how long should it take to write a 5 paragraph essay

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How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay

Last Updated: April 4, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 527,581 times.

Five paragraph essays are a common assignment throughout your school career, especially in high school and college. Since any subject can include a five paragraph essay, you’ll want to be good at writing them. Luckily, five-paragraph essays are really easy to write if you know the expected format and give yourself the time you need to write it. To write your five paragraph essay, draft your introduction, develop three body paragraphs, write your conclusion, and revise and edit your essay.

Drafting Your Introduction

• For example, you could phrase your hook like this: Nature’s life cycle is often used as a metaphor to convey ideas about the passage of life.
• If you are writing a persuasive essay, don’t include your stance in your hook.
• Don’t say “In this essay” or “I am going to show.” Instead, use the “show, don’t tell” technique using descriptive language.
• It’s often easiest to come up with your hook after you write the rest of your essay. If you’re struggling to come up with one, use a basic placeholder and then create a better hook when you revise your essay.

• Don’t reveal your main points yet.
• For example, you could say something like this: While spring compares with birth, summer can symbolize maturity, with fall and winter showing a descent toward death.

• This sentence depends on what type of paper you’re writing. If it’s an argumentative paper, introduce both sides of the argument. In an informative paper, mention the central idea and focus.
• As an example, you could narrow your topic like this: Writers often use nature metaphors in their work to show themes about life, such as the blossoming of youth.

• For example, your thesis could read like this: In the poem “Raspberries,” the author shows youth through the ripening berries, summer blossoming, and blushing color of the fruit.
• Each of the three examples provided in the thesis will become the topic of a body paragraph. For the example thesis, you would have body paragraphs about ripening berries, summer blossoming, and the blushing color of the fruit.

Developing Three Body Paragraphs

• You should include three body paragraphs, one for each supporting point.

• Your topic sentence is like a mini-thesis for just that paragraph.
• Use a quote related to your thesis and analyze it in the body paragraph. If you use a topic sentence, put the quote next.
• For example, your topic sentence could look like this: Ripening berries show youth in the poem “Raspberries” by reaching maturity and becoming ready for picking.

• Each paragraph should contain two to three examples or pieces of evidence.
• If you use research, cite your sources in the appropriate format that your instructor specifies.

• Include two to three sentences of commentary for each example or piece of evidence.
• Depending on the type of evidence or examples, it’s often best to alternate your evidence and commentary throughout the paragraph. For example, provide one example, then provide the commentary.

• For example, you could wrap up your paragraph like this: As the girl plucks the ripe raspberries from the bush and eats them, her actions represent her own youth and readiness to be “plucked” by someone.

Drafting Your Conclusion

• For example, you could restate your thesis like this: The poem “Raspberries” provides an allegorical representation of youth through a metaphor of ripening berries, summer blossoming, and blushing color of the fruit.
• If you're a beginning writer, it's okay to start your conclusion with "In conclusion." However, if you're an advanced writer, avoid starting your conclusion with statements like “In conclusion,” “To conclude,” or “In the end.”

• Use an authoritative tone as you restate your arguments so that your reader walks away knowing that you are correct.

• Include a call to action.
• Provide a warning about what could happen if your stance is ignored.
• Create an image in the reader’s mind.
• Include a quote.
• Make a universal statement about life.

Revising and Editing Your Essay

• Always reread your sentence to make sure that the word processor is suggesting the right word. If you’ve misspelled a word that is similar to another word, then it’s possible that your spell check could suggest the wrong spelling, such as “then” instead of “than.”

• Look for errors that your spell checker missed.
• If you can, ask someone else to proofread your paper. They will usually spot errors that you overlooked.

• Combine choppy sentences.
• Breakup long, convoluted sentences into shorter sentences.
• Rewrite fragments and run-on sentences.

• If you have cited sources, make sure that you include a reference page in the style chosen by your instructor.

Expert Q&A

• Never plagiarize an essay, which means copying someone’s work or ideas without giving them credit. Your teacher will deny you credit for the essay, and you may also get a discipline consequence. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/five-paragraph-essay/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/college-writing/
• ↑ https://www.bucks.edu/media/bcccmedialibrary/pdf/FiveParagraphEssayOutlineJuly08_000.pdf
• ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789530/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/ending-essay-conclusions
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/proofreading_suggestions.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/steps_for_revising.html

About This Article

To write a five paragraph essay, start with an introductory paragraph that includes a hook to capture your audience’s attention, and a thesis that explains the main point you’re trying to make. Then, use the next 3 paragraphs to explain 3 separate points that support your thesis. As you explain each point, use evidence from your research or examples in the text you’re discussing. Finally, conclude your essay with a paragraph summing up the points you’ve made and telling the reader how those points support your thesis. For tips on how to revise your essay to improve the flow and formatting, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay

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• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

A five-paragraph essay is a prose composition that follows a prescribed format of an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph, and is typically taught during primary English education and applied on standardized testing throughout schooling.

Learning to write a high-quality five-paragraph essay is an essential skill for students in early English classes as it allows them to express certain ideas, claims, or concepts in an organized manner, complete with evidence that supports each of these notions. Later, though, students may decide to stray from the standard five-paragraph format and venture into writing an  exploratory essay  instead.

Still, teaching students to organize essays into the five-paragraph format is an easy way to introduce them to writing literary criticism, which will be tested time and again throughout their primary, secondary, and further education.

Writing a Good Introduction

The introduction is the first paragraph in your essay, and it should accomplish a few specific goals: capture the reader's interest, introduce the topic, and make a claim or express an opinion in a thesis statement.

It's a good idea to start your essay with a hook (fascinating statement) to pique the reader's interest, though this can also be accomplished by using descriptive words, an anecdote, an intriguing question, or an interesting fact. Students can practice with creative writing prompts to get some ideas for interesting ways to start an essay.

The next few sentences should explain your first statement, and prepare the reader for your thesis statement, which is typically the last sentence in the introduction. Your  thesis sentence  should provide your specific assertion and convey a clear point of view, which is typically divided into three distinct arguments that support this assertation, which will each serve as central themes for the body paragraphs.

Writing Body Paragraphs

The body of the essay will include three body paragraphs in a five-paragraph essay format, each limited to one main idea that supports your thesis.

To correctly write each of these three body paragraphs, you should state your supporting idea, your topic sentence, then back it up with two or three sentences of evidence. Use examples that validate the claim before concluding the paragraph and using transition words to lead to the paragraph that follows — meaning that all of your body paragraphs should follow the pattern of "statement, supporting ideas, transition statement."

Words to use as you transition from one paragraph to another include: moreover, in fact, on the whole, furthermore, as a result, simply put, for this reason, similarly, likewise, it follows that, naturally, by comparison, surely, and yet.

Writing a Conclusion

The final paragraph will summarize your main points and re-assert your main claim (from your thesis sentence). It should point out your main points, but should not repeat specific examples, and should, as always, leave a lasting impression on the reader.

