5th grade nonfiction writing samples
by: Jessica Kelmon | Updated: July 23, 2016
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When it comes to writing, fifth grade is a red-letter year. To prepare for the demands of middle school and high school writing, fifth graders should be mastering skills required for strong nonfiction writing . Learn more about your fifth grader’s writing under Common Core . All students should be learning three styles of writing:
Informative/explanatory writing
Reports that convey information accurately with facts, details, and supporting information.
Narrative writing
Stories, poems, plays, and other types of fiction that convey a plot, character development, and/or personal stories.
Opinion writing
Writing in which students try to convince readers to accept their opinion about something using reasons and examples.
Fifth grade writing sample #1
Bipolar Children
This student’s report starts with a decorative cover and a table of contents. The report has eight sections, each clearly labeled with a bold subhead, and includes a bibliography. At the end, this student adds three visuals, two images from the internet with handwritten captions and a related, hand-drawn cartoon.
Type of writing: Informative/explanatory writing
Fifth grade writing sample #2
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team
Dylan’s report is thorough and well organized. There’s a cover page, an opening statement, and four clear sections with subheads, including a conclusion. You’ll see from the teacher’s note at the end that the assignment is for an opinion piece, but Dylan clearly writes a strong informational/explanatory piece, which is why it’s included here.
Fifth grade writing sample #3
The Harmful Ways of By-Catch and Overfishing
This student includes facts and examples to inform the reader about by-catch and overfishing. Then, at the end, the student tries to convince the reader to take a personal interest in these topics and gives example of how the reader can take action, too.
Type of writing: Opinion writing
See more examples of real kids’ writing in different grades: Kindergarten , first grade , second grade , third grade , fourth grade .
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Teaching with a Five-Paragraph Essay Example
Looking for a five-paragraph essay example? Look and listen in as a fourth grade teacher models this strong writing structure for her students.
Ms. Sneed Grades Her Kids’ Paragraphs
As our favorite fourth grade teacher graded her class’s latest paragraphs, she let out a satisfied sigh. First they tackled paragraph structure. Then they learned to elaborate. Additionally, they improved their writing by varying sentences and using transitions. Now that they had the writing strategies down, her kids were ready to scaffold from one paragraph to the five-paragraph essay .
Purposefully tackling each genre of writing – then scaffolding from shorter to longer – was sure to work for her.
A Five-Paragraph Essay Example
Ms. Sneed turned and opened her laptop. With just a few clicks, she found it. Her favorite prompt, You Should Try It , asked kids to persuade others to try an activity – in five paragraphs.
Teaching Paragraph by Paragraph
The following Monday, Ms. Sneed stood in front of her class. “Today,” she said, “you will learn how to write a longer essay.”
Several kids looked a little unsure, but their teacher continued. “For now, I’ll take you through a five-paragraph essay example. That should ease your concerns.”
First Paragraph
Ms. Sneed projected a sample. “The first paragraph, or introduction, includes a thesis statement and supportive factual reasons.”
With the mention of a new term, thesis statement , more kids looked uncomfortable. Some squirmed in their seats.
“Now I know the term thesis statement is new, but no worries! You know it as a topic sentence. However, the thesis is the main idea of a multi-paragraph composition.”
The teacher read the paragraph aloud. “Can anyone pick out the thesis for this persuasive essay?” she asked.
One student slowly raised his hand. “Wouldn’t you like to try water skiing?”
“Yes! Although it’s written as a question, this sentence offers an opinion. Furthermore, the entire essay supports this thesis. Can you find the author’s three supporting reasons?”
Using the five-paragraph essay example, the class soon established the supporting details too: improving health, impressing friends, and teaching them to ski.
Second Paragraph
“Now let’s look at the second paragraph,” Ms. Sneed said.
“You identified one of the main details as health. As you can see, this paragraph expands on that reason.”
“That’s just what we were doing with one paragraph,” piped up a girl in the back row.
“Um-hm. True. But writing in five paragraphs gives you more room to elaborate.”
The kids seemed to relax in their seats. This wasn’t so bad after all.
Third Paragraph
With no further ado, she pulled up the third paragraph. “See, paragraph #3 discusses the second main supportive detail.”
After they read the paragraph aloud, Ms. Sneed asked, “Who can find the topic sentence of this paragraph?”
“Isn’t it the first sentence?” said a boy with purple glasses.
Ms. Sneed nodded. “Easy peasy. The main idea of this paragraph, as we said before, is the second reason.”
Fourth Paragraph
For the fourth paragraph, Ms. Sneed tried a new tactic. “Okay, think-pair-share! Find the the topic sentences and smaller details that support it.” Her students knew what this meant. Immediately, they turned to their seat partners and began to discuss.
After a few minutes, groups began to share:
“The first sentence is the topic sentence again,” said the first spokesperson.
“And the details are the steps in teaching,” said the second.
“Ahh, a sequence paragraph inside a five-paragraph persuasive essay,” Ms. Sneed remarked. That famous teacher smile spread across her face.
Fifth Paragraph
“Here we have the final paragraph, or conclusion,” the teacher continued.
After she read the paragraph aloud, Ms. Sneed pointed out the restated thesis statement and details. “It’s a repeat of the first paragraph in different words.”
A Five-Paragraph Essay Example – and a Hamburger!
Quickly, strode toward the board. She picked up a marker and sketched a hamburger with three patties. “Does this look familiar?”
Everyone smiled and nodded. Ms. Sneed’s favorite analogy for an writing a paragraph !
“We just used this again,” their teacher said. “The top bun is the first paragraph. It introduces the main idea with a thesis statement and supporting details. The first hamburger patty explores the first detail; the second, the second; and the third, the third! Finally, the bottom bun wraps it all up with a restatement of the thesis and details. This helps you write, as well as find the main idea and supporting details .”
“It’s just a giant version of the paragraph,” said a small girl in the front corner.
“Yep,” replied Ms. Sneed. “Not hard at all – if you know what you’re doing. Over the next few months, we’ll write more of these essays in our ELA block . Then you’ll feel even more confident.”
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Writing Guides / How to Craft a Stellar 5-Paragraph Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Craft a Stellar 5-Paragraph Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide
What is a 5-Paragraph Essay?
There is no better way to write a short scholastic essay than using the tried-and-true 5-paragraph essay format. It’s a simple template, consisting of an introductory paragraph, three topic paragraphs that make up the body, and a concluding paragraph. Each section of the body covers one point to support the main idea of the essay, stated in the introduction. It is simple, straight-forward, and by far the most common essay format used in schools. If you have an essay to write, you can’t go wrong if you stick to the 5-paragraph essay format. Follow this guideline, and your writing will be focused, to the point, and spot on.
How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay
All you need to write a 5-paragraph essay is a main idea and three points to support that idea. Once you have that, you simply introduce the main idea in the first paragraph, use the subsequent second, third, and fourth paragraphs to support that idea, and close it out with the fifth paragraph, which restates the main idea in new words. Sounds easy enough, right?
Well, we can actually break it down even more. So, let’s take it step by step just to make sure you got it.
Choose a Topic
Before writing, you should have a clear topic in mind. This might be one that’s assigned to you, or if you have the freedom to choose, you can pick a subject you know something about or would like to learn more about. At any rate, it’s something you can identify and write about.
Research and Outline
Gather information about your topic and decide on the three main points or arguments you want to make in the body of your essay. This gives you a direction. Create an essay outline to organize your thoughts and that will serve as the roadmap for your paper. List the points in order of least important to most important.
Write the Introduction
Start the essay with a “ hook ”—an attention-grabbing statement that will get the reader’s interest. This could be an interesting fact, a quote, or a question. After the hook, introduce your topic and end the introduction with a clear thesis statement that presents your main argument or point.
Write the Body Paragraphs
Each of the three body paragraphs should start with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of that paragraph. Follow the topic sentence with supporting details, examples, or evidence to back up your point. Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea that supports the thesis. So, all together there should be three elements of your main idea that you can write a paragraph about.
Write the Conclusion
Summarize the main points made in your essay and restate your thesis in a new way. You can also add a final thought that will give your reader something to ponder.
5 Paragraph Essay Format
Introduction
- Hook : This is a sentence that grabs the reader’s attention.
- Brief Introduction : This should be a few sentences introducing the topic.
- Thesis Statement : This is a clear statement of your main argument or point.
Body Paragraphs 1, 2, and 3
- Topic Sentence : This is the first sentence of the paragraph: it introduces the main idea of this paragraph.
- Supporting Details/Examples : This should consist of 2-3 sentences that provide evidence or explanations to support the topic sentence.
- Concluding Sentence : This summarizes the paragraph and provides a transition to the next topic paragraph.
- Restate Thesis : This reminds the reader of your main argument.
- Summary : This is where you recap the main points you made in your body paragraphs.
- Final Thought : This is a concluding thought to end your essay on a strong note.
This essay format is easy to use and gives a clear structure for presenting information. It is especially helpful for anyone who is new to writing. The more used to it you become, the more likely you will be to develop even longer, more complex essays over time.
5 Paragraph Essay Outline Examples
“The Benefits of Regular Exercising”
I. Introduction
- Hook: Imagine being able to improve your mental health, physical appearance, and lifespan with just a few hours of exercise a week. You would want to do it, wouldn’t you?
- Brief Introduction: Regular exercise supports a healthy lifestyle no matter who you are. Whether you are old, young, etc…
- Thesis Statement: The benefits of exercising regularly include an improved mental well-being, improved heart health, and reduced risk of chronic diseases.
II. Body Paragraph 1: Improved Mental Well-being
- Topic Sentence: One of the biggest benefits of regular exercise is the fact that it improves your mental health. How?
- Supporting Detail 1: First of all, exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.
- Supporting Detail 2: Physical activity also reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Concluding Sentence: Clearly physical exercise has benefits for your brain—but what else can it do?
III. Body Paragraph 2: Boosted Cardiovascular Health
- Topic Sentence: Engaging in regular physical activity also greatly benefits the heart and circulatory system.
- Supporting Detail 1: Exercise strengthens the heart muscle, allowing it to pump blood more efficiently.
- Supporting Detail 2: Regular exercise helps regulate blood pressure, reducing the risk of hypertension.
- Concluding Sentence: Not only is it good for your mind, but exercise is also good for your body.
IV. Body Paragraph 3: Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases
- Topic Sentence: Besides immediate benefits, exercise plays a crucial role in preventing various chronic diseases.
- Supporting Detail 1: Physical activity reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity.
- Supporting Detail 2: Exercise plays a role in weight management, which can prevent obesity-related conditions like heart disease.
- Concluding Sentence: Thus, exercise helps prevent disease.
V. Conclusion
- Restate Thesis: The health advantages of regular exercise span from mental health to disease prevention.
- Summary: It’s good for the brain, the body, and the heart.
- Final Thought: With the knowledge of these benefits, don’t you think everyone should be incorporating regular exercise into one’s routine?
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5 Paragraph Essay Example
The Power of Reading Books
Books have changed so much throughout history: from tablets and scrolls to paperbacks and now digital files that one can read on a screen, books have existed in many different forms. But one thing they have always been able to do is attract the attention of readers and having staying power. There is something magical about books that allows them to transcend both time and space. They are more than mere physical or digital objects, more than ancient collectibles, more than artifacts: they are repositories of human experiences, knowledge, and wisdom. Books are windows onto other worlds, windows onto other minds, windows onto other lives, windows onto new expanses. They are a way to grow, to challenge our preconceptions, redefine our boundaries, and introduce us to unfamiliar territories. Sure, they can be for leisure, but they can also be for our edification, our education, our self-improvement. Reading books can improve our cognitive abilities, enrich our lives, deepen our emotional depth, and fire up our creative engines.
Body Paragraph 1: Enriching the Mind
Reading enriches the mind, first of all. It is not a passive exercise like watching TV. Rather, it engages the cognitive functions of comprehension, visualization, and critical thinking, and forces them to work. It gets the mind to imagine, flex, think through problems, and reflect on information. Reading is like taking your brain to the gym. That is why readers develop good brain muscle and often have a well-rounded view of things that makes them more informed and open-minded than those who do not read.
Body Paragraph 2: Boosting Emotional Intelligence
Reading books also has a profound impact on our emotions. The world of literature, in particular, is a great way to understand in human emotions and relationships. Literature exposes readers to the innermost thoughts and feelings of characters, and gives insights into the human soul—insights that can enhance one’s emotional intelligence. Readers of literature can learn to discern subtle emotional cues, appreciate different perspectives, and develop a heightened sense of compassion.
Body Paragraph 3: Fostering Creativity
Reading is also a great way to kindle the imagination. All books offer a spark, and the imagination gets to work growing that spark into a flame that feeds on the wood one’s imagination brings. The imagination has the material; the book brings the fuel and fire. Reading helps the imagination play. This creative stimulation carries over into other aspects of the reader’s life, too. It can inspire artistic endeavors, be the impetus for pioneering innovations, and even lead to revolutionary ideas that reshape reality.
In this age of fleeting interactions, where instant gratification often supersedes depth, books stand apart as pathways to profound engagement. Their enduring charm lies not just in the tales they tell but in the growth they offer. Books are tools for the active participation of the mind and spirit. They enhance our imagination, our emotional development, and our creative impetus. To read is to grow. To read well is to become strong. Don’t you want to get reading now?
Explanation: An Analysis of the Essay
- Introduction: The essay commences by grounding the reader in history and showing that books have always been with us. This nod to the past sets the stage for the essay’s relevance in contemporary times. The introduction’s effectiveness lies in its ability to highlight books’ timeless value. The thesis also does more than introduce the main points; it acts as a roadmap, signposting the points that will be covered in the essay.
- Body Paragraph 1: The first body paragraph focuses on the intellectual nourishment derived from reading. It describes the way books facilitate mental growth. Its main point is that reading is good for the brain.
- Body Paragraph 2: The second paragraph transitions from the cerebral to the emotional. It explains why books are good for the emotions. It pays special attention to the fact that books offer windows onto what it means to be human, to feel, and to think. It suggests that reading literature is a great way to become emotionally educated—that books are good for nurturing empathy and providing emotional understanding.
- Body Paragraph 3: The third paragraph of the body is basically a tribute to the imaginative power that is fostered by reading books. It focuses on how reading is like a spark for the imagination’s fire. It connects reading to other activities, like innovating and creating works of art. It makes the case that there is a link between reading books and engaging more directly in the real world in a positive way.
- Conclusion: In its conclusion, the essay gives a thoughtful reflection, restates the main theme, goes over the main points again, and also gives a sense of why books have lasted so long. It leaves the reader with something to think about—namely that reading books actually makes you strong and helps you to grow as a person. It essentially leaves one with what is essentially a call to action.
The entire essay guides the reader, starting with the macro view in the introduction to the subtle and detailed examination of the finer points in the body. Each paragraph flows seamlessly into the next. The essay follows a clear structure, and presents each idea in a logical progression from introduction to conclusion.
