There are things that one needs to know that contribute to excellence in writing. They are not hard to learn. Once you know them, they do take practice to gain proficiency. That practice makes all the difference in the world.

     Think of the five paragraph essay as having five separate parts. Learn to master each of the parts one at a time. As you become proficient with one part, work on proficiency in the next. Writing the introduction and the conclusion are strongly linked. Working on them in sequence will make the job easier. Then tackle the body paragraphs, one at a time. With the inclusion of transitions, you will get the feel and flow of the essay. Put them all together, and you will have the first draft of your essay.

     Here are some sites that will help you to improve your understanding and technique:

• Thesis Statement - be sure to scroll to check for the answers
• How Do I Write Body or Support Paragraphs - good basic information
• Writing Essay Exams
• Transitions - discusses the need for and types of transitions
• Transitions - Learn which words to use for varying purposes.
• Transition Words
• Transition Words by Purpose
• Strategies for Writing a Conclusion - These are things to consider
• Writing conclusions - good examples help you see the points

• The Writer's Den - a site where the feature is usually a good essay
• Sample Essay - learn what a basic one should be like