The Five Paragraph Essay

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The Five Paragraph Essay

The Five Paragraph Essay

The IntroductionThe introduction should start with a general discussion of your subject (known as the hook) and lead to a very specific statement of your main point, or thesis. Sometimes an essay begins with a "grabber," such as a challenging claim, or surprising story to catch a reader's attention. ExampleThe introduction begins with a broad view of physical fitness generally, but also engages the reader by connecting with general experience. . The specifics make the idea more convincing, and create more associations for the reader. ,*Ex. In recent years many people have become increasingly aware of the need for physical fitness. Almost everywhere people turn, whether it is to a newsstand, television or billboard, advice for guarding and improving health bombards them. Although much of this advice is commercially motivated by those eager to sell vitamins, natural foods and reducing gimmicks. Some of it, especially that advocating a regular exercise program, merits serious attention. Such a program, if it consists of at least thirty minutes three times a week and if a person's physician approves it, provides numerous benefits []

The ThesisThe thesis should tell in one (or at most two) sentence(s), what your overall point or argument is, and briefly, what your main body paragraphs will be about. Thesis ExampleThe thesis would briefly state the main reasons for regular exercise, and each reason would be discussed in the main body of the essay.Regular exercise releases tension, improves appearance, and increases stamina.The topic sentenceThis sentence offers the expanded idea, renews the essay idea and also alerts the reader to the underlying logic of the arrangement of main ideas.

Topic Sentence exampleThe first of these benefits, the release of tension, is immediate.The subtopicsThe subtopic expands on the main idea outlined in the topic sentence. This is where you specify on your topic sentence, which in turn should reflect your thesis. Subtopics exampleTension builds in the body because of an over-accumulation of adrenaline produced by stress, anxiety, or fear. Doctors agree that performing calisthenics or participating in an active sport such as tennis or volleyball for thirty minutes releases tension. If a person swims, jogs or rides a bicycle for half that time, he or she should sleep better at night and have a better temperament the next day. In addition, after the release of tension, petty irritations and frustrations should be less troubling For example, an employee upset by the day's work and by traffic congestion may rush home, argue with the family, and eat excessively. Taking about thirty minutes to release frustrations through physical exercise could help him or her to avoid this behavior. Planned physical exercise, therefore, can eliminate, or at least control, tension.(each closing sentence should also sum up your topic and your thesis).Transition wordstransitions are phrases or words used to connect one idea to the next.transitions are used by the author to help the reader progress from one significant idea to the next.transitions also show the relationship within a paragraph (or within a sentence) between the main idea and the support the author gives for those ideas.Transition Examplesin the first place

FurthermoreAlsoin additionin the light ofin like manneras a matter of factbut alsoAgainnot only ... not to mentionfirst, second, thirdto say nothing ofAndby the same tokenToequally importantcoupled within the same ContdThenuniquely

SimilarlyadditionallyEquallyLikeIdenticallyMoreoverAsTootogether withas well asof courseLikewiseCorrespondinglyComparativelyThe conclusionThe conclusion returns to the opening, repeating the initial example, question, problem or statement that opens the essay. This provides a satisfying sense of overall design and completeness, and strengthens unity.You need to reinforce or restate your conclusion. Conclusion ExampleAlthough easy solutions to the goals of losing weight and achieving an attractive, energetic body saturate the media. Actually acquiring these benefits is not easy. The rewards, however, are fully worth the effort of an established exercise program that makes a person feel relaxed, look healthy, and have adequate strength for strenuous as well as routine activities.*** take note how this last statement is actually a restatement of the thesis. It minimizes reader confusion.