The Five-Paragraph Essay

1. The Five-Paragraph Essay A Step-by-Step Construction

2. “In a piece of writing, one of a series of subsections each usually devoted to one idea and each usually marked by the beginning of a new line and indentation.” (www.dictionary.com) • Remember:A paragraph is like a package that delivers one idea. You need to say what that idea is and then explain or elaborate on that idea. What is a paragraph?

3. Topic Sentence – A beginning sentence that explains what the paragraph is about. • Supporting Details – These are the sentences that follow your topic sentence. They explain or elaborate on the subject of the paragraph. • Clincher – A sentence the closes the ideas of the paragraph and transitions to subject of the next paragraph A standard paragraph should be 5-7 sentences. Every paragraph should have…

4. Topic Sentence • Supporting Details • Clincher Before the hero can face the Supreme Ordeal he/she must undergo a series of tests/challenges. First, Marlin is confronted by sharks and field of underwater explosives. After escaping, he must enter a dark and dangerous abyss where he and Dory are attacked by a vicious Angler fish. Though they narrowly survive, the two continue on their journey. Marlin faces his most difficult challenge though when he must put his trust in Dory while riding in the belly of a Humpback whale. Having excelled physically, mentally, and emotionally, Marlin now stands ready to face his ultimate challenge. An Example:

5. There are many different types of essays including Descriptive, Narrative, Persuasive, and Expository. • The five-paragraph structure is an effective deliver system for your topic, opinion/purpose, and supporting evidence. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/1/ Why Five Paragraphs?

6. While your essay should have five paragraphs, try thinking of it in three parts. If you are trying to convince someone, you will need to give them three important things…

7. What (Introduction) Tell them what you’re going to talk about: - What is it? - What is your purpose or reason for talking about it? • So What? (3 Body Paragraphs) - So what is needed to prove your point? - Supporting Evidence! • Now What? (Conclusion) - What can your reader do now with this new knowledge? What? So What? Now What?

8. What? So What? Now What? P1 ___________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ __________________ P2___________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ __________________ P3___________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ ___________________ P4 ________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ __________________ P5 _________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ____________________ Introduction Supporting Evidence Conclusion The Outline

9. Think of your essay as a house that you are trying to build.You would not want to just slap random boards together. You must be able to envision your final product and have a plan to get there.Like any builder would, let’s start with the foundation…

10. The Thesis Statement…

11. It is the answer to the question, your opinion on a topic, your purpose for writing, your main idea. • It is the foundation of your essay and serves as an outline for your work. “Marlin is a character who is forced to change as a result of his experiences because he leaves home, overcomes many challenges, and in the end forms a better relationship with his son.” What is a Thesis Statement?

12. Try these helpful formulas…

13. Topic + Opinion + Reasons = Thesis Statement *Use a causal word like because to highlight your opinion and show the relationship between the events of the story and your opinion of them. Why do you feel this way? Because… Marlin, the hero of Finding Nemo,is a character who is forced to change as a result of his experiences because he leaves the comfort of his home, overcomes many challenges, and in the end forms a better relationship with his son. The Formula

14. Choose an issue you'd like to explore. • Read, read, read about your topic! Whatever you do, don't skip this step! It will not only save you time, but it will also prevent disaster later on. • Brainstorm your ideas about the topic. • Write a few questions you might want to answer in your research paper. • Compose a few complete sentences that answer the questions. HOW DO I CREATE A THESIS STATEMENT?

15. The "Even though ... Nevertheless...Because" Formula

16. Even though (or although) - states the main argument AGAINST your opinion • Nevertheless - tells your basic position on the topic (consider using the word "should" for this part) • Because - states the strongest evidence that SUPPORTS your opinion Here is another formula for drafting a thesis statement, using three key words:

18. Although victims' families might like to have revenge, nevertheless, capital punishment should be abolished because life in prison without parole is less expensive and makes the criminal face his guilt longer. • Although it doesn't deter other criminals, nevertheless, we need capital punishment because each execution makes it certain that one murderer will not kill again. Here are two examples, each taking a different side of the capital punishment controversy:

19. A Rough Draft:Although Marlin is fearful of the world around him, nevertheless, he is forced to grow as a character, because when his son is stolen he must overcome many obstacles and challenges to get him back.

20. Hook Introduction: Broad to Specific Thesis Body Paragraphs: Support the Specific Thesis Thesis Conclusion: Specific to Broad Remember this structure… Closer

21. The Introduction The Doorway to Your Essay (Under Construction Until Your Final Draft) Paragraph 1: “What” it’s all about!

22. Your Introduction should include the following items:HookTransitionThesis

23. The hook is the first sentence of your essay, so it should be a good one. It should “hook” the reader’s attention. It should begin the conversation. Use a… • Quote • Question • Anecdote • Interesting Fact • Etc. The Hook Your hook is like a greeting, welcoming the reader to the conversation.