The first sentence of the conclusion, therefore, should be used to restate the supporting claims argued in the body paragraphs as they relate to the thesis statement, then the next few sentences should be used to explain how the essay's main points can lead outward, perhaps to further thought on the topic. Ending the conclusion with a question, anecdote, or final pondering is a great way to leave a lasting impact.

Once you complete the first draft of your essay, it's a good idea to re-visit the thesis statement in your first paragraph. Read your essay to see if it flows well, and you might find that the supporting paragraphs are strong, but they don't address the exact focus of your thesis. Simply re-write your thesis sentence to fit your body and summary more exactly, and adjust the conclusion to wrap it all up nicely.

Practice Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay

Students can use the following steps to write a standard essay on any given topic. First, choose a topic, or ask your students to choose their topic, then allow them to form a basic five-paragraph by following these steps:

• Decide on your  basic thesis , your idea of a topic to discuss.
• Decide on three pieces of supporting evidence you will use to prove your thesis.
• Write an introductory paragraph, including your thesis and evidence (in order of strength).
• Write your first body paragraph, starting with restating your thesis and focusing on your first piece of supporting evidence.
• End your first paragraph with a transitional sentence that leads to the next body paragraph.
• Write paragraph two of the body focussing on your second piece of evidence. Once again make the connection between your thesis and this piece of evidence.
• End your second paragraph with a transitional sentence that leads to paragraph number three.
• Repeat step 6 using your third piece of evidence.
• Begin your concluding paragraph by restating your thesis. Include the three points you've used to prove your thesis.
• End with a punch, a question, an anecdote, or an entertaining thought that will stay with the reader.

Once a student can master these 10 simple steps, writing a basic five-paragraph essay will be a piece of cake, so long as the student does so correctly and includes enough supporting information in each paragraph that all relate to the same centralized main idea, the thesis of the essay.

Limitations of the Five-Paragraph Essay

The five-paragraph essay is merely a starting point for students hoping to express their ideas in academic writing; there are some other forms and styles of writing that students should use to express their vocabulary in the written form.

According to Tory Young's "Studying English Literature: A Practical Guide":

"Although school students in the U.S. are examined on their ability to write a  five-paragraph essay , its  raison d'être  is purportedly to give practice in basic writing skills that will lead to future success in more varied forms. Detractors feel, however, that writing to rule in this way is more likely to discourage imaginative writing and thinking than enable it. . . . The five-paragraph essay is less aware of its  audience  and sets out only to present information, an account or a kind of story rather than explicitly to persuade the reader."

Students should instead be asked to write other forms, such as journal entries, blog posts, reviews of goods or services, multi-paragraph research papers, and freeform expository writing around a central theme. Although five-paragraph essays are the golden rule when writing for standardized tests, experimentation with expression should be encouraged throughout primary schooling to bolster students' abilities to utilize the English language fully.

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• How long is an essay? Guidelines for different types of essay

How Long is an Essay? Guidelines for Different Types of Essay

Published on January 28, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.

The length of an academic essay varies depending on your level and subject of study, departmental guidelines, and specific course requirements. In general, an essay is a shorter piece of writing than a research paper  or thesis .

In most cases, your assignment will include clear guidelines on the number of words or pages you are expected to write. Often this will be a range rather than an exact number (for example, 2500–3000 words, or 10–12 pages). If you’re not sure, always check with your instructor.

In this article you’ll find some general guidelines for the length of different types of essay. But keep in mind that quality is more important than quantity – focus on making a strong argument or analysis, not on hitting a specific word count.

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Essay length guidelines, how long is each part of an essay, using length as a guide to topic and complexity, can i go under the suggested length, can i go over the suggested length, other interesting articles.

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In an academic essay, the main body should always take up the most space. This is where you make your arguments, give your evidence, and develop your ideas.

The introduction should be proportional to the essay’s length. In an essay under 3000 words, the introduction is usually just one paragraph. In longer and more complex essays, you might need to lay out the background and introduce your argument over two or three paragraphs.

The conclusion of an essay is often a single paragraph, even in longer essays. It doesn’t have to summarize every step of your essay, but should tie together your main points in a concise, convincing way.

The suggested word count doesn’t only tell you how long your essay should be – it also helps you work out how much information and complexity you can fit into the given space. This should guide the development of your thesis statement , which identifies the main topic of your essay and sets the boundaries of your overall argument.

A short essay will need a focused, specific topic and a clear, straightforward line of argument. A longer essay should still be focused, but it might call for a broader approach to the topic or a more complex, ambitious argument.

As you make an outline of your essay , make sure you have a clear idea of how much evidence, detail and argumentation will be needed to support your thesis. If you find that you don’t have enough ideas to fill out the word count, or that you need more space to make a convincing case, then consider revising your thesis to be more general or more specific.

The length of the essay also influences how much time you will need to spend on editing and proofreading .

You should always aim to meet the minimum length given in your assignment. If you are struggling to reach the word count:

• Add more evidence and examples to each paragraph to clarify or strengthen your points.
• Make sure you have fully explained or analyzed each example, and try to develop your points in more detail.
• Address a different aspect of your topic in a new paragraph. This might involve revising your thesis statement to make a more ambitious argument.
• Don’t use filler. Adding unnecessary words or complicated sentences will make your essay weaker and your argument less clear.
• Don’t fixate on an exact number. Your marker probably won’t care about 50 or 100 words – it’s more important that your argument is convincing and adequately developed for an essay of the suggested length.

In some cases, you are allowed to exceed the upper word limit by 10% – so for an assignment of 2500–3000 words, you could write an absolute maximum of 3300 words. However, the rules depend on your course and institution, so always check with your instructor if you’re unsure.

Only exceed the word count if it’s really necessary to complete your argument. Longer essays take longer to grade, so avoid annoying your marker with extra work! If you are struggling to edit down:

• Check that every paragraph is relevant to your argument, and cut out irrelevant or out-of-place information.
• Make sure each paragraph focuses on one point and doesn’t meander.
• Cut out filler words and make sure each sentence is clear, concise, and related to the paragraph’s point.
• Don’t cut anything that is necessary to the logic of your argument. If you remove a paragraph, make sure to revise your transitions and fit all your points together.
• Don’t sacrifice the introduction or conclusion . These paragraphs are crucial to an effective essay –make sure you leave enough space to thoroughly introduce your topic and decisively wrap up your argument.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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Five Paragraph Essay

A Guide to Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay

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How To Write A Strong Body Paragraph

The five-paragraph essay is a fundamental writing technique, sometimes called "The Basic Essay," "The Academic Response Essay," or the "1-3-1 Essay." 

No matter what you call it, understanding this format is key to organizing your thoughts clearly and effectively. Once you learn the structure, writing essays for any academic subject becomes much easier. 

In this guide, we'll walk you through each part of the five-paragraph essay, showing you how to create strong introductions, develop your ideas in body paragraphs, and conclude with impact. With these tips, you'll be ready to tackle any writing assignment with confidence. 

So let’s get started!

• 1. What is a 5 Paragraph Essay? 
• 2. Steps to Write a Five-Paragraph Essay
• 3. 5 Paragraph Essay Examples
• 4. 5 Paragraph Essay Topics

What is a 5 Paragraph Essay? 

