical task. This is why you must first focus on creating a single paragraph, and this starts with making sure your child understands how to develop structured sentences. Once your child can write in sentences, you can then move on to creating single paragraphs by following this helpful outline:

• Topic sentence
• Detail sentence 1
• Detail sentence 2
• Detail sentence 3
• Closing sentence

Step 2: Understanding the Structure of a Five-Paragraph Essay

Once your child can write a full paragraph, you'll then need to explain the structure of the five-paragraph essay. The first paragraph serves as an introduction for the entire essay, followed by three body paragraphs that provide supporting details for whatever topic was introduced in the introduction. The last paragraph then provides a short summary of the intro and body paragraphs.

Step 3: Create an Outline

Check out this simple-to-understand outline you can show to your child. This clearly explains each paragraph of the five-paragraph essay. It makes it incredibly easy to construct each paragraph independently and then combine them together to create the entire five-paragraph essay.  When your child is writing their five paragraph essays make sure they are creating outlines of their own whenever they have the chance. This will give them a clear picture of what they want to talk about and how they want their essay to flow.

Step 4: The Introduction

The introduction is the most important part of a five-paragraph essay. If your child fails to grab the attention of readers in the intro, there's a good chance the rest of the essay won't even be read. This is why you should explain to your child how to hook the reader. Generally, it's fairly easy to hook the reader by sharing a memory or making some kind of emotional connection. Two other tips to hook the reader include asking a question or making some type of bold statement, with the latter being a thesis statement; this statement is a direct reflection of what the entire essay is about. 

Step 5: The Closing

The final step in teaching your child how to create a five-paragraph essay is showing how to bring it all together in the closing, which is where the child restates the thesis statement and provides a few supporting details from the essay to conclude why the reader should agree with the statement being made in the thesis. 

http://thriveingradefive.com/tips-for-teaching-and-grading-five-paragraph-essays/    

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What Is a 5 Paragraph Essay? A Complete Guide

So let’s start by first understanding what a five-paragraph essay is. As the name suggests, this essay has five paragraphs, each very specific to what you have to write. The first paragraph is one where you introduce the reader to the topic. This is one where you have to give in your best to hook the reader on to what you are saying and to build their interest so that they want to keep going, trying to understand what you are saying. 

Then come three body paragraphs where you discuss the topic in much more detail, adding in the main crux of what you are saying. Then towards the end, the final paragraph is the concluding paragraph where you end the essay, summarizing the main points of this essay. Sometimes, a five paragraph essay is also known as a hamburger essay because you layer up things following what has been asked of you. You can find additional info in 5 paragraph essay to gather as many examples as possible. 

In most exams, students are asked to memorize this format for writing essays, with the primary aim being to have a structure in mind as a generic one for writing essays. This structure works well for most people, mainly because it is easy to understand and for all the correct detail to go into the essay. Furthermore, students can organize their thoughts more coherently when they follow this format for the essay, which allows them to do much better too. With all types of essays, the five paragraph format works very well. If you search online, you will find several five paragraph essay examples that will help you understand the crux of this much better.  

Types of 5 Paragraph Essay – Know Your Options

There are several types of five paragraph essays that exist. A few of the most important ones are narrative, expository, persuasive, and argumentative. 

☑️ Narrative- a narrative essay is one where you tell a story to an audience. This story has to be as engaging and compelling as possible to allow the reader to keep going to understand what is being said. With the correct usage of words, you can ensure that you are writing well and engaging the audience in the best way possible. 

☑️ Expository- an expository essay is one in which you are required to investigate an idea, evaluate the evidence, and then set forth an argument. This is also one where you must be very thorough with your words. 

☑️ Persuasive- this essay is one where you are expected to give your point of view so that you persuade the audience in a way that they understand what you are saying. For a persuasive essay, your information must be very authentic so the reader truly understands what you are trying to say. 

☑️ Sequence – a sequence essay analyzes a topic or event chronologically, breaking down each stage’s significance. The goal is to help the reader understand how each step relates to the next, making it an organized and structured analysis of a series of events.

☑️ Argumentative- an argumentative essay requires you to investigate a topic in great detail, evaluate the evidence, and then write in a way that allows you to defend your point of view best. 

With all of these types of essays, a five paragraph essay format always works well. It allows the writer to put their point of view across in the best way possible, which is exactly what is needed from them. 

Watch this retro funny but informative video with some additional tips, absolutely perfect way to learn more 🤓 :

How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay Step by Step

Now that you know what this essay is all about, we should understand more about this type of essay and how to write a 5 paragraph essay well to ensure that the audience is as engaged as possible. 

