BASIC FIVE-

PARAGRAPH ESSAY
Construction Overview
Essay Format
 Your essay should have an
 Introduction
 Three-paragraph body
 and a Conclusion.

 *Paragraphs should be a minimum of

five sentences.
Basic 5-Paragraph Essay Structure

 Introduction (with thesis statement)

 Body paragraph #1 (with 3 to 5 supports)
 Body paragraph #2 (with 3 to 5 supports)
 Body paragraph #3 (with 3 to 5 supports)
 Conclusion (Reiterates thesis, touches on
three main points, sums it all up)
 Essay Format - Introduction
Your When it comes to dining out, are there
introduction
many restaurant choices in the Downtown
should
introduce área?. If you want a quick meal, there is a
your topic, plethora of fast food restaurants. If you
and include
prefer a "sit-down" restaurant, there are
a hook
thesis several choices as well. Considerations
statement. such as service, ambiance, and menu
And (a selection all come into play. Because of its
map)
great service, fun atmosphere, and
A thesis delicious menu , I believe Mexico Casa
statement is
a topic and
is one of the best restaurants in the
a area.
comment.

Example
Basic Paragraph Construction
 Start a new paragraph with each new idea

 Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence (tells the

reader what you will address)

 Following the topic sentence, you should have three

supports
for the topic sentence (one per sentence)

 Each support should have major & minor details

 The last sentence of the paragraph should be a

conclusion/transition that sums up what you just stated;
making a smooth transition to the next paragraph
Body Paragraph Construction

Example Good service is an important factor when

Body choosing a restaurant. (1)The host/hostess at
Paragraph Mexico Casa greets you with a smile when you
#1 walk in, a practice that makes you feel
Red = Topic
welcome. (2) As soon as you sit down,
sentence someone brings you a big bowl of chips and
salsa, a nice touch that keeps you from getting
1,2,3 = Main
too hungry while you wait to order. (3)Your
points
server checks on you frequently, making sure
Blue = that you never run out of chips or drinks.
conclusion Customer service is definitely something
the restaurant and its employees take pride
in.
Body Paragraph Construction

Example While service is important, the atmosphere is

Body
Paragraph #2 another key aspect to consider. The ambiance of the
Bold = Mexico Casa really adds to my dining experience.
transition (1)The restaurant is decorated in a Mexican style
sentence motif, which makes me feel as though I've gone to a
destination, not just a place to eat. (2)There is a fun
Red =
Topic and relaxed atmosphere; the customers are usually
sentence laughing and enjoying their meal. (3)Upbeat traditional
1,2,3 = Main music plays in the background, another factor that
points enhances the surroundings. This inviting environment
Blue =
plays an important role in the potential for an
conclusion of enjoyable evening out. In addition to great service
idea
and ambiance, the restaurant menu plays a big
Bold Italic role when choosing a restaurant.
=link
Body Paragraph Construction

Example If you enjoy authentic Mexican food, the

Body restaurant features a wide and diversified
Paragraph menu. (1)The Mexico Casa restaurant is owned
#3 and operated by a family who moved here from
Mexico. They prepare meals the way they are
Red = Topic made in their native land. (2)The restaurant
sentence chef travels to Mexico on a regular basis,
bringing new recipes home to add to the menu.
1,2,3 = Main
points
(3)Mexican Holidays are celebrated in the
restaurant; often there are specials featuring
Blue = traditional dishes that are eaten during the
conclusion celebration back home. Whatever you choose
to order, you can count on it being prepared
with fresh ingredients and authentic recipes.
Conclusion

Your final In conclusion, choosing a restaurant can be

paragraph difficult when there are so many choices to
should be consider. Naturally, you want to enjoy a
your pleasant dining experience that will appeal to
conclusion
everyone in your group. Upon weighing all my
statement. options, the Mexico Casa is definitely at the
top of my list of favorite restaurants. I would
Reiterate
base this on the great service, fun
your thesis
statement, atmosphere, and authentic menu. If you are
touch on the looking for a nice place to dine-out in the
three main Downtown area, I recommend the Mexico
points, sum Casa restaurant.
it all up.
Conclusion – Important fact:
A conclusion NEVER introduces new
information.

A conclusion ONLY addresses information

that was mentioned in earlier paragraphs in
the essay.
Thank you for watching