24. Henry David Thoreau once said on the subject of character, “You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.” Thoreau highlights an important component to human growth: it is not easy. This is especially true where heroes are concerned. If becoming a person of great character were easy, then everyone would be, and then no one would be. But every so often a figure will rise against the opposing forces of their surroundings, proving their great worth. Quote Explanation Begin Transition An Example:

25. Find a way to transition from your Hook to your Thesis Statement. • Move the reader toward your Thesis/Purpose/Main Idea. • Use the transition as the place for the author and title information. Add a strong adjective to convey your feelings of the work. Walt Disney’s beautifully illustrated film, Finding Nemo, provides a dramatic, sprawling setting that demands such character development, or death. The Transition

26. Once you have warmed the reader up to the topic, lay your opinion on them. • Follow the formula and make more than one. (They are rarely perfect the first time.) • Make sure that your thesis… • Is debatable. • Is not too broad. • Is not too specific. • Can be supported. The Thesis

27. Henry David Thoreau once said on the subject of character, “You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.” Thoreau highlights an important component to human growth: it is not easy. This is especially true where heroes are concerned. If becoming a person of great character were easy, then everyone would be, and then no one would be. But every so often a figure will rise against the opposing forces of their surroundings, proving their great worth. Walt Disney’s beautifully illustrated film, Finding Nemo, provides a dramatic, sprawling setting that demands such character development, or death. Marlin, the hero of Finding Nemo, is a character who is forced to change as a result of his experiences because he leaves the comfort of his home, overcomes many challenges, and in the end forms a better relationship with his son. Let’s put it all together…(this would be a ROUGH draft)

28. Henry David Thoreau once said on the subject of character, “You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.” Thoreau highlights an important component to human growth: it is not easy. This is especially true where heroes are concerned. If becoming a person of great character were easy, then everyone would be, and then no one would be. But every so often a figure will rise against the opposing forces of their surroundings, proving their great worth. WaltDisney’s beautifully illustrated film, Finding Nemo, provides a dramatic, sprawling setting that demands such character development, or death. Marlin, the hero of Finding Nemo, is a character who is forced to change as a result of his experiences because he leaves the comfort of his home, overcomes many challenges, and in the end forms a better relationship with his son. Hook Quote Author Transition Title Break it Down Thesis

29. The Body Paragraphs Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4: “So What” do they need to know? Building the walls and studs.

30. The more support you have the stronger your argument will be. Your body paragraphs are the pillars that keep your house together.

31. The purpose of your body paragraphs is to explain, elaborate on, and provide evidence for the reasons for your opinion. • Use relevant details from the text and, most importantly, quotes! • For each reason, give 3 supporting details of support. • Always assume your reader is less knowledgeable. Explain everything and clearly relate it back to your thesis statement. Supporting Your Reasons

32. Marlin, the hero of Finding Nemo, is a character who is forced to change as a result of his experiences becausehe leaves home, overcomes many challenges, and in the end forms a better relationship with his son. • P2 – Provide 3 details related to Marlin’s home and what it means to leave it. • P3 – Provide 3 details related to the challenges he faces and how they influence him. • P4 – Provide 3 details related to how his relationship has changed and how he is a different character. Our Example

33. Provide explanations for your quotes and details. • Always connect your ideas back to the thesis. • Use transitional words to guide your reader. (First, Second, Next, Finally, In Summation) Remember to…

34. As a result of a tragic attack from a barracuda, leaving his wife and all but one of his children dead, Marlin suffers from a debilitating fear of the world around him. Wherever he goes with his son, Nemo, he fears and worries that they will suffer another tragedy. This irrational fear creates great tension between the two. This tension comes to a head when Marlin has to take Nemo to school for the first time. With his new freedom, Nemo is eager to adventure away from the class and out into the open ocean. His father, unable to give his son the space he desires, is not far away and begins to reprimand his son. Attempting to further incite his father, Nemo swims out to a boat where he is taken captive by a human diver. The boat speeds away from their home, leaving Marlin behind terrified and on the brink of the greatest adventure of his life. Topic Sentence Supporting Details What is missing form this Paragraph? Clincher/ Transition A Sample Body Paragraph:

35. The Conclusion Paragraph 5: “Now what?” Every shingle essay should have one!

36. Restate Transition Connect Your conclusion should include the following…

37. Remind the reader of your brilliant point. • Reassert your purpose and main idea by rewriting your thesis. • Restructure or reword the thesis from your introduction. • Begin to take on a tone of summation. Restate Your Thesis:

38. Remind the reader of the title and author. • Make a shift away from the specificity of your thesis. • Begin to connect the central theme of your essay to the reader. Transition

39. Connect the contents of your essay to the reader, and the world at large. • Close on a final, triumphant note. What does the reader do now that they have this new found wisdom? Connect & Close

40. Marlin changes greatly as a character from his experiences in search of his son. After leaving his home, he is exposed to a dangerous and unpredictable world that constantly presents challenges and obstacles. With the help of friends he makes along the way he is able to overcome his own fears and reservations to give him a new found strength necessary to recover his son. In the end the two form a much stronger and healthier relationship than they had ever had before. Walt Disney’s beautiful and gripping tale, Finding Nemo, recreates an age-old tale in an original and unique way. Through the challenges that Marlin faces beneath the waves, we can catch a glimpse of a world we know and encounter every day. Although he is a fish, we know and have felt his fears and anxieties. We have overcome such challenges of our own. We can understand the long journey he has taken and can rejoice along with him when he is reunited with his son. Restatement Transition Connection An Example:

41. Introduction: Broad to Specific Hook Thesis Body Paragraphs: Support the Specific Thesis Thesis Conclusion: Specific to Broad Closer Remember this structure…

42. Now for the revision! (PowerPoint to follow) It’s Done!