GUIDELINES FOR 5 PARAGRAPH EXPOSITORY ESSAYS

  1. All essays MUST be precisely 5 paragraphs.
  1. Introductory paragraph MUST have a minimum of 6 sentences.
  1. Conclusion paragraph MUST have a minimum of 5 sentences.
  1. Body paragraphs MUST have a minimum of 8 sentences.
  1. Eliminate use of the first person pronoun(I, me, my, mine, myself, we, us, our, etc.).
  1. Eliminate use of the second person pronoun (you, your).
  1. Keep verb tenses consistent and predominantly in the present tense.
  1. Use vocabulary which is representative of your grade level and DO NOT USE

“a lot.”

  1. Establish clear and general topic sentences which serve to support your thesis.
  1. Employ clear and general clinchers which also serve as transitions to your next

paragraph.

  1. Elaborate on your supporting points with details, examples, and quotes.
  1. Do not allow quotes to stand alone as a sentence. Provide a lead-in for quotes.
  1. Employ connectives/linking expressions such as accordingly, for example, furthermore, however, in addition, moreover, nevertheless, on the contrary, therefore, etc.
  1. Avoid run-on sentences and sentence fragments. Always aim for clarity, accuracy, and economy of language.

5 Paragraph Expository Essay Outline

Paragraph #1 Introductory Paragraph

Thesis Statement – this sentence should essentially say what your essay is about or what you

intend to prove. In an essay about literature, you MUST include the author’s

name and title of the work. Hint: Try restating the essay question in the

form of a statement.

Your Thesis:

Overview Statement(s) – provide three to five sentences in which you will creatively (use

metaphor, allegory, etc.) explain or define your terms(symbolism,

imagery, dynamic character, etc.), suggestthe importance or

significance of the topic, expand upon your thesis, etc. You should

“CLOSE THE CIRCLE” by referring back to this overview when you

write your conclusion.

Your Overview:

3 Major Points – dedicate one sentence for each of your major points as they relate to

your thesis. Each of these major points will serve as a topic sentence

for your body paragraphs.

Your Major Points:

#1:

#2

#3

Clincher Statement: This sentence should be general in nature and will reflect back to your thesis

statement.

Your Clincher:

Paragraph #2 1st Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence – This general statement corresponds to your 1st major point and is the

cornerstone of this entire paragraph. Do not repeat Major Point #1 verbatim.

Your Topic Sentence:

Overview Statement – This statement expands upon or explains your topic sentence.

Your Overview:

1st Supporting Point – This statement will be more specific than your topic sentence andserve to

support your topic sentence in some way depending on how you’ve

organized this paragraph.

Your 1st Supporting Point:

Elaboration – This statement is very specific and can include precise details related to the above

supporting point. Elaboration can include detailed descriptions/explanations,

explicit examples, or quotes from the text.

Your Elaboration:

Your 2nd Supporting Point:

Your Elaboration:

Your 3rd Supporting Point:

Your Elaboration:

Clincher - This general statement should not only relate to your topic sentence, but also serve as

a transition into your next paragraph. Try utilizing a complexsentence here.

Your Clincher:

Paragraph #3 2nd Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence – This general statement corresponds to your 2nd major point and is the

cornerstone of this entire paragraph. Do not repeat Major Point #2 verbatim.

Your Topic Sentence:

Overview Statement – This statement expands upon or explains your topic sentence.

Your Overview:

1st Supporting Point – This statement will be more specific than your topic sentence and serve to

support your topic sentence in some way depending on how you’ve

organized this paragraph.

Your 1st Supporting Point:

Elaboration – This statement is very specific and can include precise details related to the above

supporting point. Elaboration can include detailed descriptions/explanations,

explicit examples, or quotes from the text.

Your Elaboration:

Your 2nd Supporting Point:

Your Elaboration:

Your 3rd Supporting Point:

Your Elaboration:

Clincher - This general statement should not only relate to your topic sentence, but also serve as

a transition into your next paragraph. Try utilizing a complexsentence here.

Your Clincher:

Paragraph #4 3rd Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence – This general statement corresponds to your 3rd major point and is the

cornerstone of this entire paragraph. Do not repeat Major Point #3 verbatim.

Your Topic Sentence:

Overview Statement – This statement expands upon or explains your topic sentence.

Your Overview:

1st Supporting Point – This statement will be more specific than your topic sentence and serve to

support your topic sentence in some way depending on how you’ve

organized this paragraph.

Your 1st Supporting Point:

Elaboration – This statement is very specific and can include precise details related to the above

supporting point. Elaboration can include detailed descriptions/explanations,

explicit examples, or quotes from the text.

Your Elaboration:

Your 2nd Supporting Point:

Your Elaboration:

Your 3rd Supporting Point:

Your Elaboration:

Clincher - This general statement should effectively close the paragraph and relate to your topic

sentence.

Your Clincher:

Paragraph #5 Conclusion

  1. This paragraph should be aminimum of 5 sentences.
  1. CLOSE THE CIRCLE – Refer back to and connect with the creative analogy, metaphor, insight, or comparison you developed in the overview of your introduction.
  1. Creatively summarize the major ideas of your essay. In other words, echo your thesis and major points without simply repeating them word for word.
  1. Demonstrate for your reader that your thesis has been effectively proven.
  1. Utilize a strong image or a bit of wit.
  1. While you should creatively summarize your major ideas, do NOT introduce any new key ideas in your conclusion.
  1. If it is appropriate to the type of essay you are writing, consider suggesting a course of action.

IMPORTANT NOTE: A conclusion is more than simply an “ending” to your paper. It is an

opportunity not only to reveal your creativity but also to leave a lasting

impression on your reader.