Paragraph Essey
The 5 Paragraph Essay
Introduction
a) Hook (facts, statistics, rhetorical questions etc.)
Purpose: Gets your audience interested in your essay.
b) You should provide a summary of the novel and author, the research, the topic.
The summary should be very brief. It should only take 1-2 sentences to summarize the novel
c) Thesis statement (your argument) including your three points
Purpose: Is the “big” argument that is the foundation
of the rest of your essay. Introduces readers to your supporting details.
Body Paragraphs
There are at least three body paragraphs in a formal essay. Each body paragraph will support your thesis and each will be about a different topic/idea. All body paragraphs include...
a) Point 1: Topic Sentence.
Purpose: A SMALLER argument that supports your thesis.
b) Proof 1: Supporting Detail (a fact, quote or piece of information).
Purpose: Proves your topic sentence, and therefore, your thesis.
c) Comment 1: Explains how your supporting detail proves the topic sentence and thesis.
Purpose: Shows the connection between your supporting details, topic sentence and thesis.
d) Concluding sentence.
Purpose: Summarizes your paragraph.
Your research essay will be adding to this structure so a body paragraph should look like:
a) Point 1: Topic Sentence.
Purpose: A SMALLER argument that supports your thesis.
b) Proof 1 (ARTICLE): Supporting Detail (a fact, quote or piece of information)
c) Proof 2 (NOVEL): Supporting Detail (a fact, quote or piece of information).
Purpose: Proves your topic sentence, and therefore, your thesis.
d) Comment 1: Explains how your supporting detail proves the topic sentence and thesis.
Purpose: Shows the connection between your supporting details, topic sentence and thesis.
e) Proof 3 (ARTICLE): Supporting Detail (a fact, quote or piece of information).
f) Proof 4 (NOVEL): Supporting Detail (a fact, quote or piece of information).
Purpose: Proves your topic sentence, and therefore, your thesis.
g) Comment 2: Explains how your supporting detail proves the topic sentence and thesis.
Purpose: Shows the connection between your supporting details, topic sentence and thesis.
h) Concluding sentence.
Purpose: Summarizes your paragraph.
Conclusion (Reverse Introduction)
a) Restatement/Rephrasing of Thesis. This means you repeat your thesis using different words.
Purpose: To remind the audience of your big argument.
b) Summary of your essay.
Purpose: To remind the audience of your supporting details.
c) Final statement.
Writing an Effective Thesis
Adapted from www.cfep.uci.edu
( 2. A thesis is an argument, NOT a title. Title : The effect of the Internet on society. Thesis : Continuing advances in the Internet are having a great impact upon communication in modern society. )
1. A thesis statement makes an
assertion/argument; it is NOT a simple
statement.
Simple statement or observation:
More people are attending community
colleges.
Thesis: Community colleges are
attracting more students because they
offer job training programs as well as
academic courses of study.
( 4 RULES OF THESIS WRITING )
( 4. A thesis statement is specific and is has a “ so what .” Vague : Stephen King’s stories are very good. Specific : King’s stories made horror a popular genre by employing intelligent dialogue, introducing environmental and economic concerns, and delving into moral issues. )
3. A thesis statement narrows the topic.
Broad: The American automobile
industry has many problems.
Narrow: The primary problem facing the
American automobile industry is
competition from foreign auto makers.