The Five-Paragraph EssayThe Basics

We write for fun. We write letters, stories, jokes, and to share information with our family or friends.

However, most writing for school is

different kind of writing. This is often different kind of writing. This is often called called expository writingexpository writing, and it’s , and it’s easy if you know how to do it.easy if you know how to do it.

Different Kinds of Writing

Expository Writing

Gives information about a topic Explains ideas Gives directions Shows how to do something

The purpose of most expository writing is to communicate ideas

or answer questions.

So, your teacher gives you a tells you to write an expository essay:

What do you do???

Don’t lose your head.

Follow this plan…

“Write about your favorite pet.”

It’s Easy.

Come up with 3 reasons to

explain your thesis.

Start with your main idea or opinion. This will become your thesis.

These will become your supporting details.

Start writing.Follow this plan to create a basic

five-paragraph essay

The five paragraph essay form looks like:

This form is sometimes called “hamburger writing”

Start with a hook.

The “hook” is a way to get

the reader’s attention.

Different kinds of hooks:

A quote - “A dog is man’s best friend.”

An interesting fact – Seventy percent of Americans like dogs more than cats.

A question – What is your favorite pet?

1. The Introduction

Provide some background

information.

Follow your hook with a sentence or two that give a general idea of the subject:

"A dog is man's best friend." That common saying may contain some truth, but dogs are not the only animal friend whose companionship people enjoy…

1. The Introduction

Time for your thesis.

You have the reader’s attention, and you’ve given them some basic information, so now it’s time for your thesis:

"A dog is man's best friend." That common saying may contain some truth, but dogs are not the only animal friend whose companionship people enjoy. Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats make excellent pets.

1. The Introduction

Your thesis should say what

the essay is about, and why

you feel the way you do.

The thesis can also include the supporting ideas that you are going to talk about.

Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats make excellent pets because they are good companions, they are civilized members of the household, and they are easy to care for.

1. The Introduction

Each of the next three paragraphs will explain one of the supporting details of your thesis.

2, 3, and 4: The Body

Each paragraph should include:

A topic sentence that tells what the paragraph is about.

Supporting sentences that give more information.

A concluding sentence that summarizes what the paragraph was about

*There can also be a transition sentence that helps the reader to know what the next paragraph will talk about.

Topic sentence example:

2, 3, and 4: The Body

In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are affectionate. They will snuggle up and ask to be petted, or scratched under the chin. Who can resist a purring cat? If they're not feeling affectionate, cats are generally quite playful. They love to chase balls and feathers, or just about anything dangling from a string. They especially enjoy playing when their owners are participating in the game. Contrary to popular opinion, cats can be trained. Using rewards and punishments, a cat can be trained to avoid unwanted behavior or perform tricks. This makes them very lovable for anyone.

Supporting sentence examples:

2, 3, and 4: The Body

In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are affectionate. They will snuggle up and ask to be petted, or scratched under the chin. Who can resist a purring cat? If they're not feeling affectionate, cats are generally quite playful. They love to chase balls and feathers, or just about anything dangling from a string. They especially enjoy playing when their owners are participating in the game. Contrary to popular opinion, cats can be trained. Using rewards and punishments, a cat can be trained to avoid unwanted behavior or perform tricks. This makes them very lovable for anyone.

Concluding sentence example:

2, 3, and 4: The Body

In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are affectionate. They will snuggle up and ask to be petted, or scratched under the chin. Who can resist a purring cat? If they're not feeling affectionate, cats are generally quite playful. They love to chase balls and feathers, or just about anything dangling from a string. They especially enjoy playing when their owners are participating in the game. Contrary to popular opinion, cats can be trained. Using rewards and punishments, a cat can be trained to avoid unwanted behavior or perform tricks. This makes them very lovable for anyone.

5: The Conclusion

The conclusion ends the essay. It usually restates the thesis using different words, or it may repeat the supporting details, or it may talk about the future.

The conclusion is when you remind the reader of your thesis, and say goodbye.

5: The Conclusion

Conclusion example:

In conclusion, cats are easy to care for, civilized companions. People who have small apartments or less time to care for a pet should appreciate these characteristics. However, many people who have plenty of space and time still choose to have a cat because they love cats. In many ways, cats are the ideal pet.

And that’s how it’s done.

One Introduction plus three Body paragraphs plus the final Conclusion

make a delicious essay.

Thanks