The five paragraph essay is a great way for middle school and high school students to learn the structure of a meaning-filled essay. Here’s the outline a student should follow:
Paragraph ONE: Introduction
- Main theme of the essay
- Point one stated
- Point two stated
- Point three stated
- Transition sentence to paragraph #2
Paragraph TWO: Point one explained using supporting evidence
- Supporting evidence #1
- Supporting evidence #2
- Supporting evidence #3
- Transition sentence to paragraph #3
Paragraph THREE: Point two explained using supporting evidence
- Supporting evidence #1
- Supporting evidence #2
- Supporting evidence #3
- Transition sentence to paragraph #4
Paragraph FOUR: Point three explained using supporting evidence
- Supporting evidence #1
- Supporting evidence #2
- Supporting evidence #3
- Transition sentence to paragraph #5
Paragraph FIVE: Conclusion
- Why your ideas about the subject are correct.
- What you proved in your evidence in paragraphs #2,3 and 4.
- Summarize you conclusion. Tie it back to your introduction in Paragraph #1
(based on an article written by blogger for Layers of Learning)