5-Paragraph Essay FAQs
How many words should a 5-paragraph essay be.
The length of a 5-paragraph essay can vary depending on the purpose and complexity of the topic, as well as the intended audience. However, a typical 5-paragraph essay ranges from 250 to 500 words. Here’s a breakdown:
- Introduction: 50-100 words. This includes a brief introduction to the topic and the thesis statement.
- Body Paragraphs: Each body paragraph can range from 50 to 100 words. So, for three body paragraphs, you’re looking at 150-300 words in total. Each paragraph should introduce its main idea, provide supporting evidence or details, and possibly offer a transition to the next paragraph.
- Conclusion: 50-100 words. Summarize the main points and restate the thesis in a slightly different way.
Remember, these are just general guidelines. Depending on the depth of your analysis or the specific requirements of an assignment, your essay might be shorter or longer. The key is to ensure that you fully address your topic and support your thesis in a concise and organized manner.
Where is the thesis stated in a 5-paragraph essay?
In a standard 5-paragraph essay, the thesis is typically stated at the end of the introduction paragraph. It serves as a roadmap for the reader, providing a clear statement of the main argument or point you’ll be making in the essay. This positioning at the beginning of the essay allows readers to understand the central premise from the outset, setting the stage for the supporting details and arguments that follow in the body paragraphs.
Can I include quotes or citations in a 5-paragraph essay?
Absolutely! Including quotes, citations, or references can strengthen your arguments and provide evidence for the claims you make. If you’re writing an analytical or argumentative essay, it’s especially important to back up your points with credible sources. When incorporating quotes or data, make sure to properly cite them according to the style guide you’re following (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). However, make sure your essay doesn’t become overly reliant on quotes; your original analysis and voice should remain central.
Can a 5-paragraph essay have a title?
Yes, a 5-paragraph essay can—and often should—have a title. A well-chosen title can capture the essence of your essay, intrigue the reader, and set the tone for your content. It should be relevant to your topic and thesis, but it can also be creative or thought-provoking. If you’re writing an essay for a class assignment, make sure to check if there are any specific guidelines regarding titles.
Do I always have to stick to the 5-paragraph format?
Not necessarily. The 5-paragraph essay is a foundational structure to help novice writers organize their thoughts. However, as you advance in your writing skills or tackle more complex topics, you might find that you need more (or fewer) than three body paragraphs to adequately address your subject. The key is to make certain that each paragraph has a clear purpose and supports your overall thesis. Always prioritize clarity, coherence, and depth of analysis over strict adherence to a set number of paragraphs.
How do I choose a topic for my 5-paragraph essay?
Choosing a topic depends on the purpose of the essay. If it’s for a class assignment, you might be given a prompt or a list of topics to select from. If you have the freedom to choose, pick a subject you’re passionate about or interested in. A good topic is neither too broad (which would be hard to cover in a short essay) nor too narrow (which might not give you enough to write about). Brainstorm a list, do some preliminary research, think about what you know, and choose a topic that you believe you can present compelling arguments or insights about.
How do I transition between paragraphs?
Smooth transitions help guide your readers through your essay and enhance its flow. You can use transitional words or phrases at the beginning of your body paragraphs to introduce the main idea and show its relation to the previous paragraph. Common transitional words include “furthermore,” “however,” “in addition,” “for instance,” and “on the other hand.” Additionally, you can subtly link paragraphs by referring back to a point made in the previous paragraph or hinting at what’s to come.
How important is the conclusion in a 5-paragraph essay?
The conclusion is vital. It provides closure and reinforces your main points. A strong conclusion doesn’t just repeat what’s been said but offers a departing thought based on the content. It leaves the reader with a lasting impression or something to consider. But at the same time, it is not the place for introducing entirely new ideas or topics; instead, focus on wrapping up and reinforcing your essay’s central argument.
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- M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
- B.A., History, Armstrong State University
A five-paragraph essay is a prose composition that follows a prescribed format of an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph, and is typically taught during primary English education and applied on standardized testing throughout schooling.
Learning to write a high-quality five-paragraph essay is an essential skill for students in early English classes as it allows them to express certain ideas, claims, or concepts in an organized manner, complete with evidence that supports each of these notions. Later, though, students may decide to stray from the standard five-paragraph format and venture into writing an exploratory essay instead.
Still, teaching students to organize essays into the five-paragraph format is an easy way to introduce them to writing literary criticism, which will be tested time and again throughout their primary, secondary, and further education.
Writing a Good Introduction
The introduction is the first paragraph in your essay, and it should accomplish a few specific goals: capture the reader's interest, introduce the topic, and make a claim or express an opinion in a thesis statement.
It's a good idea to start your essay with a hook (fascinating statement) to pique the reader's interest, though this can also be accomplished by using descriptive words, an anecdote, an intriguing question, or an interesting fact. Students can practice with creative writing prompts to get some ideas for interesting ways to start an essay.
The next few sentences should explain your first statement, and prepare the reader for your thesis statement, which is typically the last sentence in the introduction. Your thesis sentence should provide your specific assertion and convey a clear point of view, which is typically divided into three distinct arguments that support this assertation, which will each serve as central themes for the body paragraphs.
Writing Body Paragraphs
The body of the essay will include three body paragraphs in a five-paragraph essay format, each limited to one main idea that supports your thesis.
To correctly write each of these three body paragraphs, you should state your supporting idea, your topic sentence, then back it up with two or three sentences of evidence. Use examples that validate the claim before concluding the paragraph and using transition words to lead to the paragraph that follows — meaning that all of your body paragraphs should follow the pattern of "statement, supporting ideas, transition statement."
Words to use as you transition from one paragraph to another include: moreover, in fact, on the whole, furthermore, as a result, simply put, for this reason, similarly, likewise, it follows that, naturally, by comparison, surely, and yet.
Writing a Conclusion
The final paragraph will summarize your main points and re-assert your main claim (from your thesis sentence). It should point out your main points, but should not repeat specific examples, and should, as always, leave a lasting impression on the reader.
The first sentence of the conclusion, therefore, should be used to restate the supporting claims argued in the body paragraphs as they relate to the thesis statement, then the next few sentences should be used to explain how the essay's main points can lead outward, perhaps to further thought on the topic. Ending the conclusion with a question, anecdote, or final pondering is a great way to leave a lasting impact.
Once you complete the first draft of your essay, it's a good idea to re-visit the thesis statement in your first paragraph. Read your essay to see if it flows well, and you might find that the supporting paragraphs are strong, but they don't address the exact focus of your thesis. Simply re-write your thesis sentence to fit your body and summary more exactly, and adjust the conclusion to wrap it all up nicely.
Practice Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay
Students can use the following steps to write a standard essay on any given topic. First, choose a topic, or ask your students to choose their topic, then allow them to form a basic five-paragraph by following these steps:
- Decide on your basic thesis , your idea of a topic to discuss.
- Decide on three pieces of supporting evidence you will use to prove your thesis.
- Write an introductory paragraph, including your thesis and evidence (in order of strength).
- Write your first body paragraph, starting with restating your thesis and focusing on your first piece of supporting evidence.
- End your first paragraph with a transitional sentence that leads to the next body paragraph.
- Write paragraph two of the body focussing on your second piece of evidence. Once again make the connection between your thesis and this piece of evidence.
- End your second paragraph with a transitional sentence that leads to paragraph number three.
- Repeat step 6 using your third piece of evidence.
- Begin your concluding paragraph by restating your thesis. Include the three points you've used to prove your thesis.
- End with a punch, a question, an anecdote, or an entertaining thought that will stay with the reader.
Once a student can master these 10 simple steps, writing a basic five-paragraph essay will be a piece of cake, so long as the student does so correctly and includes enough supporting information in each paragraph that all relate to the same centralized main idea, the thesis of the essay.
Limitations of the Five-Paragraph Essay
The five-paragraph essay is merely a starting point for students hoping to express their ideas in academic writing; there are some other forms and styles of writing that students should use to express their vocabulary in the written form.
According to Tory Young's "Studying English Literature: A Practical Guide":
"Although school students in the U.S. are examined on their ability to write a five-paragraph essay , its raison d'être is purportedly to give practice in basic writing skills that will lead to future success in more varied forms. Detractors feel, however, that writing to rule in this way is more likely to discourage imaginative writing and thinking than enable it. . . . The five-paragraph essay is less aware of its audience and sets out only to present information, an account or a kind of story rather than explicitly to persuade the reader."
Students should instead be asked to write other forms, such as journal entries, blog posts, reviews of goods or services, multi-paragraph research papers, and freeform expository writing around a central theme. Although five-paragraph essays are the golden rule when writing for standardized tests, experimentation with expression should be encouraged throughout primary schooling to bolster students' abilities to utilize the English language fully.
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How to Write a Five-Paragraph Essay (with Examples)
By: Author Marcel Iseli
Posted on Last updated: April 13, 2023
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Writing can be either exciting or exacting depending on one’s patience and passion, hence not everyone’s cup of joe.
That said, writing even a short, snappy five-paragraph essay can require a bit of time and attention – at least for those who are not used to it.
Luckily enough, that’s what we’re dealing with today. If you’re paying enough attention, this post’s intro should already be giving you some idea of how to start one.
Writing a five-paragraph essay
- Write the hook and thesis statement in the first paragraph.
- Write the conflict of the essay in the second paragraph.
- Write the supporting details of the conflict in the third paragraph.
- Write the weakest arguments in the fourth paragraph.
- Write the summary and call-to-action prompt in the fifth paragraph.
Determining what to include in a five-paragraph essay
While there are hundreds, even thousands, of ways to write a five-paragraph essay, there are some universal processes that we can meanwhile follow.
The overall organization of the writer’s thought matters in any kind of writing piece. So, it is necessary that you fully understand what you’re being asked to do before writing a piece.
Topic, purpose, audience, rhetorical appeal, and length
Understanding what needs to be done means knowing your essay’s topic, purpose, audience, rhetorical appeal, as well as desired length.
Topic means the subject matter entailed by your essay, such as when you are asked to write an essay about yourself or people you admire.
“Purpose” means the core intent of writing your essay, which can be done in an argumentative, expository, narrative, or descriptive way.
“Audience” refers to your target reader or readers. You would know this by answering the question “Who will read and assess my essay?”
A “rhetorical appeal” is the “persuasive act” of your essay. It demonstrates the qualities of your essay that make it worth reading and even sharing.
Meanwhile, “length” means the measurable elements in your essay, such as the number of characters, words, sentences, or paragraphs.
Knowing these five important parts should give a head start when you write an essay, no matter what kind of setting it is.
If you are writing to apply for a particular job role, you may also be required to write a cover letter for your essay by the organization.
The possibility of this particular scenario should be enough to let us realize how important writing skills are, which is why we need to deliberately learn them at school.
In some cases, students may just mindlessly think that it is okay to cut and paste texts from online sources because their teacher won’t find out anyway.
Contrary to common belief, teachers, especially the most seasoned and passionate ones actually do read their students’ work.
So, by no stretch, one might actually end up writing an apology letter for plagiarism if and when worse comes to worst.
The key to preventing this tragedy is to always bear in mind that sincerity evokes originality; when you love what you do, you can always generate fresh ideas.
Meanwhile, the key to creating a good essay is to pre-plan what you need to include as well as what you need to exclude in the writing piece.
Now, how can we manifest all the things explained above in a five-paragraph essay? Let us find out below.
Paragraph 1 of the five-paragraph essay — The “plot”
The first or introductory paragraph can be considered the “plot” of the essay. This is where you would need to write your hook and thesis statement.
The hook is what grabs your readers’ attention from the start. It should be written in such a way that it anchors or “hooks” them to what they are reading.
You can use a general or all-inclusive idea for this part to make your readers relate to what you are trying to say.
Example:
Meanwhile, the thesis statement briefly tells your readers what your topic is all about. In other words, it explains what they need to expect from the piece.
The thesis statement is perhaps the most important element that you should never miss out on because it is what links your thoughts as a writer to your audience.
Within the intro paragraph, you could add other ideas that would link your hook to your thesis statement, depending on the impression you would like to evoke.
Paragraph 2 of the five-paragraph essay — The “plot’s conflict”
The second paragraph is where you slowly build the tension and explain your plot in more detail. We might as well call it the conflict of the story you are trying to tell.
Here, you should be able to clearly explain your strongest point of argument. For narrative essays, this is where you write the most crucial part of the experience you’ve had.
You should also introduce the setting as well as other relevant characters in this part, such as this one:
Then, you have to carefully elaborate on the most critical part of the story. If you could be more “visual” with your words, that would also help more in letting your audience connect to your essay.
In the next example, you would see a person vs. nature conflict where the character struggles with the environmental forces.
Paragraph 3 of the five-paragraph essay — The “conflict’s sidekick”
As you may figure, paragraph three is a further elaboration of your second paragraph, which is why we could simply call it the “conflict’s support.”
Here, you need to clearly establish how the current paragraph connects to the previous one and end it in such a way that it also links to the succeeding paragraph.
This is also where you give more meticulous details about the conflict to let your readers understand the “whys.”
The airbag from the driver’s side malfunctioned and deployed on its own, causing Uncle Vince to lose control. I later found out too that Uncle Vince wanted to learn how to drive so he asked my dad to teach him.
Paragraph 4 of the five-paragraph essay — The “freebie”
The fourth paragraph is where you would put the least important part of your story, at least relatively speaking.
You should put here your weakest or most irrelevant argument and example details. Or, you could also provide a different point of view to your audience.
Feel free to shift from the past to the present times in this part to pull your audience back to reality.
If relevant, you could also add some more emotional details like guilt or regret, such as the following:
Then lastly, you should be able to establish a link to your last paragraph or conclusion. The example below has a lot to do with the ending of the story, which talks about realizations.
Paragraph 5 of the five-paragraph essay — The “farewell”
The “farewell” or conclusion part basically needs to summarize your entire essay’s key ideas. It should also be able to draw a link to the plot or intro paragraph.
In other words, the fifth or last paragraph should bear ideas that reconcile the previous paragraphs, especially the first.
If you are sick and tired of using almost the same words and phrases in your essay’s conclusion part, you had better check out other alternatives for “in conclusion” to sound less repetitive.
There are actually a lot of effective transition words for your conclusion to choose from in the English lexicon, so feel free to experiment some time.
Then, you can talk about the positive things that happened after the storm to leave a positive message to your readers.
Last but not least, you can completely end your essay with a call-to-action prompt that urges your readers to “do” something about what they have just read.
You can easily do this by answering the question “What do I want my audience to do after reading my story?” such as in the example below:
Five-Paragraph Essay — Sample Essay
To really see how all the parts above fit together, here’s a complete example essay containing all the elements elaborated on earlier.
In this essay, the topic is “the greatest challenge in my life,” and it has a narrative purpose. The target audience is the general public, while the rhetorical appeal is “pathos” or emotional.