To write a five paragraph essay, the first and most important thing is to get well-versed in the topic you are writing about. You can only do justice to the topic when you fully understand the topic at hand. Once you do, you can begin working on it in the best way. Start with researching the topic so that you have a better idea about what you can include in the essay. Once you have a sound grip on it, it is the best time to start writing the essay. 

Introduction and How to Start a Five Paragraph Essay

This is the part where you set the tone for the entire essay. So, you have to make sure that you write this part well. This is also where the reader gets the first impression of what you will say. So, you must make sure that you do this well. Try to grip the reader to get your point across to them in the best way possible. You can start with the thesis statement and give background information to set the tone. The introduction should also provide an overview of the main points you will touch on here in this essay. 

Transitioning Between Paragraphs

Transitioning smoothly between paragraphs is crucial for maintaining the flow and coherence of your essay. Seamless transitions prevent jarring or abrupt shifts, keeping readers engaged and focused. To achieve this, incorporate transition sentences using words or phrases like “however,” “similarly,” or “on the other hand.” These transitional phrases connect ideas and help guide the reader through the logical progression of your essay.

The Five-Paragraph Essay Format

In a five-paragraph essay, each paragraph plays a unique role. Let’s discuss the goals and content of each specific paragraph:

Introductory Paragraph

The first paragraph of your essay is crucial as it sets the tone and introduces the topic to the reader. It should contain a clear thesis statement summarizing your essay’s main idea. Consider using a hook or attention-grabbing opening sentence to engage the reader. While providing essential background information, avoid revealing too many details in the introduction, saving them for the subsequent paragraphs.

Body Paragraphs

The three body paragraphs serve as the meat of your essay, where you present details, evidence, and reasoning to support your thesis. Each paragraph should focus on a separate and independent topic contributing to your overall argument. Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that encapsulates the main point of that specific paragraph. Fill the rest of the paragraph with supporting details, whether through persuasive arguments, empirical data, or quotes from authoritative sources. Be concise and avoid including off-topic or tangential sentences to maintain the essay’s conciseness.

Concluding Paragraph

The concluding paragraph summarizes the points discussed in the body paragraphs without introducing new evidence or support. Restate your thesis and remind the reader of the main arguments presented throughout the essay. If your essay aims to persuade or inspire action, you can include a call to action in the concluding paragraph. Additionally, consider ending the essay with a thought-provoking sentence or an open-ended question to leave a lasting impact on the reader.

Body Paragraphs with Writing Tips and Examples

The three paragraphs in the middle form the essay’s main body. This is where you write the crux of the essay, so you must ensure to include as much detail as possible. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence and then continue as you give greater detail into what you are saying. Make sure to have an argument compelling enough and double-check  for plagiarism . Also, use transitioning phrases as much as you can. This is crucial to make sure that you write well. Try to make a persuasive argument, and get your information from sources that are as authentic as possible. Remember that this adds value to your essay and makes the reader trust your words. So, spend the most time researching what you will write, like in compare and contrast essay . This is highly crucial to make sure that you keep going well. Avoid adding irrelevant details here to ensure the reader understands that you are adding to their knowledge bank by saying what you are saying. 

Understanding the Five-Paragraph Essay

The five-paragraph essay is a simple format for writing a complete essay, fitting the minimal components of an essay into just five paragraphs. It is a useful guide for students and academics, providing a structured approach to basic papers. This article explores the fundamentals of the five-paragraph essay, including its definition, purpose, and how to write an essay effectively.

The five-paragraph essay has one introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs for support, and one concluding paragraph. She was also known as the “hamburger essay” or the “three-tier essay,” this format is commonly used for educational assignments and provides a framework to organize ideas. While it may not offer extensive complexity, it is a valuable tool for structuring various types of essays.

The Writing Process and How to Craft a Five-Paragraph Essay

The introductory paragraph is crucial in setting the tone for the entire essay and capturing the reader’s attention. It should begin with a strong opening sentence and include a clear thesis statement that outlines the main argument or point of the essay. Additionally, providing background information about the topic helps establish context and engage the reader. The introductory paragraph should offer a glimpse of the main points to be discussed in the subsequent paragraphs while leaving room for elaboration.

Developing Compelling Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are where the main arguments or supporting points are presented. Each body paragraph focuses on a topic or argument supporting the thesis statement. To ensure coherence and logical progression, begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence summarizing the main idea. Use factual evidence, examples, or analysis to substantiate your claims and provide depth to your arguments. Smooth transitions between paragraphs are essential for maintaining the flow of ideas and guiding the reader through your essay.

