The Basic 5-Paragraph Essay Format

Following this format will help organize your essay and make it easy for the reader to follow your thoughts.

Logical & Effective

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PowerEd, Inc. 2005

Paragraph 1 Introduction Hook Tie-in to prompt Thesis statement with 3 clear reasons, including one character trait

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Example of Paragraph 1
Intro

Tie-in to prompt

As I sauntered through the local mall, I couldnt help but smile from ear to ear. I was bogged down with heavy, multi-colored shopping bags from all of my favorite stores. Rounding a corner, I spotted a few faculty members from my school seated on a wooden bench. I stopped abruptly and shifted the bags in my hand. Suddenly, I remembered about the upcoming School Advisory meeting and the proposed changes for our school. I figured they were meeting here to discuss it. The School Advisory Committee should institute group work in the classroom because it will help develop cooperation, encourage higher achievement, and improve social skills. Thesis Statement
Sample Essay written by Lauren

Paragraph 2 First Point

Begin with a transition and your first reason from thesis statement

Example Transitions:
To begin with, In the first place,

Follow up with 3 solid sentences to support your reason

Use a quote, example, or statistic

End with a justifier sentence (restate the main idea of the paragraph)
Use a justifier transition such as: Obviously,

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Example of Paragraph 2
Restate 1st reason from thesis
Transition

Quote

To begin with, working with groups should be permitted because it teaches students to be cooperative. This is because kids will have to work together to complete the assignment. My science teacher always reminds us, Two heads are better than one. Therefore, two or more people helping each other on classwork can only be beneficial. Just think how students can work cooperatively to tackle an otherwise insufferable assignment. Clearly, changing all classwork to a group effort is an important and helpful idea.
Justifier sentence - persuasive Sample Essay written by Lauren

Justifier Transition

Paragraph 3 Second Point

Begin with a transition and your second reason from thesis statement

Example Transitions:
Additionally, Equally important,

Follow up with 3 solid sentences to support your reason

Use a quote, example, or statistic

End with a justifier sentence (restate the main idea of the paragraph)
Use a justifier transition such as: Clearly,

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PowerEd, Inc. 2005

Example of Paragraph 3
Restate 2nd reason from thesis

Additionally, working with partners will almost always mean Transition higher grades. Especially if a student is struggling in a class, his or her peers should be able to assist. A perfect example of this would be at my friends school. Most of her teachers allow Statistic group participation on assignments. A school wide study showed a 43% increase in class averages after the group work rule was initiated. Furthermore, students learn when they work Justifier together because in almost all cases, one person will be Transition stronger than the other and able to help his or her partner. Obviously, completing work with multiple students will allow for improvement in all academic areas. Justifier sentence - persuasive
Sample Essay written by Lauren

Paragraph 4 Third Point

Begin with a transition and your third reason from thesis statement

Example Transitions:
Of course, Furthermore,

Follow up with 3 solid sentences to support your reason

Use a quote, example, or statistic

End with a justifier sentence (restate the main idea of the paragraph)
Use a justifier transition such as: Thus,

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PowerEd, Inc. 2005

Example of Paragraph 4
Transition

Restate 3rd reason from thesis

Moreover, working in groups will help students socially. When a group assignment is issued, it forces kids to interact, discuss, and learn together with one another, which is of the utmost importance. For example, one of the school boards missions is to help students develop life skills. This means allowing both academic and social skills to be taught in Example schools. Also, we dont have enough free time as it is. Some children suffer and begin to dislike attending school because of the lack of interaction among their peers. Thus, partner work will initiate friendships, bonds, and social skills, which Justifier will all help a childs future.
Justifier sentence - persuasive Sample Essay written by Lauren
Transition

Paragraph 5 Conclusion
Re-state thesis in 2+ sentences Tie-back to hook from intro Complete introduction

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Example of Paragraph 5
RestateThesis Statement

Overall, the School Advisory Committee should definitely consider changing the rules about allowing multiple students to work together because it teaches them to get along. Also, children will most likely score higher and develop socially from the experience. Interested, I began to inch closer to my schools faculty members. I was hoping to overhear their discussion and add some ideas of my own. I decided I should give them my input to help improve my school!
Conclude
Tie-back to intro Sample Essay written by Lauren

Heres another example!

This essay written by Lauren begins with a quote introduction.