A five-paragraph essay is a structured format of essay writing that consists of one introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and one concluding paragraph. It is also known by several other names, including Classic Essay, Three-Tier Essay, Hamburger Essay, and One-Three-One Essay. 

This type of essay format is commonly taught in middle and high school and is mainly used for assignments and quick writing exercises. The five-paragraph essay is designed to help writers organize their thoughts clearly and logically, making it easier for readers to follow the argument or narrative.

The structure is popular because it works for almost all types of essays . Whether you're writing a compare and contrast or argumentative essay , this format helps you organize your thoughts clearly. It's best for topics that can be explained well in just five paragraphs.

Steps to Write a Five-Paragraph Essay

Writing a five-paragraph essay involves clear and structured steps to effectively communicate your ideas. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Understand the Assignment 

Knowing your topic before you start writing is really important. The first thing you need to do is figure out what your essay is supposed to be about. This is usually called the thesis statement or main idea. 

If your teacher didn’t give you a specific topic, you should pick something that you can talk about enough to fill five paragraphs.

Here are some tips to help you understand your topic:

• Think about what interests you or something you already know a bit about. It’s easier to write when you care about the topic.
• Read through the assignment carefully to see if there are any specific instructions or questions you need to answer.
• If you’re not sure about your topic, try talking it over with someone else—a friend, family member, or even your teacher—to get some ideas. You can also find some good essay ideas by checking out our essay topics blog. 

Once you’ve picked a topic, take a moment to write down what you already know about it. This can help you see if you need to do more research or if you have enough to start writing. Understanding your topic well from the start makes the writing process much smoother. 

Step 2: Outline Your Essay

Creating an outline is like making a plan for your essay before you start writing. An essay outline helps you organize your ideas and decide what you want to say in each part of your essay. 

Your outline acts as a guide that reveals any gaps or the need for rearranging ideas. It functions like a roadmap that guides you through writing your essay, so it should be easy for you to understand and follow.

To create a good outline think about the most important things you want to say about your topic. These will be your main ideas for each body paragraph . 

Here’s a simple 5-paragraph essay outline template:

Step 3: Write the Introduction

Writing the essay introduction is like inviting someone into your essay—it sets the tone and tells them what to expect. Here’s how to craft a strong introduction:

• First, start with a hook . This could be something surprising or interesting, like a shocking fact or a thought-provoking question. It’s meant to grab your reader's attention right away, making them curious about what you’re going to say next.
• Next, provide some background information about your topic. This helps your reader understand the context of your essay. Think of it like setting the stage before a play—you want to give enough information so that your audience knows what’s going on.
• Finally, write your thesis statement . This is the main point of your essay summed up in one clear sentence. It tells your reader what you’re going to argue or explain throughout the rest of your essay.

For Example:

Step 4: Develop Body Paragraphs

Developing body paragraphs is like building the main part of your essay—it’s where you explain your ideas in detail. Here’s how to do it effectively:

First, each body paragraph should have one main idea that supports your thesis. This main idea is introduced in the topic sentence , which is like a mini-thesis for that paragraph. It tells your reader what the paragraph is going to be about.

After you introduce your main idea, you need to support it with evidence. These could be examples, facts, or explanations that help prove your point. Imagine you’re explaining your idea to a friend—you’d give reasons and examples to make them understand and believe what you’re saying.

Step 5: Transition Between Paragraphs

Smooth transitions between paragraphs are like bridges that connect one idea to the next in your essay. They help your reader follow your thoughts easily and see how each point relates to the overall argument.

To use transitions effectively, think about how each paragraph connects to the next. If you're moving from talking about one idea to another that contrasts or supports it, use transition words like "however," "similarly," or "on the other hand." These words signal to your reader that you're shifting to a new point while still maintaining the flow of your argument.

Step 6: Write the Conclusion

Writing an essay conclusion is like wrapping up a conversation. You want to remind the reader of what you've discussed and leave them with something to think about. Here’s how to do it:

• Start by summarizing the main points of your essay. Go over the key ideas from each of your body paragraphs. This reminds the reader of what you’ve covered without going into too much detail again.
• Next, restate your thesis in different words. This helps reinforce your main argument and shows that you’ve supported it throughout your essay. 
• Finally, end with a final thought or recommendation . This could be a call to action, a suggestion, or a thought-provoking statement that leaves the reader thinking about your topic.

For Example :

Step 7: Revise and Edit

Revising and editing your essay is like giving it a final polish to make sure everything is clear and correct. Here are some tips for revising and editing:

• Take a Break: After writing your essay, take a short break before you start revising. This helps you see your work with fresh eyes.
• Read Aloud: Reading your essay out loud can help you catch errors and awkward sentences.
• Ask for Feedback: Sometimes, another person can spot mistakes you’ve overlooked. Ask a friend or family member to read your essay and give feedback.
• Be Patient: Don’t rush the revision process. Take your time to ensure your essay is the best it can be.

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5 Paragraph Essay Examples

Here is some free 5-paragraph essay example pdfs for you to download and get an idea of the format of this type of essay.

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5 Paragraph Essay Topics

Here are some common and trending topics for 5-paragraph essays:

• Discuss needed changes to improve the education system.
• Analyze the effects of globalization on society.
• Explore ways to promote sustainable practices.
• Address issues of healthcare equity.
• Examine progress and challenges in gender equality.
• Discuss the impact of immigration policies.
• Explore needed changes in the criminal justice system.
• Analyze ethical dilemmas in science and medicine.
• Discuss the effects of global pandemics.
• Explore the importance of diversity and inclusion.

So, learning the five-paragraph essay isn't just about school, it's about building strong communication skills that will serve you well in any writing task. By following this structured approach—you'll be writing with confidence in no time.

Now that you've got the basics down, don't hesitate to put them into practice. Whether you're tackling assignments for school or exploring new topics on your own, these skills will help you organize your thoughts.

And if you ever need a helping hand, visit our website and request " write my essay ." Our expert writers are ready to assist with any type of assignment, from college essays to research papers. Don't wait—take your writing to the next level today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a five-paragraph essay.

A five-paragraph essay typically ranges from 500 to 1000 words in total length. The essay word count may vary based on the specific requirements provided by the assignment or academic standards set by the instructor.

Is a 5 paragraph essay 500 words?

Not necessarily. The word count of a five-paragraph essay can vary widely depending on the topic, level of detail in each paragraph, and specific instructions provided by the teacher or professor. While some five-paragraph essays might be around 500 words, others could be shorter or longer.

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Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.

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How to write a perfect 5 Paragraph Essay

  How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay : A Complete Guide

Essay writing can be the bane of many a student’s life.

Gone are the days when many students tried writing in big letters to fill the allotted number of pages with minimal effort quickly.

Now, it’s all constant word count checks and taking a dozen words to say what could be said in three.

Of course, it doesn’t have to be like this. When students have a clear, set structure to follow, essay writing can be a much less painful experience. Indeed, it can even be enjoyable!

In this article, we’ll outline a clear template our students can follow to produce a well-organised essay on practically any topic effectively.

