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Five Paragraph Essay

A Guide to Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay

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What is a 5 Paragraph Essay?

A five-paragraph essay is a structured format of essay writing that consists of one introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and one concluding paragraph. It is also known by several other names, including Classic Essay, Three-Tier Essay, Hamburger Essay, and One-Three-One Essay.

This type of essay format is commonly taught in middle and high school and is mainly used for assignments and quick writing exercises. The five-paragraph essay is designed to help writers organize their thoughts clearly and logically, making it easier for readers to follow the argument or narrative.

The structure is popular because it works for almost all types of essays . Whether you're writing a compare and contrast or argumentative essay , this format helps you organize your thoughts clearly. It's best for topics that can be explained well in just five paragraphs.

Steps to Write a Five-Paragraph Essay

Writing a five-paragraph essay involves clear and structured steps to effectively communicate your ideas. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Understand the Assignment

Knowing your topic before you start writing is really important. The first thing you need to do is figure out what your essay is supposed to be about. This is usually called the thesis statement or main idea.

If your teacher didn’t give you a specific topic, you should pick something that you can talk about enough to fill five paragraphs.

Here are some tips to help you understand your topic:

Think about what interests you or something you already know a bit about. It’s easier to write when you care about the topic.
Read through the assignment carefully to see if there are any specific instructions or questions you need to answer.
If you’re not sure about your topic, try talking it over with someone else—a friend, family member, or even your teacher—to get some ideas. You can also find some good essay ideas by checking out our essay topics blog.

Once you’ve picked a topic, take a moment to write down what you already know about it. This can help you see if you need to do more research or if you have enough to start writing. Understanding your topic well from the start makes the writing process much smoother.

Step 2: Outline Your Essay

Creating an outline is like making a plan for your essay before you start writing. An essay outline helps you organize your ideas and decide what you want to say in each part of your essay.

Your outline acts as a guide that reveals any gaps or the need for rearranging ideas. It functions like a roadmap that guides you through writing your essay, so it should be easy for you to understand and follow.

To create a good outline think about the most important things you want to say about your topic. These will be your main ideas for each body paragraph .

Here’s a simple 5-paragraph essay outline template:

: Start with an engaging opening sentence. : Give context about your topic. : State your main argument clearly.

: Introduce your first main idea. : Provide evidence or examples. : Connect to the next paragraph.

: Introduce your second main idea. : Provide evidence or examples. : Connect to the next paragraph.

: Introduce your third main idea. : Provide evidence or examples. : Connect to the conclusion.

: Summarize your main argument. : Recap your main points. : End with a final idea related to your topic.

Step 3: Write the Introduction

Writing the essay introduction is like inviting someone into your essay—it sets the tone and tells them what to expect. Here’s how to craft a strong introduction:

First, start with a hook . This could be something surprising or interesting, like a shocking fact or a thought-provoking question. It’s meant to grab your reader's attention right away, making them curious about what you’re going to say next.
Next, provide some background information about your topic. This helps your reader understand the context of your essay. Think of it like setting the stage before a play—you want to give enough information so that your audience knows what’s going on.
Finally, write your thesis statement . This is the main point of your essay summed up in one clear sentence. It tells your reader what you’re going to argue or explain throughout the rest of your essay.

For Example:

For the exercise essay, an introduction could start with: "Did you know that regular physical activity not only keeps you fit but also enhances your mental well-being? Exercise is more than just a way to stay in shape—it's a key to a healthier, happier life."

Step 4: Develop Body Paragraphs

Developing body paragraphs is like building the main part of your essay—it’s where you explain your ideas in detail. Here’s how to do it effectively:

First, each body paragraph should have one main idea that supports your thesis. This main idea is introduced in the topic sentence , which is like a mini-thesis for that paragraph. It tells your reader what the paragraph is going to be about.

After you introduce your main idea, you need to support it with evidence. These could be examples, facts, or explanations that help prove your point. Imagine you’re explaining your idea to a friend—you’d give reasons and examples to make them understand and believe what you’re saying.

Step 5: Transition Between Paragraphs

Smooth transitions between paragraphs are like bridges that connect one idea to the next in your essay. They help your reader follow your thoughts easily and see how each point relates to the overall argument.

To use transitions effectively, think about how each paragraph connects to the next. If you're moving from talking about one idea to another that contrasts or supports it, use transition words like "however," "similarly," or "on the other hand." These words signal to your reader that you're shifting to a new point while still maintaining the flow of your argument.

For example, if you're discussing the physical benefits of exercise in one paragraph and want to transition to its mental benefits in the next, you might write:

"After discussing the physical benefits of exercise, it's important to consider its impact on mental well-being as well."

Step 6: Write the Conclusion

Writing an essay conclusion is like wrapping up a conversation. You want to remind the reader of what you've discussed and leave them with something to think about. Here’s how to do it:

Start by summarizing the main points of your essay. Go over the key ideas from each of your body paragraphs. This reminds the reader of what you’ve covered without going into too much detail again.
Next, restate your thesis in different words. This helps reinforce your main argument and shows that you’ve supported it throughout your essay.
Finally, end with a final thought or recommendation . This could be a call to action, a suggestion, or a thought-provoking statement that leaves the reader thinking about your topic.

For Example :

"In conclusion, incorporating regular exercise into your routine not only improves your physical fitness but also enhances your overall quality of life. Start small, stay consistent, and reap the rewards of a healthier, happier you."

Step 7: Revise and Edit

Revising and editing your essay is like giving it a final polish to make sure everything is clear and correct. Here are some tips for revising and editing:

Take a Break: After writing your essay, take a short break before you start revising. This helps you see your work with fresh eyes.
Read Aloud: Reading your essay out loud can help you catch errors and awkward sentences.
Ask for Feedback: Sometimes, another person can spot mistakes you’ve overlooked. Ask a friend or family member to read your essay and give feedback.
Be Patient: Don’t rush the revision process. Take your time to ensure your essay is the best it can be.

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5 Paragraph Essay Examples

Here is some free 5-paragraph essay example pdfs for you to download and get an idea of the format of this type of essay.

5 Paragraph Essay Benefits of Exercise

5 Paragraph Essay on Technology

5 Paragraph Essay on What Makes A Good Friend

5 Paragraph Essay on Cell Phones in School

5 Paragraph Essay on Climate Change

5 Paragraph Essay about Sports

5 Paragraph Essay about Cats

5 Paragraph Essay about Love

5 Paragraph Essay Topics

Here are some common and trending topics for 5-paragraph essays:

Discuss needed changes to improve the education system.
Analyze the effects of globalization on society.
Explore ways to promote sustainable practices.
Address issues of healthcare equity.
Examine progress and challenges in gender equality.
Discuss the impact of immigration policies.
Explore needed changes in the criminal justice system.
Analyze ethical dilemmas in science and medicine.
Discuss the effects of global pandemics.
Explore the importance of diversity and inclusion.

So, learning the five-paragraph essay isn't just about school, it's about building strong communication skills that will serve you well in any writing task. By following this structured approach—you'll be writing with confidence in no time.

Now that you've got the basics down, don't hesitate to put them into practice. Whether you're tackling assignments for school or exploring new topics on your own, these skills will help you organize your thoughts.

And if you ever need a helping hand, visit our website and request " write my essay ." Our expert writers are ready to assist with any type of assignment, from college essays to research papers. Don't wait—take your writing to the next level today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a five-paragraph essay.

A five-paragraph essay typically ranges from 500 to 1000 words in total length. The essay word count may vary based on the specific requirements provided by the assignment or academic standards set by the instructor.

Is a 5 paragraph essay 500 words?

Not necessarily. The word count of a five-paragraph essay can vary widely depending on the topic, level of detail in each paragraph, and specific instructions provided by the teacher or professor. While some five-paragraph essays might be around 500 words, others could be shorter or longer.

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The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay

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M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
B.A., History, Armstrong State University

A five-paragraph essay is a prose composition that follows a prescribed format of an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph, and is typically taught during primary English education and applied on standardized testing throughout schooling.

Learning to write a high-quality five-paragraph essay is an essential skill for students in early English classes as it allows them to express certain ideas, claims, or concepts in an organized manner, complete with evidence that supports each of these notions. Later, though, students may decide to stray from the standard five-paragraph format and venture into writing an exploratory essay instead.

Still, teaching students to organize essays into the five-paragraph format is an easy way to introduce them to writing literary criticism, which will be tested time and again throughout their primary, secondary, and further education.

Writing a Good Introduction

The introduction is the first paragraph in your essay, and it should accomplish a few specific goals: capture the reader's interest, introduce the topic, and make a claim or express an opinion in a thesis statement.

It's a good idea to start your essay with a hook (fascinating statement) to pique the reader's interest, though this can also be accomplished by using descriptive words, an anecdote, an intriguing question, or an interesting fact. Students can practice with creative writing prompts to get some ideas for interesting ways to start an essay.

The next few sentences should explain your first statement, and prepare the reader for your thesis statement, which is typically the last sentence in the introduction. Your thesis sentence should provide your specific assertion and convey a clear point of view, which is typically divided into three distinct arguments that support this assertation, which will each serve as central themes for the body paragraphs.

Writing Body Paragraphs

The body of the essay will include three body paragraphs in a five-paragraph essay format, each limited to one main idea that supports your thesis.

To correctly write each of these three body paragraphs, you should state your supporting idea, your topic sentence, then back it up with two or three sentences of evidence. Use examples that validate the claim before concluding the paragraph and using transition words to lead to the paragraph that follows — meaning that all of your body paragraphs should follow the pattern of "statement, supporting ideas, transition statement."

Words to use as you transition from one paragraph to another include: moreover, in fact, on the whole, furthermore, as a result, simply put, for this reason, similarly, likewise, it follows that, naturally, by comparison, surely, and yet.

Writing a Conclusion

The final paragraph will summarize your main points and re-assert your main claim (from your thesis sentence). It should point out your main points, but should not repeat specific examples, and should, as always, leave a lasting impression on the reader.

The first sentence of the conclusion, therefore, should be used to restate the supporting claims argued in the body paragraphs as they relate to the thesis statement, then the next few sentences should be used to explain how the essay's main points can lead outward, perhaps to further thought on the topic. Ending the conclusion with a question, anecdote, or final pondering is a great way to leave a lasting impact.

Once you complete the first draft of your essay, it's a good idea to re-visit the thesis statement in your first paragraph. Read your essay to see if it flows well, and you might find that the supporting paragraphs are strong, but they don't address the exact focus of your thesis. Simply re-write your thesis sentence to fit your body and summary more exactly, and adjust the conclusion to wrap it all up nicely.

Practice Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay

Students can use the following steps to write a standard essay on any given topic. First, choose a topic, or ask your students to choose their topic, then allow them to form a basic five-paragraph by following these steps:

Decide on your basic thesis , your idea of a topic to discuss.
Decide on three pieces of supporting evidence you will use to prove your thesis.
Write an introductory paragraph, including your thesis and evidence (in order of strength).
Write your first body paragraph, starting with restating your thesis and focusing on your first piece of supporting evidence.
End your first paragraph with a transitional sentence that leads to the next body paragraph.
Write paragraph two of the body focussing on your second piece of evidence. Once again make the connection between your thesis and this piece of evidence.
End your second paragraph with a transitional sentence that leads to paragraph number three.
Repeat step 6 using your third piece of evidence.
Begin your concluding paragraph by restating your thesis. Include the three points you've used to prove your thesis.
End with a punch, a question, an anecdote, or an entertaining thought that will stay with the reader.

