The Five Paragraph Essay

Conciseness is the sister of talent
Anton Chekhov,
Russian, 1860-1904

The five paragraph essay measures a student's basic writing skills,
and is often a timed exercise.
Use this Guide to help you practice 
and succeed at this form of writing.

Getting started means getting organized.

Analyze the assignment; determine what is required.
With a highlighter, note important words that define the topic.
Then organize your plan

For example, you have been given this writing prompt:

You have a present that was really memorable. It could have been given for an important occasion or just for no reason at all. Tell us about the present and why it was memorable. Include the reason it was given, a description of it, and how you felt when you got it.

The objective is to write a narrative essay about a present you were given

The subject is a memorable present
The three main subtopics are:

• the reason it was given
• a description of it
• and how you felt when you got it
  

Outline your five paragraph essay; include these elements:

Write the essay!

Think small, then build the full essay gradually. 
Divide your essay  into sections and develop each separately and incrementally.

The Introductory Paragraph

• The opening paragraph sets the tone
  It not only introduces the topic, but where you are going with it (the thesis).  If you do a good job in the opening,  your will draw your reader into your "experience." Put effort up front, and you will reap rewards.

• Write in the active voice
  It is much more powerful. Do that for each sentence in the introductory essay. Unless you are writing a personal narrative, do not use the pronoun "I."

• Varying sentence structure
  Review to avoid the same dull pattern of always starting with the subject of the sentence.

• Brainstorm to find the best supporting ideas
  The best supporting ideas are the ones about which you have some knowledge. If you do not know about them, you cannot do a good job writing about them. Don't weaken the essay with ineffective argument.

• Practice writing introductory paragraphs on various topics
  Even if you do not use them, they can be compared with the type of writing you are doing now. It is rewarding to see a pattern of progress.

Supporting Paragraphs

• Write a transition to establish the sub-topic
  Each paragraph has to flow, one to the next.

• Write the topic sentence
  The transition can be included in the topic sentence.

• Supporting ideas, examples, details must be specific to the sub-topic
  The tendency in supporting paragraphs is to put in just about anything.
  Avoid this:   the work you have made above with details and examples will help you keep focused.

• Vary sentence structure
  Avoid repetitious pronouns and lists
  Avoid  beginning sentences the same way (subject + verb + direct object).

The Ending or Summary Paragraph

This is a difficult paragraph to write effectively.
You cannot assume that the reader sees your point

• Restate the introductory thesis/paragraph with originality
  Do not simply copy the first paragraph

• Summarize your argument with some degree of authority
  this paragraph should leave your reader with no doubt as to your position or conclusion of logic

• Be powerful as this is the last thought that you are leaving with the reader.

Edit and revise your essay

Check your spelling and grammar
Subjects and verbs agree, and verb tenses are consistent

Examine your whole essay for logic
Thought builds and flows? 
Avoid gaps in logic, or too much detail.

Review individual sentences

• Use active verbs to be more descriptive
  Avoid passive constructions and the verb "to be"

• Use transitional words and phrases
  Avoid sentences beginning with pronouns, constructions as "There are....,"
  Example: "There is a need to proofread all works" becomes "Proofreading is a must."

• Be concise
  though vary the length and structure of sentences

Ask a knowledgeable friend to review and comment on your essay
and to repeat back what you are trying to say.  You may be surprised.

For assistance on revising and editing your essay, see our bibliography.

Adapted and revised with permission from: Kasper, J. The Five Paragraph Essay, 14 January, 1999, http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/1437/eval.html (9 June 2001)

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