Image 1. Although there are many ways to write an essay, the five-paragraph structure shows the basics of how to organize your thoughts. Photo from Pixnio
A five-paragraph essay is a piece of writing that follows a specific format. There is an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph.

Writing a five-paragraph essay is typically taught during elementary school. It is an important skill that can be applied on standardized testing throughout middle school and high school, too.

Image 2. The structure of a five-paragraph essay. Image: Newsela staff.
Learning to write a good five-paragraph essay is an essential skill for students in English and Language Arts classes. It allows them to express certain ideas, claims, or concepts in an organized manner with evidence.

Starting Off Right: Writing A Good Introduction

The introduction is the first paragraph in your essay. It should accomplish a few specific goals. It should capture the reader's interest, introduce the topic, and make a claim or express an opinion in a thesis statement.

It's a good idea to start your essay with a really interesting statement in order to grab the reader's interest. This can also be accomplished by using descriptive words. Or you can start off with an anecdote, a striking question, or an interesting fact. An anecdote is a short, interesting story about a real person or thing.

The next few sentences should explain your first statement, and prepare the reader for your thesis statement. This is typically the last sentence in the introduction, but some teachers may want it to be the first sentence. Your thesis sentence should provide your specific assertion and convey a clear point of view, which is typically divided into three distinct arguments that support this assertion.

Explaining Your Thesis: Writing Body Paragraphs

The body of the essay will include three paragraphs. Each paragraph is limited to one main idea that supports your thesis.

In order to properly write each paragraph, you should state the main idea of the paragraph, and then add ideas that support the main idea. After that, make a transition statement.

Here are some words and phrases to use as you transition from one paragraph to another: moreover, in fact, on the whole, furthermore, as a result, simply put, and for this reason. Other examples include similarly, likewise, it follows that, naturally, by comparison, surely, and yet.

Pulling It All Together: Writing A Conclusion

The final paragraph will summarize your main points and reassert your thesis sentence. It should remind the reader of your main points. It should not repeat specific examples, though. The final paragraph should leave a lasting impression on the reader.

The first sentence of the conclusion should restate the supporting claims argued in the body paragraphs as they relate to the thesis statement. The next few sentences should explain how the essay's main points can lead to further thought on the topic.

There are many ways to end an essay. Ending the conclusion with a question, anecdote, or final pondering is a great way to leave a lasting impact.

You're not done just yet, though.

It's a good idea to take another look at the thesis statement in your first paragraph. Read your whole essay. See if it flows well. You might find that the supporting paragraphs are strong, but they don't address the exact focus of your thesis. Simply rewrite your thesis sentence to fit your body and summary more exactly, and adjust the conclusion to wrap it all up nicely.

Practice Writing A Five-Paragraph Essay

Students can use the following steps to write a standard essay on any given topic. First, choose a topic. Then, form a basic five-paragraph by following these steps:

1. Decide on your basic thesis, your idea of a topic to discuss.

2. Decide on three pieces of supporting evidence you will use to prove your thesis.

3. Write an introductory paragraph. Including your thesis and summarize the evidence (in order of strength).

4. Write your first body paragraph. Start by restating your thesis and focusing on your first piece of supporting evidence.

5. End your first paragraph with a transitional sentence that leads to the next body paragraph.

6. Write paragraph two of the body focusing on your second piece of evidence. Once again, make the connection between your thesis and this piece of evidence.

7. End your second paragraph with a transitional sentence that leads to paragraph number three.

8. Repeat step 6 using your third piece of evidence.

9. Begin your concluding paragraph by restating your thesis. Include the three points you've used to prove your thesis.

10. End with a punch, a question, an anecdote, or an entertaining thought. Pick something that will stay with the reader.

Also Practice Other Forms Of Writing

The five-paragraph essay is merely a starting point for students to express their ideas in academic writing. There are a number of other forms and styles of writing that students should use to express their vocabulary in the written form.

Some of the other forms of writing students may be asked to write include journal entries and blog posts. Other forms include reviews of goods or services, and longer research papers.

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