Once a student can master these 10 simple steps, writing a basic five-paragraph essay will be a piece of cake, so long as the student does so correctly and includes enough supporting information in each paragraph that all relate to the same centralized main idea, the thesis of the essay.

Limitations of the Five-Paragraph Essay

The five-paragraph essay is merely a starting point for students hoping to express their ideas in academic writing; there are some other forms and styles of writing that students should use to express their vocabulary in the written form.

According to Tory Young's "Studying English Literature: A Practical Guide":

"Although school students in the U.S. are examined on their ability to write a five-paragraph essay , its raison d'être is purportedly to give practice in basic writing skills that will lead to future success in more varied forms. Detractors feel, however, that writing to rule in this way is more likely to discourage imaginative writing and thinking than enable it. . . . The five-paragraph essay is less aware of its audience and sets out only to present information, an account or a kind of story rather than explicitly to persuade the reader."

Students should instead be asked to write other forms, such as journal entries, blog posts, reviews of goods or services, multi-paragraph research papers, and freeform expository writing around a central theme. Although five-paragraph essays are the golden rule when writing for standardized tests, experimentation with expression should be encouraged throughout primary schooling to bolster students' abilities to utilize the English language fully.

Practice in Making a Simple Outline for a Cause & Effect Paragraph
Write an Attention-Grabbing Opening Sentence for an Essay
An Essay Revision Checklist
Examples of Great Introductory Paragraphs
Make Your Paragraphs Flow to Improve Writing
How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech (With Topic Ideas)
What Is Expository Writing?
Practice in Supporting a Topic Sentence with Specific Details
Tips on How to Write an Argumentative Essay
100 Persuasive Essay Topics
Writing an Opinion Essay
How to Write a Good Thesis Statement
501 Topic Suggestions for Writing Essays and Speeches
Venn Diagrams to Plan Essays and More
Write a Compare and Contrast Essay
Writing a Descriptive Essay

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Writing Resources

This form of writing goes by different names. Maybe you've heard some of them before: "The Basic Essay," "The Academic Response Essay," "The 1-3-1 Essay." Regardless of what you've heard, the name you should remember is "The Easy Essay."

Once you are shown how this works--and it only takes a few minutes--you will have in your hands the secret to writing well on almost any academic assignment. Here is how it goes.

Secret #1—The Magic of Three

Three has always been a magic number for humans, from fairy tales like "The Three Little Pigs" to sayings like “third time’s a charm.” Three seems to be an ideal number for us--including the academic essay. So whenever you are given a topic to write about, a good place to begin is with a list of three. Here are some examples (three of them, of course):

Topic : What are the essential characteristics of a good parent? Think in threes and you might come up with:

unconditional love

Certainly, there are more characteristics of good parents you could name, but for our essay, we will work in threes.

Here's a topic that deals with a controversial issue:

Topic : Should women in the military be given frontline combat duties?

The first reason that women should be assigned to combat is equality.
The second reason is their great teamwork.
The third reason is their courage.

As you see, regardless of the topic, we can list three points about it. And if you wonder about the repetition of words and structure when stating the three points, in this case, repetition is a good thing. Words that seem redundant when close together in an outline will be separated by the actual paragraphs of your essay. So in the essay instead of seeming redundant they will be welcome as signals to the reader of your essay’s main parts.

Finally, when the topic is an academic one, your first goal is the same: create a list of three.

Topic: Why do so many students fail to complete their college degree?

First, students often...
Second, many students cannot...
Finally, students find that...

Regardless of the reasons you might come up with to finish these sentences, the formula is still the same.

Secret #2: The Thesis Formula

Now with your list of three, you can write the sentence that every essay must have—the thesis, sometimes called the "controlling idea," "overall point," or "position statement." In other words, it is the main idea of the essay that you will try to support, illustrate, or corroborate.

Here’s a simple formula for a thesis: The topic + your position on the topic = your thesis.

Let’s apply this formula to one of our examples:

Topic: Essential characteristics of a good parent Your Position: patience, respect, love Thesis: The essential characteristics of a good parent are patience, respect, and love.

As you see, all we did was combine the topic with our position/opinion on it into a single sentence to produce the thesis: The essential characteristics of a good parent are patience, respect, and love.

In this case, we chose to list three main points as part of our thesis. Sometimes that’s a good strategy. However, you can summarize them if you wish, as in this example:

Topic: Women in combat duty in the military Your Position: They deserve it Thesis: Women deserve to be assigned combat duty in the military.

This type of thesis is shorter and easier to write because it provides the overall position or opinion without forcing you to list the support for it in the thesis, which can get awkward and take away from your strong position statement. The three reasons women deserve to be assigned combat duties--equality, teamwork, courage--will be the subjects of your three body paragraphs and do not need to be mentioned until the body paragraph in which they appear.

Secret #3: The 1-3-1 Outline

With your thesis and list of three main points, you can quickly draw a basic outline of the paragraphs of your essay. You’ll then see why this is often called the 1-3-1 essay.

Supporting Evidence for Claim 1
Supporting Evidence for Claim 2
Supporting Evidence for Claim 3

The five-paragraph essay consists of one introduction paragraph (with the thesis at its end), three body paragraphs (each beginning with one of three main points) and one last paragraph—the conclusion. 1-3-1.

Once you have this outline, you have the basic template for most academic writing. Most of all, you have an organized way to approach virtually any topic you are assigned.

Our helpful admissions advisors can help you choose an academic program to fit your career goals, estimate your transfer credits, and develop a plan for your education costs that fits your budget. If you’re a current UMGC student, please visit the Help Center .

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How to write a perfect 5 Paragraph Essay

How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay : A Complete Guide

Essay writing can be the bane of many a student’s life.

Gone are the days when many students tried writing in big letters to fill the allotted number of pages with minimal effort quickly.

Now, it’s all constant word count checks and taking a dozen words to say what could be said in three.

Of course, it doesn’t have to be like this. When students have a clear, set structure to follow, essay writing can be a much less painful experience. Indeed, it can even be enjoyable!

In this article, we’ll outline a clear template our students can follow to produce a well-organised essay on practically any topic effectively.

Let’s get started!

THE HAMBURGER ESSAY – THE STUDENT’S FRIEND

5 paragraph essay | Orange Illustrated Hamburger Graphic Organizer | How to write a perfect 5 Paragraph Essay | literacyideas.com

The common 5 paragraph essay structure is often referred to as the hamburger essay . And this is a memorable way to communicate the concept to your students.

The hamburger essay structure consists of five paragraphs or layers as follows:

Layer 1 – The Top Bun: The Introduction

The uppermost layer is the introductory paragraph which communicates to the reader the purpose of the essay.

Layers 2,3, & 4 – The Meat Patties: The Body Paragraphs

These are the meat patties of the essay and each paragraph makes an argument in support of the essay’s central contention as expressed in the introduction.

Layer 5 – The Conclusion: The Bottom Bun

The bottommost layer is the conclusion, where the arguments are summed up and the central contention of the essay is restated forcefully one last time. We have a complete guide to writing a conclusion here .

Soon, we’ll take a closer look at each of these parts in turn. But, there is more to an essay than just the writing of it. There are also the prewriting and post writing stages to consider. We will look at all these aspects in this article, but first, let’s examine what our students need to be doing before they even begin to write their essays.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING PARAGRAPH WRITING

5 paragraph essay | paragraph writing unit | How to write a perfect 5 Paragraph Essay | literacyideas.com

This complete PARAGRAPH WRITING UNIT takes students from zero to hero over FIVE STRATEGIC LESSONS to improve PARAGRAPH WRITING SKILLS through PROVEN TEACHING STRATEGIES.

THE PREWRITING STAGE – DEFINING THE THESIS STATEMENT, RESEARCH & PLANNING

The thesis statement.

Every essay needs a clear focus. This focus is usually defined in a thesis statement that presents the topic of the essay in a sentence or two. The thesis statement should also include the writer’s stance on that topic.

As this will help guide the direction of the essay, it is essential that our students define their thesis statement before they begin the writing process.

Sometimes during the process of writing, we find out what we think about a given topic. The writing process can act as a kind of reflection on the merits of the various arguments, before finally revealing to us our own opinion. This is writing as a method of discovery.

Usually, though, it is more efficient for students to decide on their opinions prior to beginning to write.

Defining their thesis statement early on not only helps guide the students writing, but helps ensure their research is focused and efficient at the crucial prewriting stage.

Research & Planning

As students begin their research and gather their evidence to support their thesis statement, they should also be encouraged to pay particular attention to the counterarguments they come across.

A well-written essay does not ignore opposing viewpoints, students should be taught to preempt counterarguments where possible so as to strengthen the power of their own arguments. Good research is essential for this.

Not so long ago, research meant hours in dusty libraries being constantly shushed, but with the advent of the internet, there is now a wealth of knowledge right at our fingertips (and the end of a good Wifi connection).

While this has made research a much more convenient process, students need to be reminded of the importance of seeking out reliable sources to support their opinions. In an era of ‘fake news’, this is more important now than ever.

As students gather the information and supporting evidence for their essay, they’ll need to organize it carefully. Graphic organizers are an effective way of doing this, either on a paper printout or by using a premade template on the computer.

It can also be helpful for students to sort their collected information according to where they intend to use it in the five-paragraph outline or layers mentioned above.

Finally, while good research, organization, and planning are essential for producing a well-written essay, it’s important that students are reminded that essay writing is also a creative act.

Students should maintain an open mind when it comes to the writing process. They should allow their thoughts and opinions the room to develop over the course of writing their essay. They should leave the door open for including new thoughts and ideas as the writing progresses.

The Writing Stage: Introduction, Body Paragraphs, & Conclusion

The introduction.

A good introduction paragraph serves a number of important functions. It:

Grabs the reader’s attention and interest, known as the hook
Orientates the reader to the essays central argument, the thesis statement
Outlines briefly the arguments that will be explored in support of the thesis statement.

To become an effective writer, it is important that our students learn the importance of grabbing the reader’s attention, as well as keeping it. Opening with a ‘hook’ or a ‘grabber’ is a great way to achieve this.

There are a number of techniques students can use here. Let’s take a look at some of the more common ones.

The Surprising Fact – this can intrigue the reader to want to find out more, especially if it challenges some of their existing assumptions on a topic.
The Quotation – a carefully selected quotation can be a great way to secure the reader’s attention and there are many curated quotation collections freely available online to help get students started.
The Joke – this opening should be used judiciously as for some topics it may not be an appropriate way to open. In the right context however, humor can be a great way to engage the reader from the outset.
The Anecdote – anecdotes are a great way to personally connect with the essay’s topic. They are a helpful way of climbing down the ladder of abstraction when exploring more theoretical arguments. They assist the reader in relating universal themes to their own lives.

Practice Activity 1:

To encourage students to develop strong opening paragraphs in their essays, it can be helpful to isolate writing opening paragraphs.

In this activity, provide your students with a list of essay topics and challenge them to write four different opening paragraphs for their essay, one each for The Surprising Fact , The Quotation , The Joke , and The Anecdote as listed above.

When students have completed their four paragraphs, they can then share with each other in groups and discuss which worked best and why.

This activity will help students to remember the different types of opening and how they work. It will also give them a feel for which openings work best for different types of essays.

We’ve already discussed what a thesis statement is and what it is intended to achieve, but where does it fit into the overall shape of the introductory paragraph exactly?

While there are no hard and fast rules here, thesis statements work well towards the end of the introductory paragraph – especially as the paragraph’s final sentence.

Readers are often hardwired to look for the thesis statement there. It connects the arguments that follow in the body paragraphs to the preceding sentences and contextualizes the essay for the reader.