This is a five-paragraph essay with approximately six hundred words including the title that talks about the loss of a loved one.
❡ 2 One sunny afternoon in the early nineties, I was playing catch with my neighbors Dylan, Abby, and my adorable labrador Rio. We did love playing by the road because it annoys old Miss Vacuum Lady from across the street – she nags at us all the time. As I was throwing the beanbag for Rio to catch, I noticed an unfamiliar blue Ford Explorer coming. It was running funny, so I thought the driver was just trying to do some tricks. I managed to throw the beanbag nicely, and Rio ran with all his might to catch it before it falls. A few seconds later, I heard a deafening screech and saw the blue Explorer crashing onto the maple tree outside Miss Vaccum Lady’s house. I only got scared when I realized that the car was actually trying to avoid me and that it chose to crash onto the tree instead.
❡ 3 A few moments later, I saw my mom and my other neighbors rushing outside to see what had just happened. I and my friends ran towards the car too until I heard a loud scream coming from my mom. Then all of a sudden, it came to me. My dad was in the passenger seat of that car, while his fifteen-year-old younger brother Uncle Vince was in the driver’s seat. Miraculously, Uncle Vince only had a scratch on his arm, yet my dad was neither moving nor breathing anymore – he died at that exact moment. The airbag from the driver’s side malfunctioned and deployed on its own, causing Uncle Vince to lose control. I later found out too that Uncle Vince wanted to learn how to drive so he asked my dad to teach him.
❡ 4 Everything changed after that day. No one was there to fix our busted lights anymore. No one was there to repair the roof when it leaked. I never even got to learn to play the guitar – dad had promised to buy me one on my birthday that same week he passed. For years and years, I kept blaming myself for what had happened that I never played catch again. They say “mothers know best,” and that’s a fact. Mom helped me get through all the pain and trauma even if she was also hurting a lot deep inside. For that reason, I never hesitate to trade my life for hers.
❡ 5 True enough, losing my dad has been the greatest challenge in my life. But, as time passed by, I also realized that seeing my mom suck it all up and pretend that she was fine even if she was hurting so much more. So, I made a decision never to waste a single moment with her. I have also managed to become an advocate for an organization that helps single mothers raise their kids. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from what happened, that is parental love is definitely the most selfless act in this world. So, never miss a beat with yours while you can.
Frequently Asked Questions on “How to Write a Five-paragraph Essay”
What are some good topics for a five-paragraph essay.
Social justice issues like healthcare, education, prejudice, and violence; environmental issues like climate change, resource depletion, wildlife protection, and natural disasters; life topics like near-death experiences, hobbies, and traveling are great topics for a five-paragraph essay.
How do you start a five-paragraph essay?
To start a five-paragraph essay, a hook and thesis statement are necessary. A hook can be a reflective assumption, a quote from a famous person, or a rhetorical question, while a thesis statement is a brief explanation of the essay’s topic.
How many sentences is a five-paragraph essay?
A five-paragraph essay is made of twenty-five to forty-five sentences. This structure is made up of five hundred to around one thousand words.
Writing requires time, patience, and dedication. That said, a read-worthy piece cannot come into form mindlessly but rather meticulously.
Join us again next time for some more interesting writing and other language-related hacks that can help you walk more easily through life.
Hey fellow Linguaholics! It’s me, Marcel. I am the proud owner of linguaholic.com. Languages have always been my passion and I have studied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics and Sinology at the University of Zurich. It is my utmost pleasure to share with all of you guys what I know about languages and linguistics in general.
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How to write a perfect 5 Paragraph Essay
How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay : A Complete Guide
Essay writing can be the bane of many a student’s life.
Gone are the days when many students tried writing in big letters to fill the allotted number of pages with minimal effort quickly.
Now, it’s all constant word count checks and taking a dozen words to say what could be said in three.
Of course, it doesn’t have to be like this. When students have a clear, set structure to follow, essay writing can be a much less painful experience. Indeed, it can even be enjoyable!
In this article, we’ll outline a clear template our students can follow to produce a well-organised essay on practically any topic effectively.
Let’s get started!
THE HAMBURGER ESSAY – THE STUDENT’S FRIEND
The common 5 paragraph essay structure is often referred to as the hamburger essay . And this is a memorable way to communicate the concept to your students.
The hamburger essay structure consists of five paragraphs or layers as follows:
Layer 1 – The Top Bun: The Introduction
The uppermost layer is the introductory paragraph which communicates to the reader the purpose of the essay.
Layers 2,3, & 4 – The Meat Patties: The Body Paragraphs
These are the meat patties of the essay and each paragraph makes an argument in support of the essay’s central contention as expressed in the introduction.
Layer 5 – The Conclusion: The Bottom Bun
The bottommost layer is the conclusion, where the arguments are summed up and the central contention of the essay is restated forcefully one last time. We have a complete guide to writing a conclusion here .
Soon, we’ll take a closer look at each of these parts in turn. But, there is more to an essay than just the writing of it. There are also the prewriting and post writing stages to consider. We will look at all these aspects in this article, but first, let’s examine what our students need to be doing before they even begin to write their essays.
A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING PARAGRAPH WRITING
This complete PARAGRAPH WRITING UNIT takes students from zero to hero over FIVE STRATEGIC LESSONS to improve PARAGRAPH WRITING SKILLS through PROVEN TEACHING STRATEGIES.
THE PREWRITING STAGE – DEFINING THE THESIS STATEMENT, RESEARCH & PLANNING
The thesis statement.
Every essay needs a clear focus. This focus is usually defined in a thesis statement that presents the topic of the essay in a sentence or two. The thesis statement should also include the writer’s stance on that topic.
As this will help guide the direction of the essay, it is essential that our students define their thesis statement before they begin the writing process.
Sometimes during the process of writing, we find out what we think about a given topic. The writing process can act as a kind of reflection on the merits of the various arguments, before finally revealing to us our own opinion. This is writing as a method of discovery.
Usually, though, it is more efficient for students to decide on their opinions prior to beginning to write.
Defining their thesis statement early on not only helps guide the students writing, but helps ensure their research is focused and efficient at the crucial prewriting stage.
Research & Planning
As students begin their research and gather their evidence to support their thesis statement, they should also be encouraged to pay particular attention to the counterarguments they come across.
A well-written essay does not ignore opposing viewpoints, students should be taught to preempt counterarguments where possible so as to strengthen the power of their own arguments. Good research is essential for this.
Not so long ago, research meant hours in dusty libraries being constantly shushed, but with the advent of the internet, there is now a wealth of knowledge right at our fingertips (and the end of a good Wifi connection).
While this has made research a much more convenient process, students need to be reminded of the importance of seeking out reliable sources to support their opinions. In an era of ‘fake news’, this is more important now than ever.
As students gather the information and supporting evidence for their essay, they’ll need to organize it carefully. Graphic organizers are an effective way of doing this, either on a paper printout or by using a premade template on the computer.
It can also be helpful for students to sort their collected information according to where they intend to use it in the five-paragraph outline or layers mentioned above.
Finally, while good research, organization, and planning are essential for producing a well-written essay, it’s important that students are reminded that essay writing is also a creative act.
Students should maintain an open mind when it comes to the writing process. They should allow their thoughts and opinions the room to develop over the course of writing their essay. They should leave the door open for including new thoughts and ideas as the writing progresses.
The Writing Stage: Introduction, Body Paragraphs, & Conclusion
The introduction.
A good introduction paragraph serves a number of important functions. It:
- Grabs the reader’s attention and interest, known as the hook
- Orientates the reader to the essays central argument, the thesis statement
- Outlines briefly the arguments that will be explored in support of the thesis statement.
To become an effective writer, it is important that our students learn the importance of grabbing the reader’s attention, as well as keeping it. Opening with a ‘hook’ or a ‘grabber’ is a great way to achieve this.
There are a number of techniques students can use here. Let’s take a look at some of the more common ones.
- The Surprising Fact – this can intrigue the reader to want to find out more, especially if it challenges some of their existing assumptions on a topic.
- The Quotation – a carefully selected quotation can be a great way to secure the reader’s attention and there are many curated quotation collections freely available online to help get students started.
- The Joke – this opening should be used judiciously as for some topics it may not be an appropriate way to open. In the right context however, humor can be a great way to engage the reader from the outset.
- The Anecdote – anecdotes are a great way to personally connect with the essay’s topic. They are a helpful way of climbing down the ladder of abstraction when exploring more theoretical arguments. They assist the reader in relating universal themes to their own lives.
Practice Activity 1:
To encourage students to develop strong opening paragraphs in their essays, it can be helpful to isolate writing opening paragraphs.
In this activity, provide your students with a list of essay topics and challenge them to write four different opening paragraphs for their essay, one each for The Surprising Fact , The Quotation , The Joke , and The Anecdote as listed above.
When students have completed their four paragraphs, they can then share with each other in groups and discuss which worked best and why.
This activity will help students to remember the different types of opening and how they work. It will also give them a feel for which openings work best for different types of essays.
We’ve already discussed what a thesis statement is and what it is intended to achieve, but where does it fit into the overall shape of the introductory paragraph exactly?
While there are no hard and fast rules here, thesis statements work well towards the end of the introductory paragraph – especially as the paragraph’s final sentence.
Readers are often hardwired to look for the thesis statement there. It connects the arguments that follow in the body paragraphs to the preceding sentences and contextualizes the essay for the reader.
THE BODY PARAGRAPHS
Now we get to the ‘meat’ of our essay. Each of the body paragraphs will explore one of the arguments supporting the thesis statement as laid out in the introduction.
While we are focused on the 5 paragraph essay here, longer essays will usually be constructed in exactly the same manner, they’ll just include more body paragraphs to cover the extra level of detail.
Generally, each body paragraph will open by stating the argument, with subsequent sentences supporting that argument by providing evidence along with some further explanation. Finally, a statement or phrase will help transition to the next paragraph.
The PEEL Paragraph Writing Process
The acronym PEEL can be a very useful tool to help students to understand how to organize each of their body paragraphs.
P oint : start the paragraph by expressing the central argument
E vidence : support the central argument of the paragraph by providing evidence or reasons. Evidence may come in many forms including facts and statistics, quotations from a text or other authority, reference to historical events etc.
E xplanation : explain how the evidence provided supports the paragraph’s central argument.
L ink : provide a transition into the next paragraph by linking this argument and the central thesis to the next point to be made.
Practice Activity 2:
Just as students isolated the opening to their introductory paragraph for practice purposes, in this activity they’ll isolate a single argument on a chosen essay topic.
When they have chosen a topic and selected a single argument related to that topic, they can begin to write one body paragraph using the PEEL structure outlined above.
This activity works well when several students write on the same argument. When each has completed their paragraphs, they can then compare the results with each other.
It can be a fascinating experiment that allows the students to see just how diverse different treatments of the same argument using the same PEEL formula can be – there is freedom within the discipline of the structure!
THE CONCLUSION
The purpose of the conclusion is to close the circle of the essay. It is a chance for the writer to restate the thesis statement, summarize the main arguments, and tie up any loose ends as the writer drives home their point one last time.
At this stage of the game, no new arguments should be introduced. However, students should revisit the previous arguments made in the body paragraphs and it is acceptable to offer up a new insight or two on these.
The student should take care here to make sure they leave no doubt in the reader’s mind that the essay question is fully answered. One useful way of doing this is by incorporating words and phrases from the essay question into the conclusion itself.
To help students grasp the underlying structure of a concluding paragraph, the following sequential structure is useful to keep in mind:
- Starts with a closing phrase such as In conclusion , There is no doubt , Finally etc
- Restates the main thesis statement
- Summarizes the main point of each of the body paragraphs
- Leaves the reader with something to think about.
Practice Activity 3:
Again, here we will isolate the concluding paragraph for focused practice.
Students select a topic they know well, decide what they think about that topic, write down a few key arguments, and then begin writing a concluding paragraph to an essay on that topic.
Students should use the template above to structure that material.
You could also include an element of peer assessment here by having students swap their paragraphs with each other, before offering each other feedback.
The Post Writing Stage: Editing & Proofreading YOUR 5 paragraph ESSAY
The final stage of writing a five-paragraph essay is perhaps the least glamorous of an unglamorous process, but no less essential for it – the editing and proofreading.
Often, our students overlook this stage. After completing the process of research, planning, and writing their five-paragraph essay, they let themselves down at this final, crucial stage.
Frequently, students fail to adequately edit and proofread their work not just because of laziness, but because they are unsure of exactly what this process entails.
To avoid this, ensure students understand that editing and proofreading involve reading through and correcting mistakes in the following areas one after the other:
- Text Organisation: title, headings, layout etc
- Sentence Structure: coherence, grammar , sentence variety etc
- Word Choice: suitable word choices, avoid repetition etc
- Spelling and Punctuation: accuracy in both areas.
Practice Activity 4:
Once students have completed their essays, appoint each a partner to work with and each then edits and proofreads the other person’s work.
Sometimes students struggle to gain the necessary distance from their own work to adequately edit and proofread it, this exercise overcomes that issue while giving them an opportunity to gain some valuable editing and proofreading experience that will benefit them in future.
CLOSING THE CIRCLE
So, there you have it – how to write a five-paragraph essay from start to finish. As with anything, the more practice students get, the quicker they will improve.
But, bear in mind too that writing essays is hard work and you don’t want to put students off.
The best way to provide opportunities for students to develop the various skills related to essay writing is to isolate them in the manner apparent in the activities described above.
This way, students can soon sharpen up their skills, without learning to dread the word ‘essay’ itself!
Teaching Resources
Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.
Five Paragraph Essay exampleS (Student Writing Samples)
Below are a collection of student writing samples of 5 paragraph essays. Click on the image to enlarge and explore them in greater detail. Please take a moment to both read the 5 paragraph essay in detail but also the teacher and student guides which highlight some of the key elements of this structured model of essay writing here.
Please understand these student writing samples are not intended to be perfect examples for each age or grade level but a piece of writing for students and teachers to explore together to critically analyze to improve student writing skills and deepen their understanding of 5 paragraph essay writing.
We would recommend reading the example either a year above and below, as well as the grade you are currently working with to gain a broader appreciation of this text type.
5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY VIDEO TUTORIALS
Structuring the Five-Paragraph Essay: Examples of Five-Paragraph Essays
- Examples of Five-Paragraph Essays
Grammar Tips
Grammar Bytes
This grammar review site includes detailed terms, interactive exercises, handouts, PowerPoints, daily Twitter practice, videos, teacher resources, and more!
Sample of a Persuasive / Argumentative Five-Paragraph Essay
A cat is a man's best friend.
This model essay is a good example of an Argumentative (or Persuasive) Essay.
