Writing is an act of invention

5 Paragraph Essay the Formula

Paragraph 1: Introduction with thesis as the last sentence

Paragraphs 2, 3,4: Body Paragraphs

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

Paragraph 1: The Introduction

• Catchy opening/Hook/Grab reader’s attention• Give a few brief sentences of summary about

story/time/place• Last sentence of the introduction =THESIS

– The one sentence that states what the entire will essay will prove – The premise or central argument

– The most important sentence in the essay– Usually 3 pronged

The magic number is

Introductionsand

Conclusions

Introduction: Moves from the General to Specific

• General

• Specific

•Thesis

Introduction: From the General to the Specific

Begin generally. Begin with a hook:

Anecdote, Quotation, Question, Statistic

Explain how your hook applies to the specific story.

Give some brief background information on the plot, setting, and characters.

GENERAL

SPECIFIC

THESIS

Thesis: Your specific argument.Thesis is the last sentence of the Thesis is the last sentence of the

introduction. introduction.

Sample Essay Prompt and Thesis

Sample prompt: Who is to blame for the tragedy in “The Veldt”?

Thesis re-states the prompt

The magic number is

3 Pronged Thesis:

Sample Thesis: The psychologist, the children, and the parents all play a role in the tragedy that occurs.

Hooks Begin with:

• A provocative question• A startling statement• An anecdote• An interesting quotation• An intriguing definition

Anecdote as Hook• In June 2008, a fifteen year old heiress, daughter of actress Ellen Barkin

and Revlon owner Ron Perelman, Caleigh Perelman, sued her mother for not allowing her to have more computer time and won. While this situation seems far-fetched, we are now living in a topsy-turvy world where some children seem to have more power than their parents. This scenario is precisely the one depicted in Bradbury’s “The Veldt.” In this story, the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hadley, are murdered by their children, Peter and Wendy, who premeditate their parents’ demise after being forbidden to continue to play in their high tech nursery. The parents make the decision to close the nursery at the suggestion of their psychologist. Ultimately, the psychologist, the children, and the parents are all to blame for playing a role in this tragedy.

Quotation as Hookhttp://www.quoteland.com (click here)

“A boy or girl who knows that love abounds at home will not resent well-deserved punishment. One who is unloved or ignored will hate any form of discipline.”-Dr. James Dobson

Explain the quotation. Then explain how it applies to the story.

Startling Statement as Hook

• Technology is ruining our lives.

Provocative Question as Hook

• How come parents just cannot say no to their children anymore?

• Does technology help us or harm us?

Conclusion: From the Specific to the General

Draw a conclusion

Answers the “SO WHAT?” question

Specific

(Re-statethe

Thesis)

Personal applicationSocietal applicationLiterary application

General

Conclusion answers the “So what?” question

Why does this topic matter at all—to me, to society, etc.?

Draw a conclusion.

Writing is an act of invention. INVENT a reason!

• Think of why the work is being taught in school. Are there any universal themes? Do the characters reflect qualities in human nature we relate to? When was the book written? Why?

So What? Draw a conclusionDifferent ways to approach your conclusion

Literary Application:

This story is reminiscent of Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot where the technology gets so out of control that robots take over the world. Is this where our future is headed?

Societal application:

• This story teaches parents a valuable lesson. When parents cease to monitor their children, their kids may act with an attitude of entitlement or they might begin to get into all types of trouble. Children may start associating with the wrong type of people who can negatively influence them; their grades may start slipping…

Personal application:

• I personally relate to this story because I trample over my parents and do not appreciate them enough…

You can also end with a hook:

• A provocative question

• A startling statement

• An anecdote

• An interesting quotation

• An intriguing definition

When you sit down to start the essay:

Some students find it easier to begin with the thesis and body paragraphs.

You may want to write the introduction and conclusion LAST.

Ideas don’t come out of the air.

WRITE TO DISCOVER.