THE BODY PARAGRAPHS

Now we get to the ‘meat’ of our essay. Each of the body paragraphs will explore one of the arguments supporting the thesis statement as laid out in the introduction.

While we are focused on the 5 paragraph essay here, longer essays will usually be constructed in exactly the same manner, they’ll just include more body paragraphs to cover the extra level of detail.

Generally, each body paragraph will open by stating the argument, with subsequent sentences supporting that argument by providing evidence along with some further explanation. Finally, a statement or phrase will help transition to the next paragraph.

The PEEL Paragraph Writing Process

The acronym PEEL can be a very useful tool to help students to understand how to organize each of their body paragraphs.

P oint : start the paragraph by expressing the central argument

E vidence : support the central argument of the paragraph by providing evidence or reasons. Evidence may come in many forms including facts and statistics, quotations from a text or other authority, reference to historical events etc.

E xplanation : explain how the evidence provided supports the paragraph’s central argument.

L ink : provide a transition into the next paragraph by linking this argument and the central thesis to the next point to be made.

5 paragraph essay | 1 PEEL PARAGRAPHS | How to write a perfect 5 Paragraph Essay | literacyideas.com

Practice Activity 2:

Just as students isolated the opening to their introductory paragraph for practice purposes, in this activity they’ll isolate a single argument on a chosen essay topic.

When they have chosen a topic and selected a single argument related to that topic, they can begin to write one body paragraph using the PEEL structure outlined above.

This activity works well when several students write on the same argument. When each has completed their paragraphs, they can then compare the results with each other.

It can be a fascinating experiment that allows the students to see just how diverse different treatments of the same argument using the same PEEL formula can be – there is freedom within the discipline of the structure!

THE CONCLUSION

The purpose of the conclusion is to close the circle of the essay. It is a chance for the writer to restate the thesis statement, summarize the main arguments, and tie up any loose ends as the writer drives home their point one last time.

At this stage of the game, no new arguments should be introduced. However, students should revisit the previous arguments made in the body paragraphs and it is acceptable to offer up a new insight or two on these.

The student should take care here to make sure they leave no doubt in the reader’s mind that the essay question is fully answered. One useful way of doing this is by incorporating words and phrases from the essay question into the conclusion itself.

To help students grasp the underlying structure of a concluding paragraph, the following sequential structure is useful to keep in mind:

Starts with a closing phrase such as In conclusion , There is no doubt , Finally etc
Restates the main thesis statement
Summarizes the main point of each of the body paragraphs
Leaves the reader with something to think about.

Practice Activity 3:

Again, here we will isolate the concluding paragraph for focused practice.

Students select a topic they know well, decide what they think about that topic, write down a few key arguments, and then begin writing a concluding paragraph to an essay on that topic.

Students should use the template above to structure that material.

You could also include an element of peer assessment here by having students swap their paragraphs with each other, before offering each other feedback.

The Post Writing Stage: Editing & Proofreading YOUR 5 paragraph ESSAY

The final stage of writing a five-paragraph essay is perhaps the least glamorous of an unglamorous process, but no less essential for it – the editing and proofreading.

Often, our students overlook this stage. After completing the process of research, planning, and writing their five-paragraph essay, they let themselves down at this final, crucial stage.

Frequently, students fail to adequately edit and proofread their work not just because of laziness, but because they are unsure of exactly what this process entails.

To avoid this, ensure students understand that editing and proofreading involve reading through and correcting mistakes in the following areas one after the other:

Text Organisation: title, headings, layout etc
Sentence Structure: coherence, grammar , sentence variety etc
Word Choice: suitable word choices, avoid repetition etc
Spelling and Punctuation: accuracy in both areas.

Practice Activity 4:

Once students have completed their essays, appoint each a partner to work with and each then edits and proofreads the other person’s work.

Sometimes students struggle to gain the necessary distance from their own work to adequately edit and proofread it, this exercise overcomes that issue while giving them an opportunity to gain some valuable editing and proofreading experience that will benefit them in future.

CLOSING THE CIRCLE

So, there you have it – how to write a five-paragraph essay from start to finish. As with anything, the more practice students get, the quicker they will improve.

But, bear in mind too that writing essays is hard work and you don’t want to put students off.

The best way to provide opportunities for students to develop the various skills related to essay writing is to isolate them in the manner apparent in the activities described above.

This way, students can soon sharpen up their skills, without learning to dread the word ‘essay’ itself!

5 paragraph essay | LITERACY IDEAS FRONT PAGE 1 | How to write a perfect 5 Paragraph Essay | literacyideas.com

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

5 paragraph essay | 5 paragraph essay organizer | How to write a perfect 5 Paragraph Essay | literacyideas.com

Five Paragraph Essay exampleS (Student Writing Samples)

Below are a collection of student writing samples of 5 paragraph essays. Click on the image to enlarge and explore them in greater detail. Please take a moment to both read the 5 paragraph essay in detail but also the teacher and student guides which highlight some of the key elements of this structured model of essay writing here.

Please understand these student writing samples are not intended to be perfect examples for each age or grade level but a piece of writing for students and teachers to explore together to critically analyze to improve student writing skills and deepen their understanding of 5 paragraph essay writing.

We would recommend reading the example either a year above and below, as well as the grade you are currently working with to gain a broader appreciation of this text type.

5 paragraph essay | 5 paragraph essay example year 4 1 1 | How to write a perfect 5 Paragraph Essay | literacyideas.com

5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY VIDEO TUTORIALS

5 paragraph essay | 3 | How to write a perfect 5 Paragraph Essay | literacyideas.com

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Academic Writing

How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay

Last Updated: April 4, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 527,953 times.

Five paragraph essays are a common assignment throughout your school career, especially in high school and college. Since any subject can include a five paragraph essay, you’ll want to be good at writing them. Luckily, five-paragraph essays are really easy to write if you know the expected format and give yourself the time you need to write it. To write your five paragraph essay, draft your introduction, develop three body paragraphs, write your conclusion, and revise and edit your essay.

Drafting Your Introduction

A draft of a hook for an essay written on a piece of paper.

For example, you could phrase your hook like this: Nature’s life cycle is often used as a metaphor to convey ideas about the passage of life.
If you are writing a persuasive essay, don’t include your stance in your hook.
Don’t say “In this essay” or “I am going to show.” Instead, use the “show, don’t tell” technique using descriptive language.
It’s often easiest to come up with your hook after you write the rest of your essay. If you’re struggling to come up with one, use a basic placeholder and then create a better hook when you revise your essay.

Step 2 Include a sentence about your topic that provides more information.

Don’t reveal your main points yet.
For example, you could say something like this: While spring compares with birth, summer can symbolize maturity, with fall and winter showing a descent toward death.

Step 3 Write another sentence about your topic that leads to your thesis.

This sentence depends on what type of paper you’re writing. If it’s an argumentative paper, introduce both sides of the argument. In an informative paper, mention the central idea and focus.
As an example, you could narrow your topic like this: Writers often use nature metaphors in their work to show themes about life, such as the blossoming of youth.

For example, your thesis could read like this: In the poem “Raspberries,” the author shows youth through the ripening berries, summer blossoming, and blushing color of the fruit.
Each of the three examples provided in the thesis will become the topic of a body paragraph. For the example thesis, you would have body paragraphs about ripening berries, summer blossoming, and the blushing color of the fruit.

Developing Three Body Paragraphs

Step 1 Arrange your points to sandwich your weakest.

You should include three body paragraphs, one for each supporting point.

Step 2 Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence.

Your topic sentence is like a mini-thesis for just that paragraph.
Use a quote related to your thesis and analyze it in the body paragraph. If you use a topic sentence, put the quote next.
For example, your topic sentence could look like this: Ripening berries show youth in the poem “Raspberries” by reaching maturity and becoming ready for picking.

Step 3 Provide your evidence or examples.

Each paragraph should contain two to three examples or pieces of evidence.
If you use research, cite your sources in the appropriate format that your instructor specifies.

Include two to three sentences of commentary for each example or piece of evidence.
Depending on the type of evidence or examples, it’s often best to alternate your evidence and commentary throughout the paragraph. For example, provide one example, then provide the commentary.

Step 5 Conclude your paragraph by linking back to your thesis.

For example, you could wrap up your paragraph like this: As the girl plucks the ripe raspberries from the bush and eats them, her actions represent her own youth and readiness to be “plucked” by someone.

Drafting Your Conclusion

For example, you could restate your thesis like this: The poem “Raspberries” provides an allegorical representation of youth through a metaphor of ripening berries, summer blossoming, and blushing color of the fruit.
If you're a beginning writer, it's okay to start your conclusion with "In conclusion." However, if you're an advanced writer, avoid starting your conclusion with statements like “In conclusion,” “To conclude,” or “In the end.”

Step 2 Summarize how your points supported your thesis.

Use an authoritative tone as you restate your arguments so that your reader walks away knowing that you are correct.

Step 3 Avoid introducing new information.

Include a call to action.
Provide a warning about what could happen if your stance is ignored.
Create an image in the reader’s mind.
Include a quote.
Make a universal statement about life.

Revising and Editing Your Essay

Always reread your sentence to make sure that the word processor is suggesting the right word. If you’ve misspelled a word that is similar to another word, then it’s possible that your spell check could suggest the wrong spelling, such as “then” instead of “than.”

Look for errors that your spell checker missed.
If you can, ask someone else to proofread your paper. They will usually spot errors that you overlooked.

Step 3 Revise your essay to improve the flow.

Combine choppy sentences.
Breakup long, convoluted sentences into shorter sentences.
Rewrite fragments and run-on sentences.

If you have cited sources, make sure that you include a reference page in the style chosen by your instructor.

process of writing a five paragraph essay

Expert Q&A

Never plagiarize an essay, which means copying someone’s work or ideas without giving them credit. Your teacher will deny you credit for the essay, and you may also get a discipline consequence. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/five-paragraph-essay/
↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/college-writing/
↑ https://www.bucks.edu/media/bcccmedialibrary/pdf/FiveParagraphEssayOutlineJuly08_000.pdf
↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789530/
↑ https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/ending-essay-conclusions
↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/proofreading_suggestions.html
↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/steps_for_revising.html

About This Article

To write a five paragraph essay, start with an introductory paragraph that includes a hook to capture your audience’s attention, and a thesis that explains the main point you’re trying to make. Then, use the next 3 paragraphs to explain 3 separate points that support your thesis. As you explain each point, use evidence from your research or examples in the text you’re discussing. Finally, conclude your essay with a paragraph summing up the points you’ve made and telling the reader how those points support your thesis. For tips on how to revise your essay to improve the flow and formatting, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Essay Papers Writing Online

Master the art of crafting a 5-paragraph essay – your ultimate guide to writing excellence.

Writing a 5 paragraph essay may seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be a manageable and even enjoyable endeavor. Whether you’re a student working on an assignment or someone looking to improve your writing skills, this guide will provide you with the essential steps and tips to create a successful 5 paragraph essay.

Structure : The key to a well-organized 5 paragraph essay is a clear and coherent structure. Begin with an introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and states your thesis. Follow this with three body paragraphs that each focus on a different aspect of your argument or topic. Finally, conclude with a summary of your main points in the conclusion.

Content : Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence that introduces the main idea, supporting sentences that provide evidence or examples, and a concluding sentence that ties everything together. Make sure to use transitions to smoothly connect your ideas and create a cohesive essay.

The Ultimate Guide: Crafting A 5 Paragraph Essay

When it comes to writing a 5 paragraph essay, there are certain steps that you need to follow in order to create a well-structured and cohesive piece of writing. This ultimate guide will walk you through the process of crafting a compelling essay that will impress your readers and clearly communicate your ideas.