- A Cat is a A Man's Best Friend Compare & Contrast / Argument (Persuasive) Essay
SAMPLE PROCESS ESSAY
- Sample Process Essay with NOTES
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Guide on How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay Effortlessly
Defining What Is a 5 Paragraph Essay
Have you ever been assigned a five-paragraph essay and wondered what exactly it means? Don't worry; we all have been there. A five-paragraph essay is a standard academic writing format consisting of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
In the introduction, you present your thesis statement, which is the main idea or argument you will discuss in your essay. The three body paragraphs present a separate supporting argument, while the conclusion summarizes the main points and restates the thesis differently.
While the five-paragraph essay is a tried and true format for many academic assignments, it's important to note that it's not the only way to write an essay. In fact, some educators argue that strict adherence to this format can stifle creativity and limit the development of more complex ideas.
However, mastering the five-paragraph essay is a valuable skill for any student, as it teaches the importance of structure and organization in writing. Also, it enables you to communicate your thoughts clearly and eloquently, which is crucial for effective communication in any area. So the next time you're faced with a five-paragraph essay assignment, embrace the challenge and use it as an opportunity to hone your writing skills.
And if you find it difficult to put your ideas into 5 paragraphs, ask our professional service - 'please write my essay ,' or ' write my paragraph ' and consider it done.
How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay: General Tips
If you are struggling with how to write a 5 paragraph essay, don't worry! It's a common format that many students learn in their academic careers. Here are some tips from our admission essay writing service to help you write a successful five paragraph essay example:
- Start with a strong thesis statement : Among the 5 parts of essay, the thesis statement can be the most important. It presents the major topic you will debate throughout your essay while being explicit and simple.
- Use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph : The major idea you will address in each of the three body paragraphs should be established in a concise subject sentence.
- Use evidence to support your arguments : The evidence you present in your body paragraphs should back up your thesis. This can include facts, statistics, or examples from your research or personal experience.
- Include transitions: Use transitional words and phrases to make the flow of your essay easier. Words like 'although,' 'in addition,' and 'on the other hand' are examples of these.
- Write a strong conclusion: In addition to restating your thesis statement in a new way, your conclusion should highlight the key ideas of your essay. You might also leave the reader with a closing idea or query to reflect on.
- Edit and proofread: When you've completed writing your essay, thoroughly revise and proofread it. Make sure your thoughts are brief and clear and proofread your writing for grammatical and spelling mistakes.
By following these tips, you can write strong and effective five paragraph essays examples that will impress your teacher or professor.
5 Paragraph Essay Format
Let's readdress the five-paragraph essay format and explain it in more detail. So, as already mentioned, it is a widely-used writing structure taught in many schools and universities. A five-paragraph essay comprises an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion, each playing a significant role in creating a well-structured and coherent essay.
The introduction serves as the opening paragraph of the essay and sets the tone for the entire piece. It should captivate the reader's attention, provide relevant background information, and include a clear and concise thesis statement that presents the primary argument of the essay. For example, if the essay topic is about the benefits of exercise, the introduction may look something like this:
'Regular exercise provides numerous health benefits, including increased energy levels, improved mental health, and reduced risk of chronic diseases.'
The body paragraphs are the meat of the essay and should provide evidence and examples to support the thesis statement. Each body paragraph should begin with a subject sentence that states the major idea of the paragraph. Then, the writer should provide evidence to support the topic sentence. This evidence can be in the form of statistics, facts, or examples. For instance, if the essay is discussing the health benefits of exercise, a body paragraph might look like this:
'One of the key benefits of exercise is improved mental health. Regular exercise has been demonstrated in studies to lessen depressive and anxious symptoms and enhance mood.'
The essay's final paragraph, the conclusion, should repeat the thesis statement and summarize the essay's important ideas. A concluding idea or query might be included to give the reader something to ponder. For example, a conclusion for an essay on the benefits of exercise might look like this:
'In conclusion, exercise provides numerous health benefits, from increased energy levels to reduced risk of chronic diseases. We may enhance both our physical and emotional health and enjoy happier, more satisfying lives by including exercise into our daily routines.'
Overall, the 5 paragraph essay format is useful for organizing thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely. By following this format, writers can present their arguments logically and effectively, which is easy for the reader to follow.
Types of 5 Paragraph Essay
There are several types of five-paragraph essays, each with a slightly different focus or purpose. Here are some of the most common types of five-paragraph essays:
- Narrative essay : A narrative essay tells a story or recounts a personal experience. It typically includes a clear introductory paragraph, body sections that provide details about the story, and a conclusion that wraps up the narrative.
- Descriptive essay: A descriptive essay uses sensory language to describe a person, place, or thing. It often includes a clear thesis statement that identifies the subject of the description and body paragraphs that provide specific details to support the thesis.
- Expository essay: An expository essay offers details or clarifies a subject. It usually starts with a concise introduction that introduces the subject, is followed by body paragraphs that provide evidence and examples to back up the thesis, and ends with a summary of the key points.
- Persuasive essay: A persuasive essay argues for a particular viewpoint or position. It has a thesis statement that is clear, body paragraphs that give evidence and arguments in favor of it, and a conclusion that summarizes the important ideas and restates the thesis.
- Compare and contrast essay: An essay that compares and contrasts two or more subjects and looks at their similarities and differences. It usually starts out simply by introducing the topics being contrasted or compared, followed by body paragraphs that go into more depth on the similarities and differences, and a concluding paragraph that restates the important points.
Each type of five-paragraph essay has its own unique characteristics and requirements. When unsure how to write five paragraph essay, writers can choose the most appropriate structure for their topic by understanding the differences between these types.
5 Paragraph Essay Example Topics
Here are some potential topics for a 5 paragraph essay example. These essay topics are just a starting point and can be expanded upon to fit a wide range of writing essays and prompts.
- The Impact of Social Media on Teenage Communication Skills.
- How Daily Exercise Benefits Mental and Physical Health.
- The Importance of Learning a Second Language.
- The Effects of Global Warming on Marine Life.
- The Role of Technology in Modern Education.
- The Influence of Music on Youth Culture.
- The Pros and Cons of Uniform Policies in Schools.
- The Significance of Historical Monuments in Cultural Identity.
- The Growing Importance of Cybersecurity.
- The Evolution of the American Dream.
- The Impact of Diet on Cognitive Functioning.
- The Role of Art in Society.
- The Future of Renewable Energy Sources.
- The Effects of Urbanization on Wildlife.
- The Importance of Financial Literacy for Young Adults.
- The Influence of Advertising on Consumer Choices.
- The Role of Books in the Digital Age.\
- The Benefits and Challenges of Space Exploration.
- The Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture.
- The Ethical Implications of Genetic Modification.
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General Grading Rubric for a 5 Paragraph Essay
The following is a general grading rubric that can be used to evaluate a five-paragraph essay:
Content (40%)
- A thesis statement is clear and specific
- The main points are well-developed and supported by evidence
- Ideas are organized logically and coherently
- Evidence and examples are relevant and support the main points
- The essay demonstrates a strong understanding of the topic
Organization (20%)
- The introduction effectively introduces the topic and thesis statement
- Body paragraphs are well-structured and have clear topic sentences
- Transitions between paragraphs are smooth and effective
- The concluding sentence effectively summarizes the main points and restates the thesis statement
Language and Style (20%)
- Writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand
- Language is appropriate for the audience and purpose
- Vocabulary is varied and appropriate
- Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct
Critical Thinking (20%)
- Student demonstrate an understanding of the topic beyond surface-level knowledge
- Student present a unique perspective or argument
- Student show evidence of critical thinking and analysis
- Students write well-supported conclusions
Considering the above, the paper should demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topic, clear organization, strong essay writing skills, and critical thinking. By using this grading rubric, the teacher can evaluate the essay holistically and provide detailed feedback to the student on areas of strength and areas for improvement.
Five Paragraph Essay Examples
Wrapping up: things to remember.
In conclusion, writing a five paragraph essay example can seem daunting at first, but it doesn't have to be a difficult task. Following these simple steps and tips, you can break down the process into manageable parts and create a clear, concise, and well-organized essay.
Remember to start with a strong thesis statement, use topic sentences to guide your paragraphs, and provide evidence and analysis to support your ideas. Don't forget to revise and proofread your work to make sure it is error-free and coherent. With time and practice, you'll be able to write a 5 paragraph essay with ease and assurance. Whether you're writing for school, work, or personal projects, these skills will serve you well and help you to communicate your ideas effectively.
Meanwhile, you can save time and reduce the stress associated with academic assignments by trusting our research paper writing services to handle the writing for you. So go ahead, buy an essay , and see how easy it can be to meet all of your professors' complex requirements!
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How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay: Guide with Structure, Outline & Examples
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A 5-paragraph essay is a common assignment in high school and college, requiring students to follow a standard structure. This essay format consists of five main components: an introduction paragraph, followed by 3 body paragraphs, and a final paragraph. Each paragraph serves a specific purpose and contributes to the overall coherence and organization of the essay.
Since this is one of the most popular assignments teachers give, you should be prepared to write using a five paragraph essay format. From structure and outline template to actual examples, we will explain how to write a 5 paragraph essay with ease. Follow our suggestions and you will be able to nail this task.
What Is a 5-Paragraph Essay: Definition
A 5-paragraph essay is as simple as it sounds: an essay composed of five paragraphs. It's made up of five distinct sections, namely an introduction , 3 body paragraphs and a concluding section . However, a 5 paragraph essay goes beyond just creating 5 individual sections. It's a method of organizing your thoughts and making them interconnected.
Despite its straightforward 5-paragraph format, there's more going on beneath the surface. When writing a 5-paragraph essay, you should address the main objective of each part and arrange every section properly.
Let’s learn about each of these sections more in detail.
5-Paragraph Essay Structure
A five-paragraph essay structure is often compared to a sandwich that has 3 distinct layers:
- Introduction: This initial paragraph should introduce the main topic and tell what will be discussed further in the essay.
- Body: This part consists of three body paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect of your subject.
- Conclusion: The final paragraph rounds off the main points and offers key takeaways.
As you can notice, each of these sections plays an important role in creating the overall piece.
5-Paragraph Essay Outline & Template Example
Imagine heading out for a journey in the woods without a map. You'd likely find yourself wandering aimlessly, right? Similarly, venturing into writing an essay without a solid essay outline is like stepping into the academic jungle without a guide. Most high school and college students ignore this step for the sake of time. But eventually they end up writing a five-paragraph essay that lacks a clear organization.
It’s impossible to figure out how to write a 5-paragraph essay without having a well-arranged outline in front. Here’s a five-paragraph essay outline example showing subsections of each major part.
5 Paragraph Essay Outline Example
- Hook: Spark the reader's interest.
- Brief background: Provide a general context or background.
- Thesis statement: State the main argument or position.
- Topic sentence: Introduce the main point of this paragraph.
- Supporting evidence/example 1: Provide data, examples, quotes, or anecdotes supporting your point.
- Analysis: Explain how your evidence supports your thesis.
- Transition: Tie the paragraph together and link to the next paragraph.
- Supporting evidence/example 2 : Provide further supporting evidence.
- Analysis: Discuss how the evidence relates back to your thesis.
- Transition: Summarize the point and smoothly shift to the next paragraph.
- Topic sentence: Present the main idea of this paragraph.
- Supporting evidence/example 3: Offer additional support for your thesis.
- Analysis: Show how this backs up your main argument.
- Transition: Sum up and signal the conclusion of the body section.
- Thesis reiteration: Revisit your main argument accounting for the evidence provided.
- Summary: Briefly go over the main points of your body paragraphs.
- Final thoughts: Leave the reader with a parting thought or question to ponder.
How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay Outline?
When creating an outline for 5-paragraph essay, begin by identifying your topic and crafting a thesis statement. Your thesis statement should encapsulate your main argument. Identify 3 ideas that support your thesis to lay the foundation of your body section. For each point, think about examples and explanations that will help convince the reader of your perspective. Finally, plan what you will include in the concluding section.
Throughout this process, remember that clarity and organization are key. While it's not necessary for your 5-paragraph outline to be "perfect", it is indeed important for it to be arranged logically.
Below, you can spot an example of an outline created based on these instructions.
How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay Step-by-Step?
There is nothing difficult about writing a 5-paragraph essay. All you need to do is to just start creating the first sentence. But for most of us, it;s easier said than done. For this reason, we prepared informative step-by-step guidelines on how to write a 5-paragraph essay that your teacher will like.
As we navigate these stages, remember that good writing isn't a destination, it's a process. So grab your notebook (or laptop) and let's dive into the art of crafting your five-paragraph essay.
>> Learn more: How to Write an Essay
1. Understand the Task at Hand
The initial step is to make sure you have a full grasp of your assignment instructions. How well you understand the given guidelines can either make or break your 5-paragraph essay. Take a few minutes to read through your instructor’s requirements and get familiar with what you're supposed to do:
- What’s your topic? Do you need to choose one yourself?
- What essay type do you need to write – argumentative , expository or informative essay ?
- What’s your primary goal – persuade, analyze, descibe or inform?
- How long should an essay be ? Is there any specific word count?
Understanding these crucial details will help you remain on course.
2. Research and Take Notes
Now that you have a good idea of your assignment, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start researching. Spend some quality time gathering relevant resources to get acquainted with the discussed topic. Make sure you don;t refer to outdated resources. Always give a preference to credible, recent sources.
Read these sources carefully and jot down important facts – this is what will form the basis of your essay's body section. Also, you will need to save the online sources to cite them properly.
3. Develop Your Thesis Statement
We can’t stress enough: your thesis statement will guide your entire essay. Write 1-2 sentences that convey your underlying idea. Keep in mind that your thesis must be succinct. There is no need for long introductions or excessive details at this point.
4. Make an Outline
A five-paragraph essay outline shows how your paper will be arranged. This visual structure can be represented using bullet points or numbers. You can come up with another format. But the main idea is to prepare a plan you are going to stick to during the writing process.
Did you know that you can send an outline to professionals and have your essay written according to the structure. Order essay from academic experts should you need any assistance.
5. Write an Introduction Paragraph
To start a 5-paragraph essay, compose an attention-grabbing statement, such as a question or fact. This is also known as an essay hook – an intriguing opening sentence. Its goal is to spark curiosity and draw your reader into your topic.
Next, you need to establish a background and show what;s under the curtains. Write 1-2 contextual sentences helping your reader understand the broad issue you're about to discuss.
Your 5-paragraph essay introduction won’t be complete without a thesis statement – the heart of your writing. This 1 or 2-sentence statement clearly expresses the main point you will develop throughout your essay. Make sure your thesis is specific, debatable, and defensible.
>> Read more: How to Start an Essay
6. Create a Body Part
A body section of a standard 5-paragraph essay layout comprises 3 paragraphs. Each body paragraph should contain the most important elements of the discussion:
- Topic sentence
- Detailed explanation
- Supporting evidence from credible sources
- Further exploration of examples
- Transition.
