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Five-Paragraph Essay

When you learn to write five-paragraph essays, you have a formula that can get you through almost any writing situation.

The formula itself is basic:

1. Introduction
2. Body Paragraph 1
3. Body Paragraph 2
4. Body Paragraph 3
5. Conclusion

Like a cake mix, this formula can be varied. For example, if you expect readers won't know much about your topic, you can add a background paragraph after the introduction. In a cause-effect essay, you might have only two body paragraphs; the first would explain the cause(s); the second the effect(s).

Sample Five-Paragraph Essays

• Essay with No Outside Support (.html)
• Issue Paper with Outside Support—computers (.doc)
• Issue Paper with Outside Support—suicide terror (.doc)
• Issue Paper with Outside Support—procrastination (.doc)

Requirements for CM102 assignment

• Follow rubric
• Use at least three (preferably more) outside sources
• Give an overview of what others have said about your topic, including different points of view.
• Adapt the 5-paragraph structure to fit your topic.
  Here are some ways you could organize your paper:
  • Pro-con structure
  • Problem-solution structure
  • Three common points of view (NYTimes)

Moving On

The issue paper summarizes what other people have said about your topic. Now it's time for you to agree or disagree.

To move from the issue paper to an argument paper:

• Develop a thesis.
• Prove your thesis by developing one or more aspects of the issue in greater depth.
  • For example, the section on causes in the procrastination issue paper could be expanded into a longer paper that cover more causes and identifies the most likely cause(s).
  • The information on positive effects of procrastination could be expanded into a paper on how to manage time more productively.
  • Explain why one of the experts you cited is right (or wrong).

Internet Resources for Issue Papers

Wizard for writing a 5-paragraph essay (takes you through the process step-by-step)

Outline for Five-Paragraph Essay

The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing provides help with both structure and style.

Find the organization that's best for your topic: Thinking Strategies and Writing Patterns (U Maryland)

Basic 5-paragraph essay with plan of development and outline (.html)

Basic 5-paragraph essay with parts labeled (.html)

Beyond the 5-paragraph essay (Dartmouth Writing Center)

Example of a problem-solution issue paper (Dark Skies)

National Coalition for Child Protection Reform issue papers

RAND issue papers (RAND Corp. is a nonpartisan think tank that researches domestic public-policy issues.)

United Nations special issue papers

In your favorite search engine, search for your topic and "issue papers."