The first step in crafting a 5 paragraph essay is to choose a topic that you are passionate about and that is relevant to your assignment or prompt. Once you have selected a topic, you will need to develop a strong thesis statement that clearly states your main argument or point of view.

After you have your thesis statement, you can begin outlining your essay using the traditional 5 paragraph structure. This includes an introduction, three body paragraphs (each with a unique supporting point), and a conclusion. Each paragraph should flow logically from one to the next, with clear transitions and evidence supporting your main thesis.

As you write your essay, be sure to use clear and concise language, avoiding unnecessary jargon or complex sentences. Remember to support your arguments with evidence and examples, and be sure to cite any sources that you use to back up your points.

Finally, once you have completed your essay, take the time to revise and edit your work. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, as well as overall organization and clarity. It can also be helpful to have a peer or mentor review your essay to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

By following these steps and using this ultimate guide, you can craft a strong and effective 5 paragraph essay that will showcase your writing skills and clearly communicate your ideas to your audience.

Understanding the Essay Structure

Before you start writing your 5 paragraph essay, it’s essential to understand the basic structure that it follows. The essay is typically divided into five paragraphs, each serving a specific purpose to make your argument or narrative clear and compelling.

The first paragraph is the introduction, where you introduce your topic and present your thesis statement. This sets the stage for the entire essay and should grab the reader’s attention.

The next three paragraphs make up the body of the essay, where you present your main points or arguments. Each paragraph should focus on a single point with supporting evidence or examples to back it up.

The final paragraph is the conclusion, where you summarize your main points and restate your thesis. This is your last chance to leave a lasting impression on the reader and drive home your argument.

Understanding this structure will help you stay organized and focused as you write your 5 paragraph essay, ensuring that your message comes across clearly and effectively.

Choosing a Compelling Topic

One of the most important aspects of writing a 5 paragraph essay is selecting a compelling topic. Your topic should be interesting, relevant, and engaging to both you as the writer and your audience. When choosing a topic, consider your own interests and passions, as well as current events and issues that are of importance. A good topic will grab the reader’s attention and make them want to read more.

Gathering Solid Evidence and Examples

When writing a 5 paragraph essay, it’s essential to support your arguments and claims with solid evidence and examples. This not only strengthens your thesis but also demonstrates a deep understanding of the topic. Here are some tips to gather reliable evidence:

1. Conduct thorough research: Start by researching your topic using reputable sources such as academic journals, books, and scholarly articles. Make sure to take notes and record relevant information that supports your argument.

2. Use real-life examples: Incorporating real-life examples can make your essay more engaging and relatable to the reader. Look for case studies, historical events, or personal experiences to illustrate your points.

3. Quote experts: If possible, include quotes from experts in the field to add credibility to your arguments. Be sure to cite your sources accurately to avoid plagiarism.

4. Statistical data: Numbers and statistics can also strengthen your essay by providing concrete evidence to support your claims. Use data from reliable sources to back up your arguments.

By gathering solid evidence and examples, you can make your 5 paragraph essay more persuasive and convincing to your audience.

Developing a Strong Thesis Statement

One of the most crucial elements of a well-written 5 paragraph essay is a strong thesis statement. Your thesis statement serves as the main idea or argument that you will be addressing in the essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific, providing a roadmap for the reader to understand what your essay will be about.

To develop a strong thesis statement:

Identify the topic: Start by clearly identifying what your essay will be about. What is the main subject or issue that you will be discussing?
Formulate your argument: Once you have identified the topic, think about your stance or perspective on the issue. What is the main point you want to make?
Make it specific: Avoid vague or general statements. Your thesis should be specific and clearly define the scope of your essay.
Include a roadmap: Give a preview of the main points or arguments that will support your thesis statement throughout the essay.

Remember, your thesis statement will guide your writing and help keep your essay focused and organized. Take the time to craft a strong thesis statement before diving into writing the rest of your essay.

Writing Informative Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs in a 5 paragraph essay play a crucial role in supporting the thesis statement and providing detailed information related to the topic. Each body paragraph should focus on a single point and provide evidence or examples to support that point.

When writing informative body paragraphs, it’s important to follow a clear structure. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. Then, provide supporting details or evidence to explain and elaborate on that main idea. Finally, conclude the paragraph by tying the information back to the thesis statement.

Start with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
Provide supporting details or evidence to support the main idea.
Conclude the paragraph by connecting the information back to the thesis statement.

Remember to use transition words and phrases to connect your ideas and create a smooth flow between paragraphs. This will help readers follow your argument and understand the connections between different points in your essay.

Concluding with Impact and Style

As you reach the conclusion of your 5 paragraph essay, it’s important to leave a lasting impression on your readers. The conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement in a clear and concise manner. You can also offer some final thoughts or reflections on the topic you’ve discussed.

One strategy for a powerful conclusion is to end with a thought-provoking statement or a call to action that encourages your readers to think more deeply about the subject. This can leave a lasting impact and prompt further discussion or research on the topic.

Remember to avoid introducing new information in your conclusion. It should serve to wrap up your essay and leave your readers with a sense of closure.

How to master the art of writing expository essays and captivate your audience, convenient and reliable source to purchase college essays online, step-by-step guide to crafting a powerful literary analysis essay, unlock success with a comprehensive business research paper example guide, unlock your writing potential with writers college – transform your passion into profession, “unlocking the secrets of academic success – navigating the world of research papers in college”, master the art of sociological expression – elevate your writing skills in sociology.

What Is A Five-Paragraph Essay & How Do You Write One?

What Is A Five-Paragraph Essay?
How To Write One
Essay Outline

If you’re a student in the US, there’s a good chance you’ll be asked to write a five-paragraph essay at some point in your academic career. In fact, you’ll probably be asked to write one several times in your academic career. By the time you graduate, you may have written these essays so many times that you groan at the mere mention of them. We can’t blame you for that, but there’s a reason why so many teachers require them.

The five-paragraph essay is a perfect introduction for learning how to research, structure, and write a succinct and effective essay. Once you master the style, you can move on and become an expert at so many other styles of writing. The five-paragraph essay is foundational, so if you’ve been assigned one, breathe easy. You’re doing important work, and this handy guide to writing a five-paragraph essay will help make the writing process a breeze.

What is a five-paragraph essay?

The five-paragraph essay is primarily used in academic writing, and it’s one of the first styles of essay most students are taught. Within the framework of the five-paragraph essay, students can practice persuasive writing, compare and contrast two ideas, or even write researched informative pieces.

If you’re like a lot of students, you might remember learning the five-paragraph essay using the “hamburger method.” With this method, the parts of the essay are listed just like a hamburger, with the introduction and conclusion acting as “buns” around the detail paragraph “toppings.” Now that we’ve stimulated your appetite right along with your writer’s brain, grab a snack and let’s break down the steps to writing a flawless five-paragraph essay.

How to write a five-paragraph essay

The good news about writing a five-paragraph essay is that it has an easy-to-follow format. It’s clear from the title alone that the process will involve writing five separate sections, each with its own guidelines and specifications. From there, the trick is infusing creativity and your own unique writing style into the essay format.

Before we get to that, let’s talk about the different parts of the typical five-paragraph essay.

1. The introduction

Every five-paragraph essay begins with a thesis statement and an introductory paragraph. The thesis statement is a single sentence that clearly summarizes what the essay will be about , including your opinion on it if you’re writing an argumentative or persuasive piece.

Once you have a clear thesis written, the rest of your introduction should include:

Basic context or information about your intended topic (if necessary).
A brief mention of the main points to be expanded on in the body of the essay.

Save the most significant information for the body paragraphs, but offer a preview of the points you intend to make in order to entice readers to read more. When put together, a strong introduction will look something like this:

There’s a lot of debate about which food category hot dogs fit into, but it’s clear from the evidence that a hot dog is a type of sandwich. Hot dogs are an incredibly popular food in America. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates that we consume about 20 billion hot dogs a year. With that kind of devotion, it’s easy to see why people feel so passionate about which food category their beloved hot dogs fit into. But many experts, restaurateurs, and even the dictionary classify hot dogs as sandwiches, and it’s time to end this heated food debate once and for all.

Review the three main types of thesis statements here.

2. Three body paragraphs

The support for your thesis comes in the form of three separate body paragraphs. These paragraphs are where you include relevant details, expert quotes, citations from books or other resources, and any other information you need in order to convey your full argument or knowledge to the reader. Each of your body paragraphs should include the following:

A topic sentence that clearly defines what the paragraph is about.
Transition words (like first, lastly, additionally, however, etc.) to help guide the reader.
Details that specifically support and expand on the thesis.
Pertinent data, properly cited sources, quotes and/or relevant anecdotes.
At least five sentences, though higher level writing may call for more.

Remember that each body paragraph should focus on one main argument or supporting detail. Including three body paragraphs means you have three separate paragraphs to write about three separate supports for your thesis. Finally, make sure the information you include is relevant. These paragraphs should be succinct and informative and not include tangential information.

Here’s a sample body paragraph:

To begin, hot dogs fit the dictionary definition of the word sandwich. Sandwich is defined as “two or more slices of bread with a layer of meat, fish, cheese, and whatever other filling you’d like between them.” A hot dog is a grilled or steamed sausage, usually made of pork or beef, which qualifies as a layer of meat. They can also have toppings, such as condiments or cold vegetables, just like other kinds of sandwiches might. Hot dogs are served on buns, which are a type of split sandwich roll. In many delis, other types of sandwiches are served on split rolls. Since they are served on the same bread as many sandwiches, hot dogs are clearly a type of sandwich.

When it comes to research and citations, do your essay justice by reading this tips on how to avoid plagiarism.

A five-paragraph essay outline

Now that you know the parts of a five-paragraph essay, it might help to see them in action. Here’s an outline format you can use to plan your own essays, filled in with examples of a thesis statement, topic sentences for your body paragraphs, and the main parts of a strong conclusion.

Introduction

Thesis statement: There’s a lot of debate about which food category hot dogs fit into, but it’s clear from the evidence that a hot dog is a type of sandwich.

Body paragraph #1

Topic sentence: To begin, hot dogs fit the dictionary definition of the word sandwich.
Supporting detail: Sandwich is defined as “two or more slices of bread with a layer of meat, fish, cheese, and whatever other filling you’d like between them.”
Supporting detail: A hot dog is a grilled or steamed sausage, usually made of pork or beef, which qualifies as a layer of meat.
Supporting detail: Hot dog buns are split rolls, similar to the ones used for deli sandwiches.

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Body paragraph #2

Topic sentence: Secondly, hot dogs meet the legal definition of sandwiches in many places.
Supporting detail: Mark Wheeler, a food safety specialist with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), says the organization defines a sandwich as “a meat or poultry filling between two slices of bread, a bun, or a biscuit.”
Supporting detail: In New York state, tax law lists “hot dogs and sausages on buns” as types of sandwiches.
Supporting detail: Additionally, tax law in California clearly includes “hot dog and hamburger sandwiches” served from “sandwich stands or booths.”

Body paragraph #3

Topic sentence: Finally, most Americans agree that hot dogs are sandwiches.
Supporting detail: In a poll of 1,000 people conducted by RTA Outdoor Living, 56.8% of respondents agreed a hot dog is a sandwich.
Supporting detail: Many fast food chains that serve primarily burgers and sandwiches, like Five Guys burgers and Shake Shack, also sell hot dogs.
Supporting detail: Lexicographers at Dictionary.com have also declared that hot dogs officially meet the criteria to be included in the sandwich category. (Curious? Read the article here for this and other great food debates explained .)
Restatement of thesis: Hot dogs are a unique kind of food, but the evidence makes it clear that they are indeed a type of sandwich.

