Five Paragraph EssayFive Paragraph EssayPyramidPyramid

Introductory Paragraph    Introductory Paragraph       

The The Introductory ParagraphIntroductory Paragraph begins with the begins with the Thesis StatementThesis Statement (can also be used last…).  (can also be used last…).  The The ThesisThesis is a general statement that directly is a general statement that directly

answers the answers the Call of the QuestionCall of the Question (prompt). (prompt). The The ThesisThesis is supported by (usually) three sub- is supported by (usually) three sub-

thesis points that result from asking of the thesis points that result from asking of the Thesis StatementThesis Statement: :

How?How? Why? Because? Why? Because?  Basic information about the book, name of author, Basic information about the book, name of author,

and central characters (if applicable) should be and central characters (if applicable) should be included in the introductory paragraph. included in the introductory paragraph.

Body Paragraphs…Body Paragraphs… IIII. . Body Paragraph #1Body Paragraph #1 starts with your first sub-thesis starts with your first sub-thesis

point, generally your first reason in support or defense of point, generally your first reason in support or defense of your thesis statement.  This is the topic sentence for the your thesis statement.  This is the topic sentence for the paragraph. Next, explain or define what you mean in the paragraph. Next, explain or define what you mean in the topic sentence, so that the reader gains insight into what topic sentence, so that the reader gains insight into what you mean. The rest of this paragraph will provide you mean. The rest of this paragraph will provide examples and illustration of this topic sentence…using examples and illustration of this topic sentence…using direct text references. direct text references. 

Topic Sentence (Sub-Thesis Point)Topic Sentence (Sub-Thesis Point) Explanation/DefinitionExplanation/Definition Examples/IllustrationExamples/Illustration Transition Transition

Clincher/Transition Clincher/Transition SentencesSentences

Clincher/Transition sentenceClincher/Transition sentence: : The last The last sentence of each body paragraph should sentence of each body paragraph should be a clincher for the paragraph.  (To form be a clincher for the paragraph.  (To form a clincher, include two or three key words a clincher, include two or three key words from the topic sentence and restate the from the topic sentence and restate the essential idea of the topic sentence.)  As essential idea of the topic sentence.)  As you get more confident in writing essays, you get more confident in writing essays, you may also use your clincher sentence you may also use your clincher sentence to lead into the next paragraph somehow.  to lead into the next paragraph somehow. 

Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphs IIIIII. . Body Paragraph #2Body Paragraph #2 states the second sub- states the second sub-

thesis in support of the thesis, and develops that thesis in support of the thesis, and develops that point throughout the paragraph, following the point throughout the paragraph, following the format in Body Paragraph #1.  format in Body Paragraph #1.  

   IVIV. . Body Paragraph #3Body Paragraph #3 states the third sub- states the third sub-

thesis in support of the thesis statement and thesis in support of the thesis statement and develops that point throughout the paragraph.   develops that point throughout the paragraph.   You may want to save this paragraph for your You may want to save this paragraph for your strongest sub-thesis point…as a way of finishing strongest sub-thesis point…as a way of finishing as strongly as you can.   as strongly as you can.  

Concluding ParagraphConcluding Paragraph VV. This final . This final Concluding ParagraphConcluding Paragraph begins with a begins with a

restatement of your thesis.  You need not use such restatement of your thesis.  You need not use such words as "in conclusion" since your reader will recognize words as "in conclusion" since your reader will recognize the end of your essay from the restatement of your the end of your essay from the restatement of your thesis.  This paragraph is in some ways an inversion of thesis.  This paragraph is in some ways an inversion of your opening, introductory paragraph.    Then make sure your opening, introductory paragraph.    Then make sure you answer the "so what?" question in this paragraph.  you answer the "so what?" question in this paragraph.  Why is your thesis important?  What relevance does it Why is your thesis important?  What relevance does it have to the life and world of your reader?  Try to have to the life and world of your reader?  Try to conclude with force and power and some idea of why conclude with force and power and some idea of why your point is important or compelling. your point is important or compelling.

NoteNote: Do not use “I” or “you” in your academic essay, : Do not use “I” or “you” in your academic essay, unless embedded in a direct quote…unless embedded in a direct quote…