The FiveParagraph Essay

OVERALL STRUCTURE OF THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY

Introduction: Tell them what you’re going to tell them.

Body: Tell them.

Conclusion: Tell them what you’ve told them.

Introduction: The First Paragraph of the Essay

• The first paragraph of the five – paragraph is called the introduction. In a non – persuasive essay, it about three to five sentences long.

• These three to five sentences make up the three main parts of the introduction.

• The three main parts of the introductory paragraph are named as follows: the Lead-In, the Transition, and the Thesis Statement/Essay Map.

The Lead-In: a very general sentence or sentences that simply introduce(s) the subject (topic) of the essay.

1. Example: I do not remember when and why my father disappeared from our life, but I do remember that we have never felt his absence because my mother was always there for us through good times and bad times.

Transition: A Slightly more specific sentence or sentences that identify/ies the particular aspect of the topic that will be discussed in the essay. In other words, the transition narrows the topic.

1. Example: My mother Enriqueta F. Garcia has three children, all girls.Throughout the years of raising us, she has been the source of love and strength for us girls.

2. The particular aspect identified is that her mother has been a source of love and strength for her daughters.

Thesis Statement-Essay Map.

1. The Thesis Statement is the main idea of the entire essay. In this case, the Thesis Statement is that the author’s mother is an amazing woman.

2. The Essay Map is the list of the three main ideas that will be developed in the Body Paragraphs: in this essay, they are: performs the double role of a mother and a father, holds a full-time job, and still manages to tend to all her daughters’ needs.

3. Example: She is an amazing woman who performs the double role of a mother and a father, holds a full-time job, and still manages to tend to all our needs.

Introduction

Of all the holidays throughout the year, the Fourth of July is my favorite. I like the Fourth of July because we always have good food to eat, because we spend time with family, and especially because we watch colorful fireworks. The Fourth of

July is truly the best holiday.

Paragraph Two –BING First of all, my mom cooks the best

food on the Fourth of July. We always have spicy, sweet barbequed ribs or chicken. My sister’s yearly request is golden corn on the cob dripping with butter. My dad must have creamy potato salad. However, my favorite item comes at the end of the meal—juicy, red watermelon. Yes, the Fourth of July meal is the best.

Paragraph Three –BANG

Next, it is always fun when my family gets together on the Fourth of July. Each holiday my uncles and aunts bring their families to our house. In the morning we usually go swimming in the lake behind our house or ride horses through the pasture. Afterwards, we have a big picnic with the whole family. Then my cousins and I get together for a game of baseball in the front yard. My family has a great time when we are all together.

Paragraph Four – BONGO

Finally, I love to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. At night all of my family go downtown to the city’s annual fireworks display. We spread blankets on the cool grass and lie down facing the starry sky. Suddenly the night is filled with glory. Fingers of color explode overhead. Great booms and pops fill the night. We all watch in amazement at the beautiful sight. The fireworks are a great ending to a perfect day.

Conclusion

The Fourth of July is a wonderful holiday. Eating good food, being with my family, and watching the fireworks make the holiday extra special. No wonder the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday.

My Favorite Holiday

Of all the holidays throughout the year, the Fourth of July is my

favorite. I like the fourth of July because we always have good food to eat, because we spend time with family, and especially because we watch colorful fireworks. The Fourth of July is truly the best holiday. First of all, my mom cooks the best food on the Fourth of July. We always have spicy, sweet barbequed ribs or chicken. My sister’s yearly request is golden corn on the cob dripping with butter. My dad must have creamy potato salad. However, my favorite item comes at the end of the meal – juicy, red watermelon. Yes, the Fourth of July meal is the best. Next, it is always fun when my family gets together on the Fourth of July. Each holiday my uncles and aunts bring their families to our house. In the morning we usually go swimming in the lake behind our house or ride horses in the pasture. Afterwards, we have a big picnic with the whole family. Then my cousins and I get together for a game of baseball in the front yard. My family has a great time when we are all together. Finally, I love to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. At night all of my family go downtown to the city’s annual fireworks display. We spread blankets on the cool grass and lie down facing the starry sky. Suddenly the night is filled with glory. Fingers of color explode overhead. Great booms and pops fill the night. We all watch in amazement at the beautiful sight. The fireworks are a great ending to a perfect day. The Fourth of July is a wonderful holiday. Eating good food, being with my family, and watching the fireworks make the holiday extra special. No wonder the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday.

III. The Concluding Paragraph: Four Main Components

A. Paraphrase of the Lead-In 1. Example: In conclusion, as one can see,

thanks to our mother, our father’s absence from our world was never a painful issue for my sisters and me.

B. Paraphrase of the Transition 2. Example: My mother is a strong, loving

woman

C. Paraphrase of Thesis Statement and Essay Map

1. Example: who, amazingly, has been both a Mom and a Dad to us as well as being a competent accountant and compassionate caregiver.

D. Statement emphasizing and expanding the importance of the

topic

1. Example: Her giving spirit and dedication to her work and family have been an inspiration to us, and we will try our very best to be just like her so that we can instill those values in our own

children.

OVERALL STRUCTURE OF THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY

Introduction: Tell them what you’re going to tell them.

Body: Tell them.

Conclusion: Tell them what you’ve told them.

TRANSITIONS

The glue that holds

your thoughts

together

My Favorite Holiday

Transitions Of all the holidays throughout the year, the Fourth of July is my favorite. I like

the fourth of July because we always have good food to eat, because we spend time with family, and especially because we watch colorful fireworks. The Fourth of July is truly the best holiday.

First of all, my mom cooks the best food on the Fourth of July. We always have spicy, sweet barbequed ribs or chicken. My sister’s yearly request is golden corn on the cob dripping with butter. My dad must have creamy potato salad. However, my favorite item comes at the end of the meal—juicy, red watermelon. Yes, the Fourth of July meal is the best.

Next, it is always fun when my family gets together on the Fourth of July. Each holiday my uncles and aunts bring their families to our house. In the morning we usually go swimming in the lake behind our house or ride horses in the pasture. Afterwards, we have a big picnic with the whole family. Then my cousins and I get together for a game of baseball in the front yard. My family has a great time when we are all together.

Finally, I love to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. At night all of my family go downtown to the city’s annual fireworks display. We spread blankets on the cool grass and lie down facing the starry sky. Suddenly the night is filled with glory. Fingers of color explode overhead. Great booms and pops fill the night. We all watch in amazement at the beautiful sight. The fireworks are a great ending to a perfect day. The Fourth of July is a wonderful holiday. Eating good food, being with my family, and watching the fireworks make the holiday extra special. No wonder the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday.

Common Transitions

• First• First of all• Second• Secondly• Third• Next• Then• Afterwards• In the morning• In the evening

• In addition• Also• More importantly• Finally• At last• Therefore• In summary• In conclusion

Some Possible Topics

My Favorite FoodThe World’s Best

TV ShowThe Best Teacher I

Ever Had Reading Can Be

Fun!My Town Is the

Best Town Around

Cats Make the Best Pets

Nail Biting: A Good Habit to Break

Summer School Is the Pits

The Benefits of Learning Math