1. The 5 Paragraph EssayThe 5 Paragraph Essay
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Easy to createEasy to create
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Organizes your findings, thoughts, orOrganizes your findings, thoughts, or
opinionsopinions
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Format can by used for any subjectFormat can by used for any subject
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Basic tool for any essayBasic tool for any essay

2. The Basic FormatThe Basic Format
→→ PARAGRAPH 1:PARAGRAPH 1:
Introduces the thesis and directs the reader to theIntroduces the thesis and directs the reader to the
three main supporting subtopics (arguments).three main supporting subtopics (arguments).
→→ PARAGRAPHS 2 – 4:PARAGRAPHS 2 – 4:
Each paragraph restates the subtopic and providesEach paragraph restates the subtopic and provides
a supporting argument with examples.a supporting argument with examples.
→→ PARAGRAPH 5:PARAGRAPH 5:
Restates the main thesis idea and reminds theRestates the main thesis idea and reminds the
reader of the three main supporting ideas thatreader of the three main supporting ideas that
were developed.were developed.

3. The Thesis StatementThe Thesis Statement
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Every 5-paragraph essay has aEvery 5-paragraph essay has a THESISTHESIS
STATEMENT.STATEMENT.
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A thesis statement is one sentence thatA thesis statement is one sentence that
clearly and concisely tells the reader whatclearly and concisely tells the reader what
your paper will be about. (It is the main pointyour paper will be about. (It is the main point
or position you will defend in your paper).or position you will defend in your paper).
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The thesis sentence shouldThe thesis sentence should argue aargue a
point/positionpoint/position, not summarize information or, not summarize information or
facts.facts.
The thesis statement is usually found in theThe thesis statement is usually found in the
first paragraphfirst paragraph

4. AA thesisthesis statement is anstatement is an
assertionassertion (a claim or declaration)(a claim or declaration),,
not a statement ofnot a statement of fact or anfact or an
observationobservation..
Fact or observation:Fact or observation: People use manyPeople use many
lawn chemicals.lawn chemicals.
Thesis:Thesis: People are poisoning thePeople are poisoning the
environment with chemicals merely toenvironment with chemicals merely to
keep their lawns clean.keep their lawns clean.

5. AA thesisthesis takes a stand rather thantakes a stand rather than
announcingannouncing a subject.a subject.
AnnouncementAnnouncement:: The thesis of this paper isThe thesis of this paper is
the difficulty of solving our environmentalthe difficulty of solving our environmental
problems.problems.
Thesis:Thesis: Solving our environmental problemsSolving our environmental problems
is more difficult than many environmentalistsis more difficult than many environmentalists
believe.believe.

6. AA thesisthesis is the main idea, not theis the main idea, not the
titletitle. It must be a complete. It must be a complete
sentence that explains in somesentence that explains in some
detail what you expect to writedetail what you expect to write
about.about.
Title:Title: Social Security and Old Age.Social Security and Old Age.
Thesis:Thesis: Continuing changes in the SocialContinuing changes in the Social
Security System makes it almostSecurity System makes it almost
impossible to plan intelligently for one'simpossible to plan intelligently for one's
retirement.retirement.

7. A thesis statement isA thesis statement is narrownarrow, rather, rather
thanthan broadbroad. If the thesis statement. If the thesis statement
is sufficiently narrow, it can be fullyis sufficiently narrow, it can be fully
supported.supported.
Broad:Broad: The Canadian steel industry hasThe Canadian steel industry has
many problems.many problems.
Narrow:Narrow: The primary problem if the CanadianThe primary problem if the Canadian
steel industry is the lack of funds to renovatesteel industry is the lack of funds to renovate
outdated plants and equipment.outdated plants and equipment.

8. A thesis statement isA thesis statement is specificspecific ratherrather
thanthan vaguevague or general.or general.
Vague:Vague: Hemingway's war stories are veryHemingway's war stories are very
good.good.
Specific:Specific: Hemingway's stories helped create aHemingway's stories helped create a
new prose style by employing extensivenew prose style by employing extensive
dialogue, shorter sentences, and strong Anglo-dialogue, shorter sentences, and strong Anglo-
Saxon words.Saxon words.

9. A thesis statement hasA thesis statement has one main pointone main point
rather thanrather than several main pointsseveral main points. More. More
than one point may be too difficult forthan one point may be too difficult for
the reader to understand and the writerthe reader to understand and the writer
to support.to support.
More than one main point:More than one main point: Stephen Hawking'sStephen Hawking's
physical disability has not prevented him from becomingphysical disability has not prevented him from becoming
a world-renowned physicist, and his book is the subjecta world-renowned physicist, and his book is the subject
of a movie.of a movie.
One Main point:One Main point: Stephen Hawking's physical disabilityStephen Hawking's physical disability
has not prevented him from becoming a worldhas not prevented him from becoming a world
renowned physicist.renowned physicist.

10. Revising Your Thesis StatementRevising Your Thesis Statement
You can revise your thesis statement whenever
you want to while you are writing your essay.
Writers often discover what their real purpose
and point is in the process of putting their
thoughts into words and then reading what
they've written.

11. The Thesis StatementThe Thesis Statement
A good argumentative thesis provides not only a
position on an issue, but also suggests the
structure of the paper.
The thesis should allow the reader to imagine
and anticipate the flow of the paper, in which
a sequence of points logically prove the
essay's main assertion.

12. Thesis Statement
It should have 3 (for a 5 paragraph essay) points specifically laidIt should have 3 (for a 5 paragraph essay) points specifically laid
out in the order you want to discuss them:out in the order you want to discuss them:
Dogs are great pets because they help owners get exerciseDogs are great pets because they help owners get exercise
and are loyal and friendly.and are loyal and friendly.
If using this as a thesis, the paper should follow the format it laysIf using this as a thesis, the paper should follow the format it lays
out.out.

Paragraph 1Paragraph 1 will be about dogs helping owners get exercise,will be about dogs helping owners get exercise,
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Paragraph 2Paragraph 2 about dogs being loyal,about dogs being loyal,
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Paragraph 3Paragraph 3 about dogs being friendly.about dogs being friendly.
You should be able to transition smoothly between paragraphs,You should be able to transition smoothly between paragraphs,
so order your points in a manner that flows well logically.so order your points in a manner that flows well logically.
Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that relatesEach paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that relates
directly back to your thesis.directly back to your thesis.