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PowerEd, Inc. 2005

Example of Paragraph 1
Intro

Transition & Explanation

William James once said, Act as though what you do makes a difference. It does. Basically, people dont realize that what you do affects everything. This is also true about watching Reality TV It can affect your mood, which can affect the mood of someone else who is around you. Watching Tie-in to Reality TV is like throwing a rock into a pond. The ripples prompt spread out to the edges of the pond, just like what you do affects everyone until it reaches the end of the Earth. Audiences prefer Reality TV as opposed to other types of programs because it is humorous, unique, and has a sense of adventure.
Thesis Statement Sample Essay written by Lauren

Example of Paragraph 2
Transition

Restate 1st reason from thesis

Example

Initially, Reality TV is humorous. Who doesnt like a good laugh once in a while? Everyone needs a stress reliever every few days so that they wont end up like an old man yelling, Hey, kids, get off my lawn!! For instance, I once had a terrible day at school. I failed a test; I had a gigantic fight with my friend and I tripped in front of a cute guy. When I got home, I turned on the T.V. My favorite show, Survivor, was on they were eating bugs to survive. I laughed so hard that I nearly cried. I forgot about all my troubles and relaxed. Clearly, Reality TV makes your gut bust from laughing so much.
Justifier sentence Sample Essay written by Lauren Justifier Transition

Example of Paragraph 3

Restate 2nd reason from thesis

Additionally, Reality T.V. is one of a kind. What other type of T.V. would have the crazy situations and Transition unpredictable events that Reality T.V. has? It is not played out like many shows, so it is always candid. Fights can break out and love can bloom on these types of shows. My mother always says, Normal is overrated. Without unpredictability, life is too boring. Quote In other words, people want to see something that is unscripted. Thus, a one-in-a-million type of T.V. is Justifier sentence Reality T.V.
Justifier Transition

Sample Essay written by Lauren

Transition

Example of Paragraph 4

Restate 3rd reason from thesis

Furthermore, Reality T.V. is adventurous. Who doesnt like to watch other people do crazy and phenomenal stunts while sitting in the comfort of your own couch? Its the adventure on the show that Statistic makes everyone keep watching. A recent survey in the Sun-Sentinel showed that four out of five people prefer action stories or shows, as opposed to comedy and drama. Obviously, the sense of adventure Justifier Transition prominent in many Reality T.V. shows is enjoyed by viewers everywhere . Justifier sentence
Sample Essay written by Lauren

Example of Paragraph 5
RestateThesis Statement

All in all, Reality T.V. is enjoyed by viewers because it is one of a kind television and completely hilarious to watch. Also, it is full of action. It is very tempting to watch other programs on television because some people do not like Reality T.V. Yet, we still watch the cast put their lives in danger anyway. And we love it!! William James hit the nail on the head with that quote. Everything you do, or watch, makes a difference!
Tie-back to intro Sample Essay written by Lauren Conclude

Heres another example!

This essay written by Christian begins uses a generalized statement in the introduction.

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PowerEd, Inc. 2005

Example of Paragraph 1
General Statement

Time Order Transitions

Having a curfew for all children under the age of sixteen requiring them to be inside their homes before 8:00 p.m. is a great idea. First, the mayor should keep the 8:00 p.m. curfew because it keeps children safe. Next, it give parents the reassurance that their kids are where they are supposed to be. Finally, it will stop problems caused by young drivers who are out at night.
3 Detail Statements
Sample Essay written by Christian

Example of Paragraph 2
Transition

Restate 1st detail statement

To begin with, the curfew should be kept because it keeps children safe. Studies show that 87% of fights and child Statistic abuse occurs past 8:00 p.m. Many terrible people are out at night in search of children to harm. If a curfew is set for kids not to be out alone without parents, then a majority of the child abuse will be obliterated. It also lets kids know that they will be okay at night and not have to worry. Obviously, an 8:00 p.m. curfew will keep children safer at night.
Justifier Transition Sample Essay written by Christian

Justifier sentence - persuasive

Example of Paragraph 3
Transition

Restate 2nd detail statement

Justifier Transition

Furthermore, the curfew would let parents know their children are going to be okay. For example, if your child is Example not at home by 8:00 p.m. after being out in the late afternoon, then you would know that something is definitely wrong. Giving them a curfew would also mean that they will be home earlier. Then the parents wont have to commiserate when something happens to their beloved children. Clearly, the curfew will help parents not stress out at night waiting for their children to come home after theyve been waiting long hours. Justifier sentence - persuasive
Sample Essay written by Christian

Transition

Example of Paragraph 4

Restate 3rd detail statement

Quote

Finally, having a curfew will stop accidents and problems caused by young drivers at night. As my grandma always said, Young kids dont have any business driving around late at night. Giving young drivers a curfew will stop them from doing puerile or puckish act that they will regret for the rest of their lives. Most of the drunk driving accidents are usually caused because young drivers feel like its cool to drink, and then, through an egregious idea, drive home like they didnt do absolutely anything wrong. If a curfew like this is set, then young men who have just received their license will know that they have to get home soon and have less time to get into trouble. Thus, having an 8:00 p.m. curfew will stop most of the young driver accidents and keep the streets safer at night.
Justifier Transition

Justifier sentence - persuasive

Sample Essay written by Christian

Example of Paragraph 5
Thesis Statement

To conclude, the underage curfew should be enacted because it will keep children safe, let parents know where their children are, and will stop accidents caused by young drivers from occurring. I guess my grandma was right. Kids definitely should not be out too late. Having an 8:00 p.m. curfew is a great idea and should be used in every town in the world to keep kids safe!
Conclude
Tie-back to supporting detail Sample Essay written by Christian