GUIDELINES – FIVE PARAGRAGH ESSAY

             TITLE

• No more than five words

• No period at end, no underline, no quotes
• Capitalize each word except minor prepositions (of, with, from) and articles (a, an, the)
• Summarize the paper

                       INTRODUCTION

• Provides background for thesis
• Begins with a hook – a quotation, definition, fact, brief anecdote or some other hook
• 5-7 sentences
• Should avoid “This paper is about…” or other such obvious phrases
• Includes thesis – usually last sentence

 

THESIS

• Usually the last sentence of introduction

• One sentence long
• Tells specific points that will be covered in essay – often outlines three main points
• Is debatable – not a fact; someone should be able to argue the opposite
• Is analytical – leaves room for your interpretation
• Combines a specific subject with a specific condition, feeling or stand

                        *Example Thesis:  Mountain biking and road cycling each involve two wheels, but beyond that,

     the two sports differ significantly in equipment, terrain and technique.

BODY PARAGRAPHS

• Written in order that the thesis outlines
• Begin with a topic sentence that directly relates to thesis & tells what paragraph will be about
• Include supporting details such as examples, facts, quotations
• Include direct citations from text
• Details must be explained
• End with a clincher and/or transitional sentence
• 6-12 sentences long

       CONCLUSION

• First sentence rephrases (not restates) the thesis
• Emphasizes the main points of the essay without being redundant
• Can draw conclusions, evaluate what has been proven or offer solutions
• May give a sense of wholeness by referring back to the hook in your introduction
• Avoids beginning with “In conclusion…”
• 5-7 sentences long

ADDITIONAL TIPS

• Use transitional words & phrases to lead the reader from one point or paragraph to the next
• Avoid first person pronouns – I, me, my, our, we, us
• Avoid second person pronoun – you
• Write in a natural voice; do not try to sound scientific or use words you don’t understand
• Follow the organizational pattern established in thesis
• For each citation:  introduce it, give it, then explain it; be sure to give page number

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