Let’s get started!

THE HAMBURGER ESSAY – THE STUDENT’S FRIEND

The common 5 paragraph essay structure is often referred to as the hamburger essay . And this is a memorable way to communicate the concept to your students.

The hamburger essay structure consists of five paragraphs or layers as follows:

Layer 1 – The Top Bun: The Introduction

The uppermost layer is the introductory paragraph which communicates to the reader the purpose of the essay.

Layers 2,3, & 4 – The Meat Patties: The Body Paragraphs

These are the meat patties of the essay and each paragraph makes an argument in support of the essay’s central contention as expressed in the introduction.

Layer 5 – The Conclusion: The Bottom Bun

The bottommost layer is the conclusion, where the arguments are summed up and the central contention of the essay is restated forcefully one last time. We have a complete guide to writing a conclusion here .

Soon, we’ll take a closer look at each of these parts in turn. But, there is more to an essay than just the writing of it. There are also the prewriting and post writing stages to consider. We will look at all these aspects in this article, but first, let’s examine what our students need to be doing before they even begin to write their essays.

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THE PREWRITING STAGE – DEFINING THE THESIS STATEMENT, RESEARCH & PLANNING

The thesis statement.

Every essay needs a clear focus. This focus is usually defined in a thesis statement that presents the topic of the essay in a sentence or two. The thesis statement should also include the writer’s stance on that topic.

As this will help guide the direction of the essay, it is essential that our students define their thesis statement before they begin the writing process.

Sometimes during the process of writing, we find out what we think about a given topic. The writing process can act as a kind of reflection on the merits of the various arguments, before finally revealing to us our own opinion. This is writing as a method of discovery.

Usually, though, it is more efficient for students to decide on their opinions prior to beginning to write.

Defining their thesis statement early on not only helps guide the students writing, but helps ensure their research is focused and efficient at the crucial prewriting stage.

Research & Planning

As students begin their research and gather their evidence to support their thesis statement, they should also be encouraged to pay particular attention to the counterarguments they come across.

A well-written essay does not ignore opposing viewpoints, students should be taught to preempt counterarguments where possible so as to strengthen the power of their own arguments. Good research is essential for this.

Not so long ago, research meant hours in dusty libraries being constantly shushed, but with the advent of the internet, there is now a wealth of knowledge right at our fingertips (and the end of a good Wifi connection).

While this has made research a much more convenient process, students need to be reminded of the importance of seeking out reliable sources to support their opinions. In an era of ‘fake news’, this is more important now than ever.

As students gather the information and supporting evidence for their essay, they’ll need to organize it carefully. Graphic organizers are an effective way of doing this, either on a paper printout or by using a premade template on the computer.

It can also be helpful for students to sort their collected information according to where they intend to use it in the five-paragraph outline or layers mentioned above.

Finally, while good research, organization, and planning are essential for producing a well-written essay, it’s important that students are reminded that essay writing is also a creative act.

Students should maintain an open mind when it comes to the writing process. They should allow their thoughts and opinions the room to develop over the course of writing their essay. They should leave the door open for including new thoughts and ideas as the writing progresses.

The Writing Stage: Introduction, Body Paragraphs, & Conclusion 

The introduction.

A good introduction paragraph serves a number of important functions. It:

• Grabs the reader’s attention and interest, known as the hook
• Orientates the reader to the essays central argument, the thesis statement
• Outlines briefly the arguments that will be explored in support of the thesis statement.

To become an effective writer, it is important that our students learn the importance of grabbing the reader’s attention, as well as keeping it. Opening with a ‘hook’ or a ‘grabber’ is a great way to achieve this.

There are a number of techniques students can use here. Let’s take a look at some of the more common ones.

• The Surprising Fact – this can intrigue the reader to want to find out more, especially if it challenges some of their existing assumptions on a topic.
• The Quotation – a carefully selected quotation can be a great way to secure the reader’s attention and there are many curated quotation collections freely available online to help get students started.
• The Joke – this opening should be used judiciously as for some topics it may not be an appropriate way to open. In the right context however, humor can be a great way to engage the reader from the outset.
• The Anecdote – anecdotes are a great way to personally connect with the essay’s topic. They are a helpful way of climbing down the ladder of abstraction when exploring more theoretical arguments. They assist the reader in relating universal themes to their own lives.

Practice Activity 1:

To encourage students to develop strong opening paragraphs in their essays, it can be helpful to isolate writing opening paragraphs.

In this activity, provide your students with a list of essay topics and challenge them to write four different opening paragraphs for their essay, one each for The Surprising Fact , The Quotation , The Joke , and The Anecdote as listed above.

When students have completed their four paragraphs, they can then share with each other in groups and discuss which worked best and why.

This activity will help students to remember the different types of opening and how they work. It will also give them a feel for which openings work best for different types of essays.

We’ve already discussed what a thesis statement is and what it is intended to achieve, but where does it fit into the overall shape of the introductory paragraph exactly?

While there are no hard and fast rules here, thesis statements work well towards the end of the introductory paragraph – especially as the paragraph’s final sentence.

Readers are often hardwired to look for the thesis statement there. It connects the arguments that follow in the body paragraphs to the preceding sentences and contextualizes the essay for the reader.

THE BODY PARAGRAPHS

Now we get to the ‘meat’ of our essay. Each of the body paragraphs will explore one of the arguments supporting the thesis statement as laid out in the introduction.

While we are focused on the 5 paragraph essay here, longer essays will usually be constructed in exactly the same manner, they’ll just include more body paragraphs to cover the extra level of detail.

Generally, each body paragraph will open by stating the argument, with subsequent sentences supporting that argument by providing evidence along with some further explanation. Finally, a statement or phrase will help transition to the next paragraph.

The PEEL Paragraph Writing Process

The acronym PEEL can be a very useful tool to help students to understand how to organize each of their body paragraphs.

P oint : start the paragraph by expressing the central argument

E vidence : support the central argument of the paragraph by providing evidence or reasons. Evidence may come in many forms including facts and statistics, quotations from a text or other authority, reference to historical events etc.

E xplanation : explain how the evidence provided supports the paragraph’s central argument.

L ink : provide a transition into the next paragraph by linking this argument and the central thesis to the next point to be made.

Practice Activity 2:

Just as students isolated the opening to their introductory paragraph for practice purposes, in this activity they’ll isolate a single argument on a chosen essay topic.

When they have chosen a topic and selected a single argument related to that topic, they can begin to write one body paragraph using the PEEL structure outlined above.

This activity works well when several students write on the same argument. When each has completed their paragraphs, they can then compare the results with each other.

It can be a fascinating experiment that allows the students to see just how diverse different treatments of the same argument using the same PEEL formula can be – there is freedom within the discipline of the structure!

THE CONCLUSION

The purpose of the conclusion is to close the circle of the essay. It is a chance for the writer to restate the thesis statement, summarize the main arguments, and tie up any loose ends as the writer drives home their point one last time.

At this stage of the game, no new arguments should be introduced. However, students should revisit the previous arguments made in the body paragraphs and it is acceptable to offer up a new insight or two on these.

