Edited by Professor Haydee Cruz Rivera ENGL 153

The Three Main Parts: Introduction Body Conclusion

OVERALL STRUCTURE OF THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY

Introduction: Tell them what youre going to tell them.

Body: Tell them.

Conclusion: Tell them what youve told them.

I. Introduction: The First Paragraph of the Essay

The first paragraph of the five paragraph is

called the introduction. In a non persuasive essay, it about three to five sentences long. main parts of the introduction.

These three to five sentences make up the three The three main parts of the introductory

paragraph are named as follows: the Lead-In, the Transition, and the Thesis Statement/Essay Map. They may be explained as follows:

A.

The Lead-In:

a very general sentence or sentences that simply introduce(s) the subject (topic) of the essay. 1. Example: I do not remember when and why my father disappeared from our life, but I do remember that we have never felt his absence because my mother was always there for us through good times and bad times.

B.

Transition: A Slightly more specific

sentence or sentences that identify/ies the particular aspect of the topic that will be discussed in the essay. In other words, the transition narrows the topic. 1. Example: My mother Enriqueta F. Garcia has three children, all girls. Throughout the years of raising us, she has been the source of love and strength for us girls.

2. The particular aspect identified is that her mother has been a source of love and strength for her daughters.

C.

Thesis Statement-Essay Map

1. The Thesis Statement is the main idea of the

entire essay. In this case, the Thesis Statement is that the authors mother is an amazing woman. 2. The Essay Map is the list of the three main ideas that will be developed in the Body Paragraphs: in this essay, they are: performs the double role of a mother and a father, holds a full-time job, and still manages to tend to all her daughters needs. 3. Example: She is an amazing woman who performs the double role of a mother and a father, holds a full-time job, and still manages to tend to all our needs.

II. The Body Paragraph: Three Main Components A. Topic Sentence

1. The topic sentence is the sentence that expresses the main idea of the body paragraph, which is one of the three main supporting ideas presented in the Essay Map. a. Example: First, my mother has always been both a Mom and a Dad to us since we were little.

B.

Supporting Details
1. The supporting details are the specific pieces of information that clarify, explain, illustrate and develop the main idea expressed in the Topic Sentence. A. Example: 1. Like a father, she 1brings in the money, 2pays the bills, 3sets the rules, and 4disciplines us whenever it is needed. But even though she is 5rough and tough, she 6has a loving and tender heart.

C. Concluding Sentence
1. The concluding sentence gives closure to the paragraph by paraphrasing the Topic Sentence.
a. Example: In short, despite the absence of my father, we have never felt that emotional void because my mother has been doing an outstanding job of filling both a mothers and a fathers role.

III. The Concluding Paragraph: Four Main Components

A. Paraphrase of the Lead-In

1. Example: In conclusion, as one can see, thanks to our mother, our fathers absence from our world was never a painful issue for my sisters and me.

B. Paraphrase of the Transition

2. Example: My mother is a strong, loving woman

C. Paraphrase of Thesis Statement and Essay Map

1. Example: who, amazingly, has been both a Mom and a Dad to us as well as being a competent accountant and compassionate caregiver.

D. Statement emphasizing and expanding the importance of the topic

1. Example: Her giving spirit and dedication to her work and family have been an inspiration to us, and we will try our very best to be just like her so that we can instill those values in our own children.