Crafting an Effective Conclusion

The concluding paragraph brings the essay to a close by summarizing the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. It restates the thesis statement, reminds the reader of the main argument, and reinforces the overall message of the essay. While it should not introduce new information, the concluding paragraph may offer a call to action or provide a thought-provoking statement to leave a lasting impression on the reader. A strong conclusion leaves the reader with a sense of closure and reinforces the significance of the essay’s content.

The five-paragraph essay is a valuable tool for effectively organizing and structuring essays. By following the format of an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph, writers can present their ideas coherently and engage the reader. It is important to remember that the five-paragraph essay is a flexible format that can be applied to various types of essays as long as the topic can be adequately covered within its structure. With practice and careful attention to each paragraph’s purpose, students can develop strong composition skills and confidently express their ideas using this format.

When concluding the essay, try to write a cohesive conclusion where you summarize by giving in all the key points you mentioned. Summarize everything in the best way that you can. Also, restate the thesis so that you take the reader back to the original point that you were making. A strong conclusion adds value to the whole essay and ensures that things are the best for you. Read about the structure of the five-paragraph essay here. The Five Paragraph Essay Outline provides a comprehensive framework for organizing and developing your ideas in a structured manner.

With this structure in mind, you can do justice to your actions. Of course, you must do a sound job with this.

Order a 5 paragraph essay at Writing Metier to get a reference example.

To have a better understanding of what a five paragraph essay is, try to go through more examples online . This will allow you to understand this in a much better way. A five-paragraph essay is a valuable tool for effectively organizing and structuring essays. By following the format of an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph, writers can present their ideas coherently and engage the reader.

It is important to remember that the five-paragraph essay is a flexible format that can be applied to various types of essays as long as the topic can be adequately covered within its structure. With practice and careful attention to each paragraph’s purpose, students can develop strong composition skills and confidently express their ideas using this format.

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Laura Orta is an avid author on Writing Metier's blog. Before embarking on her writing career, she practiced media law in one of the local media. Aside from writing, she works as a private tutor to help students with their academic needs. Laura and her husband share their home near the ocean in northern Portugal with two extraordinary boys and a lifetime collection of books.

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Five-Paragraph Essay Structure and Format

Are you struggling to write a great 5 paragraph essay? In this article, we'll guide you through each step of the process, from introduction to conclusion, so that you can write a stellar 5 paragraph essay that impresses your teacher or professor.

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Five Paragraph Essay – Submit A+ Paper!

A 5 paragraph essay is a typical assignment that you will do throughout the school, mostly in high school, colleges, and universities. Since every course or subject can require a five-paragraph essay, you need to excel at writing them. Luckily the five-paragraph essay template is easy to compose. When you start writing your standardized test essay, you should first decide what kind of essay you are required to write.

There are many different types of 5 paragraph essays, including narrative, comparative, argumentative, expository, persuasive, literary, and many more. The kind of essay will, therefore, determine your topic and thesis.

Topic Examples For A Five-Paragraph Essay

One of the main things to do in the beginning is to pick a great 5 paragraph essay topic. Here is a brief list of 5 paragraph essay topics you can take a look at to elaborate and develop from. You can always seek out more 5 paragraph essay ideas.

• Can we learn from the mistakes of other people?
• How can the government reduce crime?
• Is using animals for tests an ethical practice?
• Who should receive capital punishment?
• What are the benefits of permitting same-sex marriages?
• Why should education be made completely free?

The 5 paragraph essay format for standardized tests is either persuasive or literary. Here are the tips that will help you on how to write a five-paragraph essay:

Writing A Good Introduction Paragraph

The first paragraph of a five paragraph essay is the introduction, and it must accomplish some specific goals: capture your reader’s interest, introduce your topic, and make a claim or express an opinion in a thesis.

Start with a hook. The hook should capture the audience’s attention, so it’s good to choose a creative way to introduce your topic. The hook sentence should be a generalized statement about your topic that gives your readers the basic idea about your paper’s topic

The second sentence should tell the reader more about your problems while remaining generalized. You should provide essential background information and define your question.

Continue offering the background information, but begin to see the focus of your essay start to take shape.

Things To Note When Writing An Introduction Paragraph

• The paragraph should be 3 to 5 sentences long
• It predetermines your essay’s entire structure
• The first sentence should hook the reader
• The last sentence is the thesis statement
• The first sentence/hook may be a shocking fact, quote, rhetorical question, joke, or real-life experience.

For example, if the essay topic is, “Can we learn from the mistakes of other people?” You may introduce the first sentence as follows: “In life there are no mistakes, only lessons.”