The student should take care here to make sure they leave no doubt in the reader’s mind that the essay question is fully answered. One useful way of doing this is by incorporating words and phrases from the essay question into the conclusion itself.

To help students grasp the underlying structure of a concluding paragraph, the following sequential structure is useful to keep in mind:

• Starts with a closing phrase such as In conclusion , There is no doubt , Finally etc
• Restates the main thesis statement
• Summarizes the main point of each of the body paragraphs
• Leaves the reader with something to think about.

Practice Activity 3:

Again, here we will isolate the concluding paragraph for focused practice.

Students select a topic they know well, decide what they think about that topic, write down a few key arguments, and then begin writing a concluding paragraph to an essay on that topic.

Students should use the template above to structure that material.

You could also include an element of peer assessment here by having students swap their paragraphs with each other, before offering each other feedback.

The Post Writing Stage: Editing & Proofreading YOUR 5 paragraph ESSAY

The final stage of writing a five-paragraph essay is perhaps the least glamorous of an unglamorous process, but no less essential for it – the editing and proofreading.

Often, our students overlook this stage. After completing the process of research, planning, and writing their five-paragraph essay, they let themselves down at this final, crucial stage.

Frequently, students fail to adequately edit and proofread their work not just because of laziness, but because they are unsure of exactly what this process entails.

To avoid this, ensure students understand that editing and proofreading involve reading through and correcting mistakes in the following areas one after the other:

• Text Organisation: title, headings, layout etc
• Sentence Structure: coherence, grammar , sentence variety etc
• Word Choice: suitable word choices, avoid repetition etc
• Spelling and Punctuation: accuracy in both areas.

Practice Activity 4:

Once students have completed their essays, appoint each a partner to work with and each then edits and proofreads the other person’s work.

Sometimes students struggle to gain the necessary distance from their own work to adequately edit and proofread it, this exercise overcomes that issue while giving them an opportunity to gain some valuable editing and proofreading experience that will benefit them in future.

CLOSING THE CIRCLE

So, there you have it – how to write a five-paragraph essay from start to finish. As with anything, the more practice students get, the quicker they will improve.

But, bear in mind too that writing essays is hard work and you don’t want to put students off.

The best way to provide opportunities for students to develop the various skills related to essay writing is to isolate them in the manner apparent in the activities described above.

This way, students can soon sharpen up their skills, without learning to dread the word ‘essay’ itself!

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

Five Paragraph Essay exampleS (Student Writing Samples)

Below are a collection of student writing samples of 5 paragraph essays.  Click on the image to enlarge and explore them in greater detail.  Please take a moment to both read the 5 paragraph essay in detail but also the teacher and student guides which highlight some of the key elements of this structured model of essay writing here.

Please understand these student writing samples are not intended to be perfect examples for each age or grade level but a piece of writing for students and teachers to explore together to critically analyze to improve student writing skills and deepen their understanding of 5 paragraph essay writing.

We would recommend reading the example either a year above and below, as well as the grade you are currently working with to gain a broader appreciation of this text type.

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This form of writing goes by different names. Maybe you've heard some of them before: "The Basic Essay," "The Academic Response Essay," "The 1-3-1 Essay." Regardless of what you've heard, the name you should remember is "The Easy Essay."

Once you are shown how this works--and it only takes a few minutes--you will have in your hands the secret to writing well on almost any academic assignment. Here is how it goes.

Secret #1—The Magic of Three

Three has always been a magic number for humans, from fairy tales like "The Three Little Pigs" to sayings like “third time’s a charm.” Three seems to be an ideal number for us--including the academic essay. So whenever you are given a topic to write about, a good place to begin is with a list of three. Here are some examples (three of them, of course):

Topic : What are the essential characteristics of a good parent? Think in threes and you might come up with:

• unconditional love 

Certainly, there are more characteristics of good parents you could name, but for our essay, we will work in threes.

Here's a topic that deals with a controversial issue:

Topic : Should women in the military be given frontline combat duties?

• The first reason that women should be assigned to combat is equality. 
• The second reason is their great teamwork. 
• The third reason is their courage.

As you see, regardless of the topic, we can list three points about it. And if you wonder about the repetition of words and structure when stating the three points, in this case, repetition is a good thing. Words that seem redundant when close together in an outline will be separated by the actual paragraphs of your essay. So in the essay instead of seeming redundant they will be welcome as signals to the reader of your essay’s main parts.

Finally, when the topic is an academic one, your first goal is the same: create a list of three.

Topic: Why do so many students fail to complete their college degree?

• First, students often...
• Second, many students cannot...
• Finally, students find that...

Regardless of the reasons you might come up with to finish these sentences, the formula is still the same.

Secret #2: The Thesis Formula

Now with your list of three, you can write the sentence that every essay must have—the thesis, sometimes called the "controlling idea," "overall point," or "position statement." In other words, it is the main idea of the essay that you will try to support, illustrate, or corroborate.

Here’s a simple formula for a thesis: The topic + your position on the topic = your thesis.

Let’s apply this formula to one of our examples:

Topic: Essential characteristics of a good parent Your Position: patience, respect, love Thesis: The essential characteristics of a good parent are patience, respect, and love.

As you see, all we did was combine the topic with our position/opinion on it into a single sentence to produce the thesis: The essential characteristics of a good parent are patience, respect, and love.

In this case, we chose to list three main points as part of our thesis. Sometimes that’s a good strategy. However, you can summarize them if you wish, as in this example:

Topic: Women in combat duty in the military Your Position: They deserve it Thesis: Women deserve to be assigned combat duty in the military.

This type of thesis is shorter and easier to write because it provides the overall position or opinion without forcing you to list the support for it in the thesis, which can get awkward and take away from your strong position statement. The three reasons women deserve to be assigned combat duties--equality, teamwork, courage--will be the subjects of your three body paragraphs and do not need to be mentioned until the body paragraph in which they appear.

Secret #3: The 1-3-1 Outline

With your thesis and list of three main points, you can quickly draw a basic outline of the paragraphs of your essay. You’ll then see why this is often called the 1-3-1 essay.

• Supporting Evidence for Claim 1    
• Supporting Evidence for Claim 2
• Supporting Evidence for Claim 3

The five-paragraph essay consists of one introduction paragraph (with the thesis at its end), three body paragraphs (each beginning with one of three main points) and one last paragraph—the conclusion. 1-3-1.

Once you have this outline, you have the basic template for most academic writing. Most of all, you have an organized way to approach virtually any topic you are assigned.

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What Is a 5-Paragraph Essay?

By: Tasha Kolesnikova

The five-paragraph essay format

The five-paragraph essay format is a simple structure that helps the writer organize their thoughts into five paragraphs. Because of its structure, it's also known as a hamburger essay, one three one, or a three-tier essay.

The Five-Paragraph Essay Format

Structure of a 5-paragraph essay, step 1: start with a hook., step 2: use the peel paragraph writing process.

