Introduction
We write for many different reasons. We write to share information, to give explanations, to describe experiences, to state our opinions and persuade others, and to entertain. We write letters, poems, emails, reports, and articles.
In the classroom, the most common form of writing in the Essay. Your goal today is to follow the steps to write a 5 paragraph essay.
Task
Today, you will walk through each of the steps to write a five paragraph essay. You will have the choice between two topics. You will need to open a Microsoft Word or other word processing program in order to complete your final product. Make sure you remember what we have done in class in dissecting the parts of an essay so that you can ensure to have every necessary part.
Process
STEP ONE: Begin by chosing on of the following topics.
TOPIC A: Summer Vacation
Do you know why we have summer vacation? Originally, students were given time off from school in order to help their families on the farm. Some argue that the extended time off contributes to students forgetting what they’ve learned and that teachers must spend too much time re-teaching at the beginning of the school year. Those in favor say the long summer break gives students opportunities for other kinds of learning while spending more time with their families. What do you think? Is summer vacation benecial to students or does it hurt students?
TOPIC B: Downtown Curfew
Do you have to be home by a certain hour? Imagine the city council in your town passed an ordinance that all teens under the age of 18 must be out of your city’s downtown after 10 p.m. They claim to beprotecting younger teens from potential violence and the underage drinking that sometimes occurs in the area. What do you think of this ordinance? Should there be a curfew for those under 18 in your city’s downtown?
STEP Two: Determine a thesis. In other words, state your opinion on one of the above topics. On a piece of notebook paper, create the following outline:
I. Write your opinion here.
A. Write one reason you believe this to be true.
1. Write an example, fact, or detail to support this reason.
2. Write an example, fact, or detail to support this reason.
3. Write an example, fact, or detail to support this reason.
B. Write a second reason you believe this to be true.
1. Write an example, fact, or detail to support this reason.
2. Write an example, fact, or detail to support this reason.
3. Write an example, fact, or detail to support this reason.
C. Write a third reason you believe this to be true.
1. Write an example, fact, or detail to support this reason.
2. Write an example, fact, or detail to support this reason.
3. Write an example, fact, or detail to support this reason.
STEP Three: Open a Microsoft Word document. Type your name, date, and class period in the upper right hand corner. Skip two lines; then begin your Introductory paragraph. In order to do this, type your opinion from what you wrote in your outline on your paper. Make sure your indent (press the tab button) one time to begin this first paragraph. Then type each of your three reasons (A, B, and C) from your outline. Restate your opinion using different words.
STEP Four: Start a new paragraph. Make sure you indent (TAB). This time you will just be writing about reason A. Type reason A and the three pieces of support you have for it. Then restate reason A in different words.
STEP Five: Start a new paragraph. Make sure you indent (TAB). This time you will just be writing about reason B. Type reason B and the three pieces of support you have for it. Then restate reason B in different words.
STEP Six: Start a new paragraph. Make sure you indent (TAB). This time you will just be writing about reason C . Type reason C and the three pieces of support you have for it. Then restate reason C in different words.
STEP Seven: Start a new paragraph. Make sure you indent (TAB). This time using different words, state your opinion, reasons A, B, and C, and then sum up your thoughts.
STEP Eight: Read your essay. Then decide on a title that will entice your reader. Type it at the top of your paper in the center above paragraph 1. Place quotation marks around it.
Evaluation
Before you print, check your writing:
1. Do you have your name on it?
2. Do you have a title in quotation marks?
3. Do you have 5 paragraphs?
4. Do you have a thesis? Bold it.
5. Do you have 3 reasons why you believe your thesis?
6. Do you have support for each of those reasons?
7. Do you have a conclusion where you have restated your opinion and those three reasons?
If you answered "yes" to all of the above, print your essay and turn it in with your outline.