Five Paragraph Essay Outline
Paragraph 1 “Introduction”
Title of Essay:
Introduction (General Statement) Lets reader know what the essay is about:
Three main ideas: 1.
2.
3.
Thesis statement; States a strong claim:
Paragraph 2 “Support”
Introductory Sentence: (Introduces first of the 3 main ideas or claims.)
Support sentences show: (Evidence, Examples, Elaboration, Explanation) about topic in intro sentence.
Support Sentence:
Support Sentence:
Support Sentence:
Conclusion or transition sentence:
Paragraph 3 “Support”
Introductory Sentence: (Introduces second of the 3 main ideas or claims.)
Support Sentence:
Support Sentence:
Support Sentence:
Conclusion or transition sentence:
Paragraph 4 “Support”
Introductory Sentence: (Introduces third of the 3 main ideas or claims.)
Support Sentence:
Support Sentence:
Support Sentence:
Conclusion or transition sentence:
Paragraph 5 “Conclusion”
Closing Statement (restate introduction):
Restate 3 main ideas from paragraph 1 (3 sentences) :
1.
2.
3.
Restate Thesis:
OCI Writing
Give all students the option of choosing 1 of the following 3 topics:
Best food, Best animal for a pet, best holiday
Students will be provided with a digital essay outline form to use in this process.
Timeline:
Jan. 22nd
Students choose topic and write out their 3 main arguments (one to be used for each body paragraph of the essay) and the thesis sentence.
Thesis-
1. Develop a thesis statement, or what you want to say about the main idea.
2.When the writing prompt is a question, your thesis is typically the answer to the question.
3. Take A strong stance
How do I know if my thesis is strong?
When reviewing your first draft and its working thesis, ask yourself the following:
3 main topics- List three points or arguments that support your thesis in order of importance (one sentence for each)
Jan. 28th
Students write out sentences 1,2,3 and 4 for paragraphs 2,3 and 4 (leaving out transitions and conclusions).
Sentence- First, write a topic sentence that summarizes your point. This is the first sentence of your paragraph.
Feb 4th
1.Students write the introductory (1st) sentence in the first paragraph.
The introductory paragraph of any paper, long or short, should start with a sentence that peaks the interest of readers. In a typical essay, that first sentence leads into two or three other statements that provide details about the writer's subject or process. All of these sentences build up to the essay's thesis statement.
2. Also write transition sentences for paragraphs 2 and 3, and write a conclusion sentence for paragraph 4.
Transitions Organization:
Since the clarity and effectiveness of your transitions will depend greatly on how well you have organized your paper, you may want to evaluate your paper’s organization before you work on transitions.
The organization of your written work includes two elements:
(1) the order in which you have chosen to present the different parts of your discussion or argument, and (2) the relationships you construct between these parts. Transitions cannot substitute for good organization, but they can make your organization clearer and easier to follow.
Take a look at the following example:
El Pais, a Latin American country, has a new democratic government after having been a dictatorship for many years.
Assume that you want to argue that El Pais is not as democratic as the conventional view would have us believe.
One way to effectively organize your argument would be to present the conventional view and then to provide the reader with your critical response to this view. So, in Paragraph A you would enumerate all the reasons that someone might consider El Pais highly democratic, while in Paragraph B you would refute these points. The transition that would establish the logical connection between these two key elements of your argument would indicate to the reader that the information in paragraph B contradicts the information in paragraph A. As a result, you might organize your argument, including the transition that links paragraph A with paragraph B, in the following manner:
Paragraph A: points that support the view that El Pais’s new government is very democratic.
Transition: Despite the previous arguments, there are many reasons to think that El Pais’s new government is not as democratic as typically believed.
Paragraph B: points that contradict the view that El Pais’s new government is very democratic.
In this case, the transition words “Despite the previous arguments,” suggest that the reader should not believe paragraph A and instead should consider the writer’s reasons for viewing El Pais’s democracy as suspect.
As the example suggests, transitions can help reinforce the underlying logic of your paper’s organization by providing the reader with essential information regarding the relationship between your ideas. In this way, transitions act as the glue that binds the components of your argument or discussion into a unified, coherent, and persuasive whole.
Types of transitions
The types of transitions available to you are as diverse as the circumstances in which you need to use them.
A transition can be a single word, a phrase, a sentence, or an entire paragraph. In each case, it functions the same way:
1. First, the transition either directly summarizes the content of a preceding sentence, paragraph, or section or implies such a summary (by reminding the reader of what has come before).
2. Then, it helps the reader anticipate or comprehend the new information that you wish to present.
3. Transitions between sections: Particularly in longer works, it may be necessary to include transitional paragraphs that summarize for the reader the information just covered and specify the relevance of this information to the discussion in the following section.