• Step 3: Conclude 

Introduction to a Five-Paragraph Essay: The Top Bun

Paragraph 2: add some greens, paragraph 3: add a slice of tomato, paragraph 4: the meat, paragraph 5: the bottom bum, dissect complex topic sentences, transfer the transition to the next paragraph, change the order, don't repeat ideas, examine the evidence, demonstrate your purpose, provide closure, provoke a thought, how to end a 5-paragraph essay badly- strategies that don’t work, some tips for conclusions, pro research tips, pro structure tips, pro grammar tips, the five-paragraph essay's limitations, how to practice writing a five-paragraph essay, how to proofread and edit your writing, read the question, set a timer, example of a five-paragraph essay, how do you write a 5-paragraph essay fast, how long should a 5-paragraph essay take, do all essays have to be 5-paragraph essays, how to write a conclusion for a 5-paragraph essay, how to write an introduction for a 5-paragraph essay, why is writing a five-paragraph essay important, can you write my 5-point essay.

It is used in most examinations, including the TOEFL , IELTS, and SAT . Due to the format's adaptability, students can experiment with various essay types. This structure is appropriate for persuasive , argumentative, expository , narrative , or cause and effect essays.

The type of essay influences the content and thesis of an essay. It indicates that some essays are more suited to students who can write humorous stories, while others are better suited to writing narrow and serious subjects. Among the numerous forms of essays are:

• Definition : In addition to the official definition from the dictionary, it adds a personal interpretation of the term or phrase.
• Descriptive : It contains as many details as possible to demonstrate the research problem.
• Narrative : It is a story given with vivid examples is a narrative.
• Argumentative : In an argumentative essay, the writer must state and defend their viewpoint on the topic under consideration. In a persuasive essay, the writer must state and justify their viewpoint, all the while persuading readers of your facts.
• Compare and contrast : This shows how two or more subjects differ and how they are similar.
• Cause and effect : It describes why something occurs and what occurs as a result of those events.
• Literary Analysis : You must select a specific literary text, such as a poem or essay, and evaluate/criticize it.

While answering a question may be adequate in some cases, in others, a student will need to conduct a significant study and provide further solutions to the problems given.

The 5-paragraph essay format includes the introduction, body, and conclusion.

The introduction is the first paragraph of the standard 5-paragraph essay format and serves several purposes. This paragraph catches the reader's attention, develops the central notions of what you'll discuss, and establishes the essay's thesis statement. The thesis statement is usually one line long and includes the topic, focus, and three main ideas of the essay. «Can a Thesis Statement Be a Question?» - find answer here .

Each body paragraph should start with a transition, such as the phrase “First” or “Another important point is,” and your topic sentence should then be continued in the first sentence. The topic phrase, similar to a smaller-scale thesis statement, informs the reader about the paragraph's topic. The remainder of the paragraph will be made up of supporting sentences. At least four of these sentences will help your reader understand your topic sentence.

Make certain that each paragraph in a basic 5-paragraph essay format phrase tackles both your topic sentence and your thesis statement directly. Leave it out of the paragraph if you wish to express a point not directly related to the topic sentence. You can write a separate paragraph about that other issue, but you can't just put it in any old paragraph because it occurred to you at the time.

A big part of how to write a 5-paragraph essay: don’t neglect the conclusion ! The conclusion is the last paragraph of the essay. This paragraph wraps up the essay by reminding the reader of the important ideas of the piece and restating the thesis statement. Because the conclusion is a recap of the essay's main points, it should not introduce any new ideas. The thesis is restated more directly than in the introduction.

Here’s how to structure a 5-paragraph essay:

Introduction : How to write an introduction for a 5-paragraph essay? Start it with something that will get the reader's attention (perhaps a quote or question). When you start your essay, you should talk about the general subject of your paper and give some background information. Then, in the next few sentences, you should get more specific. You want to finish with your thesis statement. Which is your main point, and it will give your paper a direction. This section will be the window to the paper, where you gather and organize evidence that will show the reader how your interpretation makes sense.

First point : It's time to back up your main point with evidence. Introduce your first support point in the first line of the paragraph with the topic sentence that starts the paragraph. Afterwards, explain what you mean in more detail so that people understand what you mean better. Add quotes or examples that show how the supporting point is true. Finish the paragraph with the last sentence.

Second point : This is the second supporting paragraph in this essay. Start the paragraph with a transition from the previous paragraph into the subject of this one. Follow it up by providing evidence to prove your second point for the main thesis.

Third point : Once again, begin the paragraph with a transition from the last one. This is the third and final supporting point. It's time to finish making a case for your thesis statement.

The Conclusion : It's time to wrap up your structure of the five-paragraph essay and tie everything together. Keep your thesis statement in mind. Sum up your supporting points. Take a look back at the attention-getting device you used in your introduction paragraph. Make sure you don't bring in new ideas or quotes at this time.

Please keep in mind that the five-paragraph essay structure serves as a framework for virtually any other type of essay you'll write in the future before moving forward. Consider that the introduction and conclusion serve the same function as they do in the structure of a 5-paragraph essay when you're preparing to write a longer paper. When writing longer papers, instead of three body paragraphs, consider three (or two or four) body sections, with as many paragraphs as necessary in each section. This will save time and effort (just as you had as many sentences as you needed in each body paragraph).

Steps to Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay

To become an effective writer, you must understand the value of catching and holding the reader's interest. A “hook” or “grabber” opening is a great segway to how to set up a 5 -paragraph essay.

• Unexpected Fact - This may intrigue the reader and make them want to learn more, especially if it challenges their preconceptions.
• A well-chosen quotation can help pupils capture the reader's attention, and various curated quotation collections are freely available online.
• The Joke - use comedy with caution since it may not be appropriate for all topics. In the right situation, humor may be a great method to engage the reader immediately.
• Anecdotes are a great way to connect with the essay's issue personally. They're a good way to lower the abstraction level in academic disputes. They help the reader relate global concepts to their own lives.

PEEL is an acronym that can help students organize their body paragraphs. You will have to research your topic enough to PEEL it for the readers.

P oint : Start each paragraph with the main point.

E vidence : Support the main point of the text using evidence or reasoning. Evidence includes facts and numbers, citations from a text or other authority, historical references, etc.

E xplanation : How the evidence supplied supports the paragraph's main claim.

L ink : Tie the arguments and the fundamental thesis to the next point in the next paragraph to provide a transition.

Step 3: Conclude

The conclusion should complete the essay's circle. It's a chance to restate the thesis, summarize the main points, and wrap up any loose ends. No new arguments should be introduced here. However, students should examine the points made in the body paragraphs and perhaps add a new perspective. Address the essay question effectively by incorporating essay question terms and phrases into the conclusion.

How Do You Start a 5-Paragraph Essay?

• Pick a topic. Don’t be generic about the topic you choose; try to narrow it down.
• Do your due diligence. Research the topic enough to make your case strong.
• Create your thesis statement. Explain to your reader what they can expect from reading your piece.
• Structure your thoughts. Segregate your researched points into three paragraphs and further organize them.
• Write your essay. This should not take a lot of time if you’ve done enough research and organization.
• Edit your work. Take time to check for punctuation, grammar, and flow errors.

