WRITING A 5-PARAGRAPH ESSAY

1. WRITING A 5-PARAGRAPH ESSAY Using the “Popsicle Stick Essay” format.

2. The Purpose When writing an informative paper (one that tells your reader something), it needs to be well-organized so your reader can get your message. A 5-paragraph essay or “Popsicle Stick Essay” is a great way to accomplish this goal. Its format has great organization that leads your reader from your introductory thoughts through to your conclusion. It has supporting evidences that give your reader confidence that you know what you’re writing about.

3. Possible types of writing using this format • Expository Writing • Essays explaining something • Informative or teaching a concept • Research papers • Argumentative Writing • Proving your opinion or point of view on a specific issue • Business letters

4. Introduction/Thesis Statement The introduction is critical to your essay. Here you introduce your topic. Effective introductions GRAB the reader’s attention and make them want to read on. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER begin an essay with the statement “In this paper I’m going to tell you about…” It’s an instant turn-off to your reader and they will not want to continue on with the reading!

5. Your Introduction or Thesis or Claim Statement is the beginning of your paper. It’s color is WHITE because it’s clean, fresh, a new beginning. INTRODUCTION/Attention Grabber INTRODUCTION/THESIS/CLAIM STATEMENT On your paper, draw the INTRODUCTION/THESIS/CLAIM STATEMENT lines. Be sure to indent the first line which represents a new paragraph.

6. Three Topics When you write an informative paper, you have to have supporting details—why you believe the way you do. These are called your THREE TOPICS or REASONS or EVIDENCE. At this point of your writing, you MUST determine the order and then stick with it! If you change your mind and rearrange them, you must do it throughout the entire paper. Your reader should be able to identify them easily all the way through the writing.

7. In your Introduction/Thesis or Claim Statement, you give your three reasons why you believe the way you do; why you have this opinion. INTRODUCTION/THESIS/CLAIM STATEMENT INTRODUCTION/THESIS/CLAIM STATEMENT 1STTopic 2NDTopic 3RDtopic When you place your reasons in an order, you assign them a color. YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE ORDER IN YOUR PAPER WITHOUT CHANGING IT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PAPER!

8. Three Topics’ Paragraphs Each of your topics or evidences will have its own paragraph. You will only talk about that topic in the specific paragraph. • 1st Topic 2nd Paragraph • 2nd Topic 3rd Paragraph • 3rd Topic 4th Paragraph • Again, if you change the order throughout the paper, you MUST change it in the Introduction/Thesis/Claim Statement paragraph.

9. Each of your paragraphs #2, #3, and #4 represent one evidence you listed in paragraph #1. MAKE CERTAIN THEY ARE IN THE SAME ORDER! INTRODUCTION/THESIS/CLAIM STATEMENT 1STTopic 3RDTopic 2NDTopic INTRODUCTION/THESIS/CLAIM STATEMENT 1STEvidence-Examples, Stories, Statistics 2NDEvidence- Examples, Stories, Statistics 3RDEvidence-Examples, Stories, Statistics 1STTopic 2NDTopic 3RDTopic

10. Transition Statements Transition statements are those sentences used at the end of one paragraph which moves the reader into the next topic in the next paragraph. Example: Transition statement from RED (1st evidence) to YELLOW (2nd evidence). • 1st Topic 2nd Topic • 2nd Topic 3rd Topic

11. INTRODUCTION/THESIS/CLAIM STATEMENT 1STTopic 2NDTopic 3RDTopic INTRODUCTION/THESIS/CLAIM STATEMENT 1STEvidence-Examples, Stories, Statistics 2NDEvidence-Examples, Stories, Statistics 3RDEvidence-Examples, Stories, Statistics 1STTopic 2NDTopic 3RDTopic TRANSITION STATEMENT TRANSITION STATEMENT Because you aren’t introducing any new information after paragraph 4 (3rd topic), you don’t need a Transition Statement here.

12. Conclusion Your Conclusion or final (5th) paragraph should not contain any new information. It should be a summary or restatement of what you’ve talked about throughout the paper WITHOUT SAYING “IN CONCLUSION”!! You should also restate your THREE TOPICS in a new way but the same order.

13. INTRODUCTION/THESIS/CLAIM STATEMENT INTRODUCTION/THESIS/CLAIM STATEMENT 3RDTopic 2NDTopic 1STTopic 1STTopic 2NDTopic 3RDTopic 1STEVIDENCE—Examples, Stories, Statistics 2NDEVIDENCE-Examples, Stories, Statistics 3RDEVIDENCE- Examples, Stories, Statistics TRANSITION STATEMENT TRANSITION STATEMENT Transition into CONCLUSION CONCLUSION 1STTopic 2NDTopic 3RDTopic

14. Using this format, you will have a well-organized, concise paper which is informative and easy to read. Your reader should be able to go throughout the paper and underline your topics/evidence in the proper order and understand the natural flow of the paper. You are also able to use this format for other informational essays including argumentative. With an argumentative essay, you would have to add at least one more paragraph where you would address the “counter-claim.” (More will be discussed about this at a later date.)

15. Your Assignment • In your Interactive Notebook, you should create a diagram as shown in this presentation. It should include the following: • MLA Heading –Name, Date, Period • Title: 5-Paragraph Essay (remember to skip lines on either side of the title—top and bottom) • Draw chart like we’ve discussed neatly. • Color it neatly.