4. Transitions between paragraphs: If you have done a good job of arranging paragraphs so that the content of one leads logically to the next, the transition will highlight a relationship that already exists by summarizing the previous paragraph and suggesting something of the content of the paragraph that follows. A transition between paragraphs can be a word or two (however, for example, similarly), a phrase, or a sentence. Transitions can be at the end of the first paragraph, at the beginning of the second paragraph, or in both places.
Transitional expressionsEffectively constructing each transition often depends upon your ability to identify words or phrases that will indicate for the reader the kind of logical relationships you want to convey. The table below should make it easier for you to find these words or phrases. Whenever you have trouble finding a word, phrase, or sentence to serve as an effective transition, refer to the information in the table for assistance. Look in the left column of the table for the kind of logical relationship you are trying to express. Then look in the right column of the table for examples of words or phrases that express this logical relationship.
Keep in mind that each of these words or phrases may have a slightly different meaning. Consult a dictionary or writer’s handbook if you are unsure of the exact meaning of a word or phrase.
LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP
TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION
Similarity
also, in the same way, just as … so too, likewise, similarly
Exception/Contrast
but, however, in spite of, on the one hand … on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet
Sequence/Order
first, second, third, … next, then, finally
Time
after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then
Example
for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate
Emphasis
even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly
Place/Position
above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there
Cause and Effect
accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus
Additional Support or Evidence
additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then
Conclusion/Summary
finally, in a word, in brief, briefly, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, to sum up, in summary
Feb 11th
Students complete the Conclusion paragraph, which sentence for sentence paraphrases the first paragraph.
How to Write A ConclusionIn a conclusion paragraph, you summarize what you’ve written about in your paper. When you’re writing a good conclusion paragraph, you need to think about the main point that you want to get across and be sure it’s included. If you’ve already written a fabulous introductory paragraph, you can write something similar with different wording. Here are some points to remember:
Remember that it’s important to wrap up your writing by summarizing the main idea for your readers. This brings your writing to a smooth close and creates a well-written piece of work.
What is a conclusion paragraph?
Structure
So… Sentence 1: restate thesis
Sentence 2,3,4: restate 3 main topics
Sentence 5 generalized statement about big topic
(Restating the first paragraph switching order of opening statement and thesis)
Give all students the option of choosing 1 of the following 3 topics:
Best food, Best animal for a pet, best holiday
Students will be provided with a digital essay outline form to use in this process.
Timeline:
Jan. 22nd
Students choose topic and write out their 3 main arguments (one to be used for each body paragraph of the essay) and the thesis sentence.
Thesis-
1. Develop a thesis statement, or what you want to say about the main idea.
2.When the writing prompt is a question, your thesis is typically the answer to the question.
3. Take A strong stance
How do I know if my thesis is strong?
When reviewing your first draft and its working thesis, ask yourself the following:
- Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question.
- Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.
- Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like “good” or “successful,” see if you could be more specific: why is something “good”; what specifically makes something “successful”?
- Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is likely to be “So what?” then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue.
- Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s okay to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary.
- Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? If a reader’s first response is “how?” or “why?” your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning.
3 main topics- List three points or arguments that support your thesis in order of importance (one sentence for each)
Jan. 28th
Students write out sentences 1,2,3 and 4 for paragraphs 2,3 and 4 (leaving out transitions and conclusions).
Sentence- First, write a topic sentence that summarizes your point. This is the first sentence of your paragraph.
- Next, write 3 sentences on why you feel the topic sentence is true (evidence, examples and opinions). Cite textual evidence!
- Repeat for other 2 paragraphs
Feb 4th
1.Students write the introductory (1st) sentence in the first paragraph.
The introductory paragraph of any paper, long or short, should start with a sentence that peaks the interest of readers. In a typical essay, that first sentence leads into two or three other statements that provide details about the writer's subject or process. All of these sentences build up to the essay's thesis statement.
2. Also write transition sentences for paragraphs 2 and 3, and write a conclusion sentence for paragraph 4.
Transitions Organization:
Since the clarity and effectiveness of your transitions will depend greatly on how well you have organized your paper, you may want to evaluate your paper’s organization before you work on transitions.
- In the margins of your draft, summarize in a word or short phrase what each paragraph is about or how it fits into your analysis as a whole. This exercise should help you to see the order of and connection between your ideas more clearly.
- If after doing this exercise you find that you still have difficulty linking your ideas together in a coherent fashion, your problem may not be with transitions but with organization.
The organization of your written work includes two elements:
(1) the order in which you have chosen to present the different parts of your discussion or argument, and (2) the relationships you construct between these parts. Transitions cannot substitute for good organization, but they can make your organization clearer and easier to follow.
Take a look at the following example:
El Pais, a Latin American country, has a new democratic government after having been a dictatorship for many years.
Assume that you want to argue that El Pais is not as democratic as the conventional view would have us believe.
