5 Paragraph Essay Blueprint

• Introduction– Hook– Background– Claim

• Body Paragraph– Topic Sentence– Data/Evidence– Warrant– Repeat Data/Evidence and Warrant once– Concluding Sentence

• Conclusion– Restate Thesis– Summarize– Lasting Impression

Introduction Paragraph“You never get a second chance to make a first impression”

Parts of the Introduction Paragraph

• Hook• Background Information• Claim

First Things First

• "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such nonsense.“

The Hook• It should grab your reader’s attention.

• Quote • Vivid description• Anecdote• Definition• Question

•Must transition into the paper’s topic

Hook: Quote

• A quote is a memorable line from a famous figure in history.

• Make sure to include author/speaker.

• Ex) Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Hook: Vivid Description• A vivid description is

like a photo- a single snapshot. Unlike an anecdote, it has no plot or action.

• Ex) The sweet smell of cotton candy floats in the air. Bumper cars collide in the distance. There is nothing like the county fair.

Hook: Anecdote • An anecdote is a short

story that leads the reader into your topic.

• Ex) Imagine a small child crying at the county fair because they cannot ride the rides the big kids do. Despite their wailing, the parent does not budge. In a similar fashion…

Hook: Definition

• Define a term that is closely related to your topic. Provide a definition that your audience may not know.

• Ex) Webster’s dictionary defines sarcasm as, “a witty remark used to convey insult.”

Hook: Question

• Ask a question to draw your reader into your paper.

• Ex) Is it true that sometimes love is not enough to overcome difficult circumstances? In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet…

Background Information

• Assume that your reader has never read the question

• What does your audience need to know?– Names– Dates– Quotes– Arguments

Background Info- Examine the Prompt

• Superintendent Doug Hammond believes that school violence has escalated. Due to this he is asking Howard County schools to enforce random locker checks each quarter. Students believe this is an invasion of privacy. Write a five paragraph essay stating your position on the issue.

What does your audience need to know? Look for details…

The Claim

The Roadmap for Your Essay

• Main argument of your paper

• It introduces the reader to the rest of your paper

• No claim? Your paper isn’t saying anything, no matter how many paragraphs it has.

So What’s the Formula?

Recipe for a Good Claim

_______________ because ________________ , ________________ , and ________________ .Topic position Reason #1 Reason #2 Reason #3

Give Me an ExampleSmoking should be illegal because it can kill you, can harm those around you, and it is addictive, and it’s difficult to stop once started.

Body Paragraphs (3)

• Topic Sentence/Claim (The reason from your claim in the introduction)

• Data/Evidence (Quotes or other researched info.)

• Warrant• Concluding Sentence

Topic Sentence/Claim

• A topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about.

• Use it to help remind the reader what your paper is trying to prove (thesis)

• It should have a subject, a verb, and a controlling idea.

• Ex.) One reason why schools should not enforce random locker checks is because it is an invasion of student privacy.

Data/Evidence

• This is where you give more information about your topic.

• Ask yourself: How can I prove this is true? What examples can I give?

• At least one support per paragraph.

When using quotes as support

Don’t forget…

Adding Quotes- Lead-In

• The Dark Knight leads the way in super hero movies. According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in his novel Summer Blockbusters, The Dark Knight sold more tickets in its opening weekend than any other movie in history” (Jones 252).

• Always introduce quotes • with a lead-in• Quotes can’t stand alone. You need to explain how

the quote supports your thesis (like a warrant).

Adding Quotes- State Quote

• The Dark Knight leads the way in super hero movies. According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark Knight sold more tickets in its opening weekend than any other movie in history” (Jones 252).

• State quote exactly as you see it.• Use quotation marks to show it is borrowed

words.

Adding Quotes-Explain Quote (Warrant)

• The Dark Knight leads the way in super hero movies. According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark Knight sold more tickets in its opening weekend than any other movie in history” (Jones 252). This quote illustrates that The Dark Knight is the ultimate super hero movie because of the mass appeal it brought to the super hero film genre.

Concluding Sentences• A concluding sentence explains what your

paragraph is about.

Counter-Argument

• Counter-Argument is what the opposition says. Why would the opposite of what you say be true.

• You need to state what the opposite would say (think of our argument 4-square journals) and then rebut that.

• A rebuttal is when you tell why the opposition is wrong. This should be done with facts as well.

Conclusion Paragraph

• Restate claim. Use new words (points in same order)

• Summarize main points of essay. Remind reader what you said.

• End with a lasting impression. Give reader something to think about after finishing essay.

And That is How you Write an Essay!

…Now go off and “Ace” that paper!