A 5 paragraph essay outline is a classic structure for an argumentative essay. If you’ve had trouble with this assignment, check out our easy step-by-step guide to writing a basic outline for your next 5 paragraph essay.
What Is a 5 Paragraph Essay?
The 5 paragraph essay is one of the most common and popular essay formats. It includes five paragraphs: an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph. The body paragraphs should be connected by a topic sentence summarizing each section’s main idea. In this article, we will discuss how to write a 5 paragraph essay outline so that you can organize your thoughts and come up with an effective structure for your paper.
How To Write a Basic 5 Paragraph Essay Outline
A 5 paragraph essay is a basic format for writing an essay. It consists of five paragraphs—an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has its topic sentence that summarizes its main idea, which can be developed in more detail using supporting evidence from the text or research.
A 5 paragraph outline is an essential tool used by students while writing essays because it helps them organize their thoughts before they begin writing their drafts. It also provides a structure for them to follow when they are working on their drafts to ensure consistency throughout each paragraph and ensure that every paragraph contains all of the necessary elements needed for a strong essay (i.e., introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion).
1. Paragraph 1: Introduction
An introductory paragraph should include a thesis statement (a single sentence that sums up the main idea of your essay) and an attention-getter or “hook.” In other words, how will you entice your reader into reading further?
Your thesis statement should be something like:
“In this paper, I will argue/examine/discuss….”
It would be best if you also came up with several possible hooks for your essay:
“I once read a book…,” “This may sound crazy…but…,” or simply the question, “Have you ever wondered why….?
2. Paragraph 2: First supporting point
Your first supporting point should be relevant to your thesis and directly address it. You should not repeat the topic sentence differently or use words like “however” or “but” to turn it around. The reader wants to know why you feel this way about the topic, not just that you do.
To support your thesis, use a quote from someone famous or an example from popular culture. A statistic or fact is also good for supporting a point; if you are writing about something that happened recently in history (for example, 9/11), then look at official reports on what happened during those attacks and include statistics such as how many people died and where they came from about where they were living when they died (for example New York City versus Chicago).
3. Paragraph 3: Second supporting point
Paragraph three is the second supporting point. You’ll want to write a sentence that states your second argument and then give at least one example to support it. The paragraph three body paragraphs should be able to stand on their own, so make sure the second point you choose supports your thesis and the rest of your essay.
4. Paragraph 4: Third supporting point
This is the third and final supporting point. You will briefly introduce your third example or fact supporting the main idea. You can also use this paragraph to link back to one or both of the previous supporting points by providing additional details about how they support your thesis.
Be sure to wrap up with a restatement of your thesis at least once in every paragraph (paragraphs 1 and 2 already do this).
The best way to end a paragraph is by providing a specific example or statistic that demonstrates how what you’ve written in this essay relates directly back to the main idea.
5. Paragraph 5: Conclusion
The concluding paragraph is a very important part of your essay. It’s the last thing your reader will read, so it needs to be clear and concise and leave them with something to think about. You can summarize the main points of your paper, restate your thesis and explain how your supporting arguments are connected to the main idea. This helps ensure that you have made a strong argument throughout your paper because it will show how these elements are related. Here are some examples:
Tips for Writing Your 5 Paragraph Essay Outline
Writing a 5 paragraph essay outline is all about organization. Once you’ve got the basics, it’s time to write. Here are some tips for writing your 5 paragraph outline:
- Restate your thesis in each paragraph. This will help ensure that you stay on topic and don’t stray from your central argument as you write each paragraph.
- Use transition words like “because,” “for instance,” or “therefore” to help readers follow along with your outline easily. Your paragraphs should be arranged so that they build off one another logically; this will help keep everything organized when it comes time to structure them into an actual essay later in the process (which we discuss below).
- Use topic sentences in every paragraph. The topic sentence should be a single sentence that clearly states what your paragraph is about. It might be tempting to jump right into your paragraphs without writing a topic sentence, but don’t do it! The topic sentence will help you stay focused on the main points of each paragraph as you write them; without one, it can be easy for writers to get lost in details or wander off-topic.
The Basic Five Paragraph Essay: Format, Outline Worksheet, and Template
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Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you to understand the basics of writing a 5 paragraph essay. We know that it can be a lot to take in, but if you follow the steps we’ve outlined here, you’ll be able to write any essay easily. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your teacher or another expert if you get stuck at any point along the way—they are there for a reason!
With a passion for helping students navigate their educational journey, I strive to create informative and relatable blog content. Whether it’s tackling exam stress, offering career guidance, or sharing effective study techniques
