The five-paragraph essay is a format of
essay
An essay ( ) is, generally, a piece of writing that gives the author's own argument, but the definition is vague, overlapping with those of a Letter (message), letter, a term paper, paper, an article (publishing), article, a pamphlet, and a s ...
having five
paragraph
A paragraph () is a self-contained unit of discourse in writing dealing with a particular point or idea. Though not required by the orthographic conventions of any language with a writing system, paragraphs are a conventional means of organizing ...
s: one introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs with support and development, and one concluding paragraph. Because of this structure, it is also known as a hamburger essay, one three one, or a three-tier essay.
Overview
The five-paragraph
essay
An essay ( ) is, generally, a piece of writing that gives the author's own argument, but the definition is vague, overlapping with those of a Letter (message), letter, a term paper, paper, an article (publishing), article, a pamphlet, and a s ...
is a structured form of essay writing that consists of five distinct
paragraph
A paragraph () is a self-contained unit of discourse in writing dealing with a particular point or idea. Though not required by the orthographic conventions of any language with a writing system, paragraphs are a conventional means of organizing ...
s:
*
introduction (one paragraph)
* Body paragraphs (three paragraphs)
* Conclusion (one paragraph)
Structure
The introductory paragraph serves to present the main idea of the essay and introduce the
thesis statement. It often begins with a
narrative hook to capture the reader's interest, followed by a sentence that provides a general theme and another that narrows the focus. If the essay is based on a literary text, a sentence referencing the work and its author may be included (e.g., ''"In the book''
Night
Night, or nighttime, is the period of darkness when the Sun is below the horizon. Sunlight illuminates one side of the Earth, leaving the other in darkness. The opposite of nighttime is daytime. Earth's rotation causes the appearance of ...
, ''
Elie Wiesel
Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel (September 30, 1928 – July 2, 2016) was a Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, List of Nobel Peace Prize laureates#1980, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor. He authored Elie Wiesel bibliogra ...
states..."''). The introduction typically concludes with the
thesis
A thesis (: theses), or dissertation (abbreviated diss.), is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings.International Standard ISO 7144: D ...
statement, which outlines the central argument of the essay. Additionally, an organizational sentence may be included to indicate the structure and sequence of the body paragraphs.
The three body paragraphs each present supporting evidence or arguments that reinforce the thesis statement. Each paragraph generally begins with a topic sentence, followed by analysis and examples that substantiate the argument.
The concluding paragraph summarizes the main points of the essay and restates the thesis in a broader context. It often provides a final perspective on the topic and reinforces the significance of the argument. For example, in an essay on sports, a conclusion might state: ''"Sports offer numerous benefits for youth, including improved physical health, better circulation, and enhanced stamina. Additionally, they contribute to the development of social and organizational skills, which are valuable in both personal and professional life."''
Critique
According to Thomas E. Nunnally and Kimberly Wesley, most teachers and professors consider the five-paragraph form ultimately restricting for fully developing an idea. Wesley argues that the form is never appropriate. Nunnally states that the form can be good for developing analytical skills that should then be expanded. Similarly, American educator David F. Labaree claims that "The Rule of Five" is "dysfunctional... off-putting, infantilising and intellectually arid" because demands for the essay's form often obscure its meaning and, therefore, largely automatize creating and reading five-paragraph essays.
The five-paragraph essay format has been criticized for its rigid structure, which some educators believe stifles creativity and critical thinking. Critics argue that it promotes a formulaic approach to writing, which can limit students' ability to express more complex ideas and develop their unique writing style.
See also
* ''
De Inventione''
*
Eight-legged essay
* ''
Rhetorica ad Herennium'' (c. 90 BC)
*
Schaffer paragraph
*
IMRAD
*
IRAC
*
Multigenre research paper
*
Explication de Texte
Notes
References
* Corbett, Edward P.J. ''Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student''. 4th ed. Oxford UP, 1999. .
* Hodges, John C. et al. ''Harbrace Handbook''. 14th ed. {{ISBN, 978-0-15-513642-7.
Writing