How to organize an essay

English 9

Mrs. Maguire

Five paragraph essay structure

Introduction, including hook and thesis statement

Body Paragraph #1: first idea to provide evidence to support

thesis Paragraph #2: second idea to provide evidence to

support thesis Paragraph #3: third idea to provide evidence to support

thesis Conclusion, including restatement of thesis,

summary of main ideas, and a closing

Five paragraph essay structure

introduction

conclusion

Body

All the good, juicy stuff in between!

Introduction

Start with a hook Grab your reader’s

attention An interesting or

surprising fact An anecdote A provocative question A quote

What’s the hook?

The pentagon has twice as many bathrooms as are necessary. The famous government building was constructed in the 1940s, when segregation laws required that separate bathrooms be installed for people of African descent. This building isn’t the only American icon that harkens back to this embarrassing and hurtful time in our history. Across the United States there are many examples of leftover laws and customs that reflect the racism that once permeated American society.

http://homeworktips.about.com/od/paperassignments/a/introsentence.htm

What’s the hook?

Hillary Rodham Clinton once said that “There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard.” In 2006, when Nancy Pelosi became the nation’s first female Speaker of the House, one woman’s voice rang out clear. With this development, democracy grew to its truest level ever in terms of women’s equality. The historical event also paved the way for Senator Clinton as she warmed her own vocal chords in preparation for a presidential race.

http://homeworktips.about.com/od/paperassignments/a/introsentence.htm

Introduction

End with the thesis statementThesis statement is the main idea of your

essay. What are trying to prove in your writing? Why are you writing this essay? (No, not

because I told you to!)

It’s a claim that you will provide evidence for in the body.

What’s the thesis?

The pentagon has twice as many bathrooms as are necessary. The famous government building was constructed in the 1940s, when segregation laws required that separate bathrooms be installed for people of African descent. This building isn’t the only American icon that harkens back to this embarrassing and hurtful time in our history. Across the United States there are many examples of leftover laws and customs that reflect the racism that once permeated American society.

http://homeworktips.about.com/od/paperassignments/a/introsentence.htm

What’s the thesis?

Hillary Rodham Clinton once said that “There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard.” In 2006, when Nancy Pelosi became the nation’s first female Speaker of the House, one woman’s voice rang out clear. With this development, democracy grew to its truest level ever in terms of women’s equality. The historical event also paved the way for Senator Clinton as she warmed her own vocal chords in preparation for a presidential race.

http://homeworktips.about.com/od/paperassignments/a/introsentence.htm

The Body

The body is the MEAT of your essay!It’s where you provide evidence that

shows your thesis is true.Each paragraph in the body follows a

format:Main Idea (aka topic sentence)Evidence- proof of the main ideaAnalysis of evidenceTie back to the main idea or thesis statement

Credit to Joy Pablo for MEAT paragraph

MEAT Paragraph

Main Idea (aka topic sentence)Evidence- proof of the main idea

• It could be a (1) quote from the text

(2) data from research

(3) personal anecdote

(4) an imageAnalysis of evidence

• An explanation of exactly why your evidence proves your main idea

Tie back to the main idea or thesis statement

An example

M In Romeo and Juliet, one theme is that fate is a power that controls everything.

E In the prologue to Act one, the Chorus calls the two lovers “star-crossed” (Prologue, 6).

A This description shows that Shakespeare believes the fate of Romeo and Juliet to be predestined by the stars. In Shakespeare’s time, many people believed in astrology and its power over people’s lives.

T Regardless of the actions that they take, Romeo and Juliet are fated to end up as tragic heroes.

Or….

M In Romeo and Juliet, one theme is that fate is a power that controls everything.

E After discovering that Juliet is “dead,” Romeo screams, “Then I defy you, stars” (V,1,24).

A In this decree, Romeo makes reference to the idea that the love between Romeo and Juliet is going against fate. Romeo unwittingly plays into this same fate, however, when he then takes his own life before discovering Juliet’s ploy.

T What may seem to be well-intentioned actions by Romeo and Juliet ultimately show that fate is in control of their destinies.

A MEAT paragraph

In Romeo and Juliet, one theme is that fate is a power that controls everything. After discovering that Juliet is “dead,” Romeo screams, “Then I defy you, stars” (V,1,24). In this decree, Romeo makes reference to the idea that the love between Romeo and Juliet is going against fate. Romeo unwittingly plays into this same fate, however, when he then takes his own life before

discovering Juliet’s ploy. What may seem to be well-intentioned actions by Romeo and Juliet ultimately show that fate is in control of their destinies.

Body

MEAT paragraph x 3Three pieces of evidence that prove your

thesis; one MEAT paragraph for each!

Conclusion

Almost done (but not quite!)Must be a paragraph! One sentence as a

conclusion is unacceptable! (sorry)Do not introduce any new ideas in the

conclusion!!!Answers the questions: so what? Who

cares?

Conclusion:

Restate your thesis (but don’t use the exact same words)

Summarize your main points Close with finality, leave you reader satisfied

that you did what you said you were going to do!

Five paragraph essay structure

introduction

conclusion

Body

All the good, juicy stuff in between!