Begin your body paragraph by introducing a separate aspect related to your thesis statement. For example, if you are writing about the importance of physical activity, your body paragraph may start this way:
Don’t just make a bold statement. You will need to expand on this idea and explain it in detail. You should also incorporate facts, examples, data, or quotes that back up your topic sentence. Your evidence should sound realistic. Try to draw the examples from personal experience or recent news. On top of that, you should analyze how this evidence ties back to your overall argument.
It’s not a good idea to finish your body paragraph just like that. Add essay transition words to keep your five-paragraph paper cohesive.
>> Read more: How to Write a Body Paragraph
7. Write a Concluding Paragraph
Wrapping up your 5-paragraph essay might seem like a breeze after developing your introductory and body parts. Yet, it's crucial to ensure your conclusion is equally impactful. Don't leave it to the reader to join the dots – restate your thesis statement to reinforce your main argument. Follow this by a brief recap of the 2-3 key points you've discussed in your essay.
The last taste should be the best, so aim to end your 5-paragraph essay on a high note. Craft a compelling closing sentence that underscores the importance of your topic and leaves your reader considering future implications.
>> Learn more: How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay
8. Review and Revise
Your 5-paragraph essay should be up to scratch now. However, double-check your work for any errors or typos. It's worth revising your essay at least twice for maximum impact. Our practice shows that revising your essay multiple times will help you refine the arguments, making your piece more convincing.
As you proofread, make sure the tone is consistent, and each sentence contributes something unique to the overall point of view. Also, check for spelling and grammar errors.
Once you're happy with your 5-paragraph essay, submit it to your teacher or professor.
5 Paragraph Essay Example
Students can ease their life by exploring a sample five paragraph essay example shared by one the writers. Consider buying a college essay if you want your homework to be equally good.
Extra 5-Paragraph Writing Tips
Here’re some bonus tips on how to write a good 5-paragraph essay:
- Be clear and concise Avoid fluff and filler. Every sentence should contribute to your argument or topic.
- Keep paragraphs focused Each paragraph should be dedicated to an individual point or idea.
- Use strong evidence To support your points, use solid evidence. This could be statistics, research findings, or relevant quotes from experts.
- Use active voice Active voice makes writing direct and dynamic. It puts the subject of the sentence in the driver's seat, leading the action.
- Avoid first-person pronouns To maintain a formal, academic tone, try to avoid first-person pronouns (I, me, my, we, our). First-person pronouns are acceptable only when writing a narrative essay , personal statement or college application essay .
Final Thoughts on How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay
Writing a five-paragraph essay may seem challenging at first, but with practice and determination it can become a piece of cake. Don’t forget to use your secret power – an outline, so that you have a clear idea of what points to cover in each paragraph. Make sure that you stick to the right format and cite your sources consistently. With these tips and 5 paragraph essay examples, you will be able to write an effective piece.
If any questions pop out, do not hesitate to leave the comments below or contact our professional writing service for expert assistance with your “ write an essay for me ” challenge.
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A staggering report by the World Health Organization reveals that poor diet contributes to more disease than physical inactivity, alcohol, and smoking combined. In our fast-paced world, convenience often trumps health when it comes to food choices. With an alarming rise in obesity and diet-related illnesses, a closer look at our eating habits is more critical than ever. For this reason, adopting a healthy diet is essential for individual health, disease prevention, and overall wellbeing.
Regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
First and foremost, a healthy diet plays a pivotal role in maintaining individual health and vitality. A balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, provides the essential nutrients our bodies need to function effectively. A research study by the American Heart Association found that individuals who adhered to a healthy eating pattern had a 25% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This data emphasizes that a proper diet is not just about staying in shape. It directly affects critical health outcomes, impacting our susceptibility to serious health conditions like heart disease. While the implications of diet on personal health are substantial, the preventative power of healthy eating against disease is equally noteworthy, as we shall explore next.
As was outlined in this essay, a balanced diet isn't just a lifestyle choice, but an essential tool for maintaining individual health, preventing disease, and promoting overall wellbeing. Healthy eating directly affects our personal health, its power in disease prevention, and how it contributes to a sense of wellness. What we consume profoundly impacts our lives. Therefore, a commitment to healthy eating isn't merely an act of self-care; it's a potent declaration of respect for the life we've been given.
FAQ About Five-Paragraph Essays
1. how long is a 5-paragraph essay.
A five-paragraph essay typically ranges from 300 to 500 words, depending on the topic and type of paper. It's important to consider the length of your essay when determining how much information you want to include in each paragraph. For shorter essays, it is best to stick to one main point per paragraph so that your essay remains concise and focused.
2. What is a 5-paragraph format?
The five-paragraph essay format is a classic structure used to organize essays and persuasive pieces. It consists of an introduction (which includes your thesis statement), 3 body paragraphs that explain each point, and a conclusion which sums up your fundamental ideas. Each paragraph should feature one main aspect, with supporting evidence discovered during research.
3. How to start a 5-paragraph essay?
The best way to start a five-paragraph essay is by writing an engaging introduction that contains your thesis statement. Your first paragraph should provide readers with some context as well as introduce your main argument. Make sure to cover at least 2 or 3 points in your thesis statement so that you have something to elaborate on further in your text.
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5th grade writing doesn’t have to be a struggle! This blog post will provide all of my best tips and ideas for teaching your fifth graders to succeed as writers.
I’ve had classes where writing was a struggle allll yearrrr longggg. I’ve also had classes where I’d swear my students were one step away from writing professionally.
Your groups will never be the same and that’s ok. Just roll with it!
Take heart in the fact that when students leave your class at the end of the year, they will be MUCH better writers than when they entered in the fall.
No matter how good (or bad) my students are at writing when 5th grade begins, we always start at the very beginning and work on writing strong sentences.
This post will give you a step-by-step breakdown of how I help my students move from dull to dazzling sentences: How to Help Your Students Write Better Sentences
Once they’ve got the hang of writing an excellent sentence, then we move on. Your class may move slowly or quickly but be sure to watch their writing closely for clues that you may need to slow down.
You need to know where you’re going to know how you should plan the journey. So, the next section lays out my end-of-the-year goals for my 5th grade writers. Everything I do all year leads to the completion of these goals.
My end-of-the-year goals for my 5th grade writers….
By the time my students walk out of my classroom for the last time…
1. I want them to be able to efficiently organize their ideas and plan/write a five paragraph essay.
2. I want my students to be able to construct narrative, informative, and opinion essays.
3. I want my students to be able to choose appropriate sources and write a simple research report.
4. I want my students to be able to closely read two paired passages and write an essay in response to a prompt.
If you’re looking for a hyperlinked pdf version of my pacing and sequence for 5th grade writing, click the link below to have it sent to your email address. As a bonus, you’ll become a member of my weekly VIP email club just for upper elementary teachers. 🙂
Obtain a Writing Sample!
Give students a simple prompt and ask for a response in a paragraph or two. Emphasize to students that you are not grading writing samples for grammar, spelling, or structure. You are interested in the quality of their ideas.
This writing sample will be valuable as the year goes on. Your students will improve so much that their first samples will (hopefully) be pathetic compared to their new, improved writing pieces.
I usually whip out their first samples after we’ve written a few five paragraph essays. Students feel inspired to keep growing their writing skills when they see how far they’ve come in just a few months.
Example Writing Sample Prompts:
- Describe a talent or characteristic that makes you unique and different.
- Tell about a time when you set a goal for yourself and reached that goal.
- Pretend you live in a society where children are required to choose their future career paths in the 5th grade. What path would you choose? Explain.
Create Writing Reference Notebooks with students!
I’ll admit it – I’m a little obsessed with writing reference notebooks. We use composition notebooks to create these amazing sources of knowledge and we use them all year long.
So, where do we start with creating writing reference notebooks?
The beginning section of students’ notebooks hold reference materials. I want students to have plenty of resources at their fingertips to improve their sentence writing, including alternatives for overused words and my specialty, sparkle words. Sparkle words are words that are just a little bit special and make my students’ writing shine, like scandalous, embrace, and intriguing.
Other ways that my students use their writing reference notebooks:
- Writing journal entries
- Creating a personal thesaurus
- Writing topics & ideas list
- Taking notes on writing skills lessons
- Writing first drafts of longer assignments
This resource will give you an idea of the printable pages that I use for students’ notebooks: Writing Interactive Notebook – Reference Pages
Do I take grades on students’ writing reference notebooks? Not really. I want these notebooks to be a safe space for students to jot ideas and take risks with their first drafts. I do sometimes take a participation grade on their notebooks. This encourages students to keep their notebooks organized and up to date.
Start with sentences!
When teaching 5th grade, you can expect students to start the year writing complete sentences, right?! No, sorry. Whether it’s the long break or maybe your students’ 4th grade teachers never required a lick of writing, your 5th graders will often begin the year with less-than-stellar sentences.
So, I just plan to start with sentences first every year. We work on building and expanding sentences for about two weeks. Yes, two weeks probably seems like a really long time, but spectacular sentences are the foundation for creating great writers.
To improve my students’ sentences, I take the basic, simple sentences that students write and we work on adding more specific details and interest. First, I give students a list of five nouns and ask them to write one sentence using each noun.
I usually get sentences similar to these:
- Pie is my favorite dessert.
- My dad’s car is red.
- I wear my jacket when it is cold.
- This school is a nice place to learn.
- The tree is tall.
This is where I want students to get in their sentence-writing before moving on:
- Pecan, cherry, apple, or pumpkin… any type of pie is delicious!
- My dad spends his Saturdays washing and shining up his candy apple red Jeep.
- A puffy, hooded jacket is the first thing I reach for on chilly mornings.
- My school, North Hills Elementary, has the best teachers and students.
- The tall Redwood tree in my front yard is a welcome sight to visitors and makes my house look spectacular.
My students write every single day!
I vividly remember being in 5th grade myself and writing long papers on the most boring topics ever, like “The Science of Light” and “The History of Mapmaking.” Snooze fest! I vowed to never do that to my students. Instead, I took a different route.
Students absolutely need to learn to write full reports and five paragraph essays, but they don’t need to do this every week. They do, however, need to continually practice writing. I find that if I make writing assignments engaging, my students don’t complain and actually seem to enjoy writing.
I assign Weekly Writing Choice Boards . This writing has made all the difference in my classroom! Students are now excited about writing class. They see writing as a treat and a fun way to express their thoughts and opinions.
I hand out a new choice board every week and students must complete three assignments from the board. I don’t grade these on perfect grammar, spelling, or punctuation, instead I look for ideas and effort. Even imperfect writing practice will improve your students’ writing skills tremendously!
Enter your first name and email address below for a free set of 6 Weekly Writing Choice Boards! The pdf file will be sent directly to your inbox. As a bonus, you’ll become a member of my weekly VIP email club just for upper elementary teachers. 🙂
If you teach social studies in addition to writing, this blog post will give you a bunch of engaging social studies journal entries that will help you tie social studies into your writing instruction.
Train students in proofreading and editing!
Student need to practice proofreading and editing their writing (and the writing of other students) near the beginning of the school year.
Repeatedly practicing the steps of the proofreading/editing process will help your students to internalize this procedure. You’ll find that they will start to catch their mistakes earlier and more independently.
I find it valuable to establish and consistently use a common “proofreading language” in my classroom. It takes a little time up front to teach students the markings and their meanings but having a common system for proofreading will save loads of time throughout the school year.
This resource will give you an idea of the proofreading marks and practice that I use in my classroom: Proofreading and Editing Activity Pack
Asking your students to proofread and edit their own writing is a must but it’s also a good thing to have students pair up and look over a partner’s writing also. Your students will receive valuable feedback on their writing, editing ideas, and they’ll get to see some writing styles that are a little different from their own.
Teach five paragraph essays one piece at a time!
Simple Paragraphs
Once my students are stellar sentence writers, we move to simple paragraphs. The simple paragraphs that I use with students consist of a topic sentence, three detail sentences, and a closing sentence.
Starting with simple paragraphs is much less threatening than jumping straight into five paragraph essays, so I find that spending some time helping students write excellent simple paragraphs is the perfect bridge into essays.
Additionally, we color-code our simple paragraphs. This allows students to think critically about what sentence types they have written and provides a visual for students (and for me) to see that all required parts of the paragraph are included.
The color-code I use with students:
- Topic sentence – green
- 3 detail sentences – yellow
- Closing sentence – red
Planning and Writing Body Paragraphs
Once students are able to write great simple paragraphs, we dive into the planning and writing of body paragraphs.
This isn’t too much of a jump for students because the body paragraphs are structured similarly to the simple paragraphs that we have practiced over and over. The only difference is that they are using one prompt to write three body paragraphs.
Many teachers think they have to start with the first paragraph of the essay, the introduction paragraph. This isn’t what I recommend. Starting by teaching students to write the three body paragraphs helps to steer the rest of the essay.
Adding an Introduction Paragraph
Now that students are able to write their three body paragraphs, it’s time to add the introduction paragraph.
The introduction paragraph contains a hook, commentary, and a thesis sentence.
The hook is a sentence (or two) that “hooks” readers and builds interest in the upcoming essay. I teach my students several types of hooks, including quotes, questions, bold statements, or sharing a memory.
After the hook, I ask students to write a sentence or two of commentary on the hook or on the prompt in general. This helps to “bulk up” their introduction paragraph a bit and make it more interesting.
The final part of the introduction paragraph is the thesis sentence. Because students already learned to write the body paragraphs, crafting a thesis sentence is so much easier.
The formula for writing a thesis sentence: Restate the prompt briefly + detail 1 + detail 2 + detail 3.
Additionally, I teach transition teams at this point. Students need to use a transition word or phrase at the beginning of each body paragraph, so that’s where transition teams come in. Transition teams are sets of three transition words or phrases that work well together.
Examples of transition teams:
- First, Second, Finally
- To begin, To continue, To end
- One reason, Another reason, A final reason
Adding a Conclusion Paragraph
When conclusion paragraph day finally arrives, my students are so excited because they can finally write an entire five paragraph essay.
In my opinion, conclusion paragraphs are super easy to teach because they only have two parts. Here’s the conclusion paragraph formula: Write the thesis sentence in a different way + add a closing thought.
I allow students to be creative with their closing thoughts. I tell them that this is the final thought that your readers will take with them, so it needs to relate well to your entire essay while being engaging and thought-provoking for readers. Some examples of closing thoughts are calls to action, quotes, personal opinions, and brief personal experiences.
Teach, Discuss, & Practice with Rubrics
I inform my students that from this point on in their school journey, they will be graded with rubrics fairly often, so this is a good time to learn about rubrics and become familiar with them.
I create or find five paragraph essay samples that are good, bad, and in-between. We read and examine the samples as a class and circle the applicable parts of the rubric. If students are able to grade a few assignments using a rubric, it’s not this unknown, scary thing anymore.