How to start a 5-paragraph essay? The first sentence is often used to hook the reader. It could be a rhetorical question, a shocking statistic, or a real-life incident. To stimulate the reader's interest and make them curious about what happens next.

Example : It's difficult to believe that cell phones were once considered a luxury only a few decades ago.

After that interesting start, you are expected to provide a "trailer for the movie" — a hint about what you're going to talk about without giving anything away about the plot. Two to three compelling phrases will usually be enough.

Example : Secondary school teachers can instruct students to put their electronic devices away, but this practice is difficult to enforce at colleges since adult students are taught to use them.

The thesis statement appears in the final sentence of the first paragraph of a five-paragraph essay. It serves as an introduction to your message to the reader and is typically debatable.

Example : This essay investigates whether it is morally permissible to implement cell phone control at colleges, as well as the possible consequences of doing so.

After the 5-paragraph essay introduction, the second paragraph should make the most important point. Each of the body paragraphs should begin with a topic phrase that explains the topic. It connects your ideas to your paper's argument. If your subject sentences and thesis contradict at any point during the writing process, modify the thesis.

Example : During the 2000s, technology advanced at a breakneck pace. Mobile phones became smaller, with higher-resolution screens and more functionality than before.

Text/voice/video software like Skype allowed users to connect even more as VoIP technology extended into enterprises and apps.

The proof or explanation is provided next. In this case, it is best not to make broad generalizations. Justify your point of view in the lowest amount of time possible. If any terms could be eliminated, they should be removed as soon as possible.

Describe the relationship between each paragraph and your overall thesis at the end of each paragraph.

Example : Their size made it easy for the students to carry them and hide them from their teachers if necessary, making it difficult to govern their usage on school premises.

The second paragraph follows the first. Your "tomato" argument is the weakest and least compelling of the three. It adds moisture and texture to the burger by being sandwiched between the greens and the meat. Keep your material juicy using transitions.

Example #1 of a Transition Sentence from a 5-paragraph essay sample : " Irrespective of the nature of mobile phone people have – basic, feature, or smart – they all have similar perspectives on how their devices have affected their lives and society. "

Example #2 of a Transition Sentence from a five-paragraph essay example: " Anything readily available, easily accessible, new, rapid, and related to information and technology tends to draw the attention of a large number of individuals. "

When writing a five-paragraph essay, The last paragraph should focus on the strongest claim. In an argumentative essay , the third paragraph argues against the opposing side. If not, this is your article's compelling part. Give your readers reasons to believe you.

Example : Of course, technological use directly impacts education, whether favorable or negative. A pupil will benefit from a teacher's use of technology in the classroom. Nonetheless, if a child spends long periods on the phone, it will negatively affect them.

This section summarizes the main body paragraphs and repeats the argument in a different fashion. Finally, your conclusion should end with a final statement.

Example : After considering everything that has been discussed so far, it is vital to highlight that the use of telephones interferes with the learning process and should be discouraged as much as possible.

Strategies for Writing Your Body Paragraphs

A topic sentence with too many elements will need you to write many supporting information. On the other hand, long paragraphs are more difficult for readers to grasp, as you are already aware. The approach divides complex topic sentences into two or smaller concepts then devotes a paragraph to each.

An important tip for how to make a 5-paragraph essay: though a body paragraph should always begin with a topic sentence and end with proof of your objective — sometimes with a direct connection to the essay's thesis — you don't have to include the transition in that paragraph; instead, place it right before the topic sentence of the following paragraph.

For instance, if a body paragraph is already quite long, you may want to avoid adding a transition at the conclusion.

Body paragraphs should be half to three-quarters of a double-spaced page with 1-inch margins in Times New Roman 12-point type. Longer paragraphs are sometimes appropriate, but you should normally avoid writing paragraphs that fill or exceed one page.

The stages outlined above are intended to be a general guide for what is a 5-paragraph essay, but you are free to rearrange them as you see fit (to an extent). For example, if your topic sentence is fairly complex, you may need to break it down into numerous portions, each requiring its evidence and analysis.

Alternatively, you might reverse stages 3 and 4, beginning with your analysis and ending with evidence. Consider alternating between offering evidence and providing analysis.

The concept here is that employing multiple designs for your paragraphs usually makes the essay more interesting. Remember that repetition can quickly lose a reader's interest, so don't be afraid to mix things up.

This is a given, but if the same facts work well in other paragraphs, assist the reader in making these connections. Use signal phrases such as "As the following paragraph also demonstrates" and "As previously indicated."

It's now time to back up your topic sentence's claim with evidence. Use primary sources and research such as books, journal papers, studies, and personal experiences.

Never leave a body paragraph's evidence dangling. It's up to the writer to link your evidence to the main points being made in the paragraph. Adding to, expanding, or analyzing your evidence can help. You can even refute your proof if you want to make a counter-claim.

The next phase comprises two parts. In the final paragraph, restate your topic sentence. Avoid repeating phrases in your writing. Unlike the first step, this phase states what your paragraph has proven.

Second, every three or four paragraphs, or wherever it seems appropriate, refer back to the paper's thesis statement. As a result, your argument and central idea become clearer.

How To End a 5-Paragraph Essay?

To end a 5-paragraph essay, you’ll want to achieve a sense of closure. You could do one or more of the following:

• Finish by reiterating a word or phrase from the beginning.
• Finish with a one-syllable sentence. Simple words might help create a subtle drama impression.
• Compound or parallel-structured sentences can generate a sense of balance or order at the end of a long discussion.

To finish the dialogue without concluding it, you could do one or more of the following:

• Finish with a quote or reference to a primary or secondary source that builds on or casts fresh light on your main topic. A passage from the novel or poem under discussion, for instance, can add complexity and detail to your argument, and a critic or scholar might help confirm or complicate your conclusion. Just be cautious, especially if you're using secondary material: make sure you have the final say.
• Finally, situate your discussion in a new, maybe larger framework. For example, an essay about nineteenth-century muckraking journalism could be closed with reference to a current news magazine program.
• Finish by redefining one of the key phrases in your argument.
• In the final paragraph, consider the implications of your argument (or analysis or discussion). What does your argument indicate, infer, or suggest? The conclusion might make a new but related claim, namely that the novel as a whole implies that such integration is (or isn't) plausible.
• Starting with phrases like "in conclusion," "in summary," "in closing," and "as indicated in the essay" is needless and overdone.
• Introducing the thesis or a whole new idea\subtopic
• Making emotive and sentimental appeals that are out of character for the rest of the paper
• Evidence (quotations, figures, etc.) that should be included in the paper's body

Finally, here are some suggestions for how not to end an essay:

• Don't just rewrite your paper . If your essay is long—more than 10 pages or so—a concise summary of your thesis may be valuable. On the other hand, shorter essays are less likely to require a repeat of your major points. Learn how to shorten your content and how to write a 5-point essay
• "In conclusion," "to conclude," "in summary," and "to summarize" are all phrases to avoid. In oral presentations, these statements might be useful—even welcome. However, readers can detect when an essay is nearing to end by compressing the pages. If you dwell on the obvious, you'll irritate your audience.
• Refrain from apologizing. You now know a lot more about your subject than you could include in a five- , ten-, or twenty-page essay if you've immersed yourself in it. As a result, you may have some reservations about what you've written by the time you've completed it. (And if you haven't fully immersed yourself in your subject, you may be doubting your essay even more as you near the end.) Don't let your doubts get the best of you. Do not undermine your authority by saying things like, "this is just one approach to the subject; there may be other, better approaches..."
• Use it as a sales pitch!

