The key to writing a good paper -- be it two pages or a hundred -- is having the ability to focus your work. This article will explain how to craft a simple five-paragraph essay, but the basics learned here are transferable to any length. This guide is ideal for students in middle and high school.
The most important paragraph of your essay is, and always will be, your opening. It must capture the reader while effectively outlining what your paper will be about; within that paragraph lies the most important sentence of your paper: the thesis. In your topic paragraph, do not use large generalizations or obvious facts, i.e.: The world has changed a great deal because of the evolution of humans. We know this already; assume your reader has at least a smidgeon of knowledge on the subject and dive into what makes your paper interesting. Your essays should always attempt to prove a point, to make an argument; identifying that argument quickly is what will capture your reader.
For example, if you were writing an essay about the Civil War, you would want to choose an interesting topic within that umbrella. For sake of ease, let's say you wanted to argue that Abraham Lincoln's entire Republican ticket was written with the specific goal of abolishing slavery. An interesting premise, certainly, and hopefully for your paper, provable! Your opening sentence would introduce the Civil War and what you believe it to be -- a fight for and against slavery, most likely -- and you would outline very key facts to get you to your thesis. No more, no less.
Onto the subject of a thesis: when composing a simple five-paragraph essay, there is no need for your thesis to be much more than your argument ("Abraham Lincoln ran for the presidency specifically to tackle the slavery issue") and your supporting facts. In a five paragraph essay, there must be three. Four is alright, but three is better -- it keeps your length down and your essay concise. Let's say for this article your three supports are that Lincoln was personally against slavery, he argued against slavery, and he was from anti-slavery territory. These are not particularly strong arguments, which may lend you to believe that perhaps your argument is incorrect, but you're more than able to make them.
These are your body paragraph, these three supports. Within those three paragraphs, you should, again, have three supports. These are generally quotes or paraphrases directly from sources (first or second). Your body paragraphs consist of an opening sentence (a mini thesis for that paragraph), the quotes, and an interpretation of those quotes. It will look something like this:
Opening Sentence. Transition, "example". Explanation of example.
Remember! Quotes should never stand-alone. They should be embedded in a naturally flowing sentence.
Once you have completed your body paragraphs, you are free to write a conclusion. All your conclusion should do is wind your essay down, sum it all up in reasonable terms. Again, there is no need for a broad or sweeping generalization; if you have an awesome fact that didn't quite fit in your work, here is a great place to put it. Otherwise, restate your thesis and close your paper!
L. Kathleen Hackett - Born and raised in Columbia, Maryland, Kate Hackett has been acting since she was four years old. Originally a stage actress working in ...
