Five Paragraph Essay Pyramid

1
Five Paragraph EssayPyramid

• Introductory Paragraph    
•  
• The Introductory Paragraph begins with the Thesis
  Statement (can also be used last).  The Thesis
  is a general statement that directly answers the
  Call of the Question (prompt). The Thesis is
  supported by (usually) three sub-thesis points
  that result from asking of the Thesis Statement
• How? Why? Because? 
• Basic information about the book, name of author,
  and central characters (if applicable) should be
  included in the introductory paragraph.

2
Body Paragraphs

• II. Body Paragraph 1 starts with your first
  sub-thesis point, generally your first reason in
  support or defense of your thesis statement. 
  This is the topic sentence for the paragraph.
  Next, explain or define what you mean in the
  topic sentence, so that the reader gains insight
  into what you mean. The rest of this paragraph
  will provide examples and illustration of this
  topic sentenceusing direct text references. 
• Topic Sentence (Sub-Thesis Point)
• Explanation/Definition
• Examples/Illustration
• Transition

3
Clincher/Transition Sentences

• Clincher/Transition sentence The last sentence
  of each body paragraph should be a clincher for
  the paragraph.  (To form a clincher, include two
  or three key words from the topic sentence and
  restate the essential idea of the topic
  sentence.)  As you get more confident in writing
  essays, you may also use your clincher sentence
  to lead into the next paragraph somehow. 

4
Body Paragraphs

• III. Body Paragraph 2 states the second
  sub-thesis in support of the thesis, and develops
  that point throughout the paragraph, following
  the format in Body Paragraph 1.  
•  
• IV. Body Paragraph 3 states the third sub-thesis
  in support of the thesis statement and develops
  that point throughout the paragraph.   You may
  want to save this paragraph for your strongest
  sub-thesis pointas a way of finishing as
  strongly as you can.  

5
Concluding Paragraph

• V. This final Concluding Paragraph begins with a
  restatement of your thesis.  You need not use
  such words as "in conclusion" since your reader
  will recognize the end of your essay from the
  restatement of your thesis.  This paragraph is in
  some ways an inversion of your opening,
  introductory paragraph.    Then make sure you
  answer the "so what?" question in this
  paragraph.  Why is your thesis important?  What
  relevance does it have to the life and world of
  your reader?  Try to conclude with force and
  power and some idea of why your point is
  important or compelling.
• Note Do not use I or you in your academic
  essay, unless embedded in a direct quote