Are you grading every single word and making a million corrections on students’ essays? I give you permission to stop doing that! 🙂
You are going to burn yourself out and get to where you hate grading and teaching writing. To be honest, your students will not become better writers when their papers are marked all over with suggestions in the margins.
Help! I need more support…
Please visit the following blog post for in-depth explanations and examples of my five paragraph essay teaching and grading process:
Tips for Teaching and Grading Five Paragraph Essays
This resource will provide you with a full, scaffolded unit that will help you to teach the five paragraph essay process to students! Five Paragraph Essay Instructional Unit
Narrative, Informative, and Opinion Essays
As much as we’d like to just have our students write simple, straightforward five paragraph essays all year, that’s just not feasible.
But I promise, once your students can crank out those five paragraph essays on simple topics, moving to other modes of writing is no sweat!
In my classroom, we spend time learning to write opinion essays, narrative essays, and informative essays.
I start with opinion writing because my students have a lot of opinions, haha! We channel those opinions into five paragraph essay format. 🙂
Research Reports
The skills involved in writing a research report are valuable for 5th graders. They need to be able to judge the reliability of a source and cite their sources properly.
Research reports also teach students to organize their ideas, take notes, make an outline, write a draft, and create a final report.
I’d like to point you to the following blog post where I detailed my entire process for teaching research reports.
The Step-By-Step Guide to Teaching Research Reports
Paired Passages
5th graders are too young to compare two passages and write a response. Right?!
No, this is not true at all. I think that reading paired passages and using them to craft a written response is a valuable skill for 5th graders.
Steps to analyzing paired passages and writing an essay to answer a prompt:
First, dissect the prompt.
Second, closely read the paired texts.
Third, organize thoughts using the prompt.
The following blog post explains my paired passage writing steps in detail. Take a moment to check it out. You’ll be glad you did!
How to Teach Writing Using Paired Passages
My Sequence & Pacing for Teaching 5th Grade Writing
Don’t stress! This sequence and pacing guide is hyperlinked and ready to be sent to your email address. Go to the bottom of this blog post to request the guide.
1st Month of School
We start school in the middle of the month, so I only have two weeks to teach during the first month of school.
This is the rundown for the remainder of the month:
Month 1, Week 3
The first week of the school year is all about teaching and practicing procedures. Teach it right or teach it all year! 🙂
Classroom Procedures – I recommend you check out this blog post: 5 Tips for Establishing Procedures in the Upper Elementary Classroom
Welcome Activities – Welcome to 5th Grade: First Week of School Activities
Blog Post – Back to School Writing Prompts for 5th Graders
Month 1, Week 4
During this week, I review and continue practicing procedures with students but we do go ahead and start working on writing.
I establish my expectations and procedures for my students’ Weekly Writing Choice Boards.
We set up writing notebooks together, including the table of contents, cover page, and an About the Author page.
Obtain a writing sample
We start working on improving sentences.
2nd Month of School
Month 2, Week 1
We continue working on improving sentences.
Start proofreading/editing instruction and practice.
Month 2 , Week 2
Review the process for writing excellent sentences.
Finish proofreading/editing instruction and practice.
Month 2, Weeks 3-4
Writing simple paragraphs (include color-code)
3rd Month of School
Month 3, Weeks 1-2
Planning & writing body paragraphs (include color-code)
Month 3, Weeks 3-4
Teach introduction paragraphs
Writing introduction plus body paragraphs (include color code)
Transition teams
4th Month of School
Month 4, Weeks 1-2
Teach students how to write conclusion paragraphs.
Students will write their first full five paragraph essays this week.
Month 4, Weeks 3-4
Write 5 paragraph essays with a variety of basic prompts.
Have students proofread/edit other students’ essays.
Provide mini-lessons on grammar structure or other issues you are noticing in students’ writing.
5th Month of School
This is where our winter break falls, so I only have two weeks to teach this month.
This is a great time to review what we’ve been working on all year and assign some fun journal prompts.
Also, writing mini-lessons are good fillers for this time.
This Winter Writing Project is a student favorite right before winter break!
6th Month of School
Month 6, Week 1
When we come back from winter break, I like to teach the research report process. I spend a week teaching the process and giving students time to research while I’m there to help.
Month 6, Week 2
Student complete their research reports, including outlines, citing sources, and etc.
I ask my students to do super quick presentations on their research topics. It’s 1-2 minutes max. I don’t want them to read their reports aloud because that’s boring. Instead, I want them to quickly highlight what they learned about their topics and what was fascinating to them.
Month 6, Week 3
We review the five paragraph essay process and write/proofread/edit an essay with a simple prompt.
Month 6, Week 4
I start opinion writing this week. You’ll find that students will slide into opinion writing easily because they already know five paragraph essay structure.
7th Month of School
Month 7, Week 1
Continue working on opinion writing. By the end of this week, students should be able to write an opinion essay using a prompt.
Month 7, Weeks 2-3
We spend two weeks on narrative writing. By the end of the second week, students should be able to write a narrative essay using a prompt.
Month 7, Week 4
This week, I teach the process of writing an informative essay.
8th Month of School
Month 8, Week 1
Continue working on informative essays. Students should be able to write an informative essay using a prompt by the end of this week.
Month 8, Weeks 2-3
Teach students how to write an essay using paired passages.
For more information on how I teach the steps above, visit this blog post: How to Teach Writing Using Paired Passages
Month 8, Week 4
Now that students know the process of using paired passages, I provide a set of paired passages and ask students to answer prompts in a variety of genres, like opinion, narrative, informative, poetry, and etc.
This resource makes it easy:
Paired Passages with Writing Prompts and Activities Bundle
9th Month of School
Month 9, Week 1
Continue working on using paired passages to write in a variety of genres.
Talk about last minute standardized testing tips to help students with their writing tests.
The rest of the month is taken up with standardized testing, so I do a lot of review activities, free writing, and etc.
I do have a set of suspense stories that my students love to write during this month. Check them out here: Suspense Stories Bundle
10th Month of School
During this month, we are wrapping up the year. Students participate in multiple activities and field trips, so there’s not much teaching time.
If you are still feeling overwhelmed, don’t dismay. Instructing young, inexperienced writers is a challenge. Just work on one step at a time to avoid overwhelming yourself and your students. Once you’ve taught writing for a year or two, you’ll feel like an old pro. Promise!
If you’d like to keep this blog post for later, simply save this pin to your teacher Pinterest board!
Are you that teacher saying, “oh my goodness, please just give me the print ‘n go pages so that i can start teaching writing tomorrow” it’s all here for you:.
I’m not a teacher, perhaps in my heart I am. I am an older Mom who adopted late in life as God gave us our newborn in our 50’s! By His grace, we are healthy, fit, youngish 50’s LOL! I love your stuff and have always supplemented Fi’s education., for I find the California standards quite low. Now that I have her in a college-prep school (5th Grade) I find she is much more prepared because of your wisdom! Thank you. Sophia Joy is someone who has always had to work hard at school, but it is paying off! Thank you and God bless you richly for being so generous with your wisdom,it will all come back to you 100-fold! Sincerely, Susan, Sophia Joy’s Mom
Thank you so much, Susan! You certainly have a heartwarming story with your precious girl 🙂
Hello When you do the back to school journal prompts, where do you have students complete these? On single paper, google classroom?
Hi Sarah! Usually, I have students complete the prompts in their social studies interactive notebooks. This year, however, we were virtual at the beginning of the year, so I had students type their entries onto Google Docs.
Hi! I am a new 5th grade teacher, and I’m wondering if your school uses a particular writing curriculum? Your website has been so helpful – thank you!!
Hi Jenny! We don’t use a particular writing curriculum at my school. I use my own resources to teach writing. Please reach out to me at [email protected] if I can help or answer any questions for you 🙂
Do you have any resources in Spanish?
Hi Danielle! The only resources I have in Spanish are my Parent’s Guide to Reading resources, grades K-5.
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Help your 5th Grader Write a Great Essay
Writing essays can be a daunting task for students. 5th-grade students have a strong foundation of writing skills to help them construct body paragraphs and express their ideas using complex sentences. Still, they may need an extra push to write confidently and expressively.
The most challenging task when writing an essay is starting the writing process and learning to be confident.
Helping students tackle the task and build their confidence in writing multiple types of essays such as a persuasive essay, an informational essay, or even a narrative essay such as short stories takes a lot of practice, focus, and support from instructors and parents.
Learning to Express Ideas
Pre-writing is a crucial step in the writing process. Fifth graders should be in a place in their writing journey where they can perfect all the pre-writing strategies before they even write a word of an essay.
This will set them up to successfully construct excellent five-paragraph essays consistently.
When your child sits down to write a five body paragraph essay, the very first thing they should do is read the prompt. Understanding what the prompt is asking for is the first step in being proactive about writing an excellent essay.
You want them to ponder these questions: am I writing a persuasive essay? Am I writing an essay on a topic requiring me to do my research? Will I need to list evidence? Am I writing a narrative story that requires figurative language?
How to Successfully Brainstorm An Essay
One excellent way to get the brainstorm rolling is to have your fifth-grade student utilize a graphic organizer such as a cluster map as a way to write down all the related words or small phrases they can think of about the prompt.
The organizer will help get their creative minds rolling until they write something they are interested in or perhaps even excited about exploring further.
Brainstorming is a crucial component of teaching writing. This first step should be the most relaxed, no-pressure section for the student.
As a fifth-grader, your child will have a good idea of how to brainstorm different ideas on paper, but an essential part will be to organize these ideas into something of an outline.
Through brainstorming, students learn to think creatively to answer the prompt. Sometimes logical thinking is also required. For example, with a persuasive essay, students must brainstorm their arguments and develop reasons or evidence to back up their claims.
Supporting this step will allow students to perfect the details of the content they’re writing about and give them the main idea for their entire essay.
How to Turn a Brainstorm into an Outline
Encouraging your fifth grader to write a quick outline in a way that’s organized according to the five-paragraph essay format will give them a solid foundation to write their first rough draft.
These pre-writing skills are crucial in turning students from simple sentence writers into detailed five-paragraph essay writers.
Five-paragraph essays are the standard way to construct an essay, including writing an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Using this format, your fifth grader should write a short and straightforward outline that showcases every paragraph’s main ideas and contents in logical order.
Instead of freewriting the essay off the top of their head, an outline in the five-paragraph essay format will help your fifth grader have a guide to help them construct the first draft of their essay and flesh out ideas when they write body paragraphs.
Constructing a 5 Paragraph Essay
Read below for a brief five-paragraph essay instructional unit to help you guide your child in writing an exceptional essay.
1) How To Write An Introduction
In the five-paragraph essay format, the introduction is vital in grabbing the reader’s attention and holding it throughout the essay.
When teaching writing, the introduction is explained as the initial place to set up the topic of the essay. It usually requires a direct address of the contents to follow in the form of a thesis.
A thesis statement is a sentence in the introduction that directly answers the prompt and has reasons and evidence for the writer’s claim. It’s like a short preview of what the students will write about in their body paragraphs.
Furthermore, students write the thesis at the end of the introduction paragraph and ensure it follows a specific sentence structure to make it stand out as the most critical part of the intro.
2) How To Write Body Paragraphs
An excellent way to help students be confident in their work is to help them build clear strategies or steps to tackle daunting parts of an essay, such as a body paragraph.
Acronyms are one good way to remember all the steps of constructing a remarkable body paragraph. For example, TEEA is a wonderful acronym to get your fifth grader started on the task.
TEEA stands for:
T: Topic Sentence
The topic sentence is the very first sentence of a body paragraph. It explains what your section is about and its main idea. Ideally, this should be one sentence long and directly explain the topic at hand.
For the second section, you will want your fifth grader to answer the following question: WHY are you talking about this topic or idea? Why is this important? This should be about 2 or 3 sentences long because you will want your child to use lots of details to support the idea in the topic sentence.
E: Example
In the third section, the student should prove what they explained about their topic by giving a solid, real-life example. This can be 2-3 sentences. The key here is to make the example applicable to the topic and explanation.
A: Analysis
Lastly, the analysis explains how the example supports your topic. This will probably be 1 or 2 sentences.
The analysis is the most tricky part of a body paragraph. The best way to get your child to think about this is to emphasize the how question. How does your example prove you are right? How does the example relate to the topic?
Using TEEA, your child will be able to construct a clear and strong body paragraph for almost any prompt or topic.
3) How to Write A Conclusion
Lastly, to conclude an essay, students must think about what idea they want the reader to leave with after reading their essay.
To start, students can use their introductory paragraph as a guide. They should restate their essay topic or thesis differently.
Next, students should summarize the main points made in the body paragraphs.
After this step, students can play the “so what?” game. Have your fifth grader think about what they’ve written in the conclusion, then answer the question, “so what?” Why is this important? Why should anybody care?
The very last sentence of the conclusion is a fantastic place to answer the “so what” question and leave the readers with a good impression or the desire for more information.
Using this instructional guide, with practice, your 5th grader will be able to construct logically sound and impeccably organized essays in no time.
The Reading Ranch Method
Struggling writers can experience various difficulties in any step of the writing process. The Reading Ranch Intervention Program is a research-based program to help students strengthen their writing skills in an interactive and dynamic environment. Our curriculum prides itself on being an interactive writing curriculum proven through various studies to immensely help struggling writers. Contact us today if you’re looking for help with your child who struggles in school and at home because they are stuck when they write and unable to keep up with their peers. We offer either online or in-person programs we feel confident we have something just right for every family.
Kiran Gokal is a freelance writer, teacher, and lover of the written word specializing in content articles, blog posts, and marketing copywriting. For the past three years, she’s been teaching bright young students all about reading and writing at The Reading Ranch®, while also lending her writing skills to different businesses and non-profits in the education sector.
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The Best Paragraph Writing Worksheets for 5th Grade
When our students reach fifth grade, it’s a really pivotal time in their writing journey. At this stage of school, we introduce them to the four primary writing styles. Our goal is to help them grasp the differences and patterns within each form of writing.
These four common forms of writing taught in 5th grade are: expository, narrative, persuasive, and descriptive.
But what happens if you have 5th grade students still struggling to understand and write the parts of a paragraph?
That’s where we come in! We have some awesome 5th grade writing worksheets to share with you that literally have everything you need to help your students understand the parts of a paragraph.
We even included a FREE writing checklist, graphic organizers, and writing paper for you!
5th Grade Writing Expectations
By 5th grade, students should be able to write a really descriptive paragraph. What we typically see is that this is the grade in which the strong writers emerge with tons of creative thinking and wonderful ideas for their writing and this is where the weaker writers will really struggle because of all the writing expectations of upper elementary as they prepare for middle school.
Sometimes we need to use some writing resources to help supplement the curriculum to meet the needs of our writers who need extra help.
Enter the perfect resource below…
5th Grade Writing Worksheets for Paragraph Writing
In order to help upper elementary students write an amazing paragraph, we created a special paragraph writing resource that has everything you need to help students in upper elementary understand how to write a great paragraph.
