5 Paragraph Essay

* Introduction

* Body

* Conclusion

Paragraph 1 Introduction Requirements

* Attention Getter* Attention Getter

* Bridge* Bridge

* Thesis* Thesis

Sample Topic

* Pride in “The Scarlet Ibis” and “The Golden * Pride in “The Scarlet Ibis” and “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind”Kite, The Silver Wind”

Part 1--ATTENTION GETTER

Q: How do you grab one’s attention?Q: How do you grab one’s attention?

ANSWERS:ANSWERS:

• DefinitionDefinition• Relevant quoteRelevant quote• Ask a questionAsk a question

Examples• Pride is defined as……………Pride is defined as……………

• powerful Hitler once described pride as powerful Hitler once described pride as “…….”“…….”

• Is it possible to possess a trait that is both Is it possible to possess a trait that is both positive and negative or helpful and positive and negative or helpful and harmful?harmful?

Part 2--BRIDGEQ: What is the purpose of a bridge?Q: What is the purpose of a bridge?

* Tie the attention-getter to thesis-whole * Tie the attention-getter to thesis-whole paragraph must have flow and fluencyparagraph must have flow and fluency

* Introduce titles and authors* Introduce titles and authors

* An introduction without a bridge makes it * An introduction without a bridge makes it difficult to see connection between attention-difficult to see connection between attention-getter and thesisgetter and thesis

Sample Bridge

Two very diverse stories, “The Scarlet Two very diverse stories, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst and “The Golden Ibis” by James Hurst and “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind” by Ray Bradbury, Kite, The Silver Wind” by Ray Bradbury, clearly provide an answer to that question.clearly provide an answer to that question.

Sample Introduction so far…..

Is it possible to possess a trait that is both Is it possible to possess a trait that is both positive and negative or helpful and harmful?positive and negative or helpful and harmful? Two very diverse stories, “The Scarlet Ibis” by Two very diverse stories, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst and “The Golden Kite, The Silver James Hurst and “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind” by Ray Bradbury, clearly provide an Wind” by Ray Bradbury, clearly provide an answer to that question.answer to that question.

(Introduced stories and tied in attention getter(Introduced stories and tied in attention getterWill also link attention getter to part 3, thesis.)Will also link attention getter to part 3, thesis.)

PART 3--THESIS

Q: What is a thesis, and why do I need one?Q: What is a thesis, and why do I need one?

• A thesis is a very specific statement that A thesis is a very specific statement that your whole essay tries to prove.your whole essay tries to prove.

• A clear thesis keeps you A clear thesis keeps you focused on your focused on your topictopic and your reader (me) very happy. :-) and your reader (me) very happy. :-)

Thesis

Q: How do I write a successful, clear thesis Q: How do I write a successful, clear thesis statement?statement?

A + B + C =A + B + C =

Clear, successful, focused thesis!Clear, successful, focused thesis!

Thesis Formula

A=TopicA=Topic

B=Opinion (without using “I”)B=Opinion (without using “I”)

C=ExamplesC=Examples

Topic + Opinion + Examples =Topic + Opinion + Examples =

THESISTHESIS

Sample Thesis

A=Topic ----PrideA=Topic ----Pride

B=Opinion----is presented as a wonderful and B=Opinion----is presented as a wonderful and awful human characteristic that changes the awful human characteristic that changes the outcomes of many people’s livesoutcomes of many people’s lives

C=Reasons or Examples---both stories portray C=Reasons or Examples---both stories portray the power of pridethe power of pride

Sample Thesis

Pride (A) is presented as a wonderful Pride (A) is presented as a wonderful and horrible human characteristic that and horrible human characteristic that positively and negatively changes the lives positively and negatively changes the lives of the characters (B) in both of these stories of the characters (B) in both of these stories (C) . Additionally, these stories successfully (C) . Additionally, these stories successfully answer the question above that there answer the question above that there isis such such a human trait that can lead to achievements a human trait that can lead to achievements never thought imaginable or to the darkest never thought imaginable or to the darkest depths of humankind.depths of humankind.

