5 Paragraph Essay

1. 5 Paragraph Essay * Introduction * Body * Conclusion

2. Paragraph 1 Introduction Requirements * Attention Getter * Bridge * Thesis

3. Sample Topic * Pride in “The Scarlet Ibis” and “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind”

4. Part 1--ATTENTION GETTER Q: How do you grab one’s attention? ANSWERS: • Definition • Relevant quote • Ask a question

5. Examples • Pride is defined as…………… • powerful Hitler once described pride as “…….” • Is it possible to possess a trait that is both positive and negative or helpful and harmful?

6. Part 2--BRIDGE Q: What is the purpose of a bridge? * Tie the attention-getter to thesis-whole paragraph must have flow and fluency * Introduce titles and authors * An introduction without a bridge makes it difficult to see connection between attention-getter and thesis

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

8. Sample Introduction so far….. Is it possible to possess a trait that is both positive and negative or helpful and harmful?Two very diverse stories, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst and “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind” by Ray Bradbury, clearly provide an answer to that question. (Introduced stories and tied in attention getter Will also link attention getter to part 3, thesis.)

9. PART 3--THESIS Q: What is a thesis, and why do I need one? • A thesis is a very specific statement that your whole essay tries to prove. • A clear thesis keeps you focused on your topic and your reader (me) very happy. :-)

10. Thesis Q: How do I write a successful, clear thesis statement? A + B + C = Clear, successful, focused thesis!

11. Thesis Formula A=Topic B=Opinion (without using “I”) C=Examples Topic + Opinion + Examples = THESIS

12. Sample Thesis A=Topic ----Pride B=Opinion----is presented as a wonderful and awful human characteristic that changes the outcomes of many people’s lives C=Reasons or Examples---both stories portray the power of pride

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

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

15. Quick Review • Attention getter--definition, quote, question • Bridge--introduce authors and story titles, connect AG to thesis. Fluency and flow of paragraph • Thesis--Topic + Opinion + Examples

16. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!!! You try and write your introductory paragraph. Remember, you must use all 3 parts of an introduction and a close version of the thesis statement formula. This isn’t easy, but you can do it. GOOD LUCK! HAPPY WRITING!

17. Body Paragraphs Requirements * Topic Sentences * Supporting Details * Concluding sentence at end of each paragraph

18. Topic Sentences--part 1 • Must start all body paragraphs with a topic sentence that relates to your examples or reasons that were included in your thesis statement. • Possibly use transition words. • Topic sentences do not include any details.

19. Good vs. Bad Good topic sentence: Symbolism is a critical aspect in “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind,” and the two main symbols are the mandarins and the walls. Bad topic sentence: The mandarins are symbols and represent the leaders of the US and USSR.

20. Support--part 2 Prove your opinion (given in your thesis statement) • Use multiple sentences • Use multiple examples • Be sure you connect all examples to thesis

21. Concluding sentence--part 3 End each body paragraph with a statement or question that reclaims/restates/reaffirms the points you just made but without only summarizing. (Be forceful)

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

23. Quick Review • Topic sentences • Support and examples • Use of transitions • Bold restatement of the ideas in just the paragraph you finished. It should relate to thesis too! • Ideas should be fluent and focused!!

24. Writing Conclusions A Conclusion should…… • Stress the importance of the thesis statement. • Give the essay a sense of completeness. • Leave a final impression on the leader.

25. Conclusion-Part 1 * Re-state thesis with stronger but different language (than your original thesis). Example: Pride. It can take us to the highest of humanity or to the depths of darkness.

26. Conclusion-Part 2 * Briefly mention and apply stories to main topic. Example: The narrator’s pride led Doodle to unfathomable heights but later to his death, and the mandarins’ pride first led their towns to destruction but eventually took them to great prosperity.

27. Conclusion-Part 3 * Extend a meaning from story to a present-day meaning. Example: Pride is always going to be a part of everyone’s lives. No matter if it is in a remote Chinese village or a small town in Cincinnati, Ohio, all humankind should be cognizant of the powerful power of pride, and we should always be careful to not allow pride get the best of us.

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

29. Conclusion Review • Re-state thesis with stronger but different language (than your original thesis). • Briefly mention main topic and apply to stories. • Extend a meaning from story to a present-day meaning.

30. 5 Paragraph Essay Review * Introduction -Attention-getter, bridge, thesis * Body - Topic sentences, supporting details, concluding sentences * Conclusion - Re-state thesis, reconnect to story, connect to present day society