Five-paragraph essays are a format that simplifies the writing of an entire essay. They fit all of the essential components into five paragraphs. It is a useful format for students to structure their basic papers, even though it does not have a lot of complexity.
You can use this five-paragraph format to help you write if you are having difficulty. The five-paragraph format is explained in the following paragraphs.
What is the five-paragraph essays?
This five-paragraph format helps writers to structure their essays. It is composed of three supporting body paragraphs, one concluding sentence, and an introductory section. The “hamburger essay,” “one three one essay,” or “three tier essay” have all been named for this structure.
This format is not very common, simply due to its shortness. The five-paragraph structure is used more for school assignments or quick writing exercises. It is more of a guide to structure than a genre of essay.
Five-paragraph essays are appealing because they can be used to write any type of essay. The five-paragraph style can be used to convey a clear and logical message, regardless of whether you are writing an argumentative or a contrast-and comparison essay.
How to begin a five paragraph essay
You must first know what your main topic or thesis is, as you would with any essay. Your thesis is your main topic or idea that you want to develop or defend. It is also the basis of the entire essay.
Before you start writing, you need to have an idea about what you want to write. If you don’t have a thesis, select one that will allow enough discussion to fill at least five sentences.
Most writers explain their thesis in a thesis sentence, which is usually found in the introduction paragraph. It tells the readers the main topic of the paper. This doesn’t have to be written first. But putting the topic into a sentence will help to focus and understand it. You can also revise if you need to.
You should create a five-paragraph essay outline as soon as you select a subject. This way, you will know exactly what to include in your essay and which paragraphs. The outline for your five paragraph essay will help you plan the essay’s structure and format in advance. This will save you time when editing.
If you use the template below, writing a five-paragraph outline should not take too long.
How to Transition between Paragraphs
It is difficult to transition smoothly from one section to the next. If your paragraph transitions feel abrupt or jarring, the reader will lose interest and momentum.
Transition sentences can be created using phrases or words like “however,” similar to,” or “on another hand.” It is sometimes enough to add a word at the start of a new paragraph to link it with the preceding paragraph. This will keep the reader in the right direction. Here’s a complete list.
Essay format of five paragraphs
You can use this information when writing your outline for a five-paragraph paper, or even if you just want to start the first draft. Paragraphs are the core of any essay, just as they are in prose.
Each paragraph in a five-paragraph essay has its own unique purpose. We explain what each paragraph should contain and the goal for it below.
Introduction
The first sentence is important. It not only sets the tone for your essay but also lets the reader know what they can expect. The same advice on how to begin a five-paragraph essay applies.
Your thesis statement should be the first thing you include in your introduction paragraph. This one sentence communicates the main idea of your essay, as well as any opinions or arguments you may have, if they are warranted.
You can start your thesis with a hook or something else more attention-grabbing. A Hook is a hook that captures the interest of readers, for example, mystery, urgency, drama, etc.
The introductory sentence is a great place to give background information. The body paragraphs should contain the most important information, but the introduction can be used to provide basic information your readers may not already know.
The final paragraph of your introduction should be a summary, or outline, of the main points you will discuss in the following paragraphs. In the first paragraph you don’t need to reveal too much, but just mention briefly what you will be discussing. You can elaborate on the details in the next paragraphs.
Paragraphs
The three paragraphs that make up your body are “meat”. They’re where you explain details, present evidence, justify your reasoning, or otherwise advance your argument. Each paragraph should support your thesis by addressing a different topic.
Start each paragraph using a subject sentence. It is similar to a statement of thesis except that it only covers the topic for that particular paragraph. The topic sentence sums up the main point of the paragraph, while leaving the specifics to the next sentences. You don’t have to be afraid of using a transitional phrase or word if your subject has changed dramatically from the paragraph before.
You can fill out the rest of your paragraph by adding details. This could include persuasive arguments, data from empirical sources, quotes or logical reasoning. Avoid off-topic sentences or tangents. Since five-paragraph papers are meant to be brief, only include relevant information.
Conclusion
The last paragraph is the conclusion of your essay. In the final paragraph, you don’t need to provide any new information or evidence; rather, just summarize and connect the ideas from previous paragraphs. The writer reiterates his thesis and reminds readers of the main points in the body paragraphs.
If you want to encourage the reader to donate money to a particular cause or to change their behaviour, you can include an action call in the final paragraph. Calls to action are statements or requests that explain what the writer is asking the reader to accomplish. You might, for example say: “Remember the safety laws whenever you go camping.”
These principles also apply to five-paragraph essay conclusions. The final paragraph can be used to express your opinion or explain why the topic is important. You can also end your paragraph with a thought provoking sentence or question to make the reader think.
Five-paragraph essay example
You can learn more about how to write a five paragraph essay by looking at this example.
Capybaras would make excellent pets. Laws against their ownership should therefore be re-examined. Capybaras have coarse, dog-sized fur and are native to the eastern part of South America. The internet calls them the friendliest animals on earth, but they are misunderstood as pets. Because they’re a rare animal, many laws prohibit people from keeping them as pets.
Capybaras, for one, are rodents. They are the largest rodents on earth. And many rodents have been normalized to be pets. Capybaras can be compared to popular pets such as chinchillas or guineas. They’re also distantly connected to mice and other rats. The capybara is a social animal that lives in a group.
Many people are put off by capybara myths, but they are not true. Many people think that capybaras are smelly, but their fur resists the odor. They’re also not messy. Capybaras can be litter-trained and don’t shed very much. It’s true that capybaras are destructive and can chew on things. But dogs can do the same thing.
Capybaras are considered to be high-maintenance pets.
Capybaras can be anxious if they are left alone for long periods of time. Moreover, because capybaras have semi-aquatic natures, it is best to provide them with a swimming pool. The owners can still meet these requirements, however difficult.
Overall, capybaras are a good pet. They are social rodents that can be trained. Many of the myths surrounding them about their deterrent qualities are false. Even though they need more maintenance, this is manageable. Contact your local legislators and ask them to change the law if capybaras can’t be owned in your area. See for yourself why this animal has become so popular on the internet!
This example illustrates many of our earlier points.
In the first line of the paragraph, we have our thesis statement. This explains why this essay was written and what the writer believes about the topic. First paragraph contains background information, such as a brief description of capybaras to help readers understand the context.
The three paragraphs each focus on a different topic. The first paragraph discusses rodents in the general sense as good pets. The second paragraph dispels common myths about capybaras being pets. The third paragraph deals directly with criticism of the author’s point-of-view, a tactic that is often used to strengthen an argumentative or persuasive essay.
The final paragraph summarizes and links the points made in the preceding paragraph. The topic is laws governing capybaras kept as pets. There’s an appeal to contact lawmakers. The final sentence leaves the reader feeling good.
Five-paragraph essay FAQ
What is the five-paragraph essays?
It is the most basic essay form and it can be used to teach students structure. In schools, it’s used for writing assignments that are short and to practice.
What is the structure?
The five paragraph essay is made up of three body paragraphs which support the thesis and a final paragraph to summarize the points.
