5 Paragraph Essay

5 Paragraph Essay * Introduction * Body * Conclusion

Paragraph 1 Introduction Requirements * Attention Getter * Bridge * Thesis

Sample Topic * Pride in “The Scarlet Ibis” and “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind”

Part 1--ATTENTION GETTER Q: How do you grab one’s attention? ANSWERS: • Definition • Relevant quote • Ask a thoughtful question (don’t use you)

Examples • Pride is defined as…………… • Adolph Hitler once described pride as “…….” • Is it possible to possess a trait that is both positive and negative or helpful and harmful?

Part 2--BRIDGE Q: What is the purpose of a bridge? * Tie the attention-getter to thesis-whole paragraph must have flow and fluency * Introduce titles and authors * An introduction without a bridge makes it difficult to see connection between attention-getter and thesis

Sample Bridge Two very diverse stories, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst and “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind” by Ray Bradbury, clearly provide an answer to that question.

Sample Introduction so far….. Is it possible to possess a trait that is both positive and negative or helpful and harmful?Two very diverse stories, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst and “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind” by Ray Bradbury, clearly provide an answer to that question. (Introduced stories and tied in attention getter Will also link attention getter to part 3, thesis.)

PART 3--THESIS Q: What is a thesis, and why do I need one? • A thesis is a very specific statement that your whole essay tries to prove. • A clear thesis keeps you focused on your topic (and your teacher very happy. :-)

Thesis Q: How do I write a successful, clear thesis statement? A + B + C = B + A + C = C + B + A = Clear, successful, focused thesis!

Thesis Formula--add the letters however you’d like A=Topic B=Opinion (without using “I”) C=Examples/Reasons Topic + Opinion + Examples/Reasons = THESIS

Sample Thesis A=Topic ----Pride B=Opinion----is presented as a wonderful and horrible human characteristic that positively or negatively changes the outcomes of many people’s lives C=Reasons or Examples---both stories portray the power of pride

Sample Thesis Pride (A)is presented as a wonderful and horrible human characteristic that positively and negatively changes the lives of the characters (B)in both of these stories (C) . These stories successfully answer the question above that there is such a human trait that can lead to achievements never thought imaginable or to the darkest depths of humankind. (Optional)

Sample Introduction Is it possible to possess a trait that is both positive and negative or helpful and harmful?Two very diverse stories, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst and “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind” by Ray Bradbury, clearly provide an answer to that question. In both of these stories (C)Pride (A)is presented as a wonderful and horrible human trait that positively and negatively changes the lives of the characters (B). These two stories successfully answer the question above that there is such a human trait that can lead to achievements never thought imaginable or to the darkest depths of humankind.

Quick Review • Attention getter--definition, quote, question • Bridge--introduce authors and story titles (in quotation marks), connect AG to thesis. Fluency and flow of paragraph • Thesis--Topic + Opinion + Examples (in any order)

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!!! You try and write your introductory paragraph. Remember, you must use all 3 parts of an introduction and a close version of the thesis statement formula. This isn’t easy, but you can do it. GOOD LUCK! HAPPY WRITING!

Body Paragraphs Requirements * Topic Sentences * Supporting Details/Using Quotations * Concluding sentence at end of each paragraph that reconnects to your thesis

Topic Sentences--part 1 • Must start all body paragraphs with a topic sentence that relates to your examples or reasons that were included in your thesis statement. • Possibly use transition words. • Topic sentences do not include any details.

Good vs. Bad Good topic sentence: Symbolism is a critical aspect in “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind,” and the two main symbols that reveal the story’s theme are the kite and the wind. Bad topic sentence: The kite stands for beauty and the wind stands for purpose.

Support--part 2 Prove your opinion (given in your thesis statement) • Use multiple examples (use transitions too) • Use quotes • Be sure you connect all examples to thesis • Don’t summarize! ANALYZE!

Using Quotations • Choose quotes that will support and prove your thesis statement. • Introduce the quote AND conclude the quote. • Embed the quote into the flow of your sentence. Don’t just list the quote and then analyze it. • Analyze the quote’s meaning (your ideas)….don’t just summarize what it means. • Always cite the quote (follow MLA Guide)

Sample Quotation Finally, at the end of the story, the mandarins agreed to make the final construction of the walls in the shape of a kite and wind because “The wind will beautify the kite and carry it to wondrous heights. And the kite will break the sameness of the wind and give it purpose and meaning” (366). The kite and the wind symbolized the story’s theme that prosperity is best accomplished by working together, not against each other. 1. Italics--introduced quote 2. Quote is embedded and cited 3. Underline-- analyzed quote and reconnected its purpose to the thesis

Concluding sentence--part 3 End each body paragraph with a statement or question that reclaims/restates/reaffirms the points you just made but without only summarizing. (Be forceful)

Sample Body Paragraph Symbolism is a critical aspect in “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind,” and the two main symbols that reveal the story’s theme are the kite and the wind. For much of the story, the two rival towns fought back and forth trying to make their town the more prosperous of the two by constantly changing the shape of the walls. Although the mandarins’ intentions were to make their town more powerful, they actually spread sickness, fatigue, and death to its people due to the constant reconstruction. Finally, at the end of the story, the mandarins agreed to make the final construction of the walls in the shape of a kite and wind because “The wind will beautify the kite and carry it to wondrous heights. And the kite will break the sameness of the wind and give it purpose and meaning” (366). The kite and the wind symbolized the story’s theme that prosperity is best accomplished by working together, not against each other.

Quick Review • Topic sentences and transitions • Support and examples • Don’t summarize the stories • Bold restatement of the ideas in the last sentence of the paragraph you finished. Be sure to connect/relate to thesis too! • Ideas should be fluent and focused!!

Writing Conclusions A Conclusion should…… • Stress the importance of the thesis statement. • Give the essay a sense of completeness. • Leave a final impression on the reader.

Conclusion-Part 1 * Re-state thesis with stronger but different language (than your original thesis). Example: Pride. It can take us to the highest of humanity or to the depths of darkness.

Conclusion-Part 2 * Briefly mention and apply stories to main topic. Example: The mandarins’ pride first led their towns to destruction but eventually took them to great prosperity, and the narrator’s pride led Doodle to unfathomable heights but later to his death.

Conclusion-Part 3 * Extend a meaning from story to a present-day meaning. Example: Pride is always going to be a part of everyone’s lives. No matter if it is in a remote Chinese village or a small town in Cincinnati, Ohio, all humankind should be cognizant of the powerful power of pride, and we should always be careful to not allow pride get the best of us.

Pride. It can take us to the highest of humanity or to the depths of darkness. The narrator’s pride led Doodle to unfathomable heights but later to his death, and the mandarins’ pride first led their towns to destruction but eventually took them to great prosperity. Pride is always going to be a part of everyone’s lives. No matter if it is in a remote Chinese village or a small town in Cincinnati, Ohio, all humankind should be cognizant of the tremendous power of pride, and we should always be careful to not allow pride get the best of us.

Conclusion Review • Re-state thesis with stronger but different language (than your original thesis). • Briefly mention main topic and apply to stories. • Extend a meaning from story to a present-day meaning.

5 Paragraph Essay Review * Introduction -Attention-getter, bridge, thesis * Body - Topic sentences, supporting details, concluding sentences * Conclusion - Re-state thesis, reconnect to story, connect to present day society

5 Paragraph Essay