Writing aFive-Paragraph Essay

Writing essays or themes requires the author to follow a

predictable format.

The Completed EssayFour identifiable parts

Title

Introductory Paragraph

Body or Detail Paragraphs (3+)

Concluding Paragraph

The Working EssayThe author will be similar to a chef creating a

delicious Italian grinder.

First – find the recipe and gather ingredients(brainstorming and pre-writing)

Second – create the filling (the body paragraphs)Third – prepare the bun (intro and conclusion)Lastly – garnish the dish (title)

1a. The Recipe

Find the topic = Renaissance

Narrow the topic = People places, inventions, and ideas helped make the Renaissance flourish in the countries of Western Europe.

1b. The Ingredients

Through outlining or webbing, the organization of the essay is found.

In our case, the graphic organizers or webs made of five European countries will be used. Your job will be to choose three of the five countries we studied.

One Secret Ingredient

To receive a grade of an “A” For each of the three countries chosen, students must

research a new person, invention, or idea that has not been mentioned in the textbook.

Add this new addition to the graphic organizer IN RED INK.

Be sure to add the important details about this person to the graphic organizer.

Use movie notes or Google. Be sure the dates match the Renaissance period. (roughly from 1300 – 1600)

2. Let the writing begin.Excellent essays are written by authors who

understand writing is powerful when written OUT OF ORDER.

Most authors of excellent essays write the body paragraphs first, then the introduction, then the conclusion, and finally the title.

These parts are rearranged for the final essay

One Word of CautionAuthors who write with knowledge and maturity

tell facts and information. They NEVER tell strategy!

How do you reveal strategy? In this essay, I will write about…. In this paragraph you will read about…This essay / paragraph is about…

The most immature writing example: I hope you enjoyed my essay about the Renaissance. / Thank you for reading my … / Now you know about… /

The words “I, me, or my” should not be used in this essay!

2. Body paragraph #1What country would be a good place to start?

Now look at your web and decide what people, inventions, or ideas need to be included in this paragraph. Star them on your graphic organizer. You want to choose three or four strong examples that help the Renaissance to flourish in this country.

Remember the secret ingredient in your three or four choices.

2. Body Paragraph #1 has three parts.

Topic sentence

Detail sentences

Clincher sentence

2. The topic sentence

Is usually the first sentence

Introduces the main idea

Sometimes introduces the details

2. Types of topic sentences

General topic sentence

Clueing topic sentence

Specific topic sentence

2. General Topic Sentence

Names the main idea of the paragraph in an interesting way

Example: The Renaissance flourished in Italy which is where the Renaissance began.

2. Clueing Topic SentenceNames the main ideaGives a clue about the detailsExamples:

The Renaissance flourished in Italy because of several people.

The Renaissance flourished in Italy thanks to the contributions of three people.

The Renaissance, which began in Italy, was deeply influenced by the work of artists and architects.

2. Specific Topic SentenceNames the main ideaNames the specific details to be covered in order

Example: The Renaissance flourished in Italy thanks to the artist Leonardo de Vinci, the artist Michelangelo, and the architect Filippo Brunelleschi.

Write

Choose what type of topic sentence you want for this first body paragraph, and write it.

Remember this sentence is the first in the paragraph so it will be indented. The detail sentences and the clincher will also be part of this first body paragraph.

2. Detail SentencesName 1-3 main ideasShould give reader interesting information about

the detailsShould contain related info.Be in logical orderIncludes transition words if new detail

2. TransitionsOne example / Another example / A further

example / For example / For instance / Still another / In

addition / Additionally / One / Another / A further / The lastFirst / Second / Third / Last

2. Detail sentencesLead off

Leads into a new detailContains a transition

Follow-upProvides more info. about the detail

WriteAdd on to the topic sentence you wrote for this

paragraph by adding on the three or four details.

2. Clincher SentenceLast sentence in the paragraphCloses the paragraphRenames the main idea of the paragraphSometimes summarizes or names the detailsDifferent from the topic sentenceMay use concluding transition words that tell the

reader the paragraph is finished

2. General Clincher SentenceOnly summarizes the main idea

Example: As you can see, some of the most famous people of history were found in Renaissance Italy.

2.Clueing Clincher SentenceNames the main ideaTies the details together with a clue word

Example: To sum up, these three people truly added to the ideas of the Renaissance in Spain.

2. Specific Clincher SentenceNames the main ideaNames the specific details that were covered in

the paragraph in order

Example: To summarize, the important people who influenced the Renaissance in Italy were Leonardo de Vinci, Michelangelo, and Brunelleschi.

WriteComplete the first body paragraph by adding the

clincher sentence.Your rough draft sentences created in class should

now be word processed and saved.A student editor will check your paragraph

First – for revisions Second – for editing

You lose points if your paragraph is not ready for a student editor!

Student EditorTopic Sentence – What kind?3-4 ideas in 3-8 Detail Sentences – Editor will write

down the three or four ideas and count the detail sentences.

Clincher – What kind?Transitions – How many?Does the paragraph make sense? Does the

paragraph flow? Does the writing show maturity? Are the sentences constructed correctly?