Five-part Essay

The five-part essay is a step up from the five-paragraph essay. Often called the "persuasive" or "argumentative" essay, the five-part essay is more complex and accomplished, and its roots are in classical rhetoric. The main difference is the refinement of the "body" of the simpler fiveparagraph essay. The five parts, whose names vary from source to source, are typically represented as: 1. Introduction: a thematic overview of the topic, and introduction of the thesis; 2. Narration: a review of the background literature to orient the reader to the topic; also, a structural overview of the essay; 3. Affirmation: the evidence and arguments in favor of the thesis; 4. Negation: the evidence and arguments against the thesis; these also require either "refutation" or "concession"; 5. Conclusion: summary of the argument, and association of the thesis and argument with larger, connected issues. In the five-paragraph essay, the "body" is all "affirmation"; the "narration" and "negation" (and its "refutation" or "concession") make the five-part essay less "thesis-driven" and more balanced and fair. Rhetorically, the transition from affirmation to negation (and refutation or concession) is typically indicated by contrastive terms such as "but", "however", and "on the other hand". The five parts are purely formal and can be created and repeated at any length, from a sentence (though it would be a highly complex one), to the standard paragraphs of a regular essay, to the chapters of a book, and even to separate books themselves (though each book would, of necessity, include the other parts while emphasizing the particular part). Another popular form of the 5 part essay consists of 1. Introduction Introducing a topic. An important part of this is the three pronged thesis. 2. Body Paragraph 1 Explaining the first part of the three pronged thesis 3. Body Paragraph 2 Explaining the second part of the three pronged thesis 4. Body Paragraph 3 Explaining the third part of the three pronged thesis 5. Conclusion Summing up points and restating thesis In essence, the above method can be seen as following the colloquialism "Tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em, tell 'em, tell 'em what you told 'em" with the first part referring to the introduction, the second part referring to the body, and the third part referring to the conclusion.

The main point of the five-part essay is to demonstrate the opposition and give-and-take of true argument. Dialectic, with its formula of "thesis + antithesis = synthesis", is the foundation of the five-part essay.