Refine your writing with this review on run-on sentences.

Ways To Say

Synonym of the day

How to write a five-paragraph essay

Published March 31, 2021. Updated June 2, 2022.

Five-paragraph essay definition

A five-paragraph essay is an essay that consists of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Overview of five-paragraph essay

The main purpose of a five-paragraph essay is to help discipline and structure the writing. The introduction needs to hook the reader and present the thesis or argument. Each of the three body paragraphs should focus on a clear subtopic that it announces in its topic sentence. The conclusion should present the argument again without simply restating it. Revising and editing the paper is a crucial part of the writing process.

Worried about your writing? Submit your paper for a Chegg Writing essay check , or for an Expert Check proofreading . Both can help you find and fix potential writing issues.

The structure of the five-paragraph essay

There are three fundamental components to a five-paragraph essay: the introduction, three body paragraphs, and the conclusion.

Introduction

Your introduction, well, introduces your topic and presents your particular argument or perspective. Start by hooking your reader with an interesting problem, fact, quotation, or question. You might start a paper on the fall of the Roman Empire with this statement:

All roads may have led to Rome at one time, but when the empire fell, so did its infrastructure.

The sentence takes a well-known cliché and twists it just enough to engage the reader.

After hooking the reader, build to your thesis, which typically should be the last sentence of your introduction. Your thesis should make a claim that the rest of your paper supports. It also provides a roadmap to your paper. For example:

Between Rome’s overexpansion, the barbarian invasions, and its overreliance on slave labor, Rome’s fall should have come as no surprise to the Romans.

Body paragraphs

Your body paragraphs follow the introduction. They flesh out your topic or support your argument. Each paragraph should open with a clear topic sentence and focus on one subclaim or subtopic. While the “list thesis” is not the only (or always the best) way to present your argument, it can help you quickly identify the topics for your paragraphs.

This paper would cover:

Rome’s overexpansion as it conquered neighboring territories
The toll that constant invasions took on the empire
The fragility created by a heavily slave-driven economy

Your conclusion leads readers out of the paper, reminding them of its broad strokes and putting them all together once more. Don’t just restate the thesis. Reframe your argument without changing it. Take the following example:

As Rome overextended itself, its collapse became inevitable. It could no longer protect its borders, leaving them vulnerable to invasion. When its expansion stalled, it also lost the continual supply of conquered slaves that its economy required.

It’s the same argument, but refocused. Instead of listing three causes of Rome’s decline, it highlights the connections between them.

How to write it

While everyone’s writing process looks a little different, there are some basic steps to writing the five-paragraph essay, as well as some tricks to help you write the strongest paper you can.

Choose your topic

It may seem obvious, but your first mission is to figure out what you want to write on. (If your teacher has assigned you a topic, we suggest you choose that subject!) What interests you? There’s a good chance you’ll be able to interest your reader in that too.

When choosing your topic, make sure it’s the right size for the assignment. For example, you might need to write a literature paper on a certain book. You wouldn’t want to write a five-paragraph essay on all fiction or even on an author’s entire body of work – you don’t have the space to do those topics justice. In a similar manner, you wouldn’t want to write that essay on the author’s choice of a single word in one scene – you’d run out of things to say.

After you’ve picked your topic, you need to do research and/or brainstorm. You may have to reread material, do more in-depth research, or simply think about the things you want to cover in your paper.

Craft your thesis

The nature of your thesis will depend on the type of paper you intend to write. You may be writing a narrative or descriptive paper, which will call for very different types of theses. However, the most commonly assigned paper is the persuasive paper or argument.

A strong, persuasive thesis should be

Debatable – it isn’t a matter of fact
Provable – you have good reasons or support for your argument
Specific – it focuses your argument on the topic immediately under discussion as opposed to a related, general idea
Confident – it states your argument in clear, certain terms

As you write, you should revisit your thesis. You may want to nuance or change it as you develop the paper.

Outline your three supporting arguments

What are your three strongest subclaims (or points)? What do you need to prove your argument or support your topic? You should spend one paragraph on each of these.

Write the essay!

Yes, the time has come. Write the first draft of your paper. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You should have given yourself plenty of time to revise.

Revise and edit it

You’ll want both (1) to revise your paper to improve the big things such as content and structure and (2) to edit it, polishing and proofreading the text.

Ask yourself the following questions as you revisit your first draft:

Is my thesis clear? Specific? Debatable? Provable?
Do my body paragraphs support my argument?
Do they have clear topic sentences?
Do my paragraphs present enough supporting material? Is there anything that doesn’t belong?
Does my conclusion do more than simply restate my thesis?
Are my sentences clear and powerful?
Do I have any mistakes or typos when it comes to formatting and grammar?

When to leave or return to the five-paragraph structure

More advanced students will begin to move away from this template. Their essays will contain the number of paragraphs they need to make their points.

The five-paragraph essay can still be an effective tool, though. You may find that it helps you structure your thoughts quickly or write essays for exams and standardized tests.

Before you turn in that paper, don’t forget to cite your sources in APA format , MLA format , or a style of your choice.

Key takeaways

The five-paragraph essay consists of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
The introduction needs to hook the reader and present your thesis or argument.
Each of the three body paragraphs should focus on a clear subtopic that it announces in its topic sentence.
The conclusion should present your argument again without simply restating it.
Revising and editing your paper is a crucial part of the writing process.

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How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay: Guide with Structure, Outline & Examples

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A 5-paragraph essay is a common assignment in high school and college, requiring students to follow a standard structure. This essay format consists of five main components: an introduction paragraph, followed by 3 body paragraphs, and a final paragraph. Each paragraph serves a specific purpose and contributes to the overall coherence and organization of the essay.

Since this is one of the most popular assignments teachers give, you should be prepared to write using a five paragraph essay format. From structure and outline template to actual examples, we will explain how to write a 5 paragraph essay with ease. Follow our suggestions and you will be able to nail this task.

What Is a 5-Paragraph Essay: Definition

A 5-paragraph essay is as simple as it sounds: an essay composed of five paragraphs. It's made up of five distinct sections, namely an introduction , 3 body paragraphs and a concluding section . However, a 5 paragraph essay goes beyond just creating 5 individual sections. It's a method of organizing your thoughts and making them interconnected.

Despite its straightforward 5-paragraph format, there's more going on beneath the surface. When writing a 5-paragraph essay, you should address the main objective of each part and arrange every section properly.

Let’s learn about each of these sections more in detail.

5-Paragraph Essay Structure

A five-paragraph essay structure is often compared to a sandwich that has 3 distinct layers:

Introduction: This initial paragraph should introduce the main topic and tell what will be discussed further in the essay.
Body: This part consists of three body paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect of your subject.
Conclusion: The final paragraph rounds off the main points and offers key takeaways.

As you can notice, each of these sections plays an important role in creating the overall piece.

5-Paragraph Essay Outline & Template Example

Imagine heading out for a journey in the woods without a map. You'd likely find yourself wandering aimlessly, right? Similarly, venturing into writing an essay without a solid essay outline is like stepping into the academic jungle without a guide. Most high school and college students ignore this step for the sake of time. But eventually they end up writing a five-paragraph essay that lacks a clear organization.

It’s impossible to figure out how to write a 5-paragraph essay without having a well-arranged outline in front. Here’s a five-paragraph essay outline example showing subsections of each major part.

5 Paragraph Essay Outline Example

Hook: Spark the reader's interest.
Brief background: Provide a general context or background.
Thesis statement: State the main argument or position.
Topic sentence: Introduce the main point of this paragraph.
Supporting evidence/example 1: Provide data, examples, quotes, or anecdotes supporting your point.
Analysis: Explain how your evidence supports your thesis.
Transition: Tie the paragraph together and link to the next paragraph.
Supporting evidence/example 2 : Provide further supporting evidence.
Analysis: Discuss how the evidence relates back to your thesis.
Transition: Summarize the point and smoothly shift to the next paragraph.
Topic sentence: Present the main idea of this paragraph.
Supporting evidence/example 3: Offer additional support for your thesis.
Analysis: Show how this backs up your main argument.
Transition: Sum up and signal the conclusion of the body section.
Thesis reiteration: Revisit your main argument accounting for the evidence provided.
Summary: Briefly go over the main points of your body paragraphs.
Final thoughts: Leave the reader with a parting thought or question to ponder.

How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay Outline?

When creating an outline for 5-paragraph essay, begin by identifying your topic and crafting a thesis statement. Your thesis statement should encapsulate your main argument. Identify 3 ideas that support your thesis to lay the foundation of your body section. For each point, think about examples and explanations that will help convince the reader of your perspective. Finally, plan what you will include in the concluding section.

Throughout this process, remember that clarity and organization are key. While it's not necessary for your 5-paragraph outline to be "perfect", it is indeed important for it to be arranged logically.

Below, you can spot an example of an outline created based on these instructions.

How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay Step-by-Step?

There is nothing difficult about writing a 5-paragraph essay. All you need to do is to just start creating the first sentence. But for most of us, it;s easier said than done. For this reason, we prepared informative step-by-step guidelines on how to write a 5-paragraph essay that your teacher will like.

As we navigate these stages, remember that good writing isn't a destination, it's a process. So grab your notebook (or laptop) and let's dive into the art of crafting your five-paragraph essay.

>> Learn more: How to Write an Essay

1. Understand the Task at Hand

The initial step is to make sure you have a full grasp of your assignment instructions. How well you understand the given guidelines can either make or break your 5-paragraph essay. Take a few minutes to read through your instructor’s requirements and get familiar with what you're supposed to do:

What’s your topic? Do you need to choose one yourself?
What essay type do you need to write – argumentative , expository or informative essay ?
What’s your primary goal – persuade, analyze, descibe or inform?
How long should an essay be ? Is there any specific word count?

Understanding these crucial details will help you remain on course.

2. Research and Take Notes

Now that you have a good idea of your assignment, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start researching. Spend some quality time gathering relevant resources to get acquainted with the discussed topic. Make sure you don;t refer to outdated resources. Always give a preference to credible, recent sources.

Read these sources carefully and jot down important facts – this is what will form the basis of your essay's body section. Also, you will need to save the online sources to cite them properly.

3. Develop Your Thesis Statement

We can’t stress enough: your thesis statement will guide your entire essay. Write 1-2 sentences that convey your underlying idea. Keep in mind that your thesis must be succinct. There is no need for long introductions or excessive details at this point.

4. Make an Outline

A five-paragraph essay outline shows how your paper will be arranged. This visual structure can be represented using bullet points or numbers. You can come up with another format. But the main idea is to prepare a plan you are going to stick to during the writing process.

Did you know that you can send an outline to professionals and have your essay written according to the structure. Order essay from academic experts should you need any assistance.

5. Write an Introduction Paragraph

To start a 5-paragraph essay, compose an attention-grabbing statement, such as a question or fact. This is also known as an essay hook – an intriguing opening sentence. Its goal is to spark curiosity and draw your reader into your topic.

Next, you need to establish a background and show what;s under the curtains. Write 1-2 contextual sentences helping your reader understand the broad issue you're about to discuss.

Your 5-paragraph essay introduction won’t be complete without a thesis statement – the heart of your writing. This 1 or 2-sentence statement clearly expresses the main point you will develop throughout your essay. Make sure your thesis is specific, debatable, and defensible.

A staggering report by the World Health Organization reveals that poor diet contributes to more disease than physical inactivity, alcohol, and smoking combined. In our fast-paced world, convenience often trumps health when it comes to food choices. With an alarming rise in obesity and diet-related illnesses, a closer look at our eating habits is more critical than ever. For this reason, adopting a healthy diet is essential for individual health, disease prevention, and overall wellbeing.

