Five
Paragraph Essay Outline
I.
Introduction
a. Hook:
A
short introduction—1-3 sentences—meant to grasp the reader’s attention, set a
tone for your essay, and establish the thematic content of your essay. This
hook should hint at the significance of your essay, giving the reader a
preliminary idea of why this essay is important.
b. Background
Title:
Underlined or in italics if it is a novel, in quotation marks (“….”) if it is a
short story, article, or poem): _________________
Author:
_________________________
Other
Necessary Information: May include genre, setting, even a short plot summary,
but should be limited to information that will help the reader to understand
your essay)
Write
it out—Combine your background information in 1-2 sentences.
c. Thesis
Statement:
A one sentence assertion telling what your essay will prove.
3
points that support your argument:
Point 1:
_____________________________________
Point 2:
_____________________________________
Point 3:
_____________________________________
Write
it out. Integrate your statement and your 3 points.
II.
Body Paragraph 1
Topic
Sentence:
Evidence
1:
Commentary
1:
Evidence
2:
Commentary 2:
Evidence
3:
Commentary
3:
III.
Body Paragraph 2
Topic
Sentence:
Evidence
1:
Commentary
1:
Evidence
2:
Commentary
2:
Evidence
3:
Commentary
3:
IV.
Body Paragraph 3
Topic
Sentence:
Evidence
1:
Commentary
1:
Evidence
2:
Commentary
2:
Evidence
3:
Commentary
3:
V.
Conclusion
a. Repeat Thesis (in different words)
Statement:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
3 points (that support your statement)
Point 1:
_________________________________________
Point 2:
_________________________________________
Point 3: _________________________________________
Write it out. Integrate your statement and
your 3 points
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
b. Final Comment
Write
1-3 sentences telling the significance of the argument that you just made. It
should be reminiscent of the HOOK from the introductory paragraph, reminding
the reader why he/she read this essay.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________