Body Paragraphs Of A Five Paragraph Essay (5 to 7 Sentences Each)

Keep the following in mind when writing body paragraphs:

• Include your strongest point in the first paragraph
• Include the weakest point in the second paragraph
• Add another strong argument in the final body paragraph

You should also:

• Write three points, and you want the reader to see them as being healthy.Beginning with your strongest point will show your readers that your stance is right, and ending the second strongest point will create reliable support for your argument. This means that your weak points need to be in the middle.
• Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence.A topic sentence of a five paragraph essay states your point and connects it back to the thesis. This will show the audience why your location supports the idea you presented in your thesis. The topic sentence controls the rest of your body paragraphs, just like your argument controls the whole essay.
• Depending on the topic of your 5 paragraph essay, you may pull evidence from a text or do some research that you did about the issue. Alternatively, you can use examples to back up the points, especially when writing your class essays.

Your commentary is where you show the reader how your examples support your points and connect them back to the topic sentence and the argument. Explain in your own words how your evidence proves your ideas to make your stance correct. However, the commentary is essential to a successful essay.

Writing A Conclusion

The final paragraph summarizes your main points and reasserts your main claim. It should point out all your principal points, but you should not repeat certain examples, and leave a long-lasting impression on the reader.

You should start the conclusion with the ideas you covered in your thesis. Don’t just copy-and-paste the thesis. Instead, rewrite your it with the weight of your argument behind it. Your readers have now read all of your points, and the examples and your thesis should reflect this.

Include a review of how each of your body paragraphs supported your thesis, reminding your reader of your arguments. You should write at least two sentences that explain briefly what you’ve said. Avoid introducing new information. Providing further details in the thesis can result in lost points in the whole essay. This will cause the reader to walk away with a lot of questions instead of confidence in your ideas.

In conclusion, you should only be restating what you’ve already said. Tie up your essay with a concluding sentence. Your concluding sentences should leave your reader with a long-lasting impression of your topic. Use the statement to make sure that your readers keep thinking about your essay even after they have finished reading it. The following are great ideas for writing a good concluding sentence

Once you complete the first draft of your essay, it’s a good idea to re-visit the thesis statement in your first paragraph. Read your article to see if it flows well, and you might find that the supporting items are persuasive, but they don’t address the specific focus of your thesis. Rewrite your thesis sentence to fit your body and summary more precisely, and adjust the conclusion to wrap it all up nicely.

5 Paragraph Essay Example

Now that you have mapped out how to write a basic five paragraph essay, it’s always a good idea to take a peek at 5 paragraph essay examples. An example of a five paragraph essay can really open your eyes to how it is actually done, and might make things way more simple. And if you need a 5 paragraph essay of your own, make sure to get plagiarism free essay writing help.What does a 5 paragraph essay look like? is definitely a common question, so here’s your answer!

