5 Paragraph Essay - creating an outline
Would you like to know the most difficult and least effective way of writing a 5 paragraph essay? Start with the intro, then write the body paragraphs, and finish with the conclusion. Seems like a "logical" way to write, but this method asks you to introduce your argument before you've even figured out what you'd like to say.
Instead, try focusing on the important stuff - your support and examples - FIRST.
Copy the exact Question or Assignment:
Find three examples and quotations with page numbers:
1)
2)
3)
Write your Specific Answer to the question:
Identify the General Subject in detail for Intro (title & author, event-dates-place):
Essay Outline
Introductory Paragraph
1. Introduce the General Subject (see above)
2. Transition to thesis by addressing the Question/Assignment
3. Thesis (your Answer to the Question):
Support Paragraph I
1. Transition/Topic Sentence:
2 . Introduce quotation/fact with orientation info (setting: who, when, where, why)
3. Quotation/Facts
4. Paraphrase in your own words
5. Explanation/Analysis of quotation
6. Conclusion/Summary/Transition if necessary
Support Paragraph II
1. Transition/Topic Sentence:
2 . Introduce quotation/fact with orientation info (setting: who, when, where, why)
3. Quotation/Facts
4. Paraphrase in your own words
5. Explanation/Analysis of quotation
6. Conclusion/Summary/Transition if necessary
Support Paragraph III
1. Transition/Topic Sentence:
2 . Introduce quotation/fact with orientation info (setting: who, when, where, why)
3. Quotation/Facts
4. Paraphrase in your own words
5. Explanation/Analysis of quotation
6. Conclusion/Summary/Transition if necessary
Concluding Paragraph
1. Restate Thesis
2. Discuss wider significance of your Answer