One way to effectively organize your argument would be to present the conventional view and then to provide the reader with your critical response to this view. So, in Paragraph A you would enumerate all the reasons that someone might consider El Pais highly democratic, while in Paragraph B you would refute these points. The transition that would establish the logical connection between these two key elements of your argument would indicate to the reader that the information in paragraph B contradicts the information in paragraph A. As a result, you might organize your argument, including the transition that links paragraph A with paragraph B, in the following manner:
Paragraph A: points that support the view that El Pais’s new government is very democratic.
Transition: Despite the previous arguments, there are many reasons to think that El Pais’s new government is not as democratic as typically believed.
Paragraph B: points that contradict the view that El Pais’s new government is very democratic.
In this case, the transition words “Despite the previous arguments,” suggest that the reader should not believe paragraph A and instead should consider the writer’s reasons for viewing El Pais’s democracy as suspect.
As the example suggests, transitions can help reinforce the underlying logic of your paper’s organization by providing the reader with essential information regarding the relationship between your ideas. In this way, transitions act as the glue that binds the components of your argument or discussion into a unified, coherent, and persuasive whole.
Types of transitions
The types of transitions available to you are as diverse as the circumstances in which you need to use them.
A transition can be a single word, a phrase, a sentence, or an entire paragraph. In each case, it functions the same way:
1. First, the transition either directly summarizes the content of a preceding sentence, paragraph, or section or implies such a summary (by reminding the reader of what has come before).
2. Then, it helps the reader anticipate or comprehend the new information that you wish to present.
3. Transitions between sections: Particularly in longer works, it may be necessary to include transitional paragraphs that summarize for the reader the information just covered and specify the relevance of this information to the discussion in the following section.
4. Transitions between paragraphs: If you have done a good job of arranging paragraphs so that the content of one leads logically to the next, the transition will highlight a relationship that already exists by summarizing the previous paragraph and suggesting something of the content of the paragraph that follows. A transition between paragraphs can be a word or two (however, for example, similarly), a phrase, or a sentence. Transitions can be at the end of the first paragraph, at the beginning of the second paragraph, or in both places.
Transitional expressionsEffectively constructing each transition often depends upon your ability to identify words or phrases that will indicate for the reader the kind of logical relationships you want to convey. The table below should make it easier for you to find these words or phrases. Whenever you have trouble finding a word, phrase, or sentence to serve as an effective transition, refer to the information in the table for assistance. Look in the left column of the table for the kind of logical relationship you are trying to express. Then look in the right column of the table for examples of words or phrases that express this logical relationship.
Keep in mind that each of these words or phrases may have a slightly different meaning. Consult a dictionary or writer’s handbook if you are unsure of the exact meaning of a word or phrase.
LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP
TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION
Similarity
also, in the same way, just as … so too, likewise, similarly
Exception/Contrast
but, however, in spite of, on the one hand … on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet
Sequence/Order
first, second, third, … next, then, finally
Time
after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then
Example
for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate
Emphasis
even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly
Place/Position
above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there
Cause and Effect
accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus
Additional Support or Evidence
additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then
Conclusion/Summary
finally, in a word, in brief, briefly, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, to sum up, in summary
Feb 11th
Students complete the Conclusion paragraph, which sentence for sentence paraphrases the first paragraph.
How to Write A ConclusionIn a conclusion paragraph, you summarize what you’ve written about in your paper. When you’re writing a good conclusion paragraph, you need to think about the main point that you want to get across and be sure it’s included. If you’ve already written a fabulous introductory paragraph, you can write something similar with different wording. Here are some points to remember:
- Use your introductory paragraph as a guide. You may have started by saying, “There are three classes at school that I absolutely can’t wait to go to every day.” You can start your conclusion by saying, “Gym, Math, and Art are the three classes I try to never miss.”
- If it’s a longer paper, a good place to start is by looking at what each paragraph was about. For example, if you write a paper about zoo animals, each paragraph would probably be about one particular animal. In your conclusion, you should briefly mention each animal again. “Zoo animals like polar bears, lions, and giraffes are amazing creatures.”
- Leave your readers with something to think about. Suggest that they learn more with a sentence like, “We have a lot to learn about global warming.” You can also give them something to do after reading your paper. For example, “It’s easy to make your own popsicles. Grab some orange juice and give it a try!”
Remember that it’s important to wrap up your writing by summarizing the main idea for your readers. This brings your writing to a smooth close and creates a well-written piece of work.
What is a conclusion paragraph?
- A conclusion is what you will leave with your reader
- It “wraps up” your essay
- It demonstrates to the reader that you accomplished what you set out to do
- It shows how you have proved your thesis
- It provides the reader with a sense of closure on the topic
Structure
- A conclusion is the opposite of the introduction
- Remember that the introduction begins general and ends specific
- The conclusion begins specific and moves to the general
So… Sentence 1: restate thesis
Sentence 2,3,4: restate 3 main topics
Sentence 5 generalized statement about big topic
(Restating the first paragraph switching order of opening statement and thesis)