Although it was once a promising source of income for American retirees, the Social Security program is slowly becoming more of a problem than a solution. The program has morphed into promising more money than it can deliver, and promising that money especially to people who did not earn it. Because of the top-heavy design of the Social Security system, it is now necessary to implement a program that can continuously support itself over the generations, provide a sufficient amount of financial support, and make sure the money is going into worthy hands. Creating a mandatory private pension system would not only give those who are responsible with their money a chance to be supported through their whole retirement, a private pension system would be self-supporting over time unlike the Social Security system. Unlike the Social Security system, a universal pension system would provide retirees enough money to live on month-to-month no matter how long they live after retirement. While there are multiple designs to private pensions, the general idea is that employees pay a certain amount of each paycheck into the company’s pension fund (Tuchman, “Pension Plans Beat”).. This money is pooled with funds earned by the company, and then a certain amount is sent to all retired employees every month (Tuchman, “Pension Plans Beat”). Unlike with Social Security, everyone who is receiving checks used to give some of their money to the pension fund while they were employed (Inquisitr, “Social Security Disability”). As everyone put in their fair share, and as the corporation is responsible for filling in the gaps, there is enough money in a private pension fund for the hardworking employees. If retirement funds switch to mandatory private pensions, then everyone who earned the money is guaranteed enough money to retire with, no matter how long their retirement is. As a system designed to provide a guaranteed retirement to all hardworking employees, a mandatory pension plan would only provide money to people who have earned it. One of the reasons that Social Security has become a financial failure is that American taxpayer money is being used without permission as a charity to people who, in many cases, are committing fraud in order to obtain free money. There are currently 8,942,584 people receiving disability benefits through Social Security, and not all of these people truly have disabilities that prevent them from working (Inquisitr, “Social Security Disability”). Says Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, “probably a third of everybody on disability, there’s no way they’re disabled…it’s nauseating” (Inquisitr, “Social Security Disability”). Social Security was originally designed as a retirement system, giving hardworking employees a clear shot at retirement by setting aside a small portion of every check. Now, instead, hardworking citizens are being forced to give their supposed retirement money to people feigning disabilities for free cash. It is time for retirement funds to get back to their roots. Retirement funds must shed their charitable elements in order to properly work as what they were designed to be: a strong body of hardworking employees supporting the well-deserved retirements of their predecessors. Finally, a mandatory system of private pensions would provide what Social Security cannot: self-sufficiency. Currently, the Social Security program is struggling to keep up with every check that it promised to write, even with new money coming in from taxpayers every month (Inquisitr, “Social Security Disability”). The argument has rung out many times to increase the Social Security tax on paychecks, but this would only be spending more in order to earn back just as much. The reason Social Security is failing is that people are receiving the benefits without paying the costs. Within a mandatory private pension plan, every individual would put in their allotted amount, and take out their allotted amount after retirement. This design is a closed system, with no money leaking out to people who don’t deserve it. Therefore, the private pension system would be able to sustain itself, doing what it was designed to do. For a self-sustaining retirement system, it is necessary to use a design for hardworking Americans and by hardworking Americans. Unlike Social Security, a mandatory private pension system would provide sustainability. When it was initially designed, Social Security was meant to provide a well-deserved retirement to hardworking Americans. A certain amount was taken from each worker’s check, and given back month by month upon the completion of their life’s work. A mandatory private pension system is simply tracing back to the program’s roots, doing what Social Security failed to do. With a change from the Social Security system to a mandatory system of pensions managed by each employee’s place of employment, America would be able to provide a guaranteed retirement to everyone who has earned it. By not providing free money to non-workers who commit fraud in order to qualify for disability benefits, private pensions keep the money in the pot. By charging each employee their fair share while they are employed, private pensions ensure that there will be enough for everyone at their point of retirement. By only including those who produce an income, private pensions keep to the roots of American retirement, rewarding those who work hard with a retirement that they can count on to be there when they need it. The instatement of universal private pension systems throughout American promises what Social Security cannot: a secure retirement fund that can sufficiently support each and every hardworking member no matter the length of their retirement.

How Does the Grading Rubric for a 5 Paragraph Essay Look Like?

When you write a 5-paragraph essay, your aim is to score good grades. Here’s what the grading rubric entails:

• Focus – Did you prove your thesis effectively and meet all the objectives?
• Organization – Is there a smooth transition from one paragraph to the next? Are the paragraphs logical? Did the writer follow the outline of a 5-paragraph essay and other general essay writing standards?
• Conventions – Is the essay easy to read? Does it contain any spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes? Are some sentences wordy?
• Style – Does the essay comprise of high-level vocabulary and creativity?
• Content – Did the student stay factual and logical when defending arguments? Are the arguments powerful and convincing?

Final Say On The 5 Paragraph Essay

When writing a five paragraph essay, be sure to stick to the format of each section. That means writing a strong introduction and developing your arguments well through the body paragraphs. Be conversant with the rubric mentioned above, as well, and don’t forget to ask for a professional essay writing help, if needed. You can get high quality custom essay writing from our professional essay writers. They are up to any task, so your schoolwork won’t stress you out anymore.

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How Long to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay: Tips to get an A at it

writing 5 paragraph essay

While there are many types of essays, the most common type of short essay is a 2-page essay. Also referred to as 3-point essays, many people wonder how long it would take to write the 5-paragraph essays, their common name.

In this article, we answer that question in detail. We also consult our expert essay writers to understand their perspectives on the factors contributing to the time to write such an essay. Their input is valuable and it is summarized in answering the questions below.

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How long it takes to write a 5 paragraph essay.

However, the answer to this question is dictated by several factors. The first and most important factor is the essay’s nature. The time taken to write any essay is based on the requirements.

There are different types of essays, and your teacher or lecturer’s instructions depend on the type of essay you will write.

It should ideally take 2 to 3 hours to write a 5-paragraph essay, depending on your typing speed and the mastery of the subject you are writing on.

While you can use as short as 1 hour to write such a short essay on your favorite topic, it can take up to 3 hours if the subject is technical, requires extensive research, or does not interest you.

All factors held constant; it should take 2 hours to write a 5-paragraph essay. However, some of you may be wondering why it should take 2 hours when there are factors that can make the process longer.

Do not worry; we shall explore strategies to help you write a 5-paragraph essay within 1 hour regardless of the prevailing factors.

The first strategy is to switch off all the distractive devices or gadgets. This is a common-sense strategy because you cannot concentrate on writing if your favorite gadgets like video game consoles are switched on.

Tips for writing your 2-paragraph Essay Fast

1. avoid distractions.

