Writing the 5 Paragraph Essay

Introduction

Three Parts Attention Grabber Claim/Argument 3 Reasons your argument is true

Introduction - A.G.

Immediately catches audience’s attention Think of person selling stuff on the street

Ways to grab attention Use a general, broad statement Use a quote Use a anecdote Use facts to state importance of the topic Ask a question

Example: Do you believe students should be able to use their phones in school?

Introduction - Thesis

Tells what your essay is about specifically. That means:

It is not broad, narrow, or vague. It is only going to discuss what the rest of your essay

discusses. If it happens to discuss anything the rest of your essay

did not discuss, you need to change it!

Example: Students need to be able to use their cell phones to assist in their education.

Introduction – 3 Reasons

These are the 3 reasons that will prove your Thesis to be true. (Support)

Must relate back to the ThesisShould be listed based on importance.Must be based on information from the text.Example:

1. Quick access to information 2. Ability to collaborate with students instantaneously 3. Collegiate/Workplace skills rely on ability to use

technology.

Introduction

Do you believe students should be able to use their phones in school? Students need to be able to use their cell phones to assist in their education because they offer quick access to information, allow students to connect with students, and effective use of technology is a modern real-world skill.

Body Paragraphs

Need to follow the set-up of the Introduction Paragraph

3 parts: Introduction Support Closing

Body Paragraph - Introduction

Use a Transitional Word First, Secondly, Also, Next, Finally, In Addition, As

Well, However, Although…

Use the same (or similar language) as used in the introduction paragraph to introduce claim Example: First, students can access all the

information the internet has to offer.

Body Paragraph - Support

Use the text to support your claimIntroduce quote

“In the text it states,” “As (author’s name) states” “In the article,”

Example: In the text it states that, “cell phones obviously more available than laptops for most schools” (3).

Body Paragraph - Closing

Wraps the paragraph upLeads into following paragraph (if possible)Should be only one sentence.

Example: Therefore, using a cell phone is more beneficial than more common ways to access the internet.

Body Paragraph

First, students can access all the information the internet has to offer. Students need to be able to quickly access the internet in order to keep their attention. In the text it states that, “cell phones obviously more available than laptops for most schools” (3). Therefore, using a cell phone is more beneficial than more common ways to access the internet.

Closing Paragraph

Restates the thesis without using the exact words

Uses a transitional word In conclusion, Therefore, In the end…

Should take your claim one step further Original Thesis: Students need to be able to use

their cell phones to assist in their education. Closing: In conclusion students must be able to

use cell phones in their education, to be able to compete in modern society.

Should also restate the reasons why your thesis was proved.

Closing

In conclusion, students must be able to use cell phones in their education to be able to compete in modern society. For quick access to information, the ability to collaborate with other students, and to build skills to used in a modern society, there is no other way.