The Five Paragraph Essay

The Introduction
The 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.

Example
The 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 Thesis
The 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 Example
The 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 sentence

This 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 example

The first of these benefits, the release of tension, is
immediate.

The subtopics
The 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 example
Tension 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 words
transitions 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 Examples
in the first place

Furthermore

Also

in addition

in the light of

in like manner

as a matter of
fact

but also

Again

not only ...

not to mention

first, second,
third

to say nothing of

And

by the same
token

To

equally
important

coupled within
the same

Contd
Then

uniquely

Similarly

additionally

Equally

Like

Identically

Moreover

As

Too

together with

as well as

of course

Likewise

Corresponding Comparatively
ly

The conclusion
The 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 Example
Although 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.