Writing a 5 Paragraph Essay

1. Writing a 5 Paragraph Essay Body Paragraphs

2. A Body Paragraph Should… • Support your argument (thesis) • Provide evidence that supports your argument • Dive into your argument by showing specific examples

3. Parts of a Body Paragraph • Topic Sentence (claim) • Supporting details (evidence) • Ending Sentence (summary/tie back to your claim)

4. Topic Sentences • Ties what the body paragraph is about back to the thesis • Tells what direction the paragraph is going • Topic (what) + direction (why)

5. Examples of Topic Sentences • Thesis: Hawaii is the best place to vacation in the world. • TS1: Hawaii’s beautiful beaches make it an excellent vacation spot. • TS2: Hawaii’s beautiful beaches make it an excellent vacation spot because they contribute to the relaxing atmosphere.

6. Examples (continued) • Thesis Statement: The fastest way to annoy parents is by ignoring them when they talk, asking for money, and not doing chores. • TS1: Ignoring parents when they talk will quickly annoy any parent. • TS2: Ignoring parents when they talk will quickly annoy any parent because it makes them feel unappreciated.

7. Supporting Details • Give more information about a topic • Give reasons • Provide support • Give details • *Specific examples • Can be multiple supporting details if desired or needed

8. Examples • Topic Sentence: Hawaii’s beautiful beaches make it an excellent vacation spot because they contribute to the relaxing atmosphere. • SD1: “The sounds of the waveson Hawaii’s beaches allow people to relax and slow vacationer’s heartbeats.” • SD2: “The soft sandprovides people with a comfortable place to sit, lay down, and be at ease.”

9. Examples (continued) • Topic Sentence: Beowulf is a great king because he takes care of his people. • SD1: Beowulf takes care of his people by deciding to fight the dragon so he stops burning down innocent people’s homes. • SD2: Beowulf’s dying wish to give the dragon’s treasure to his people demonstrates his desire to be a good king and provide for his people.

10. Including Quotes • Find a quote that shows what you are trying to argue • **Introduce it properly** • Explain why it is important and relevant

12. Examples Including Quotes • SD1:Beowulf’s dying wish to give the dragon’s treasure to his people demonstrates his desire to be a good king and provide for his people • As he is dying, Beowulf announces, “For this, this gold, these jewels, I thank/ Our Father in Heaven. Ruler of Earth-/ For all of this, that His grace has given me,/ Allowed me to bring to my people…” (816-819). • This quote explains that Beowulf died to win the treasure for his people because he wanted them to be taken care of after his death. He sacrifices himself for the welfare of his people.

13. Concluding Sentence • Closes the paragraph • Restates your argument and the main point of your paragraph

14. Concluding Sentence Examples • Topic Sentence: Hawaii’s beautiful beaches make it an excellent vacation spot because they contribute to the relaxing atmosphere. • SD1: “The sounds of the waves on Hawaii’s beaches allow people to relax and slow vacationer’s heartbeats.” • SD2: “The soft sand provides people with a confortable place to sit, lay down, and be at ease.” • Concluding Sentence: “The sound of waves and soft sands contribute to Hawaii’s relaxing atmosphere.

15. (continued) • SD1:Beowulf’s dying wish to give the dragon’s treasure to his people demonstrates his desire to be a good king and provide for his people. • As he is dying, Beowulf announces, “For this, this gold, these jewels, I thank/ Our Father in Heaven. Ruler of Earth-/ For all of this, that His grace has given me,/ Allowed me to bring to my people…” (816-819). • This quote explains that Beowulf died to win the treasure for his people because he wanted them to be taken care of. He sacrifices himself for the welfare of his followers. • Concluding Sentence: Beowulf’s sacrifice to win the treasure and give it to his people shows his his attempts at being a good king.

16. Let’s Practice