Sample Introduction

Is it possible to possess a trait that is both positive Is it possible to possess a trait that is both positive and negative or helpful and harmful?and negative or helpful and harmful? Two very diverse Two very diverse stories, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst and “The stories, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst and “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind” by Ray Bradbury, clearly Golden Kite, The Silver Wind” by Ray Bradbury, clearly provide an answer to that question. provide an answer to that question. In both of these stories In both of these stories (C) Pride (A) is presented as a wonderful and awful human (C) Pride (A) is presented as a wonderful and awful human trait that positively and negatively changes the lives of the trait that positively and negatively changes the lives of the characters (B). Additionally, these two stories successfully characters (B). Additionally, these two stories successfully answer the question above that there answer the question above that there isis such a human trait such a human trait that can lead to achievements never thought imaginable or that can lead to achievements never thought imaginable or to the darkest depths of humankind.to the darkest depths of humankind.

Quick Review

1.1. Attention getter--definition, quote, questionAttention getter--definition, quote, question

2.2. Bridge--introduce authors and story titles, Bridge--introduce authors and story titles, connect AG to thesis. Fluency and flow of connect AG to thesis. Fluency and flow of paragraphparagraph

3.3. Thesis--Topic + Opinion + ExamplesThesis--Topic + Opinion + Examples

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!!!

You try and write your introductory You try and write your introductory paragraph. Remember, you must use all 3 paragraph. Remember, you must use all 3 parts of an introduction and a close version parts of an introduction and a close version of the thesis statement formula. of the thesis statement formula.

This isn’t easy, but you can do it.This isn’t easy, but you can do it.

GOOD LUCK! HAPPY WRITING! GOOD LUCK! HAPPY WRITING!

Body Paragraphs

RequirementsRequirements

* Topic Sentences* Topic Sentences

* Supporting Details* Supporting Details

* Concluding sentence at end of each paragraph* Concluding sentence at end of each paragraph

Topic Sentences--part 1

• Must start all body paragraphs with a topic Must start all body paragraphs with a topic sentence that relates to your examples or reasons sentence that relates to your examples or reasons that were included in your thesis statement.that were included in your thesis statement.

• Possibly use transition words.Possibly use transition words.

• Topic sentences do not include any details.Topic sentences do not include any details.

Good vs. Bad

Good topic sentence:Good topic sentence:

Symbolism is a critical aspect in “The Golden Symbolism is a critical aspect in “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind,” and the two main Kite, The Silver Wind,” and the two main symbols are the mandarins and the walls.symbols are the mandarins and the walls.

Bad topic sentence:Bad topic sentence:

The mandarins are symbols and represent the The mandarins are symbols and represent the leaders of the US and USSR. leaders of the US and USSR.

Support--part 2

Prove your opinion (given in your thesis Prove your opinion (given in your thesis statement)statement)

• Use multiple sentences Use multiple sentences • Use multiple examplesUse multiple examples• Be sure you connect all examples to thesisBe sure you connect all examples to thesis

Concluding sentence--part 3

End each body paragraph with a statement or End each body paragraph with a statement or question that reclaims/restates/reaffirms the question that reclaims/restates/reaffirms the points you just made but without only points you just made but without only summarizing. (Be forceful)summarizing. (Be forceful)

Sample Body Paragraph Symbolism is a critical aspect in “The Golden Symbolism is a critical aspect in “The Golden

Kite, The Silver Wind,” and the two main symbols are the Kite, The Silver Wind,” and the two main symbols are the mandarins and the wallsmandarins and the walls . Even though the main characters . Even though the main characters are Chinese leaders, since this story is an allegory, they are are Chinese leaders, since this story is an allegory, they are actually symbolic of the leaders of the United States and actually symbolic of the leaders of the United States and Russia. During the Cold War, the leaders of the US and Russia. During the Cold War, the leaders of the US and Russia made all the calls as to how to make their county Russia made all the calls as to how to make their county more powerful. In this story, that is the same function of the more powerful. In this story, that is the same function of the mandarins. The mandarins make all the decisions as to how mandarins. The mandarins make all the decisions as to how make their village more powerful than the other. make their village more powerful than the other. Another Another important symbol in this story is the walls, and …… (details important symbol in this story is the walls, and …… (details about walls). about walls). Without these symbols, this story would only Without these symbols, this story would only be literal, the the story would lose its classification as an be literal, the the story would lose its classification as an allegory.allegory.