>> Read more: How to Start an Essay

6. Create a Body Part

A body section of a standard 5-paragraph essay layout comprises 3 paragraphs. Each body paragraph should contain the most important elements of the discussion:

Topic sentence
Detailed explanation
Supporting evidence from credible sources
Further exploration of examples
Transition.

Begin your body paragraph by introducing a separate aspect related to your thesis statement. For example, if you are writing about the importance of physical activity, your body paragraph may start this way:

Regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Don’t just make a bold statement. You will need to expand on this idea and explain it in detail. You should also incorporate facts, examples, data, or quotes that back up your topic sentence. Your evidence should sound realistic. Try to draw the examples from personal experience or recent news. On top of that, you should analyze how this evidence ties back to your overall argument.

It’s not a good idea to finish your body paragraph just like that. Add essay transition words to keep your five-paragraph paper cohesive.

First and foremost, a healthy diet plays a pivotal role in maintaining individual health and vitality. A balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, provides the essential nutrients our bodies need to function effectively. A research study by the American Heart Association found that individuals who adhered to a healthy eating pattern had a 25% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This data emphasizes that a proper diet is not just about staying in shape. It directly affects critical health outcomes, impacting our susceptibility to serious health conditions like heart disease. While the implications of diet on personal health are substantial, the preventative power of healthy eating against disease is equally noteworthy, as we shall explore next.

>> Read more: How to Write a Body Paragraph

7. Write a Concluding Paragraph

Wrapping up your 5-paragraph essay might seem like a breeze after developing your introductory and body parts. Yet, it's crucial to ensure your conclusion is equally impactful. Don't leave it to the reader to join the dots – restate your thesis statement to reinforce your main argument. Follow this by a brief recap of the 2-3 key points you've discussed in your essay.

The last taste should be the best, so aim to end your 5-paragraph essay on a high note. Craft a compelling closing sentence that underscores the importance of your topic and leaves your reader considering future implications.

As was outlined in this essay, a balanced diet isn't just a lifestyle choice, but an essential tool for maintaining individual health, preventing disease, and promoting overall wellbeing. Healthy eating directly affects our personal health, its power in disease prevention, and how it contributes to a sense of wellness. What we consume profoundly impacts our lives. Therefore, a commitment to healthy eating isn't merely an act of self-care; it's a potent declaration of respect for the life we've been given.

>> Learn more: How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay

8. Review and Revise

Your 5-paragraph essay should be up to scratch now. However, double-check your work for any errors or typos. It's worth revising your essay at least twice for maximum impact. Our practice shows that revising your essay multiple times will help you refine the arguments, making your piece more convincing.

As you proofread, make sure the tone is consistent, and each sentence contributes something unique to the overall point of view. Also, check for spelling and grammar errors.

Once you're happy with your 5-paragraph essay, submit it to your teacher or professor.

5 Paragraph Essay Example

Students can ease their life by exploring a sample five paragraph essay example shared by one the writers. Consider buying a college essay if you want your homework to be equally good.

Extra 5-Paragraph Writing Tips

Here’re some bonus tips on how to write a good 5-paragraph essay:

Be clear and concise Avoid fluff and filler. Every sentence should contribute to your argument or topic.
Keep paragraphs focused Each paragraph should be dedicated to an individual point or idea.
Use strong evidence To support your points, use solid evidence. This could be statistics, research findings, or relevant quotes from experts.
Use active voice Active voice makes writing direct and dynamic. It puts the subject of the sentence in the driver's seat, leading the action.
Avoid first-person pronouns To maintain a formal, academic tone, try to avoid first-person pronouns (I, me, my, we, our). First-person pronouns are acceptable only when writing a narrative essay , personal statement or college application essay .

Final Thoughts on How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay

Writing a five-paragraph essay may seem challenging at first, but with practice and determination it can become a piece of cake. Don’t forget to use your secret power – an outline, so that you have a clear idea of what points to cover in each paragraph. Make sure that you stick to the right format and cite your sources consistently. With these tips and 5 paragraph essay examples, you will be able to write an effective piece.

If any questions pop out, do not hesitate to leave the comments below or contact our professional writing service for expert assistance with your “ write an essay for me ” challenge.

Our team of experienced writers is ready to provide you with high-quality, custom-written essays tailored to your specific requirements. Whether you're struggling with a complex topic or short on time, our reliable service ensures timely delivery and top-notch content. Buy essays online and forget about struggles.

FAQ About Five-Paragraph Essays

1. how long is a 5-paragraph essay.

A five-paragraph essay typically ranges from 300 to 500 words, depending on the topic and type of paper. It's important to consider the length of your essay when determining how much information you want to include in each paragraph. For shorter essays, it is best to stick to one main point per paragraph so that your essay remains concise and focused.

2. What is a 5-paragraph format?

The five-paragraph essay format is a classic structure used to organize essays and persuasive pieces. It consists of an introduction (which includes your thesis statement), 3 body paragraphs that explain each point, and a conclusion which sums up your fundamental ideas. Each paragraph should feature one main aspect, with supporting evidence discovered during research.

3. How to start a 5-paragraph essay?

The best way to start a five-paragraph essay is by writing an engaging introduction that contains your thesis statement. Your first paragraph should provide readers with some context as well as introduce your main argument. Make sure to cover at least 2 or 3 points in your thesis statement so that you have something to elaborate on further in your text.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

Five Paragraph Essay Outline

10 May, 2020

7 minutes read

Author: Tomas White

The five paragraph essay exists as one of the most commonly assigned essays, especially for high school students. In fact, the five paragraph essay format is so popular, it is often used not only in the classroom but for exams and admission essays as well. If you’ve never written a five paragraph essay, or find that you simply need a good refresher, you’ve come to the right place! We have thrown out all the useless information and boiled it down to the essential info you need to both understand what a five paragraph essay is and how to write one to earn the grade you want.

What is a Five Paragraph Essay?

Unlike some misleading names, the five-paragraph essay is exactly what it sounds like: an essay that consists solely of five paragraphs. This type of essay is strictly about the structure. That’s what matters much more than the topic or questions to be discussed in the essay. The paragraphs in the essay paragraphs follow a very specific outline.

This kind of essay was separated from all other types with a sole purpose – teaching students about the concept of the essay by practicing it’s most basic structure variant. Even though any kind of essay can have five paragraph – from a definition essay to story-based narrative essay ; five paragraph essay is never limited to the approach. It might look like any other essay, but the structure is the king here.

Meet the Five Paragraph Essay Outline

This type of essay contains three distinctly different kinds of paragraphs including (in order):

Introduction paragraph
Three body paragraphs
Conclusion paragraph

While all three types of paragraphs follow traditional grammar and syntax conventions, what goes into each paragraph varies based on its purpose.

Let’s take a look at what makes each of these paragraphs unique:

Introduction

The introduction paragraph should have three key parts: an attention getter , background information , and a thesis statement . These elements should appear in this order; the thesis statement typically appears as the last sentence in the introduction because it acts as a transition to the body paragraphs which each work to support the argument outlined within the thesis. Let’s say that the topic of your five paragraph essay is the best type of pet to own. After doing some research, you decide to write about cats. The attention getter sentence should capture the audience’s attention and make them want to read more about cats. Attention getter sentences often fall into one of four categories:

An interesting fact
An engaging statistic
A relevant quotation
A personal anecdote

It’s important to note that a personal anecdote or story from your own life may not be appropriate for all types of essays — especially if an instructor has noted that no personal pronouns be used in the paper.

Related post: How to write an Essay introduction

After gaining the audience’s interest, the next few sentences, anywhere from 3 to 10 sentences, depending upon the essay, should be about background information. Such information may define specific vocabulary or generally provide background information relevant to the topic.

In a five-paragraph essay about cats, relevant background information could include when cats became domesticated, how many breeds of cats are available today, and where individuals can find cats as pets.

Finally, the last part of the introduction paragraph should be the thesis statement. A well-written thesis statement should include an argument and a roadmap on how to prove it.

In this case, a simple yet effective thesis statement could be: “Cats make the best pets because they are intelligent, friendly, and sociable.” The first part, “cats make the best pets” is the argument while the second part, “intelligent, friendly, and sociable” is the roadmap. This is called a roadmap because it outlines the ideas that will guide the paper in the body paragraphs.

According to this thesis statement, there will be a body paragraph that provides evidence that cats are intelligent, another proving that cats are friendly, and a third proving that cats are sociable.

Stuck on writing your outline? Our essay writer will help You!

Body Paragraphs

A typical body paragraph is anywhere from six to twenty sentences; the length of a body paragraph depends upon the amount of research, analysis, and discussion needed in each paragraph to support the argument set forth in the thesis statement. Typically, a body paragraph will follow an organization such as this:

Topic sentence
Background sentence(s)
Explanation

There could be more sentences if you have more quotations from research to include. Additionally, some topics may require several background sentences while others only require one.

Remember: value your time and your teacher’s time; skip writing sentences to pad the length of your paper and ask yourself if each sentence contributes to proving the argument outlined within the thesis. If the sentence doesn’t, get rid of it!

The conclusion paragraph should be the final paragraph in the paper. It is often the shortest paragraph. Its purpose is to review the main points and prove to the audience that the writer has successfully argued his or her point. A conclusion paragraph should never introduce any new information. Most teachers prefer students to skip obvious phrases such as “In conclusion” or “Before ending” because these statements are understood by the reader.

Related post: Cause and Effect essay outline

Following the conclusion paragraph, you will likely need to create a “Works Cited” and/or a “Bibliography” page if you included any type of research within the five paragraph essay outline. After each quotation or paraphrase in the essay should be a parenthetical citation, and each parenthetical citation should be referenced in the Works Cited and/or Bibliography page. Your teacher or professor should clearly communicate their preference; a Works Cited page exists as a reference for all the works quoted in the essay whereas the Bibliography page lists every source you consulted during the research process.

Tips and Tricks

If writing isn’t one of your favorite requirements of academic life, check out these 10 tips and tricks to navigate creating a five paragraph essay smoothly:

Begin early
Make an appointment with the teacher to discuss your ideas/progress and get feedback
Take good notes, and cite the sources as you go
Create a sentence outline before the draft
Edit the essay twice: once for content, once for grammar
Get at least one other person to provide constructive criticism
Make an appointment at the Writing Center if your campus has one
Hire a professional editing service to catch pesky grammar errors
Review the final essay against any provided rubric item by item
Check the paper’s formatting for spacing, margins, and headers/footers

Writing assignments are never sprints, but they don’t have to be marathons either — try to find a happy medium!

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Structuring the Five-Paragraph Essay: Examples of Five-Paragraph Essays

Examples of Five-Paragraph Essays

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Sample of a Persuasive / Argumentative Five-Paragraph Essay

A cat is a man's best friend.

This model essay is a good example of an Argumentative (or Persuasive) Essay.

A Cat is a A Man's Best Friend Compare & Contrast / Argument (Persuasive) Essay

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How to write an essay outline | Guidelines & examples

How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples

Published on August 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph , giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold.

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Organizing your material, presentation of the outline, examples of essay outlines, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay outlines.

At the stage where you’re writing an essay outline, your ideas are probably still not fully formed. You should know your topic and have already done some preliminary research to find relevant sources , but now you need to shape your ideas into a structured argument.

Creating categories

Look over any information, quotes and ideas you’ve noted down from your research and consider the central point you want to make in the essay—this will be the basis of your thesis statement . Once you have an idea of your overall argument, you can begin to organize your material in a way that serves that argument.

