 5-Paragraph Essay
Introductory - 1st paragraph This paragraph should introduce the reader to the subject or subjects of the essay. It should pose the central dilemmas or questions that you will address in the essay. It should feature a main statement or otherwise known as an argument that summarizes your interpretation of the subject matter or a mini-outline for the essay. This is where the writers grab’s the attention of the reader, telling the reader what the essay is about. The last sentence must include a transitional “hook” which moves the reader to the body of the essay. In other words, the introductory paragraph should introduce how your essay will have the two key ingredients of historical writing: argument and evidence. Body – 2nd paragraph The second paragraph of the body should include the strongest argument, most significant example, cleverest illustration, or an obvious beginning point. The first sentence should contain the "reverse hook" which ties in with the transitional hook at the end of the introductory paragraph. The subject for this paragraph should be in the first or second sentence. This subject should relate to the main statement in the introductory paragraph. The last sentence in this paragraph should include a transitional hook to tie into the third paragraph of the body. Body – 3rd paragraph The third paragraph of the body should include the second strongest argument, second most significant example, second cleverest illustration, or an obvious follow up the first paragraph in the body. The first sentence of this paragraph should contain the reverse hook, which ties in with the transitional hook at the end of the first paragraph of the body. The topic for this paragraph should be in the first or second sentence. This topic should relate to the main statement in the introductory paragraph. The last sentence in this paragraph should include a transitional hook to tie into the fourth paragraph of the body. Body – 4th paragraph The fourth paragraph of the body should include the weakest argument, weakest example, weakest illustration, or an obvious follow up to the third paragraph in the body. The first sentence of this paragraph should contain the reverse hook, which ties in with the transitional hook at the end of the third paragraph. The topic for this paragraph should be in the first or second sentence. This topic should relate to the main statement in the introductory paragraph. The last sentence in this paragraph should include a transitional concluding hook that signals the reader that this is the final major point being made in this essay. This hook also leads into the concluding paragraph. Conclusion - 5th Paragraph The summary paragraph. It is important to restate the main and three supporting ideas in an original and powerful way as this is the last chance the writer has to convince the reader of the validity of the information presented. This paragraph should summarize what you have discussed in the essay. It should convince the reader that the evidence discussed in the body of the essay supports the assertions made (or answers the questions posed) in the introduction. This paragraph should include the following: · An reference to the pattern used in the introductory or first paragraph, · A restatement of the main statement, using some of the original language, but must not be A duplicate main statement. · A summary of the three main points from the body of the essay. · A final statement that gives the reader signals that the discussion has come to an end. Works Cited
Every essay needs to cite where the information came from. Plagiarism, defined as the "act of stealing and using the ideas, writings, or inventions of another as one's own" or as "taking passages, plots, or ideas from another and using them as one's own". DO NOT PLAGIARIZE anyone’s work.
Here is a Sample of a works cited page: Book: Okuda, Michael, and Denise Okuda. Star Trek Chronology: The History of the Future. New York: Pocket, 1993. Journal Article: Wilcox, Rhonda V. "Shifting Roles and Synthetic Women in Star Trek: The Next Generation." Studies in Popular Culture 13.2 (1991): 53-65. Newspaper or Magazine Article: Di Rado, Alicia. "Trekking through College: Classes Explore Modern Society Using the World of Star Trek." Los Angeles Times 15 Mar. 1995: A3. Book Article or Chapter: James, Nancy E. "Two Sides of Paradise: The Eden Myth According to Kirk and Spock." Spectrum of the Fantastic. Ed. Donald Palumbo. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1988. 219-223. Encyclopedia Article (well known reference books): Sturgeon, Theodore. "Science Fiction." The Encyclopedia Americana. International ed. 1995. Encyclopedia Article (less familiar reference books): Horn, Maurice. "Flash Gordon." The World Encyclopedia of Comics. Ed. Maurice Horn. 2 vols. New York: Chelsea, 1976. Gale Reference Book (and other books featuring reprinted articles): Shayon, Robert Lewis. "The Interplanetary Spock." Saturday Review 17 June 1967: 46. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Sharon R. Gunton. Vol. 17. Detroit: Gale Research, 1981. 403. ERIC Document: Fuss-Reineck, Marilyn. Sibling Communication in Star Trek: The Next Generation: Conflicts between Brothers. Miami: Speech Communication Assn., 1993. ERIC Document Reproduction Service ED364932. Website: Lynch, Tim. "DSN Trials and Tribble-ations Review." Psi Phi: Bradley's Science Fiction Club. 1996. Bradley University. 8 Oct. 1997. <http:// www.bradley.edu/campusorg/psiphi/DS9/ep/503r.html>. Newspaper or Magazine Article on the Internet: Andreadis, Athena. "The Enterprise Finds Twin Earths Everywhere It Goes, But Future Colonizers of Distant Planets Won't Be So Lucky." Astronomy Jan. 1999: 64- . Academic Universe. Lexis-Nexis. B. Davis Schwartz Memorial Lib., Brookville, NY. 7 Feb. 1999. <http:// web.lexis-nexis.com/universe>. Literature Resource Center: Shayon, Robert Lewis. "The Interplanetary Spock." Saturday Review 17 June 1967: 46. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Sharon R. Gunton. Vol. 17. Detroit: Gale Research, 1981. 403. Literature Resource Center. Gale Group. B. Davis Schwartz Memorial Lib., Brookville, NY. 16 Oct. 2001. <http:// infotrac.galegroup.com/menu> Good writing is a process that is the result of time, hard work, and lots and lots of re-writing. The best ways to improve your writing are to practice and to consult with your teachers and/or parents. Umm Tariq Al-Ansari | 
