5 Paragraph Essay Outline Example
As the name suggests, a five paragraph essay is an essay that is made up of five paragraphs, namely, the introduction, 3 body paragraph, and a conclusion. A five paragraph essay is one of the simplest types of essays that you will be asked to write in your education career.
This type of essay allows you to write a complete essay, such as a persuasive essay or an argumentive essay, with a thesis, three supporting claims or points of views, and a conclusion. The length of the essay ranges from 300 to 900 words, but may vary depending on the needs of the professor.
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Every essay should have a well-written introduction. This is the part of the essay that invites users to read the rest of the essay. As a result, the introduction, should not only be interesting but help the user to delve into the issues that will be addressed.
The introductory for a five paragraph essay should include the following elements:
1. Background information: The introduction should give enough information to your reader to help them understand your topic. The introduction should help your readers to transition from their world to the new world that you are writing about.
2. Thesis statement: Indicates your paper’s topic, makes your paper’s purpose clear, and provides an overview of the three main supporting points that will unify the essay. The thesis statement is typically the last sentence of the introduction.
If you are writing in response to a text, the introduction should include the title, author, and the genre of that piece.
Paragraph 2: Body Paragraph
The body paragraphs is where you discuss all the issues in your thesis statement. Every body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that identifies one main idea that will be discussed as support or proof for the thesis statement.
1. Supporting sentences use specific details, demonstrated through closely related examples or evidence, to expand and explain the main idea. Generally, a well-developed paragraph has at least five to eight sentences.
2. Paragraph unity means that all ideas in a paragraph are closely related to its topic sentence and further develop that topic sentence. That is, all sentences in a single paragraph must be unified around a central point or idea.
Paragraph 3: Body Paragraph
This paragraph, and any subsequent body paragraphs, should begin with a topic sentence that signals the reader that a new idea or point is being introduced.
As you organize your essay, keep in mind its coherence. Coherence refers to connections among paragraphs and ideas—the logical sequence of your thoughts.
There are two ways of doing this:
- Use transition words or phrases at the outsetof your body paragraphs and to move from one idea to another within your paragraphs. Some transition words that you can use include in the first place, secondly, then, equally, similarly, furthermore, by contrast, and as can be seen.
- Make sure you transition logically from the main idea in the previous paragraph to the new one. Check whether you making clear connections among the paragraphs and ideas.
Paragraph 4: Body Paragraph
As with previous paragraphs, the fourth paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that relates back to the remaining point that you mentioned in the thesis statement.
Ensure that you do not repeat the issues that you have already discussed in the previous paragraphs.
Again, flesh out this main idea with specific examples, details, and relevant support.
Be sure to maintain paragraph unity. That is, each sentence must relate to your topic sentence.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
Your conclusion should outline the reason you wrote the essay and tell your readers why your ideas are significant.
The conclusion may restate the thesis, summarize the paper’s major points, or leave the reader with a final thought to ponder.
If you choose to restate the thesis or summarize the essay’s main ideas, write a new summary of you words without using the same words you used in the introduction or the body paragraphs. Remember not to introduce new, unrelated ideas in the conclusion.