Try to arrange your material into categories related to different aspects of your argument. If you’re writing about a literary text, you might group your ideas into themes; in a history essay, it might be several key trends or turning points from the period you’re discussing.

Three main themes or subjects is a common structure for essays. Depending on the length of the essay, you could split the themes into three body paragraphs, or three longer sections with several paragraphs covering each theme.

As you create the outline, look critically at your categories and points: Are any of them irrelevant or redundant? Make sure every topic you cover is clearly related to your thesis statement.

Order of information

When you have your material organized into several categories, consider what order they should appear in.

Your essay will always begin and end with an introduction and conclusion , but the organization of the body is up to you.

Consider these questions to order your material:

Is there an obvious starting point for your argument?
Is there one subject that provides an easy transition into another?
Do some points need to be set up by discussing other points first?

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Within each paragraph, you’ll discuss a single idea related to your overall topic or argument, using several points of evidence or analysis to do so.

In your outline, you present these points as a few short numbered sentences or phrases.They can be split into sub-points when more detail is needed.

The template below shows how you might structure an outline for a five-paragraph essay.

Thesis statement
First piece of evidence
Second piece of evidence
Summary/synthesis
Importance of topic
Strong closing statement

You can choose whether to write your outline in full sentences or short phrases. Be consistent in your choice; don’t randomly write some points as full sentences and others as short phrases.

Examples of outlines for different types of essays are presented below: an argumentative, expository, and literary analysis essay.

Argumentative essay outline

This outline is for a short argumentative essay evaluating the internet’s impact on education. It uses short phrases to summarize each point.

Its body is split into three paragraphs, each presenting arguments about a different aspect of the internet’s effects on education.

Importance of the internet
Concerns about internet use
Thesis statement: Internet use a net positive
Data exploring this effect
Analysis indicating it is overstated
Students’ reading levels over time
Why this data is questionable
Video media
Interactive media
Speed and simplicity of online research
Questions about reliability (transitioning into next topic)
Evidence indicating its ubiquity
Claims that it discourages engagement with academic writing
Evidence that Wikipedia warns students not to cite it
Argument that it introduces students to citation
Summary of key points
Value of digital education for students
Need for optimism to embrace advantages of the internet

Expository essay outline

This is the outline for an expository essay describing how the invention of the printing press affected life and politics in Europe.

The paragraphs are still summarized in short phrases here, but individual points are described with full sentences.

Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages.
Provide background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press.
Present the thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
Discuss the very high levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe.
Describe how literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites.
Indicate how this discouraged political and religious change.
Describe the invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg.
Show the implications of the new technology for book production.
Describe the rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible.
Link to the Reformation.
Discuss the trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention.
Describe Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation.
Sketch out the large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics.
Summarize the history described.
Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period.

Literary analysis essay outline

The literary analysis essay outlined below discusses the role of theater in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park .

The body of the essay is divided into three different themes, each of which is explored through examples from the book.

Describe the theatricality of Austen’s works
Outline the role theater plays in Mansfield Park
Introduce the research question : How does Austen use theater to express the characters’ morality in Mansfield Park ?
Discuss Austen’s depiction of the performance at the end of the first volume
Discuss how Sir Bertram reacts to the acting scheme
Introduce Austen’s use of stage direction–like details during dialogue
Explore how these are deployed to show the characters’ self-absorption
Discuss Austen’s description of Maria and Julia’s relationship as polite but affectionless
Compare Mrs. Norris’s self-conceit as charitable despite her idleness
Summarize the three themes: The acting scheme, stage directions, and the performance of morals
Answer the research question
Indicate areas for further study

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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You will sometimes be asked to hand in an essay outline before you start writing your essay . Your supervisor wants to see that you have a clear idea of your structure so that writing will go smoothly.

Even when you do not have to hand it in, writing an essay outline is an important part of the writing process . It’s a good idea to write one (as informally as you like) to clarify your structure for yourself whenever you are working on an essay.

If you have to hand in your essay outline , you may be given specific guidelines stating whether you have to use full sentences. If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor.

When writing an essay outline for yourself, the choice is yours. Some students find it helpful to write out their ideas in full sentences, while others prefer to summarize them in short phrases.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

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How Long is a Paragraph?

Paragraph Length for Different Educational Levels

Early elementary (kg - 3):, elementary (4th and 5th): , middle school:, high school, college and beyond, the length of paragraphs depending on writing style, audience, and medium., purpose of writing: , medium and format, extra resources:.

Table of content

Traditionally, a paragraph is seen as a unit of writing that describes a single idea, containing at least three to five sentences.

However, in an educational context, paragraph length varies by grade level. Similarly, the length of a paragraph also depends on various factors, such as writing style, audience, and the medium in which we write.

In this article, we will look at how long a paragraph can be under 2 different contexts.

Paragraph length for different educational levels.

The length of the paragraphs slowly extends after each class and school level. Let’s learn what is the recommended number of words and sentences for each grade.

At this stage, paragraphs are typically 1-3 sentences (nearly 5 to 40 words) long . These short paragraphs can define a single term, describe a simple action, or express a straightforward idea.

Let’s list the approximate number of sentences for each grade in the early elementary level.

Kindergarten :

At the KG level, students learn to recognize letters and words. So the paragraphs are kept small and simple.

They contain 1 to 2 sentences and 5 to 15 words (approx).

( A kindergarten-level worksheet for paragraphs by k5learning )

“The cat is big. It purrs”

“See the sun. It is yellow.”

(More examples in the children's book “Go. Dog, Go!” by p.d Eastman )

1st Grade :

First graders are familiar with letters but cannot read words easily. Therefore, paragraphs are still shorter but contain a bit larger sentences.

Paragraphs usually consist of 1 to 3 sentences and 10 to 20 words .

( read more about 1st and 2nd grade paragraph writing on brownbagteacher )

“Little bird flies high. Up in the blue sky.”

"The dog runs fast. It has a red ball."

(Watch the World Book Day’s video adaptation of Dear Zoo Flipbook.)

2nd and 3rd Grade :

In second and third grade, students are efficient at word-reading. Hence, they can easily read larger sentences. But still, it can be difficult for them to understand more than 3 sentences in one paragraph.

At this stage, a paragraph can be made up of 2 to 3 sentences that contain 20 to 40 words .

( A reading worksheet by superteacherworksheet for third grade .)

"Max has a pet frog named Hopper. He feeds Hopper flies and keeps him in a big tank. Hopper likes to jump very high."

"Sarah loves to read books about space. She dreams of being an astronaut and traveling to the moon. Her favorite book is about the solar system."

To read more examples for 2nd and 3rd grade-level paragraphs, see

" The Very Hungry Caterpillar " by Eric Carl

" I Want My Hat Back " by Jon Klassen

In 4th and 5th grade, learners become fluent in sentence reading. Therefore, a paragraph at this level can contain up to 5 sentences i.e. almost 30 to 80 words . Also, the sentences are larger and a little more complex than before.

4th Grade :

Students at this stage can now read to learn instead of learn to read. This is why paragraphs are informative. This enables them to write a well-constructed paragraph that contains a topic sentence followed by supporting and concluding sentences.

It is recommended that they write 2 to 4 sentences per paragraph typically ranging from 30 to 65 words .

( Writing expectations pdf by resources.finalsite.net for 4th grade )

"Every fall, the leaves on the maple trees undergo a stunning transformation. The leaves turn vibrant shades of reds, oranges, and yellows, brightening up the neighborhood. This change is due to the trees preparing for winter by ceasing the production of a green pigment called chlorophyll. As a result, we get to enjoy the beautiful colors that signal the arrival of autumn."

"Dolphins are renowned for their intelligence and friendly nature. They use a variety of clicks and whistles to communicate, which aids them in locating food and navigating the vast ocean. Researchers have devoted years to studying these communications to better understand dolphins' complex social behaviors. These studies reveal the depth of their social interactions and intelligence."

( Time for Kids has a vast amount of news articles for each grade .)

5th Grade :

At the end of primary school i.e. 5th grade, students can clearly understand the central theme of paragraphs. So each paragraph contains at least 3 to 5 sentences . The word count can be nearly 40 to 50 words for shorter paragraphs and 70 to 80 words for larger paragraphs.

"Hurricanes are powerful storms that form over warm ocean waters. They can cause massive damage when they hit land due to strong winds and heavy rain. Scientists name each hurricane to track them more easily. Understanding how they form helps us prepare better and protect communities."

“The Amazon rainforest is often called the 'lungs of the Earth' because it produces over 20% of the world's oxygen. This vast forest covers several countries in South America and is home to millions of plant and animal species. Many of these species are unique to the Amazon and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Unfortunately, this important ecosystem is threatened by deforestation, which affects the biodiversity and climate of the entire planet.”

( National Geographic Kids for informative posts suitable for 5th graders .)

In middle school, students are expected to write and understand more complicated and longer paragraphs compared to elementary school. The paragraph length typically increases as students develop their ability to express more ideas and add evidence. There are 4 to 7 sentences and 60 to 140 words per paragraph on average.

( An mcps pdf guide on writing paragraphs in middle school. )

Here’s a general guideline for middle school paragraph lengths:

6th and 7th Grade

By 6th grade, students start to understand more detailed descriptions and can discuss simple concepts with some depth. They are encouraged to add more details. That is why the paragraphs can stretch up to 4 to 6 sentences . That is roughly 60 to 120 words per paragraph.

"Late one night, under the blanket of darkness, Emily stumbled upon an old, dusty book in the attic. The cover was worn, and the pages smelled of ancient oak wood. As she opened it, a faint glow began to emanate from the pages, lighting up her curious face. Each word she read took her deeper into tales of enchanted forests and mysterious creatures. With every turn of the page, Emily felt as if she were stepping further into a world where magic knew no bounds."

( The first 3 Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling are best for more narrative paragraph examples according to middle grade .)

"School cafeterias should start offering more fruit and vegetable options. Currently, many cafeterias serve foods high in calories but low in nutritional value, which can contribute to various health problems among students. By increasing the availability of fruits and vegetables, schools can encourage healthier eating habits that support students' growth, concentration, and overall health. Moreover, introducing a variety of healthy options not only caters to students with different dietary needs but also educates them on making balanced food choices. Therefore, it is crucial for schools to prioritize the well-being of students by improving the cafeteria menu."

( Read this blog post by choiceliteracy on persuasive paragraph writing in middle school )

8th Grade :

By the end of middle school, students become experts in writing paragraphs on most topics. They have also learned to write essays with multiple paragraphs by this time. So at this level, the recommended number of sentences per paragraph is 4 to 7 and 70-140 words.

"The Great Wall of China stands as one of the most enduring symbols of Chinese engineering and perseverance. Built over centuries, this massive structure was primarily designed to protect against invasions and raids by nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe. The wall stretches over 13,000 miles, making it one of the world's most impressive defensive structures. It also played a crucial role in controlling trade along the Silk Road, influencing the economic and cultural landscape of Asia. Today, the Great Wall is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and continues to be a symbol of national pride and historical significance."

( Khan Academy - articles on various topics for grade 8)

In grades 9th to 12th , students no longer face any problems in paragraph writing. Instead, their focus is more on conveying the information and covering all the details. This demands larger paragraphs.

In high schools, the recommended paragraph length is 5-7 sentences ( 100-150 words ).

( Read about high school paragraph writing from an article by West Seattle High School )

Examples :

"The Renaissance was a pivotal period in human history, marking a time of profound cultural and intellectual growth that began in Italy in the 14th century. This era is characterized by significant advancements in art, literature, and science, and it laid the groundwork for modern Western society. Figures such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo not only produced iconic artworks but also contributed to scientific observations that defied the prevailing norms of their time. The Renaissance also spurred changes in social and political structures, influencing the development of modern democracy. Understanding this period helps explain how historical shifts in thought and culture shape societal evolution."

