1. The Five-Paragraph Essay
T he Basics

2. Different Kinds of Writing
We write for fun. We write letters,
stories, jokes, and to share
information with our family or
friends.
However, most writing for school is
different kind of writing. This is often
called expository writing, and it’s
easy if you know how to do it.

3. The purpose of most expository
writing is to communicate ideas
or answer questions.
Expository Writing
Gives information about a topic
Explains ideas
Gives directions
Shows how to do something

4. So, your teacher gives you a
tells you to write an
expository essay:
“Write about your favorite pet.”
What do you do???
Don’t lose your head.
Follow this plan…

5. It’s Easy.
Start with your main idea
or opinion. This will become
your thesis.
Come up with
3 reasons to
explain your
thesis.
These will become your supporting details.
Start writing.
Follow this plan to create a basic
five-paragraph essay

6. The five paragraph essay
form looks like:
This form is sometimes called
“hamburger writing”

7. 1. The Introduction
Start with a hook.
The “hook” is a way to get
the reader’s attention.
Different kinds of hooks:
A quote - “A dog is man’s best friend.”
An interesting fact – Seventy percent of
Americans like dogs more than cats.
A question – What is your favorite pet?

8. 1. The Introduction
Provide some background
information.
Follow your hook with a sentence or two
that give a general idea of the subject:
"A dog is man's best friend." That common
saying may contain some truth, but
dogs are not the only animal friend
whose companionship people enjoy…

9. 1. The Introduction
Time for your thesis.
You have the reader’s attention, and you’ve
given them some basic information, so
now it’s time for your thesis:
"A dog is man's best friend." That common
saying may contain some truth, but dogs
are not the only animal friend whose
companionship people enjoy. Despite
what dog lovers may believe, cats
make excellent pets.

10. 1. The Introduction
Your thesis should say what
the essay is about, and why
you feel the way you do.
The thesis can also include the supporting
ideas that you are going to talk about.
Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats
make excellent pets because they are
good companions, they are civilized
members of the household, and they
are easy to care for.

11. 2, 3, and 4:
The Body
Each of the next three
paragraphs will explain
one of the supporting
details of your thesis.
Each paragraph should include:
A topic sentence that tells what the paragraph is about.
Supporting sentences that give more information.
A concluding sentence that summarizes what the
paragraph was about
*There can also be a transition sentence that helps the
reader to know what the next paragraph will talk about.

12. 2, 3, and 4:
The Body
Topic sentence example:
In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are
affectionate. They will snuggle up and ask to be petted, or scratched under
the chin. Who can resist a purring cat? If they're not feeling affectionate, cats
are generally quite playful. They love to chase balls and feathers, or just
about anything dangling from a string. They especially enjoy playing when
their owners are participating in the game. Contrary to popular opinion, cats
can be trained. Using rewards and punishments, a cat can be trained to
avoid unwanted behavior or perform tricks. This makes them very lovable for
anyone.

13. 2, 3, and 4:
The Body
Supporting sentence examples:
In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are
affectionate. They will snuggle up and ask to be petted, or
scratched under the chin. Who can resist a purring cat? If they're not
feeling affectionate, cats are generally quite playful. They love to chase
balls and feathers, or just about anything dangling from a string.
They especially enjoy playing when their owners are participating in the
game. Contrary to popular opinion, cats can be trained. Using rewards
and punishments, a cat can be trained to avoid unwanted behavior
or perform tricks. This makes them very lovable for anyone.

14. 2, 3, and 4:
The Body
Concluding sentence example:
In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are
affectionate. They will snuggle up and ask to be petted, or scratched
under the chin. Who can resist a purring cat? If they're not feeling
affectionate, cats are generally quite playful. They love to chase balls
and feathers, or just about anything dangling from a string. They
especially enjoy playing when their owners are participating in the
game. Contrary to popular opinion, cats can be trained. Using rewards
and punishments, a cat can be trained to avoid unwanted behavior or
perform tricks. This makes them very lovable for anyone.

15. 5: The Conclusion
The conclusion ends the essay. It usually
restates the thesis using different words,
or it may repeat the supporting details, or
it may talk about the future.
The conclusion is when you remind the
reader of your thesis, and say goodbye.

16. 5: The Conclusion
Conclusion example:
In conclusion, cats are easy to care for, civilized
companions. People who have small
apartments or less time to care for a pet
should appreciate these characteristics.
However, many people who have plenty of
space and time still choose to have a cat
because they love cats. In many ways, cats
are the ideal pet.

17. And that’s how it’s done.
One Introduction plus three Body
paragraphs plus the final Conclusion
make a delicious essay.

18. Thanks