You can stop stressing over lessons for your struggling writers and help guide them in an effective way with the Paragraph Writing Differentiated Bundle!
Using the activities in this bundle will help keep students engaged and provide true clarity on the essentials of writing a paragraph. It’s full of differentiation and interactive activities for your 5th graders.
We are talking checklists, review sheets, leveled topics and activities, graphic organizers, high-interest texts, reference sheets, anchor charts, teaching posters, complete answer keys and more!
This resource is explicitly broken up into teaching the foundation parts of a paragraph:
- topic sentence
- supporting details
- concluding sentence
- transition words
After using this resource, your students will be experts at identifying and understanding the parts of a paragraph with less support from you!
How to Use the 5th Grade Writing Worksheets for Paragraphs
We recommend using the worksheets and teaching lessons in a variety of ways, depending on your student’s needs. These writing worksheets can be used for individual, small group, or whole group instruction.
They are differentiated to easily meet the needs of your students’ different writing abilities and are available to use digitally on the Smartboard through Google Slides or you can print if you want.
They are perfect for the general education classroom, special education classroom, speech and language and ESL learners. This Paragraph Writing Bundle is also perfect for students in 3rd-6th grade.
FREE 5th Grade Paragraph Writing Worksheets
Use this Paragraph Writing Freebie to have students check their writing for the important parts.
The FREE checklist has students make sure that their paragraph includes a topic sentence , 3 supporting details , and a concluding sentence .
We suggest you laminate these or throw them in a page protector and have 5th graders keep them at their desk for the year to re-use over and over again.
This FREEBIE for 5th grade writing also comes with differentiated options for a graphic organizer. We like to teach students that writing a paragraph is much like building a cheeseburger and our free graphic organizer is a great visual example of that:
Last but note least, this 5th grade writing freebie comes with writing paper for your students to use and write their rough draft on!
More Resources for Paragraph Writing in 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade:
Remember, patience and consistent encouragement can work wonders with fifth graders who struggle with paragraph writing. Keep providing examples, practice opportunities and supportive feedback to help them gain confidence and improve their skills over time.
Every step forward counts!
Check out some other paragraph writing resources you might like:
- Free Video for Kids on How to Write a Paragraph
- Teaching Supporting Details in 5 Easy Steps
- 3 Steps for Teaching Topic Sentence
Excuse our digital dust! We’re busy renovating this website to make it even more fabulous. Stay tuned!
- Read more about: Paragraph Writing , Writing
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How to Write A 5th Grade Level Essay
There are four basic types of prompts for fifth grade students: narrative, persuasive, expository, and creative writing.
Narrative Essay
A narrative essay requires them to tell a story, real or imagined, using descriptive writing to reflect on their experiences, explain them logically, and draw conclusions from them. The writing prompt will be something like this: Think about a time you did something that made you feel guilty. Describe what happened.
To answer this, your child will have to tell the story of a time they did something wrong and what the consequences were. They will likely make use of the “five senses” and discuss how they felt moment-to-moment as they describe the events. Dialogue is an important part of this, too; they may describe the conversation they had with their teacher or with you, confessing what they did and apologizing.
Persuasive Essay
A persuasive essay is written to convince another person to agree with the writer or take action. The prompt will look something like this: What is your least-favorite food at the school cafeteria? Give three compelling reasons why your school should quit serving it. To answer this, your child needs to make sure to have three logical and persuasive reasons for why whatever food they choose is bad.
For example, they may hate the green beans they are given. The reasons they give don’t have to be particularly nuanced, but should still be realistic and logical. Their reasons may be that they are canned and therefore aren’t as nutritious as fresh, they are overcooked, and they make everyone’s breath smell bad. Their essay should also make a case for a replacement or better idea, such as serving fresh green beans or different vegetable options.
Expository Essay
An expository essay requires your child to explain something, like a how-to guide or providing facts about a topic. This essay prompt will look something like this: Your favorite book was made into a movie. Compare and contrast the film and book versions. To answer this, your child will need to point out the differences and similarities between the two works.
For example, the movie may have cut out a lot of scenes from the book or added new ones. Characters may dress differently or say different dialogue in the movie, or they may be perfect representations of how they look in the book. There shouldn’t be a list of similarities and differences; instead, your child should organize these comparisons in paragraphs that have a logical flow. For example, they may start by going through differences in the events of the two works and how the movie improves on certain plots, then discuss character differences and how they are better in the book, and finish with their ideas about which version tells the story better.
Creative Writing
Creative writing has your child use their story-telling skills while also practicing vital writing skills such as sequence and description. A creative writing prompt can look something like this: Write a story from your pet’s point of view. A creative writing prompt requires your child to consider things from a different perspective, and they may even write a poem or song instead of an essay, depending on their assignment.
To answer this prompt, they will need to consider what the world looks, sounds, and feels like from a very different view. It doesn’t have to be a perfect narrative, it can be the pet’s ideas and feelings about their life and how they feel about your child. Creative writing prompts are an opportunity for your child to stretch their imagination and try out different things in their writing.
If your child is having a hard time with these prompts, a way to help is to enroll them in Reading Genie. The program is designed to give your child practice writing while engaging them in fun topics and ideas. The teachers at Reading Genie give helpful and kind advice, and your child will have opportunities to get feedback from their peers to build their confidence.
You can also practice writing prompts with your child at home; they can be a lot of fun! Even if you don’t end up writing anything, discussing ideas with your child and how to approach certain prompts and questions can help get their minds active.
Genie Academy offers a range of after-school programs focused on enhancing skills in mathematics, literacy, composition, and coding. These educational services are available at various sites across New Jersey, such as Plainsboro , and are designed to cater to the learning needs of children from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade.
Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/fifth-grade-writing-prompts-4171627
Topics: Essay , Writing Skills , Fifth Grade , paragraph writing , Writing Prompt
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How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay: Outline, Examples, & Writing Steps
If you wish a skill that would be helpful not just for middle school or high school, but also for college and university, it would be the skill of a five-paragraph essay. Despite its simple format, many students struggle with such assignments.
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A 5-paragraph essay structure consists of an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. It is one of the fundamental techniques for primary English education. It is also used to test the level of knowledge in almost any humanities subject.
- 👣 7 Writing Steps
- 📝 Essay Examples
🔗 References
📑 5-paragraph essay outline.
This genre is probably the most structured type of writing. It starts from a broad explanation and definitions, continues with narrow argumentation, and finishes with another broad generalization. The Hamburger Format can help you memorize the step-by-step essay structure .
Top Bun: Five-Paragraph Essay Introduction
The first sentence is usually a hook . It may be a rhetorical question, a stunning fact, or an example from real life. Its purpose is to make the reader interested in what’s going to come next.
It is hard to recollect that some 20 years ago, cell phones used to be a luxury.
Then you are supposed to provide a “ trailer for the movie :” hint what you are going to talk about, without revealing the plot. Two or three sentences will suffice.
Secondary school teachers can tell the children to put away their gadgets, but this practice becomes hardly possible at college, where adult people are taught.
The last sentence of an introduction is a thesis . It introduces your message to the reader and is usually arguable.
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This essay explores why it is morally permissible to introduce cell phone control at colleges and what results it may entail.
5-Paragraph Essay Body
Lettuce: paragraph #1.
- The first paragraph should provide the most prominent and substantial argument .
- Start each paragraph with a topic sentence . It links your ideas to the thesis statement. If at some point, you realize that there is a discrepancy between your topic sentences and the thesis, you should update the latter.
- Then comes the evidence or explanation . Avoid generalizations here. Defend your argument in the most concise manner. If any words could be left out, they should be deleted.
- Finish each paragraph with an analysis : how does it refer to your thesis?
Tomato: Paragraph #2
The second and third paragraphs follow the same structure. Your “tomato” argument is the weakest and less evident than the first one.
Burger: Paragraph #3
Dedicate the last paragraph to the most persuasive claim. In an argumentative essay, the third paragraph dwells upon the opposing opinion, substantiating its wrongness.
Bottom Bun: Five-Paragraph Essay Conclusion
A conclusion intends to summarize the main body paragraphs and restate the thesis in different words. The last sentence of your conclusion should indicate that the text is over.
Having considered everything mentioned above, it shall be stated that the use of telephones ruins the learning process and should be controlled.
5-Paragraph Essay: Outline Template
To simplify the outline above, feel free to use the following 5-paragraph essay template. It will do for any essay length.
- “movie trailer”
- thesis statement
- topic sentence
- allusion to thesis
- overall concluding sentence
How Many Words Is a 5-Paragraph Essay?
A typical five-paragraph essay is 500 to 1000 words long . However, for easy writing, the average of 250 to 500 words is admissible. This word count should be distributed among the introduction, three body paragraphs (each consisting of a topic sentence and at least three evidence sentences), and the conclusion.
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👣 How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay: 7 Steps
Step 1. choose your 5-paragraph essay topic.
As a rule, the teacher provides the topic or at least the scope of topics in the assignment. However, it may happen that you will have to come up with your own theme. To avoid changing the title in the course of writing and starting the whole work from the beginning, make sure you observe the following rules:
- Avoid overused subjects if you don’t want half of your classmates to have similar essays.
- Try to find a narrow topic that suggests an argument.
- The best topic is the one that you would argue with your friend for hours . If you feel excited thinking about it, your readers will enjoy learning about your opinion.
Step 2. Create Your Thesis Statement
Simply put, the thesis statement is the point of your essay. A well-developed thesis statement is a one- or two-sentence summary of what your essay shows and how it shows it. In other words, it should outline the points that will be made in your body and indicate the conclusion made from those points.
A thesis statement is the centerpiece of your essay. And this is why writing a thesis statement should happen first . It shouldn’t be the first sentence of your essay, but it must be in your introduction. Ideally, the thesis statement should be tucked into the middle or end of the first paragraph while writing essay introductions.
Here are a few thesis statement examples to make sure you understand the idea:
Thesis Statement Example #1
“There are many organic foods available today, but the vast majority of conventional foods can be eaten without any concern about the consumption of toxic pesticides. This is because many foods are not grown with pesticides, while thick peels cover the edible parts of other crops, and some agricultural foods are grown with nontoxic pesticides.”
Thesis Statement Example #2
“Detroit did not become the automotive capital of the United States overnight. Rather, automotive manufacturing became established in Detroit because of its position in proximity to raw materials like steel, navigable waterways, and the efforts of local entrepreneurs.”
Thesis Statement Example #3
“Three key design elements that defined the Art Deco movement were bold geometric shapes, rich colors, and luxurious ornamentation.”
Notice the similarities shared by these thesis statements. They each list three points that will be elaborated on in the body. Five paragraph essays rely upon this magic number of 3 points, which is discussed next. And you can also imagine the essay that each of these statements belongs to.
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Step 3. Structure Your 5-Paragraph Essay
Five paragraph essays require a very special sort of discipline. In this case, you only have five paragraphs to work with, so there is only one structure that makes sense: one introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and one conclusion paragraph. Above there is detailed information about the five-paragraph essay outline. In the next few paragraphs, its part’s goals and the ideas they should convey are described in more detail.
Step 4. Write Your 5-Paragraph Essay Introduction
The purpose of an introduction is to demonstrate the focus of the essay. An introduction should provide enough information to orient the reader to the essay subject, state the thesis statement, and roughly outline the body’s content.
- When you are writing an introduction, you first need to grab the attention of the reader . Your introduction’s first sentence should be a bold statement, a striking fact, or a provocative question. The trick here is to use something memorable. This is one reason many essays begin with a famous quote.
- After you have the attention of the reader, give a little more background about your essay topic.
- Then use your thesis statement to indicate what your essay is about clearly.
- After this, you should conclude your introduction with a quick summary of the points you will be making in the body.
Step 5. Write Your 5-Paragraph Essay Body
The purpose of a body is to explain the content of an essay. If you are writing a standard college essay, like an argumentative essay or an analytical essay, each of these paragraphs will unfold one of the points you mentioned in your introduction.
Every paragraph of the body is like a miniature essay:
- Each paragraph has a point or thesis statement
- Each paragraph starts with an introductory sentence
- Each paragraph ends with a brief conclusion
If the body paragraphs feature separate topics, sometimes they will appear disconnected to your reader. Transition sentences fix this problem. As the first or last sentence of a body paragraph, they help transition the reader from one idea to another.
There are countless ways to write transitions, but this is the easiest process. Write each of your body paragraphs as you naturally would. And then revise your text to link the ideas with transitions. One of the basic essay example thesis statements was from an essay about the automotive industry in Detroit. You could link a paragraph about access to raw materials with a paragraph about adjacency to waterways using the following transition sentences:
Transition Sentence: Example #1
“Steel was cheap because it was produced near Detroit, but this raw material was made even cheaper by the Great Lakes’ nearby waterways.”
Transition Sentence: Example #2
“Proximity to coal and iron ore was not the only advantage Detroit had in becoming the automotive capital of the 20th century.”
After you’ve written your essay, go back and check to make sure that you use a transition sentence between every paragraph. Often, you can turn the first or last sentence of a paragraph into a transition.
Step 7. Edit Your 5-Paragraph Essay
For most essays, you will have time to check your work and revise it. Though exams and tests may limit you, try to budget enough time to reread your essay. As you are doing that, here are some great questions to ask yourself. As you answer these questions about your writing , try to put yourself in the position of your reader.
The top trick for how to write a college essay is, of course, the same top trick for writing a high school essay or any other writing at all—that is, rewriting. This is the stage when good writing becomes great writing. This is your chance to fix the issues you uncovered while rereading your essay. Keep it simple. If you encounter a difficult sentence to understand or is more than two lines long, try to figure out ways to break it up. Simplifying your ideas is an essential part of the rewriting process.
📝 5-Paragraph Essay Examples
In this section, you’ll find a free 5-paragraph essay sample. It focuses on the disadvantages of home-based education. Note that the full version of the text is downloadable!
Disadvantages of Home-Based Education
Currently, education seems to be more accessible than ever before. The technological progress of the last century rendered information and learning instruments more available, facilitating alternative education types such as home-based learning. Compared to formal education, homeschooling practices seem to have a long-standing history since for a significant part of human existence knowledge and skills were transmitted directly from parents to their offspring. Although home-based education predates formal schooling, its long history should not be the reason to select this type of education since it has several downsides: effectiveness, socialization, and time and monetary resources.
5-Paragraph Essay Topics
- Cooperation of Treyarch and Pepsi’s from the virtue ethics perspective.
- Examine the situation with food packaging litter in Ireland .
- Should World Trade Organization tasks and policies be revised?
- Discuss how Codex Hammurabi helps to understand the judicial system of ancient Babylon.
- Analyze the stylistic devices Elie Wiesel uses in his novel Night .
- What can be done to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia ?
- Analyze the storming of the Bastille.