( Newsela - Tailor's news and informational articles to multiple reading levels including high school)

In college and beyond, paragraphs can extend to more than 8 sentences. This is because the students in college prepare to write research papers and professional publications. Hence, a typical paragraph can contain 6 to 8 and sometimes more sentences ( 200 to 300 words approx. ).

( Writing academically: paragraph structure by Hull University Librar y)

Example

"The concept of freedom has evolved significantly throughout history, reflecting the changing cultural, economic, and political landscapes. In ancient societies, freedom was often viewed through the lens of governance and the rights of citizens within city-states. For instance, in classical Athens, freedom was closely tied to one's status as a citizen and participation in the democratic process. In the modern era, however, the notion of freedom has expanded to include not just political rights but also economic and social dimensions. Economists like Amartya Sen argue that true freedom involves not only the availability of choices but also the capability to exercise these choices effectively. This broader understanding of freedom underpins many international human rights campaigns and development strategies today, highlighting the intersection between freedom, equity, and global justice. Such perspectives are critical in discussions of policy-making and governance, suggesting that our conception of freedom must adapt to ensure it encompasses the diverse needs and rights of all global citizens."

( The Chronicles of Higher Education - a good mix of news and scholarly articles for college level .)

The following table provides a clear breakdown of how paragraph lengths change through the educational level .


Short	1-3	5-40	5-9 years
Medium	3-5	40-80	9-11 years
Medium to Long	4-6	60-120	11-14 years
Long	5-7	100-150	14-18 years
Extended	6-8+	150-300+	18+ years

If we set aside the educational point of view, there are some other factors affecting the paragraph length as well. These factors are:

Purpose of the writing

Medium

Let’s see why and how they change a paragraph’s length.

The number of sentences or words is highly related to the type of paragraph you write. For instance, a paragraph in narrative writing is usually 3-5 words long. While in descriptive paragraphs, it is common to see 5 to 8 sentences per paragraph.

Narrative writing:

It is a type of writing that tells a story. It involves creating characters, setting a scene, and developing a plot. Paragraphs in narrative writing can have 3 to 5 sentences on average and 60 to 150 words . However, they can be larger depending on the need of the story.

(1. indeed : What is narrative writing? Types and tips.

2. BBC Bitesize : Offers guides and examples for various writing styles, including narrative writing)

"The sun set in a blaze of orange and pink, painting the horizon in vivid hues. On the beach below, children played tag, their laughter mingling with the rhythmic crash of the waves. Each time the water retreated, it erased their footprints, making every sandy step seem fleeting and precious. Nearby, an old man watched quietly, his loyal dog at his side, both soaking in the fleeting moments of daylight that danced on the shimmering waters."

( " Bird by Bird " by Anne Lamott provides guidance on writing and narrative techniques )

Expository Writing :

In this writing style, you explain, inform, or define a topic to the reader. It's often used in textbooks, essays, news articles, and how-to guides. Since the purpose is to provide information, too many sentences are not favored in this writing.

An expository paragraph might define a concept in two to three sentences (30 to 50 words) followed by an explaining paragraph of the same length mentioning its relevance or application.

( A helpful Amazon pdf guide on learning to write an expository paragraph )

"Genetic engineering refers to the direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology. It is a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel organisms.

An important application of genetic engineering is in agriculture, where it is used to enhance crop resistance to pests and herbicides. This not only helps in increasing crop yields but also reduces the need for chemical pesticides, promoting a more sustainable form of agriculture."

These paragraphs are a single example that shows both conceptual and explanatory paragraphs in expository writing, both containing 2 sentences.

( BBC News - an online newspaper that often uses shorter paragraphs to make the information more easy to understand .)

Persuasive Writing :

Here, paragraph length can vary. A short paragraph usually makes a strong statement. In contrast, a longer paragraph gives details and evidence to support ideas.

For example, an editorial might start with a brief, powerful paragraph that presents an opinion, followed by longer paragraphs that back up that opinion with data and research.

So the shorter paragraph(assertive) can consist of 1 to 2 sentences and 20 to 50 words while larger paragraphs(supporting) can have 3 to 5 sentences or more (60 to 120 words).

( Know the basics of persuasive writing at Wikipedia )

"Recycling is not just a way to reduce waste and environmental impact; it is a necessity for a sustainable planet.

Each year, millions of tons of plastic are produced, and a significant portion ends up in our oceans, harming marine life and ecosystems. By recycling plastic, paper, and other materials, we reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and oceans, conserve natural resources, and save energy. Therefore, increasing our commitment to recycling programs is essential for environmental conservation and should be a priority for our community."

In this example, the first paragraph is bold and contains only one sentence while the second paragraph has three lines and supports the first paragraph.

( The Conversation : provides persuasive articles with evidence )

Descriptive Writing :

Descriptive paragraphs can also vary in length. A long paragraph describes a scene or object in detail. In contrast, a shorter paragraph mentions important points only.

However, if a paragraph becomes too long in descriptive writing, it can be difficult to keep the reader engaged. Overly lengthy paragraphs may contain too many ideas or excessive detail. Therefore, it is important to keep balance.

Normally the range for descriptive paragraphs is 4 to 8 sentences and 60 to 200 words.

( Read the article on descriptive writing by reading rocket to learn more )

"The café was a cozy, dimly lit corner of the world, filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soft murmur of conversations. Plush velvet sofas invited patrons to sink in, escaping the brisk autumn chill outside. The walls, adorned with abstract art and vintage photographs, told stories of a past era, blending perfectly with the classical music that whispered through the air. Every element of the café was carefully curated to offer a warm embrace to anyone who stepped through its doors."

( See more examples of descriptive paragraphs on thought.co )


Standard	3 to 5	60-150
Conceptual	2 to 3	30-50
Explanatory	2 to 3	30-50
Assertive	1 to 2	20-50
Supporting	3 to 5	60-120
Standard	4 to 8	60-200

As you know for every age group the paragraphs in educational books change and become larger with the next grade. This proves that it is important to consider the target audience while determining the paragraph length.

Young Readers :

Shorter paragraphs with simple sentences keep young readers' attention locked and help them understand new ideas.

This usually includes the age group of 3 to 10 years . The best paragraph length is between 2 to 4 lines and 10 to 50 words .

"The cat sat on the mat. It was a fluffy cat with a long tail. The mat was red.

The little cat loved its bright red mat. It napped there every day, curled up and cozy."

Another one

"Max found a shiny, smooth rock by the stream. It was round and felt heavy in his hand. He wondered about the adventures the rock had been on. With a smile, he put it in his pocket, ready to take it home."

( Math is fun math website to educate young readers .)

Academic Readers:

Longer, more detailed paragraphs are expected in academic writing, which often includes complex information and citations. It is usually directed towards teens and grown-ups.

A common paragraph contains between 5 to 7 lines (50 to 150 approx.) .

"The concept of climate change encapsulates various global phenomena created predominantly by burning fossil fuels and clearing forests. CO2, a greenhouse gas, traps heat in the atmosphere and regulates our planet’s climate. Historically, the fluctuating concentrations of CO2 have dictated the Earth's temperature variations, leading to repeated ice ages and warm interglacial periods. The current unprecedented rise in CO2 due to human activity is thus a major concern for climatologists."

( Science Direct - an academic platform for scholarly literature .)

Here's a table showing how paragraph lengths vary for different audience types:


Young Readers	3 to 10 years	2 to 4 lines, 10 to 50 words
Academic Readers	Teens to grown-ups	5 to 7 lines, 50 to 150 words

The type of medium where the content is being published also plays a role in paragraph length. Let's show how print and digital media differ in paragraph length.

Print Media :

Longer paragraphs are more common in print, such as in books and academic journals, where detailed exploration of topics is expected. This is because it is easy to read on paper.

Hence, bigger paragraphs are common in print media. They are usually 5 to 7 sentences long .

( Reading linear text on paper versus computer screen - Science Direct )

"In 'War and Peace,' Tolstoy not only captures the grandeur of his era but also explores the intricacies of everyday life, presenting a broad view of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars. He uses detailed descriptions and historical analysis to craft a narrative that is rich and multifaceted. The novel delves into philosophical musings and complex relationships, weaving together themes of war, peace, love, and destiny. This complex tapestry challenges readers to reflect on the significant impact of these forces on human existence. Tolstoy’s work encourages a deep contemplation of life’s profound questions, making 'War and Peace' a timeless masterpiece that resonates with readers across generations."

( Amazon’s books section offers a large variety of printed books.)

Digital Media :

Online content tends to favor shorter paragraphs. That is because online users usually have a habit of skipping larger paragraphs. It also strains the eyes to read long paragraphs on screen.

Hence, it is recommended to keep paragraphs concise- between 3 to 5 sentences and 50 to 100 words.

( Digital reading and reading competence - to learn how reading large text blocks online strains the eyes .)

"Digital marketing is essential for modern businesses. It allows you to reach a broader audience more efficiently and cost-effectively than traditional methods. Strategies like SEO, social media marketing, and email campaigns can dramatically increase your visibility and engagement. Understanding these tools and how to use them effectively is crucial for any competitive business today."

( For online stories and ideas - Medium.com is a great source .)

The table below differentiates between the length of paragraphs on digital and print media.


Print Media	Longer paragraphs, detailed exploration.	5 to 7 sentences	60 to 180
Digital Media	Shorter paragraphs, quick information.	3 to 5 sentences	50 to 100 words

How long should a paragraph be, really?- article on Microsoft

Paragraph Components, Length & Examples - Lesson by study.com

How long is a paragraph - a Grammarly guide

5 differences between writing for online and print | A-State

Considering context in paragraph length - Guideline by Proofed

See the paragraph length in reports and compositions by Thought co

COMMENTS

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A Guide to Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay

What is a 5 Paragraph Essay?

Steps to Write a Five-Paragraph Essay

Step 1: Understand the Assignment

Step 2: Outline Your Essay

Step 3: Write the Introduction

Step 4: Develop Body Paragraphs

Step 5: Transition Between Paragraphs

Step 6: Write the Conclusion

Step 7: Revise and Edit

5 Paragraph Essay Examples

5 Paragraph Essay Topics

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 5 paragraph essay 500 words?

Keep reading

The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay

Writing a Good Introduction

Writing Body Paragraphs

Writing a Conclusion

Practice Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay

Limitations of the Five-Paragraph Essay

UMGC Effective Writing Center Secrets of the Five-Paragraph Essay

Secret #1—The Magic of Three

Secret #2: The Thesis Formula

Secret #3: The 1-3-1 Outline

Personal Information

How to write a perfect 5 Paragraph Essay

How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay : A Complete Guide

THE HAMBURGER ESSAY – THE STUDENT’S FRIEND

A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING PARAGRAPH WRITING

THE PREWRITING STAGE – DEFINING THE THESIS STATEMENT, RESEARCH & PLANNING

Research & Planning

The Writing Stage: Introduction, Body Paragraphs, & Conclusion

THE BODY PARAGRAPHS

The PEEL Paragraph Writing Process

THE CONCLUSION

The Post Writing Stage: Editing & Proofreading YOUR 5 paragraph ESSAY

CLOSING THE CIRCLE

Teaching Resources

Five Paragraph Essay exampleS (Student Writing Samples)

5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY VIDEO TUTORIALS

How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay

Drafting Your Introduction

Developing Three Body Paragraphs

Drafting Your Conclusion

Revising and Editing Your Essay

Expert Q&A

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