5 Paragraph

Schedule

1st Half Writing information

Handout

Practice

2nd Half New reading

Activity

Discussion

Why Learn the 5-Para?

1. Easy to create

2. Organizes your findings, thoughts, or opinions

3. Format can be used for any subject

4. Basic tool for any essay

5. Incorporates many of the basics of good writing

6. Speeds up the writing process because of its formulaic nature

7. Can be used for structure of a research-based essay when expanded

The Basic Format Paragraph 1:

Introduces the thesis and directs the reader to the three main supporting subtopics (argue)

Paragraph 2-4: Each paragraph restates the subtopic and provides a

supporting argument with examples.

Paragraph 5: Restates the main thesis idea and reminds the

reader of the three main supporting ideas that were developed.

PART ONE:

The Five Paragraph Essay

Introduction

THE INTRODUCTION

Consists of:o The Hooko General topic sentences (2

or 3) which are more specific than the hook

o A thesis statement including three supporting ideas, all written in parallel structure

First….

THE HOOK

THE INTRODUCTIONimportant definitions

Hook: An opening sentence or two that grabs the reader’s interest and introduces the general topic of the essay

Examples: Historical information An anecdote A surprising statement A quote A statistic

THE INTRODUCTIONthe hook

HISTORICAL INFORMATION: Some topics are better understood if a brief historical review of the topic is presented to lead into the discussion of the moment:

Make sure it’s factual

Keep it brief

Example

If I wanted to write an informative essay on cool

skateboarding tricks:In the spring of 1975, skateboarding started

on its journey to become on of the most popular sports that we see today. That year was the first skateboarding competition in

California which was televised. Once people saw it on TV, the sport became an absolute

craze.

THE INTRODUCTIONthe hook

ANECDOTE: An interesting little story OFTEN very personal Include sights, sounds,

smells and other sensory images

Keep it brief (2-3 sentences)

Example of Anecdote

At the young age of 12, Randon used to watch skateboarding on TV. Back then it was a new sport, but he knew that he had to start. So he did nothing but skateboard from then on, and now, he is a local legend.

THE INTRODUCTIONthe hook

A SUPRISING STATEMENT: There are many ways a statement can surprise a reader. Sometimes the statement is surprising because it is disgusting. Sometimes it is joyful. Sometimes it is shocking. Sometimes it is surprising because of who said it.o Take care to explain how the statement relates to your

topic

o Description is great, over- exaggeration is not

o Make sure that the statement is relevant, not just shocking

Example of hook with a Surprising Statement:

If I wanted to inform parents of ways to protect their children and prevent

accidents:

Have a minute? Good. Because that may be all it takes to save the life of a child—your child. Skateboarding accidents kill nearly 8,000 children under the age of 15 each year.

THE INTRODUCTIONthe hook

A QUOTE: When a writer uses the words of another to help illustrate a point

Your quote should be unusual, funny, or obscure

Don’t choose a long quote

Your quote should have a meaning you plan to reveal to the reader as the essay progresses

Remember to put opening and closing quotation marks around your quote

Include who said or wrote your quote

Example of hook with a

Quote: Click icon to add picture

If you wanted to write an essay about

a famous skateboarder:

“You might not make it to the top, but if you are doing what you love, there is much

more happiness there than being rich or

famous” (Tony Hawk).

NEXT:

The

GENERAL TOPIC SENTENCES

after the hook

General Topic Sentences

Why do we need them? They keep the reader focused on

the point of the essay

They serve as a transition between the hook and the thesis statement

Introduction: Moves from the General to Specific

General

Specific

Thesis

Introduction: From the General to the Specific

Begin generally. Begin with a hook:

Anecdote, Quotation, Question, Statistic

Explain how your hook applies to the specific topic.

Give some brief background information on the plot, setting, and

characters.

GENERAL

SPECIFIC

THESIS

Thesis: Your specific argument.Thesis is the last sentence of the

introduction.

Thesis Statement

The Thesis Statement

Every 5-paragraph essay has a THESIS STATEMENT.• 1 sentence

• Clear and concise

• Main point of the paper

• ARGUE A POINT/POSITION DON’T summarize information or facts

The thesis statement is found in the first paragraph

Thesis is an a claim, not a statement or fact or

observation Fact or observation: people use

many lawn chemicals.

Thesis: People are poisoning the environment with chemicals merely to keep their lawns clean.

A thesis takes a stand rather than

announcing a subject Announcement:

The thesis of this paper is the difficulty of solving our environmental problems.

Today, I’m going to talk about… Hello, I’m going to tell you three reasons

why…

Thesis: Solving our environmental problems are more difficult than many people believe.

X X XX X

A thesis is the main idea, not the title. It must be a complete sentence that explains in some detail what you expect to write

about. Title: Skateboarding and injuries.

Thesis: Continuing to skateboard as one gets older brings with it a multitude of risks which could cause serious injuries to your body.

A thesis statement is narrow, rather than broad. If the thesis statement is sufficiently narrow,

it can be fully supported

Broad: The Canadian steel companies have many problems.

Narrow: The biggest problem of the Canadian steel companies is the lack of money to renovate old buildings and equipment.

A thesis statement has one main point rather than several.

More than one main point: Stephen Hawkings disability has not stopped him from becoming a world-renowned physicist, and his book is the subject of a movie, and he’s a nice guy.

One Main Point: Stephen Hawking’s disability has not stopped him from becoming a world famous physicist.

The Thesis Statement

A good thesis provides a position on an issue AND suggests the structure of the paper.

The thesis should allow the reader to imagine and anticipate the flow of the paper, in which a sequence of points logically prove the essay’s main assertion.

ExampleIt should have 3 (for a 5 paragraph essay) points specially laid out in the order you want to discuss them:

Dogs are great pets because they help owners get exercise and are loyal and friendly.

If using this as a thesis, the paper should follow the format it lays out.

Paragraph 2 will be about dogs helping owners get exercise,

Paragraph 3 about dogs being loyal,

Paragraph 4 about dogs being friendly

You should be able to transition smoothly between paragraphs, so order your points in a manner that flows well logically.

Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that relates directly back to your thesis

In ClassOn the back of your notes, write a 5-paragraph essay

about “HOW TO SURVIVE A ZOMBIE ATTACK”

UNIT ?Technology / Addiction / Relationships / Future

Schedule

1. Quiz

2. Vocabulary

3. Readings

4. Activity – Answer Search

Quiz

Vocabulary

Discuss the Following…

• Grief

• Phenomenon

• Innovation

• Determinant

• Nurturing

• Isolation

• Endearment

Activity

1. Class is split

2. Find your partner

3. Read selected reading

4. Answer the questions for your specific

reading

When finished READING &

ANSWERING

5. Individually walk around classroom

6. You have just 1 minute to converse and

share answers

7. Your goal: Obtain all information need to

answer the questions for the other reading

Partner Time!

Reading

Homework

Online Unit 9 Vocabulary 1

Reading Comprehension