How To Write A 5-Paragraph Essay
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The 5-paragraph or 3-point essay is also known as a keyhole essay or hamburger essay.
It is a basic essay form that has been used by countless generations.
Its advantages include its simplicity which makes it an easy essay to understand and write.
Its disadvantages include its simplicity which does not cover an issue or question in any depth.
The basic 5-paragraph essay is suitable for in-class writings and essay exams, but is not enough for papers. It should also be considered only a starting point for essay exams as more development or an altered format may be needed to appropriately answer the prompt/question. It is a starting point only.
Learning how to write a 5-paragraph essay is a key part of every student's education which makes these points important academic writing tips.
It is a basic essay form that has been used by countless generations.
Its advantages include its simplicity which makes it an easy essay to understand and write.
Its disadvantages include its simplicity which does not cover an issue or question in any depth.
The basic 5-paragraph essay is suitable for in-class writings and essay exams, but is not enough for papers. It should also be considered only a starting point for essay exams as more development or an altered format may be needed to appropriately answer the prompt/question. It is a starting point only.
Learning how to write a 5-paragraph essay is a key part of every student's education which makes these points important academic writing tips.
- Teaching writing
- Teaching writing skills
When is the five-paragraph essay useful?
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Essay Format
How do you build a five-paragraph essay?
1st paragraph--Introduction including thesis (3 points, all topics/supporting points should be stated or implied in the thesis)
2nd paragraph--Topic/supporting point 1
3rd paragraph--Topic/supporting point 2
4th paragraph--Topic/supporting point 3
5th paragraph--Conclusion (bring back to main question/issue/statement/thesis)
2nd paragraph--Topic/supporting point 1
3rd paragraph--Topic/supporting point 2
4th paragraph--Topic/supporting point 3
5th paragraph--Conclusion (bring back to main question/issue/statement/thesis)
Important!
Pick A Position
Staying focused is key when you have a short time to write and a limited word count. Brainstorm and develop a thesis before you start writing and then the structure of your essay will easily follow.
Match your thesis to your five-paragraph structure. Take a position (Colleges should not require general education classes because...) and then list three reasons to support your position. Those three reasons then become your body paragraphs for your five paragraph essay.
Match your thesis to your five-paragraph structure. Take a position (Colleges should not require general education classes because...) and then list three reasons to support your position. Those three reasons then become your body paragraphs for your five paragraph essay.
Details Are Key!
Think specific, come up with examples while brainstorming and make sure you have details and examples for all your major points. You need to develop and support each of the points you make.
“The keyhole essay is easy to use and just as easy to abuse -- so take care!”
The Essay
I like to teach the five-paragraph essay to my composition students as I think it is an useful format. Students who struggle with writing find this structure a comfortable place to begin and it works well if time to write is tight (such as with an essay exam).
However some compositionists argue against teaching it at the college level as there are many limitations. The first is that clearly this format will not work for a 1000-word essay. Another is that some students do not flex the format to fit the writing situation or prompt. Remember, the form is only a tool or a suggested place to start. As the writer you have the power to alter the form to suit the task at hand. If your prompt calls for four paragraphs or six paragraphs then change the form.
However some compositionists argue against teaching it at the college level as there are many limitations. The first is that clearly this format will not work for a 1000-word essay. Another is that some students do not flex the format to fit the writing situation or prompt. Remember, the form is only a tool or a suggested place to start. As the writer you have the power to alter the form to suit the task at hand. If your prompt calls for four paragraphs or six paragraphs then change the form.
“Fit the essay to the prompt. Don't try to shoehorn a 6-paragraph essay into this format.”
Writing Tip
What do you do when you have a 5-paragraph essay & need to make it longer?
Mastering The 5-paragraph Essay
Mastering The 5-paragraph Essay (Best Practices in Action)
Amazon Price: $7.39 (as of 02/16/2012)
Need more advice?
- College writing
- The Writing Center
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - How to Write an Essay | What is an Essay?
- How to Write an Essay, Dissertation or Report
- Structure of the Five Paragraph Essay
- Outline of the Five Paragraph Essay
- The 5 Paragraph Essay Format
- The 5 Paragraph Essay Format
- Baker Keyhole Essay
- WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF A BAKER KEYHOLE
ESSAY?
Thirty-Six Stars
Writing Five-Paragraph Essays
Thirty-Six Stars: Writing Five-Paragraph Essays
Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 02/16/2012)
Questions or comments about the 5-paragraph essay?
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KatMalone Dec 12, 2011 @ 7:10 pm | delete
- I like the sources you included in your lens.
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GenesisLabs
Nov 25, 2011 @ 8:47 pm | delete
- Good lens. I liked your clear presentation style.
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RobinDM
Nov 24, 2011 @ 6:32 pm | delete
- Very good job!
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lobrieng
Oct 17, 2011 @ 12:21 pm | delete
- Just the advice that my international students need--particularly for the essay portions of the SAT, ACT and TOEFL tests. I just featured you on my college advice site!
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bhthanks
Oct 2, 2011 @ 6:46 pm | delete
- great advice
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I teach academic writing and have for more than a decade. If you are looking for tips for writing academic papers then look no further than my collect... more »
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