T HE 5-PARAGRAPH E SSAY The Constructed Response
I. Introductory paragraph
A. Grab the reader’s attention
1. Historical review—briefly discuss the background of the topic
2. Anecdote—tell a brief story about your topic
3. Surprising statement—tell a shocking/disturbing fact about
your topic
4. Famous person—tell what a celebrity (alive or deceased) said or
did about your topic
5. Declarative—explain the importance of your topic
B. State your topic
1. Thesis statement
a. state a specific idea related to the topic (avoid the obvious)
b. include your argument/opinion on the topic/problem
c. use a strong thesis to focus your essay
2. List your 3 talking points
II. Body — 1st paragraph
A. Topic Sentence/Main Idea (strongest argument or example)
B. Evidence—text evidence/supporting details
C. Analysis—how does the evidence further your argument?
D. Conclusion/transition by referencing an idea in the next paragraph
III. Body — 2nd paragraph
A. Topic Sentence/Main Idea (strongest argument or example)
B. Evidence—text evidence/supporting details
C. Analysis—how does the evidence further your argument?
D. Conclusion/transition by referencing an idea in the next paragraph
IV. Body — 3rd paragraph
A. Topic Sentence/Main Idea (strongest argument or example)
B. Evidence—text evidence/supporting details
C. Analysis—how does the evidence further your argument?
D. Conclusion/transition by referencing an idea in the next paragraph
V. Conclusion
A. Summarize/tie together your points from paragraphs 2, 3, and 4
B. Close the essay by giving the reader something to think about
1. predict the future
2. offer a solution
3. call the reader to action
I. Response paragraph(s)—includes the introduction, body, and conclusion
A. Thesis statement/Topic Sentence/Main Idea
a. state a specific idea related to the topic (avoid the obvious)
b. include your argument/opinion on the topic/problem
c. use a strong thesis to focus your essay
B. Evidence—text evidence/supporting details
C. Analysis—how does the evidence further your argument?
D. Conclusion—tie together your point(s)
POWER W RITING
Stages of the Writing Process:
P rewriting—
this stage consists of generating ideas and planning and
focusing your thoughts. Prewriting includes considering the audience you
are addressing and the purpose for addressing them. This helps to determine what information to include and how to present it. Review the assignment and make sure you understand the entire prompt. What—exactly—is
it asking?
O rganizing—
in planning your writing, you must consider how to best
organize your ideas into some workable plan. Take at least several minutes
(a valuable use of time, even in a timed essay) to construct an outline. A
five-paragraph essay can be easily and effectively mapped in a brief outline.
W riting—
write the initial draft (or only draft in a timed essay). The better
your preparation, the easier your essay will be to write. Your analysis and
evidence should effectively address the entire prompt.
E diting—
R evision—
read (and reread) what you have written for any necessary corrections. Your changes, or revisions, will fall into two categories.
Make any necessary changes to your essay for global revision
(the “big picture” of your paper), concerned with content, organization, and
tone, and sentence-level revision (the finer points), which looks at strengthening sentences, and correcting errors in grammar and punctuation.