Critical Thinking

Paragraph 1: The Introduction•Interesting opening line.•Writer’s opinion.•Thesis statement

Paragraph 2: Idea/Concept 1•Topic sentence•Evidence / Data•Warrant•Transition words

Paragraph 3: Idea/concept 2•Topic sentence•Evidence / Data•Warrant•Transition words

Paragraph 4: Idea/concept 3•Topic sentence•Evidence / Data•Warrant•Transition words

Paragraph 5: The Conclusion•Wrap up main ideas•Rephrasing of thesis statement•Memorable statement

The 5-Paragrapgh-Essay Format

Paragraph 1: The Introduction

Paragraph 2: Idea/Concept 1In the thesis statement the writer says: shifts in temperature. In the first paragraph he explains these shifts and provides evidence

Paragraph 3: Idea/concept 2In the thesis statement it says: the ‘serious challenges’ so the author writes about the destruction of extreme weather in paragraph 3

Paragraph 4: Idea/concept 3In the thesis statement the writer mentions the activities that produce global warming. In the fourth paragraph he explains the consequences of global warming on developing countries

Paragraph 5: The Conclusion

The 5-Paragrapgh-Essay Format

dramatic effect on Earth’s climate. Shifts in temperature zones, rising sea levels, and changing storm patterns will present serious challenges unless humankind cuts back on activities that produce planet-warming greenhouse gases.

“Countries will need to take measures as early as possible to adapt to the potential changes, including changes to the health sector and delivery of health services.”

An example of a 5-paragraph essay on Global Warming

Global Warming Threatens Human Health

Many climatologists argue that the burning of fossil fuels,

such as coal and natural gas, produces greenhouse gases

that will raise average global temperatures by 3 to 10 F

(1.7 to 5.56 C) over the next century. While this may seem

like a small amount, such a planetwide temperature

increase will likely have a dramatic effect on Earth’s cli-

mate. Shifts in temperature zones, rising sea levels, and

changing storm patterns will present serious challenges

unless humankind cuts back on activities that produce

planet-warming greenhouse gases. In fact, many concerned

scientists speculate that these climate changes could set

off a life-threatening chain of events.

Paragraph 1: Introduction

This is the ‘hook’ sentence for this essay. It is used to catch the reader’s attention. In this case, the author decided to write a factual statement. This does not always need to be the case. The ‘hook’ can also be a shocking statement, or a description of a situation or place. You can also begin with: Imagine that …

This is the thesis statement. It tells the reader how temperatures will have a dramatic effect on the climate and what the consequences are thereof. The thesis statement tells the reader what the essay will be about.

This is the opinion sentence to close the introduction. You always need an opinion sentence after the thesis so that the reader gets a subtle foreshadowing of the view-point of the writer.

Bouts of extreme weather would be the first “link” in this

chain of events. A warmer atmosphere coupled with ris-

ing ocean temperatures could bring an increase in floods,

tornadoes, and hurricanes, as well as heat waves, droughts,

and wildfires. The climate of the 1990’s – the hottest decade

on record thus far – seems to bear out the warnings that

the weather becomes more severe as earth’s temperature rises.

The year 1998 began with an ice storm that left 4 million

people without power in Quebec and in the northeastern

United States. For the first time, rain forests in Brazil and

Mexico caught fire as droughts encroached into inland

regions of Latin America. In 1999 a super-cyclone in east-

ern India claimed ten thousand lives, and winter mudslides

and rains in Venezuela killed fifteen thousand people.

Paragraph 2Topic sentence: This tells the reader what the paragraph will be about. ‘Bouts’ (which means sudden and unpredictable moments) is possible a link to global warming. Notice how the writer then continues to explain this topic sentence by giving examples and discussing these examples.

Data: The writer offers specific data to support the topic sentence. Data allows the argument to be convincing.

Warrant: The warrant is a discussion of the data. A warrant supports and extends the understanding and interpretation of the data.

In addition to causing massive numbers of injuries and

deaths, violent weather destroys shelter and health serv-

ices, contaminates water supplies, and halts food produc-

tion. A major challenge that such destruction poses is

population movement, as large numbers of evacuees seek

food, water, medical care, and shelter – often moving to

already populated areas with limited resources. According

to Jonathan Patz of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School

of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, “The displaced

population issue could be the toughest and largest pub-

lic health issue of climate change, yet it is without doubt

the most difficult to put our arms around.” Storm evac-

uees and migrants who are unable to find food, medical

assistance, or adequate sanitation are a breeding ground

for social conflicts and infectious illnesses, Patz and other

public-health experts note.

Paragraph 3Transition word. Remember to look at the list of transition words that I gave you in class.

Topic sentence 2: It explains to the reader what this paragraph will be about, which is what violent weather does beyond just causing injuries and deaths. Violent weather also ‘destroys shelter and health services etc.

Data: This is another way to use data. You can use a quote from an important person. Remember to add the correct conventions when quoting.

This is the warrant. It synthesizes what the quote states. It allows for a deeper discussion and extension to what Patz mentioned.

Infectious diseases may be easier to contain in developed

nations, where more readily available medicines and vac-

cines could thwart a dangerous outbreak. But in poorer

nations, outbreaks of cholera, typhoid fever, influenza,

infectious diarrhea – illnesses that are often spurred by

extreme weather events and their aftermath – can spread

from storm refugees to populations far from the initial

catastrophe. One disturbing possibility is that emerging

infectious diseases, such as Ebola and illnesses that have

not yet been discovered, could find new niches in popu-

lations that have no immunities to them. Dangerous epi-

demics could ensue.

Paragraph 4

Topic sentence: The writer is now going to address the next issue: Developed countries have a better chance of NOT getting infectious diseases because they have medicine.

A transition word that is telling the reader that this will be a compare and contrast paragraph because poor and rich countries will be compared.

Notice how the writer is specific about the type of infectious diseases that he/she is writing about. Always be very specific in an essay.

The risks of global warming demand action. While nations

should work together to cut down on greenhouse gases,

they must also find a way to meet the challenges posed

by extreme weather events. According to environmental

health specialist Carlos Corvalan, “Countries will need to

take measures as early as possible to adapt to the poten-

tial changes, including changes to the health sector and

delivery of health services.” World leaders need to enhance

disaster-relief capabilities while striving to curb the pol-

lution that contributes to global warming.

Paragraph 5: The Conclusion

This is a strong statement based on the view-point of the writer. It is clear that this is why he wrote this essay. He wanted to let the reader know that action should be taken to prevent global warming.

The re-phrased ‘hook’ statement from paragraph 1. Notice how the phrase ‘greenhouse gases’ appears again (from the thesis statement in paragraph 1. Also notice that the phrase ‘must find a way’ is another way of saying ‘argue’ which is a word that appears in the thesis statement in paragraph 1.

The final sentence is a re-phrasing of the final sentence in the first paragraph but it has more content attached to it. In the first paragraph the writer mentions ‘chain of events’. Now that he has discussed these events in the essay, he ends off the essay by offering some solutions to prevent these devastating events which are: enhance disaster relief and curbing pollution.

Re-phrased thesis statement. In this example the thesis statement is found in a quote. This DOES NOT always have to be the case. In this essay, it works well. Notice how the words have shifted a little: ‘serious challenge’ in paragraph 1 is now re-phrased as: ‘take measures’. The examples of the types of weather in paragraph 1 is re-phrased as: ‘potential changes’.