You can also shut your room’s windows and doors to avoid outside noises to avoid further distractions.

While some of you like doing your homework while listening to your favorite music, it is best to switch off the music to complete a 5-paragraph essay within 1 hour.

2. Find Relevant Content

The second strategy that can help you write a 5-paragraph essay within 1 hour is to find relevant information for the content.

Finding a few credible sources to support your arguments within the essay is important. While this article is centered on how to write the essay within an hour, we understand that you may require several hours to complete a 5-paragraph.

However, if you have taken time before writing the essay to find information, it will take 1 hour to write it. Such information and sources can be found in Google Scholar and other top university websites.

3. Conduct Background Research first

The third strategy is to conduct brief background research. This should be part of finding information about the topic and the sources you will use in your essay.

You can use hints given by your instructor concerning the topic to help you narrow down the scope of your research and information search to find the most relevant content to help you develop a 5-paragraph essay. Take notes.

4. Create an Outline

The next step is to create an outline for your 5-paragraph essay. An outline will help you organize your thoughts into paragraphs for faster writing.

Such an outline will begin with an introduction that contains general information concerning the essay’s topic and the thesis statement. Familiarize yourself with tips on how to write your thesis fast .

The three body paragraphs follow next. Those paragraphs tackle individual claims, arguments, or ideas that prove your thesis statement.

For each claim within a single paragraph, it is best to provide 2 to 3 pieces of evidence to support the claim. The final paragraph should be the conclusion.

Here, you will provide the problems faced while tackling the topic, restate the thesis, and finally give implications of the issues raised within your essay.

5. Write the Essay at once

When you are done coming up with an outline, begin writing, and do not stop until you complete it. Writing is easier since you have already structured your ideas through the outline.

Work on the essay’s details from the introduction, body paragraphs, and finally, to the conclusion. Write them at once to ensure consistency and avoid undue procrastination.

Make sure to cite the outside sources within the paragraphs and on the last page, depending on the required format. Take the last few minutes of the hour to revise your essay and correct any errors.

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Factors determining the time to write a 5-paragraph paper

As noted above, we gathered input from several of our top essay writers on this issue. We have summarized a few factors determining the time to write a 5-paragraph essay.

You should note here that a 5-paragraph essay is not similar to a 5-paragraph paper.

While the five-paragraph essay has five paragraphs, a five-page essay will have several more paragraphs depending on the length of your paragraphs.

Ideally, a page with standard font size and spacing has two to three paragraphs. This means that a 5-paragraph paper will have a maximum of 2 pages.

If you have conducted prior research before commencing the writing process, it will take about 3-4 hours to write a 5-paragraph paper.

However, it will take longer if you haven’t done prior research since you will require more credible sources to support your arguments.

Again, you will research and find more information because you will have to produce more evidence to support your claims within each paragraph.

 What factors determine the time to write a 5-paragraph paper if this is the case?

1. The Technicality of the Topic

The topic is the first factor determining the time taken to write a 5-paragraph paper. As we all realize by now, different topics require different levels of writing and research.

The more complex a topic is, the more research it will require.

A 5-paragraph research paper with a complex topic will require more time to conduct research and therefore take longer to write, cite all the sources, and revise.

Simple topics such as personal reflection papers will take a considerably shorter time.

Papers can be reflective, personal narratives, narratives based on learning experiences, research-based, and so on.

Ideally, the papers that usually take longer to write are research-based because of the time taken to find relevant material for your sources, organize ideas, write, reference, and final formatting and proofreading.

The papers that take the shortest time to write are usually reflective and personal narrative papers.

This is because you will not be required to find relevant material for your sources or conduct research.

Such essays will be based on your thoughts, and you will only type in or write the content, thus taking a shorter time.

2. Your Writing Skills

The second factor determining the time taken to write a 5-paragraph paper is your writing skills.

This encompasses how fast you can type words using your computer, your knowledge in writing using the given format such as MLA, APA, Harvard, or Chicago, and your ability to process the instructions appropriately to respond accordingly and precisely.

Once you have done prior research and created an outline, the faster you are at typing, the faster you will complete the 5-paragraph paper because it will take lesser time to complete the task.

In most cases, especially in today’s curriculum, students are required to submit their papers as typed. Therefore, those who type faster will complete the task within a shorter amount of time, and vice versa.

3. Your Interest in the Subject and Other Factors

Other factors determining the time taken to complete such a task may include your interest in the subject and writing in general, taking breaks while writing the 5-paragraph paper.

Also, having other commitments that take up the writing time (in cases where the paper is administered as homework instead of timed classroom activity).