- Describe the different meanings of the term honor .
- Why the Internet is an effective instrument of advertisement.
- How artificial intelligence facilitates the accountants’ work.
- The collaboration agreement and its advantage to companies.
- Analyze the Ritz-Carlton Hotel’s company.
- Analyze the importance and methods of quantitative research .
- Why do we have to protect sharks from extinction?
- The influence of peers on behavior change of teenagers.
- The role of clothing designer in a movie production.
- Discuss college experience of a nursing student.
- How to get rid of fear of public speaking .
- Analyze the development of the U.S. household appliance stores.
- Foreign relations of Korea in the first decades of the 19th century.
- Review of the article Why the Student Loan Crisis Is Everyone’s Problem?
- Describe the main character of Sophocles’ Oedipus the King.
- The effect of cancer on the DNA replication .
- Are the anti-bullying programs really working?
- Examine the rhetorical techniques used in Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery .
- The pathogenic bacterium of streptococcus : definition, prevention, and treatment.
- Explore the task of the manager in modern empowered teams.
- Analyze the reliability of the article Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment .
- Discuss the issues and possible solutions for the gifted education program .
- The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on social media activism .
- The effectiveness of sensitivity training against workplace prejudices.
- How does a vacuum cleaner work?
- Describe the ways media can promote terrorists’ agenda .
- The role of prayers in major world’s religions.
- The defining traits of Meursault in The Stranger by Albert Camus .
- Describe the field experience at the science lesson .
- Discuss the importance of employee motivation.
- Benefit corporations as a new element of modern business.
- Role of advertisement in creating the nursing image .
- Is goal attainment theory compatible with personal nursing philosophy?
- Why it is critical to eliminate orientation-based prejudices in the workplace .
- Reasons of the failure of Superior Bank FSB.
- The crucial meaning of a qualified nurse for preservation of patient’s health.
- Compare different ideas of a good life from an ethical perspective .
- The importance of development the cybersecurity industry .
- Explore how the authors reveal the theme of true freedom in The Cask of Amontillado , Dark They Were and Golden-Eyed , and The Story of an Hour .
- Shakespeare’s sonnets from the perspective of Lynne Magnusson.
- The interpretation of healthcare in Health Care Reform and Equity by Fiscella .
- How can a leader establish a friendly and calm atmosphere in the team?
- Role of social media in promotion of positive changes in society.
✏️ 5 Paragraph Essay FAQ
A concise paper with an Introduction, 3 paragraphs in the body part, and a Conclusion, is a popular format for student essays. Each paragraph of the body should present a new idea with a couple of arguments or examples. This structure looks neat and cohesive.
A 5-paragraph essay is relatively fast and easy to write. Here are 3 simple steps you may take:
1. Create an outline with key ideas (at least 3 points for the body),
2. Write those 3 body paragraphs with examples,
3. Add an introduction and a conclusion.
The time you spend to write about 2 pages depends on multiple factors:
1. The complexity of the topic,
2. How experienced you are,
3. How serious you take the task.
In any case, 2 hours should be enough. Create an outline to save time.
The second paragraph typically opens the body part of the essay. Some ways to begin it are:
1. present the first argument;
2. provide an example (remember to explain why it is relevant);
3. write down a hypothesis.
In rare cases, the second paragraph might be an addition to the intro.
- The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay: Grace Fleming, ThoughtCo
- Ending the Essay, Conclusions: Pat Bellanca, for the Writing Center at Harvard University
- Writing Paragraphs: The Writing Centre, University of Ottawa
- Essay Introduction: OWLL, Massey University
- The Basics of Effective Essay Writing: Becton Loveless, Education Corner
- Suggestions for Proofreading Your Paper: Purdue Writing Lab
- Basic Essay Structure: The Five-Paragraph Essay (Study.com)
- Example Five-Paragraph Essay (UW Madison)
- Write Your Essay | UNSW Current Students
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Reading books is pleasurable and entertaining; writing about those books isn’t. Reading books is pleasurable, easy, and entertaining; writing about those books isn’t. However, learning how to write a book report is something that is commonly required in university. Fortunately, it isn’t as difficult as you might think. You’ll only...
A descriptive essay is an academic paper that challenges a school or college student to describe something. It can be a person, a place, an object, a situation—anything an individual can depict in writing. The task is to show your abilities to communicate an experience in an essay format using...
An analysis / analytical essay is a standard assignment in college or university. You might be asked to conduct an in-depth analysis of a research paper, a report, a movie, a company, a book, or an event. In this article, you’ll find out how to write an analysis paper introduction,...
A film analysis essay might be the most exciting assignment you have ever had! After all, who doesn’t love watching movies? You have your favorite movies, maybe something you watched years ago, perhaps a classic, or a documentary. Or your professor might assign a film for you to make a...
A critique paper is an academic writing genre that summarizes and gives a critical evaluation of a concept or work. Or, to put it simply, it is no more than a summary and a critical analysis of a specific issue. This type of writing aims to evaluate the impact of...
What is a creative essay, if not the way to express yourself? Crafting such a paper is a task that allows you to communicate your opinion and tell a story. However, even using your imagination to a great extent doesn’t free you from following academic writing rules. Don’t even get...
A compare and contrast essay — what is it? In this type of paper, you compare two different things or ideas, highlighting what is similar between the two, and you also contrast them, highlighting what is different. The two things might be events, people, books, points of view, lifestyles, or...
What is an expository essay? This type of writing aims to inform the reader about the subject clearly, concisely, and objectively. The keyword here is “inform”. You are not trying to persuade your reader to think a certain way or let your own opinions and emotions cloud your work. Just stick to the...
Have you ever tried to write a story analysis but ended up being completely confused and lost? Well, the task might be challenging if you don’t know the essential rules for literary analysis creation. But don’t get frustrated! We know how to write a short story analysis, and we are...
Have you ever tried to get somebody round to your way of thinking? Then you should know how daunting the task is. Still, if your persuasion is successful, the result is emotionally rewarding. A persuasive essay is a type of writing that uses facts and logic to argument and substantiate...
One of the most critical skills that students gain during their college years is assignment writing. Composing impressive essays and research papers can be quite challenging, especially for ESL students. Nonetheless, before learning the art of academic writing, you may make numerous common essay mistakes. Such involuntary errors appear in:...
You’re probably thinking: I’m no Mahatma Gandhi or Steve Jobs—what could I possibly write in my memoir? I don’t even know how to start an autobiography, let alone write the whole thing. But don’t worry: essay writing can be easy, and this autobiography example for students is here to show...
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Explanatory writing.
- How Much I Know About Space Explanatory Paragraph
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Narrative Writing
- A Happy Day Narrative Paragraph
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- Plastic, Paper, or Cloth? Persuasive Paragraph
- The Funny Dance Personal Narrative
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Persuasive essays
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Essay for Class 5 in English | List of Essay Topics for Grade 5 Students
Essay Writing is a great piece of work to teach or Improve your Child’s Writing Skills. We are with you in this and compiled Essay for Class 5 in English covering frequently asked essay topics from different categories. Increase your vocabulary and develop a strong command over English by reading and practicing various Essay Writing Topics. The Content in the Sample Essays for 5th Std Students is written in a simple and easy to understand language. You can access both Short and Long Essays on the Most Common Topics and use them as a part of your competitions or speeches.
Essay Topics List for Class 5 Children
All the Essay Topics for Grade 5 Students are written in a simple language keeping in mind the student’s level of understanding. Access the Essay Writing Topics & Ideas for 5th Standard Children available through the quick links and tap on the respective topic you wish to see. By reading and writing using the Class 5 Essays you can improve your vocabulary as well as get uniqueness to write an essay on your own. By doing so you can learn how to put your thoughts into words.
- My School Essay for Class 5
- Essay on Earth for Class 5
- Rainy Season Essay in English for Class 5
- Essay on Holi for Class 5
- Essay on Christmas for Class 5
- Essay on My Mother for Class 5
- Essay on My Country for Class 5
- Essay on Television for Class 5
- Short Essay on Pollution for Class 5
- Essay on Discipline for Class 5
- Essay on New Year Resolution for Class 5
- Essay on Mahatma Gandhi for Class 5
- Essay on Republic Day for Class 5
- Happiest Day of My Life Essay for Class 5
- My Birthday Party Essay for Class 5
- Honesty is the Best Policy Essay for Class 5
- Essay on Earthquake for Class 5
- Essay on Flood for Class 5
- Essay on Water Pollution for Class 5
- Essay on Environment for Class 5
FAQs on Essay for Class 5
1. What is the best and simple way to write an essay?
The best way to write an essay is to jot down what you are going to write beforehand. Not just the Essay make sure you have a structure too in mind. This really helps and is the simplest thing to write an essay.
2. Where do I find Some Good Descriptive Essay Topics for Grade 5 Students?
You can find some Good Descriptive Essay Topics for Grade 5 Students on our page.
3. What Should a Good Essay Have?
A good essay should have a bang-on opening statement that draw’s the attention of the users followed by a thesis statement and then a conclusion or a closing statement supporting your ideas. The Idea of each paragraph should be well explained and try considering examples too in between.
Final Words
We believe the knowledge shared regarding the Essay Writing Topics for Class 5 has shed some light on you. If you have any other queries or want us to add more such topics do leave us your suggestions and we will look into them. Stay in touch with our site to avail latest updates on Essays for the Most Common Topics of Students belonging to Different Grades.
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We always start with simple paragraphs. Yes, this is basic, but if your students cannot write excellent paragraphs, their five paragraph essays will be train wrecks. Trust me! We spend a while cementing paragraph structure: Topic Sentence. Detail #1. Detail #2. Detail #3. Closing Sentence.
Fifth grade writing sample #1. Bipolar Children. This student's report starts with a decorative cover and a table of contents. The report has eight sections, each clearly labeled with a bold subhead, and includes a bibliography. At the end, this student adds three visuals, two images from the internet with handwritten captions and a related ...
Classic essays. Students are given an introductory paragraph and expand it to the classic 5 paragraph essay. Worksheet #1 Worksheet #2 Worksheet #3 Worksheet #4. Worksheet #5 Worksheet #6. Similar: Informative essays Comparing and contrasting.
Teaching Paragraph by Paragraph. The following Monday, Ms. Sneed stood in front of her class. "Today," she said, "you will learn how to write a longer essay.". Several kids looked a little unsure, but their teacher continued. "For now, I'll take you through a five-paragraph essay example.
Write the Introduction. Start the essay with a " hook "—an attention-grabbing statement that will get the reader's interest. This could be an interesting fact, a quote, or a question. After the hook, introduce your topic and end the introduction with a clear thesis statement that presents your main argument or point.
Students can use the following steps to write a standard essay on any given topic. First, choose a topic, or ask your students to choose their topic, then allow them to form a basic five-paragraph by following these steps: Decide on your basic thesis, your idea of a topic to discuss. Decide on three pieces of supporting evidence you will use to ...
Writing a five-paragraph essay. Write the hook and thesis statement in the first paragraph. Write the conflict of the essay in the second paragraph. Write the supporting details of the conflict in the third paragraph. Write the weakest arguments in the fourth paragraph. Write the summary and call-to-action prompt in the fifth paragraph.
The hamburger essay structure consists of five paragraphs or layers as follows: Layer 1 - The Top Bun: The Introduction. The uppermost layer is the introductory paragraph which communicates to the reader the purpose of the essay. Layers 2,3, & 4 - The Meat Patties: The Body Paragraphs.
Grammar Bytes. This grammar review site includes detailed terms, interactive exercises, handouts, PowerPoints, daily Twitter practice, videos, teacher resources, and more!
Here are some tips from our admission essay writing service to help you write a successful five paragraph essay example: Start with a strong thesis statement: Among the 5 parts of essay, the thesis statement can be the most important. It presents the major topic you will debate throughout your essay while being explicit and simple.
A 5-paragraph essay is a common assignment in high school and college, requiring students to follow a standard structure. This essay format consists of five main components: an introduction paragraph, followed by 3 body paragraphs, and a final paragraph. Each paragraph serves a specific purpose and contributes to the overall coherence and organization of the essay.
Respond to Art: Opinion & Evidence #2. Worksheet. Argument Writing: Peer Review Rubric. Worksheet. 1 2. Fifth grade students are expected to master and utilize many skills when developing and writing essays. Our fifth grade essay writing worksheets will give them the encouragement they need to remain composed while composing.
Research Reports. The skills involved in writing a research report are valuable for 5th graders. They need to be able to judge the reliability of a source and cite their sources properly. Research reports also teach students to organize their ideas, take notes, make an outline, write a draft, and create a final report.
Constructing a 5 Paragraph Essay. Read below for a brief five-paragraph essay instructional unit to help you guide your child in writing an exceptional essay. 1) How To Write An Introduction. In the five-paragraph essay format, the introduction is vital in grabbing the reader's attention and holding it throughout the essay.
FREE 5th Grade Paragraph Writing Worksheets. Use this Paragraph Writing Freebie to have students check their writing for the important parts. The FREE checklist has students make sure that their paragraph includes a topic sentence, 3 supporting details, and a concluding sentence. We suggest you laminate these or throw them in a page protector ...
Narrative Essay. A narrative essay requires them to tell a story, real or imagined, using descriptive writing to reflect on their experiences, explain them logically, and draw conclusions from them. The writing prompt will be something like this: Think about a time you did something that made you feel guilty. Describe what happened.
This language arts resource packet includes detailed and in-depth teaching strategies and tips for teaching the five-paragraph essay in elementary and early-middle grades. It also includes a selection of graphic organizers to use for brainstorming, outlining, and assessment. Help your students develop foundational writing skills easily and ...
Second, you can simply reword your thesis statement, starting with "in summary.". The first approach is better, but the second works if you are in a rush. Alternatively, you can use a paragraph summarizer to get the idea of how the conclusion for your particular text may look like. Step 7. Edit Your 5-Paragraph Essay.
Wyoming Department of Education. 122 W. 25th St., Ste. E200 | Cheyenne, WY 82002 P: 307-777-7675 | F: 307-777-6234 | edu.wyoming.gov. The WY-TOPP ELA test has a Writing portion for grades 3, 5, 7, and 9. Each writing test contains one or more passages that relate to a prompt.
Student Models. When you need an example written by a student, check out our vast collection of free student models. Scroll through the list, or search for a mode of writing such as "explanatory" or "persuasive.".
K5 Learning offers free worksheets, flashcards and inexpensive workbooks for kids in kindergarten to grade 5. Become a member to access additional content and skip ads. These writing worksheets focus students on actively considering their audience before writing. Each worksheet prompts the student to write a persuasive essay for a particular ...
The Content in the Sample Essays for 5th Std Students is written in a simple and easy to understand language. You can access both Short and Long Essays on the Most Common Topics and use them as a part of your competitions or speeches. ... All the Essay Topics for Grade 5 Students are written in a simple language keeping in mind the student's ...