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Page 1: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

ABCDE Essay Structure

The Five-Paragraph Essay

(For Argument and Informative/Explanatory Writing)

Page 2: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Example Prompt:

What do you think is the best holiday of the year? Provide reasons and examples to support your answer.

Page 3: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Prewriting – brainstorming #1

Page 4: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Prewriting – brainstorming #2

Page 5: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

ABCDE Essay Format

Attention-Grabber

Bridge/Background

Central Thesis Statement

Ending Statement

Summarize

“Clincher” Statement

Divisions

In

tro

du

cto

ry

Parag

rap

h

Bod

y

Parag

rap

hs

Con

clu

din

g

Parag

rap

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Page 6: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Attention-Grabber

Bridge/Background

Central Thesis Statement

Introductory Paragraph

General

Specific

Page 7: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 1: Central Thesis Statement

Most important sentence of the essay.

It is the main idea statement. (Highlighted in green)

Always an opinion.

Contains the main points supporting the opinion (these points come from your Thinking Map).

Must be written first before planning the essay.

Narrows the topic down to a manageable size.

Always the last sentence of the Introductory paragraph.

Page 8: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 1: Central Thesis Statement (Cont’d)

Example:

Christmas is the best holiday of the year because of presents, traditions, and family togetherness.

Opinion

3 Reasons

Page 9: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 2: Attention-Grabber

Always the first sentence of the first paragraph

Purpose:

To “hook” the reader

To introduce the subject

NEVER an opinion.

You don’t want your audience to disagree with you right away.

Facts work better.

Your audience can’t disagree with a fact.

Page 10: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 2: Attention-Grabber (Cont’d)

Example:

Christmas comes only one day a year, but the preparations take months for many Americans.

Page 11: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 3: Bridge/Background

Gives background information and details that will help your reader understand the details in the rest of the essay.

In an expository essay, you should explain the background relating to your topic (definitions, and so on).

In a persuasive essay, you should explain the situation given to you in the prompt.

Ex. The school board is considering requiring students to wear uniforms.

Ex. Many people don’t think that we need to recycle.

Ex. I know that you are looking for someone to get your mail and watch your house while you’re gone, and you told me that I’m not mature enough for the job.

Should be at least 3 sentences.

Page 12: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 3: Bridge/Background

Example:

Decorations, Santa Claus, caroling, and many other traditions enrich the nature of the holiday. Furthermore, no other holiday creates such excitement, can boast such intrigue, or is planned for over as long a period of time as Christmas. People start saving money, making plans with relatives, and start shopping months before Christmas.

Page 13: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

ABCDE Essay Format

Attention-Grabber

Bridge/Background

Central Thesis Statement

Ending Statement

Summarize

“Clincher” Statement

Divisions

In

tro

du

cto

ry

Parag

rap

h

Bod

y

Parag

rap

hs

Con

clu

din

g

Parag

rap

h

Page 14: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Body Paragraphs

Divisions

Page 15: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 4: Divisions

Three paragraphs (2, 3 and 4) which are the body of the essay. D-1: 1st Body Paragraph

(2nd Overall Paragraph)

D-2: 2nd Body Paragraph

(3rd Overall Paragraph)

D-3: 3rd Body Paragraph

(4th Overall Paragraph)

They are the specific supporting details for the Central Thesis.

Page 16: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Division Paragraphs

D-1: First reason for thesis. Transition,reason 1. Explanation 1. Transition, reason 2. Explanation 2. Transition, reason 3.Explanation 3. Transition, restatement of

first reason for thesis.

Each paragraph in the body should be a POWER PARAGRAPH, with:

•A topic sentence

•Supporting Details/Examples(with transitions)

•Restatement of Topic Sentence

D-2: Second reason for thesis. Transition,reason 1. Explanation 1. Transition, reason 2. Explanation 2. Transition, reason 3.Explanation 3. Transition, restatement of

second reason for thesis.

D-3: Third reason for thesis. Transition,reason 1. Explanation 1. Transition, reason 2. Explanation 2. Transition, reason 3.Explanation 3. Transition, restatement of

third reason for thesis.

Page 17: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 4: Divisions

Example D-1:

One of the main reasons Christmas is the best holiday of the year is because of presents.

Thinking of others + Explanations/Examples

Unselfishness + Explanations/Examples

The season’s spirit of giving + Explanations/Examples

Buying, baking, and making gifts + Explanations/Examples

Then you would restate your D-1 main idea statementfrom above.

Page 18: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 4: Divisions

Example D-2:

Another reason Christmas is one of the best holidays of the year is because of the traditions.

Decorating the tree + Explanations/Examples

Religious services + Explanations/Examples

Hanging the lights + Explanations/Examples

Egg nog and parties + Explanations/Examples

Neighborhood customs + Explanations/Examples

Then you would restate your D-2 main idea statementfrom above.

Page 19: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 4: Divisions

Example D-3:

Finally, perhaps the best reason Christmas is the best holiday of the year is because the celebration promotes family togetherness.

Traveling great distances + Explanations/Examples

Large family meals + Explanations/Examples

Family ties and unity + Explanations/Examples

Putting aside disagreements + Explanations/Examples

Then you would restate your D-3 main idea statementfrom above.

Page 20: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

ABCDE Essay Format

Attention-Grabber

Bridge/Background

Central Thesis Statement

Ending Statement

Summarize

“Clincher” Statement

Divisions

In

tro

du

cto

ry

Parag

rap

h

Bod

y

Parag

rap

hs

Con

clu

din

g

Parag

rap

h

Page 21: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Concluding Paragraph

Specific

General

Ending Statement

Summarize Division Paragraphs

“Clincher” Statement

Page 22: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 5: Ending Statement

A restatement of the Central Thesis Statement (also highlighted in green).

Basically, the same as the Central Thesis, but using different words.

This is the first sentence of your Concluding Paragraph.

Page 23: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 5: Ending Statement (Cont’d)

Example:

Presents, traditions, and family togetherness blend together to create a special holiday unlike any other holiday celebrated by Americans.

Page 24: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 6: Summarize Division Paragraphs

Quickly restate each of your supporting details.

This will remind your reader of your reasons.

Page 25: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

Step 7: “Clincher” Statement

This is meant to drive home the argument.

It helps to write something that affects the reader.

In an expository essay, write a thoughtful ending that is strong and powerful that leaves your reader thinking about your main idea.

For example:

You can go back to the creative ideas you used to begin your essay in the Attractor

You can end with a personal story (anecdote) about how you used the information

You can inform the reader what to do with this information – how he/she can now be better informed to do something

In a persuasive essay, write a “Call to Action”

This tells readers what they should do if they agree with you.

For example:

Write to a newspaper, congressman, school principal, etc. to show your support.

Vote a certain way in an election.

Start doing something differently, such as recycling more, stop buying a certain product, etc.

Page 26: ABCDE Essay Structure - Kyrene School District Essay... · Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions

ABCDE Essay Format

Attention-Grabber

Bridge/Background

Central Thesis Statement

Ending Statement

Summarize

“Clincher” Statement

Divisions

In

tro

du

cto

ry

Parag

rap

h

Bod

y

Parag

rap

hs

Con

clu

din

g

Parag

rap

h


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