Tips on how to Write a 5-paragraph Essay

To give you a better understanding of the tips for writing a 5-paragraph essay or paper, we will breakdown the process into three significant steps:

1. Prewriting

3. Post writing

1. Tips for the Pre-Writing Stage

During the prewriting stage, you are supposed to brainstorm about the topic. This is a very important step because it will help align your thoughts.

Your mind will also be fixated on the task at hand. The next tip within this stage is to create an outline.

As noted, outlines are very important, especially when you want to complete your task faster. On top of that, you will create a well-organized paper. Finally, research the topic to find reliable and relevant sources.

2. Tips for the Writing Stage

Once you are done with the prewriting stage, you can start writing. Come up with a catchy yet relevant topic per the instructions. Since the title should be relevant to the essay, it should summarize your thesis.

The next tip is to write an introduction. In a 5-paragraph paper or essay, an introduction should be a single paragraph containing a brief introduction of the issues to be tackled and the thesis statement.

The body paragraphs should contain individual claims that support the thesis statement. Those claims should be supported by credible evidence.

Finally, write a conclusion that summarizes your findings, restates your thesis statement, and provides the implications of your findings.

3. Tips for the Post-Writing Stage

In the next post-writing stage, you should proofread your paper or essay to correct spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors.

Once done, format your paper following the requirements or style given by your instructor. Remember, the formatting of a paper depends on its length and instructions. A 3-page paper is different from a 10-page or a thesis.

With over 10 years in academia and academic assistance, Alicia Smart is the epitome of excellence in the writing industry. She is our managing editor and is in charge of the writing operations at Grade Bees.

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ESL Essay Writing: 7 Important Tips to Teach Students Plus Resources for Writing Lessons

“Every good story has a beginning, a middle and an end.”

This is true for a good essay, too.

An essay needs a coherent structure to successfully articulate its arguments. Strong preparation and planning is crucial to providing that structure.

Of course, essay writing can be challenging for ESL students. They must order their thoughts and construct their arguments—all in their second language.

So, here are seven ESL essay writing tips that will allow your students to weave together a coherent and persuasive essay, plus teacher resources for writing activities, prompts and lessons!

1. Build the Essay Around a Central Question

2. use the traditional 5-paragraph essay structure, 3. plan the essay carefully before writing, 4. encourage research and rewriting, 5. practice utilizing repetition, 6. aim to write a “full circle” essay, 7. edit the essay to the end, esl essay writing resources.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Encourage your students to build all their writing around one central question.

That central question is the engine of the writing—it should drive everything!

If a word or sentence is not assisting that forward motion toward the explication of that question and its possible answers, then it needs to be reworded, rephrased or just plain cut out and discarded.

Lean writing is merciless. Focusing on a central question throughout the prewriting, writing and rewriting stages helps develop the critical faculties required to discern what to keep and what to throw away.

Providing a clear structure for the student to approach essay writing can do a lot to build their confidence. The 5-paragraph essay, or “hamburger” essay, provides that clear structure for ESL writers.

Generally, this structure employs five separate paragraphs for the entire essay. Each paragraph serves a specific purpose, melding together to form a coherent whole:

• Paragraph 1: The introductory paragraph. This includes the thesis statement, orientating the reader to the purpose of the essay.
• Paragraphs 2 to 4: The body paragraphs. These make individual points that are further backed up by various forms of evidence.
• Paragraph 5:  The conclusion paragraph. This provides a summation of the arguments and a final statement of the thesis.

While students do not need to rigidly follow this format forever, the simple structure outlined above can serve as excellent training wheels for your writers.

Using the 5-paragraph structure as outlined above makes planning clear cut.

Once they have their theses and are planning their paragraphs, share with the students the ridiculously useful acronym P.E.E. This stands for Point, Explanation and Evidence.

Each body paragraph should make a point or argument in favor of the central thesis, followed by an explanation of this point and relevant evidence to back it up.

Students can make note of all their points, explanations and evidence before they start writing them in essay form. This helps take away some of the pressure ESL writers feel when faced with a blank page.

Extol the necessity for students to constantly refer to their planning. The mind-mapping techniques popularized by Tony Buzan can be useful at the planning stage and make for easy reference points to ensure focus is maintained throughout the essay.

Having a visual reference such as this can help ensure that your student-writers see each piece of the whole as well as that elusive “bigger picture,” so it becomes a case of seeing the forest and the trees!

Just as planning is crucial, so too is research.

Often ideas or connections do not occur until the writing process has begun. This is a good thing! Essay writing is a creative act, so students can have more ideas along the way and work them in as they go.

The key is to always be able to back up these ideas. Students who have done their research on their subject will be much more confident and articulate in expressing their arguments in their writing.

