Creating 5 paragraph essay outline: Templates, Examples

What is a 5 Paragraph Essay?

The basic format or structure of an essay is said to be the 5 paragraph essay outline, also known as the standard essay format. This format is followed in most standardized exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, and the SAT.
Most of the time, these tests limit the student’s time in the “Writing” section, so students are given practice in the format of the 5 paragraph essay. This way, the student can answer five paragraphs essay the exam prompt more quickly and efficiently.

The 5 paragraph essay format is quite flexible and can be used for writing different essay types and styles, such as the  Persuasive,  Narrative, Argumentative,  Expository,  and Cause and Effect essays.

Good Example Topics of 5 paragraph essays

Some of the most commonly written 5 paragraph essays can be on the following topics.

• Can one learn a life lesson without having an experience of that? Can you learn from other people’s mistakes?
• Is it ethical to continue testing on animals?
• Should same-sex marriages be legalized?
• Should more strict laws be implemented for gun-control?
• Should the death penalty be continued or not?
• Should marijuana be openly allowed?
• Should free education be provided to all students?

These are not the only topics students write 5 paragraph essays about. There are many others as well.

Read also: How to Write a College Level Essay that Leaves an Impression

The 5 Paragraph Essay Outline

This type of essay has a very simple outline; It has an Introduction, goes to Body Paragraph 1, Body Paragraph 2, Body Paragraph 3, and wraps up the discussion with a Conclusion. Each body paragraph contains a different idea and serves a specific purpose. It starts with a broader statement that is narrowed down in the body paragraphs with supporting evidence and is generalized in the end in a broader sense.

Introduction: 3-5 Sentences

• The introduction introduces the topic and outlines the rest of the essay with a hook statement in the beginning.
• The Hook Sentence is a kind of sentence that serves the function of a spark to a flame by grabbing the reader’s attention.
• The Hook can usually be a fact, a rhetorical question or some life example.
• For example, if you are writing an essay about preserving our ecosystem, you could start by saying: “Do we want our future planet to be surrounded by desert and wasteland?“

This is a hook sentence in the form of a rhetorical question that does not need to be answered.

Brief Introduction of Supporting Arguments (1-3)

• In this part of the essay, you take your supporting arguments and briefly introduce them to the reader without giving too much information.
• Tip: take it as a preview in which you give an idea of what you will be talking about in brief but do not tell what.
• Example: Preservation of our environment is the key to keeping our lives healthy.

Thesis Statement

• The key to your entire essay is your thesis statement or your argument.
• This statement will serve to be the starter for the rest of your essay
• For example, when talking about nature preservation, your thesis could be:
• “The most important aspect to keep Mother Nature in check and avoid any disastrous effects is preserving our planet.”
• Quick Tip: if you find that your body paragraphs and your thesis do not match and have nothing in common, you can change the thesis and connect it with your body paragraphs.

Body Paragraphs 1,2,3 (5-7 Sentences)

• This is the actual part of your essay, where you explain your thesis statement and support it with evidence.
• The structure of the body paragraphs is very simple, with an introductory sentence and a supporting Argument/ example.
• Followed by 3-5 lines of explanation and finally a concluding Sentence.
• The introductory sentence of a paragraph should briefly bring forth your argument and do not reveal too much information.
• Example: Air pollution increases with Deforestation, hurts the planet by reducing air quality and increasing the likelihood of disease!
• Supporting Argument and Explanation: This part takes the topic into detail and, most importantly, DEFENDING YOUR THESIS!
• Example: Human beings play a big part in damaging the environment with methods that kill trees and worsen the air. It may be profitable for the few in the short term, but it is hazardous for all in the long run. In Beijing, for example, it is mandatory because of the excessive air pollution to wear masks for everyone walking around in the streets.
• The Concluding Sentence is, in a way, the opposite of the introductory sentence in the sense that instead of introducing your argument, you briefly conclude it by transitioning into your next paragraph.
• Example: In short, the destruction of our natural resources worsens the air quality affecting not only the planet’s health but also humanity.

 

 

THE FORMAT FOR ALL 3 BODY PARAGRAPHS IS THE SAME

Paragraph 1:

• Introduce the topic
• Introduce three supportive ideas to be discussed in three body paragraphs each.
• Give a strong thesis statement

Paragraph 2:

• Introduce your first supportive idea
• Support your idea with three pieces of evidence

Follow this format

1. Topic sentence

Evidence 1

Evidence 2

Evidence 3

2. Concluding sentence

Paragraph 3:

• Introduce your second supportive idea
• Support your idea with three pieces of evidence

Follow this format

1. Topic sentence

Evidence 1

Evidence 2

Evidence 3

2. Concluding sentence

Paragraph 4:

• Introduce your third supportive idea
• Support your idea with three pieces of evidence

Follow this format

1. Topic sentence

Evidence 1

Evidence 2

Evidence 3

2. Concluding sentence

Paragraph 5:

Restate the thesis statement. Remember not to repeat the thesis statement but restate it in different words.

Recapitulate the three ideas discussed in the previous body paragraphs.

Conclude your 5 paragraph essay with an overall concluding statement.

Conclusion

The conclusion of your 5 paragraph essay mirrors your introduction. It should include 3 – 5 sentences.

Sentence 1 should be a restatement of your thesis. Restate the thesis statement stated in your introduction conclusively. It simply means rephrasing your thesis assertively to show that you have proved your point in the body paragraphs.

Example: How we as people treat the Earth will decide the safety and survival of the Earth, and the more concerned we are in the whole process, the more beneficial it will be for us all.

Conclude your supporting arguments in 3 sentences by taking the supporting arguments of your body paragraphs. You can rephrase the main points of each paragraph in one sentence making it three sentences for three paragraphs.

For a good structure, you can combine similar sentences.

For example, you can combine the two elements of the limited use and the efficiency of natural resources given in your supporting arguments like “ By limiting the use and improving the efficiency of our natural resources, we can for sure improve the health of our planet.”

Using a concluding hook sentence adds spice to your writing. It can be something unexpected to surprise and attract the reader. It should also sum up the whole argument in a few words. This hook can either be a statement or a question.

Example: “Thus, we need to take care of our planet; after all, we don’t want to live in a desert, or a wasteland, do we?”

General Grading Rubric

Different types of rubrics are used by different universities and institutions worldwide. The 5 point style is the most commonly used rubric style.

The 5 point rubric is broken down into five main segments:

Focus, Organization, Conventions, Style, and Content

• Focus: Did the writer focuses on his aim of proving his thesis? Did he accomplish this goal?
• Organization: Was the essay smooth flowing with proper transitions in between paragraphs. Was
• the outline proper and the structure properly followed?
• Conventions: were there any grammatical mistakes? Were there any run-on sentences? How simple were the sentences?
• Style: was there any use of high-level vocabulary or any repeated words? How creative was the writer in his sentence structures?
• Content: was the content apt and the argument satisfied? Were the statements factual and logical? Were the arguments strong enough to prove the point?

 

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