Quick Review

1.1. Topic sentencesTopic sentences2.2. Support and examplesSupport and examples3.3. Use of transitionsUse of transitions4.4. Bold restatement of the ideas in just the Bold restatement of the ideas in just the

paragraph you finished. It should relate to paragraph you finished. It should relate to thesis too!thesis too!

5.5. Ideas should be fluent and focused!!Ideas should be fluent and focused!!

Writing Conclusions

A Conclusion should……A Conclusion should……

• Stress the importance of the thesis statement.Stress the importance of the thesis statement.

• Give the essay a sense of completeness.Give the essay a sense of completeness.

• Leave a final impression on the leader.Leave a final impression on the leader.

Conclusion-Part 1

* Re-state thesis with stronger but different * Re-state thesis with stronger but different language (than your original thesis).language (than your original thesis).

Example: Pride. It can take us to the highest Example: Pride. It can take us to the highest of humanity or to the depths of darkness.of humanity or to the depths of darkness.

Conclusion-Part 2

* Briefly mention and apply stories to main topic.* Briefly mention and apply stories to main topic.

Example: Example:

The narrator’s pride led Doodle to unfathomable The narrator’s pride led Doodle to unfathomable heights but later to his death, and the mandarins’ heights but later to his death, and the mandarins’ pride first led their towns to destruction but pride first led their towns to destruction but eventually took them to great prosperity. eventually took them to great prosperity.

Conclusion-Part 3

* Extend a meaning from story to a present-day * Extend a meaning from story to a present-day meaning.meaning.

Example:Example:

Pride is Pride is alwaysalways going to be a part of everyone’s lives. No going to be a part of everyone’s lives. No matter if it is in a remote Chinese village or a small town matter if it is in a remote Chinese village or a small town in Cincinnati, Ohio, all humankind should be cognizant of in Cincinnati, Ohio, all humankind should be cognizant of the powerful power of pride, and we should always be the powerful power of pride, and we should always be careful to not allow pride get the best of us.careful to not allow pride get the best of us.

Pride. It can take us to the highest of humanity or Pride. It can take us to the highest of humanity or to the depths of darkness.to the depths of darkness. The narrator’s pride led The narrator’s pride led Doodle to unfathomable heights but later to his Doodle to unfathomable heights but later to his death, and the mandarins’ pride first led their towns death, and the mandarins’ pride first led their towns to destruction but eventually took them to great to destruction but eventually took them to great prosperity. Pride is prosperity. Pride is alwaysalways going to be a part of going to be a part of everyone’s lives. everyone’s lives. No matter if it is in a remote No matter if it is in a remote Chinese village or a small town in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chinese village or a small town in Cincinnati, Ohio, all humankind should be cognizant of the all humankind should be cognizant of the tremendous power of pride, and we should always tremendous power of pride, and we should always be careful to not allow pride get the best of us.be careful to not allow pride get the best of us.

Conclusion Review

• Re-state thesis with stronger but different Re-state thesis with stronger but different language (than your original thesis).language (than your original thesis).

• Briefly mention main topic and apply to Briefly mention main topic and apply to stories.stories.

• Extend a meaning from story to a present-Extend a meaning from story to a present-day meaning.day meaning.

5 Paragraph Essay Review* * IntroductionIntroduction

-Attention-getter, bridge, thesis-Attention-getter, bridge, thesis

* Body* Body - Topic sentences, supporting details, - Topic sentences, supporting details,

concluding sentencesconcluding sentences

* Conclusion* Conclusion - Re-state thesis, reconnect to story, connect to - Re-state thesis, reconnect to story, connect to

present day societypresent day society