Every person in this world has important people, possessions, or goals in his/her life. In a five paragraph essay, explain the three most important things in your life.

Five Paragraph Essay: Basic Parts

Introduction

Body Paragraphs (3 total, usually)

Conclusion

Introduction (7-15 sentences) Attention Grabber

◦ It must get the audience’s attention but also introduce the general subject of the essay.

General to Specific◦ Now you move from your general subject to more

specifics about the subject.

Thesis Statement◦ 3-4 Points that your paper will cover.◦ This is the most specific sentence in the

introduction.

All people in this world, rich, poor, young, or old, have something they find important to them. These important things, whether family, friends, possessions, or goals, make people who they are. They provide personal happiness. They motivate people to make more of themselves. They even make us proud to be who we are. Looking back on my life, the most important things have often changed for me. Right now in my life, the most important things are _______________ , _____________________, and ____________________ .

Body Paragraphs Topic Sentence

Specific Details◦ You need 2-5 specific details (a safe number is 3)◦ For each detail, you MUST explain it clearly.◦ For this reason, many specific details involve more

than one sentence.

Conclusion Sentence◦ You must close the paragraph out with reference to the

topic of the paragraph and the subject of the essay.◦ Writing “That’s why…” sounds lazy.

For my entire life, my family has been important. That fact has not changed today, either. My family provides support for me when I need it. For instance, when I spent ten days in the hospital over Christmas in 2004, my family came and visited every day. My family also pushes me in a positive direction. Aunts, uncles, brothers, and parents, have always encouraged me to do well and make my life great. Finally, my family is important because they are enjoyable. We vacation every year together, and we get together almost every weekend. I do not know where I would be without my family.

Sample Body Paragraph: Family

Conclusions The order of the conclusion will vary, but

you always need to do the following:

◦ Restate your thesis from your introduction.

◦ Summarize your major points from your body paragraphs.

◦ Bring the paper to closure by… Raising a question related to the subject Challenge the reader to think or to do something Connect the overall issue to a famous quote or idea

ConclusionAs I move through life, I am

certain my family, friends, and career will remain central and most important. My family might change, but the support, positivity, and enjoyment I receive from them will never change. My friends, although secondary to family, will always provide me with a source of camaraderie, amusement, and escape. Finally, my career is the fuel for my finances, my goals, and my professional fulfillment. Keeping the important things in my life in mind is not a difficult thing for me; it’s simply a part of my life and who I am. My life will change, people will change, and the world will change. I just know the important things in my life will not change.