One way you can help students with context and research is to show relevant video content via FluentU . This language learning program uses authentic videos made by and for native speakers to help students learn English.

You can watch videos as a class or assign them directly to students for individual viewing. Videos come equipped with interactive bilingual subtitles and other learning tools such as multimedia flashcards and personalized quizzes so you can see how each student is doing.

No matter how your students do their research, the important thing is that they explore and understand their topic area before beginning the big task of writing their essay.

Even with thorough planning and research, writing oneself into a linguistic cul-de-sac is a common error. Especially with higher-level students, unforeseen currents can pull the student-writer off course.

Sometimes abandoning such a sentence helps. Going back to the drawing board and rewriting it is often best.

Students can be creative with their sentence structures   when expressing simpler ideas and arguments. However, when it comes to more complex concepts, help them learn to use shorter sentences to break their arguments into smaller, more digestible chunks.

Essay writing falls firmly in the camp of non-fiction. However, that doesn’t mean that essay writers can’t use some of the techniques more traditionally associated with fiction, poetry and drama .

One technique that’s particularly useful in essay writing is repetition. Just as poetry relies heavily on rhythm, so too does argument. Repetition can provide that sense of rhythm.

This is because written language has its origins in oral language. Think of the great orators and demagogues and their use of repetition. Speechwriters, too, are well aware of the power of repetition.

The writing principle of the “rule of 3” states that ideas expressed in these terms are more convincing and memorable. This is true of both spoken and written words and the ideas they express. Teach your students to use this method in their essay writing.

The very structure of the 5-paragraph essay lends itself to planning for this repetition, in fact. Each idea that is explored in a body paragraph should be outlined first in the introductory paragraph.

Then, the single body paragraph devoted to the idea will explore it at greater length, supported by evidence. And the third rap of the hammer occurs in the summation of the concluding paragraph, driving the point securely and convincingly home.

As mentioned at the start of this post, every good essay has a beginning, a middle and an end.

Each point made, explained and supported by evidence is a step toward what the writing teacher Roy Peter Clark calls “closing the circle of meaning.”

In planning for the conclusion of the essay, the students should take the opportunity to reaffirm their position. By referring to the points outlined in the introduction and driving them home one last time, the student-writer is bringing the essay to a satisfying full circle.

This may be accomplished by employing various strategies: an apt quotation, referring to future consequences or attempting to inspire and mobilize the reader.

Ending with a succinct quotation has the double benefit of lending some authoritative weight to the argument while also allowing the student to select a well-written, distilled expression of their central thesis. This can make for a strong ending, particularly for ESL students.

Often the essay thesis will suggest its own ending. If the essay is structured around a problem, it’s frequently appropriate to end the essay by offering solutions to the problem and outlining potential consequences if those solutions are not followed.

In the more polemical type of essay, the student may end with a call to arms, a plea for action on the part of the reader.

The strategy chosen by the student will depend largely on what fits the central thesis of their essay best.

For the ESL student, the final edit is especially important.

It offers a final chance to check form and meaning. For all writers, this process can be daunting, but more so for language students.

Often, ESL students will use the same words over and over again due to a limited vocabulary. Encourage your students to employ a thesaurus in the final draft before submission. This will freshen up their work, making it more readable, and will also increase their active vocabulary in the long run!

Another useful strategy at this stage is to encourage students to read their work aloud before handing it in.

This can be good pronunciation practice , but it also provides an opportunity to listen for grammatical errors. Further, it helps students hear where punctuation is required in the text, helping the overall rhythm and readability of the writing.

To really help your students become master essay writers, you’ll want to provide them with plenty of opportunities to test and flex their skills.

Writing prompts and exercises are a good place to start:

Descriptive writing activities encourage students to get creative and use their five senses, literary devices and diverse vocabulary. Read on for eight descriptive writing…

https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator-english/esl-writing-projects/ https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator-english/esl-picture-description/

Giving good ESL writing prompts is important because inspiring prompts inspire students to write more and writing more is how they improve. Read this post to learn 50…

You’ll likely also want to teach them more about the mechanics of writing :

Are you looking for ESL writing skills to share with your ESL students? In this guide, you’ll find different ESL writing techniques, such as helping students understand…

Would you like to introduce journal writing into your ESL classes? Fantastic idea! Here are 9 essential tips to make it creative, engaging and fun.

https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator-english/esl-writing-lessons/

Essays are a great way not only for students to learn how the language works, but also to learn about themselves.

Formulating thoughts and arguments about various subjects is good exercise for not only the students’ linguistic faculties, but also for understanding who they are and how they see the world.

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How To Teach Writing To 5th Graders

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Writing Lessons for Grade 3, 4, and 5

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