What Are 3 Requirements for a Five-Paragraph Essay?

• Research - Gather information about your topic and find firm evidence to support your claims.
• Structure - Present your information in an organized manner, with an introduction, three supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• Grammar - Proofread your paper and eliminate any spelling, punctuation, and flow mistakes.

For this step, you should collect more than you'll need because it's far easier to delete surplus than it is to generate fresh material out of thin air—especially if you're pressed against a deadline at the last minute.

You must have firm evidence for your claims in order to produce a flawless essay. When you state your argument and describe the details that led you to this conclusion, it is properly presented. This effectively establishes your case.

Organization of thought is required for perfect essay writing . Each body paragraph of your essay should start with a topic sentence that summarizes the major point of that paragraph. To pique your readers' attention in your essay, the topic phrase should contain an argument supporting or expanding on the thesis statement. You may require some assistance and ideas to structure your work better, and you might consider seeking expert assistance.

An important aspect of “how to write a good 5-paragraph essay” is to make sure you don't stray from the topic when writing an essay. It's easy for your viewers to lose interest and stop reading your post. Assemble the following paragraphs so that they link to or mirror the core argument or thesis statement.

Correct spelling and punctuation help you create a superb college essay. To ensure this, make an effort always to proofread your paper and eliminate any faults you find.

Perfect essay writing necessitates the use of clear and specific words and sentences. Its significance is that the meaning of your post will be understood by your readers, resulting in a high grade for your essay. Make certain that you do not begin your paragraphs with examples from class.

In academic writing, how to start a five-paragraph essay is only a starting question for students who want to show off their ideas.

Students in the United States are tested on their ability to write a five-paragraph essay. Still, the goal of the test is supposed to give students practice with basic writing skills that will help them be more successful in other types of writing in the future. Detractors say that writing to rule in this way stops people from new ways to write and think. If you write a five-paragraph essay, you don't have to think as much about your audience and try to persuade your reader. Instead, you try to give them information, an account, or some other kind of story.

Instead, students should be asked to write in a variety of ways, such as diary entries, blog posts, product or service reviews, multi-paragraph research papers, and freeform expository writing that focuses on a single issue, rather than just writing one type of paper. Even though five-paragraph essays are the standard for writing on standardized tests, kids should be encouraged to try new ways of expressing themselves in elementary school. This will help them learn how to use the English language correctly.

Students can compose a conventional essay on any topic by following the instructions below when they find themselves asking “how to do a 5-paragraph essay.” Choose a topic, and then guide yourself through the stages below to create a basic five-paragraph essay:

• Settle on your main premise or what you want to talk about.
• Choose three pieces of evidence that will help you prove your thesis.
• Include your thesis and evidence in an introductory paragraph (in order of strength).
• Start by restating your thesis and emphasizing your first piece of scientific proof in your first body paragraph.
• At the end of the first paragraph, a transitional sentence leads to the next body paragraph.
• Focus on your second bit of data in paragraph two of the body. Link your theory and this piece of evidence once more.
• Finish the second paragraph with a transitional statement that leads to the third paragraph.
• Step 6 should be repeated with your third piece of proof.
• Restate your thesis at the start of your conclusion paragraph. Include the three points that you utilized to back up your claim.
• Finish with a punch, a question, an anecdote, or an amusing thought that the reader will remember.

Writing a basic five-paragraph essay will be a piece of cake if you master these simple stages, as long as you write well and provide enough supporting information in each paragraph that all pertain to the same consolidated core concept of the essay's thesis.

Many essayists consider themselves to have ascended the mountain after completing the first five steps. And, in a sense, they have. However, as mountain climbers know, the descent comes after the top, and the best essays are thoroughly edited and proofread after the first draft.

Here are some suggestions for essay editing and proofreading :

• Before editing or proofreading, take some time to "walk away" from the writing. It's typical to "skip" over faults and omissions when editing after finishing the first draft since you "recognize what you intended to express."
• Read your essay aloud to yourself. It assists you in locating the "missing words" as well as identifying clumsy sentences and transitions. Have a friend, or family member read your essay aloud to you if you can get someone to help.
• Check to see if you’ve made your point.
• Arrange your arguments in ascending order of strength to weakness.
• Make sure your spelling and punctuation are correct.
• Wherever possible, eliminate extraneous wording.
• Ascertain that the evidence is clear and accurate.
• Does your thesis help you focus your paper? If not, rewrite.

How to Write a 5-point Essay in 30 Minutes

To write a five-point essay in 30 minutes, you’ll need to set a timer, read the question, make an outline, and fill the body graph with supporting evidence.

The first crucial thing you should do before beginning your 5-point essay is to determine exactly what topic you will be writing about. Read the question and then reread it to make sure you understand it. This will assist you in better understanding. Making use of a pencil and underlining the keywords might also be beneficial. Among the most important keywords are action words such as "describe" or "inform," which notify us of the writing style we should use, as well as other crucial words or phrases such as the subject under discussion, which is essentially what the essay is about.

To begin, you must determine how much time you have available and split it according to the amount of work that has to be completed. In order to complete your task within a 30-minute time limit, try dividing your time as follows: 5-10 minutes for planning and outlining, 15 to 20 minutes for writing, and the remaining 5 minutes for rapid edits and editing.

Do not undervalue the importance of planning and editing. The five-paragraph essay will be completed quicker if you begin writing with a thorough essay plan in place, as you will have a clear understanding of what has to be accomplished. Finish by taking some time to go through your essay with a critical eye; it will make a world of difference in the final output.

Consider using a timer, especially if you have other tasks to complete in addition to writing the standard five-paragraph essay, such as research, planning, and editing, in addition to writing the essay itself. Prepare an outline of the tasks you intend to complete and set timers for each task so that you don't bleed into another time slot.

Following all of these steps, and practicing enough so that this all becomes second nature to you is the key to finishing your essays faster and faster. Rinsing and repeating is the secret of how to write a good 5-paragraph essay.

There is no better way to understand how to write a five-paragraph essay step by step than looking at an actual example of a simple 5-paragraph essay. In this section, we aim to do just that.

Below, we have presented an example of 5-paragraph essay for your perusal related to the topic of exercise. That should tell you a lot about how to structure these essays.

Many people have become increasingly conscious of the need to maintain physical fitness during the pandemic. Almost wherever people look, whether it is on Instagram, on television, or in a magazine, they are bombarded with information on protecting and improving their health. Although most of this advice is motivated by commercial interests such as the need to sell vitamins, natural foods, and weight-loss gimmicks, some of it, particularly those recommending a regular exercise routine, is worthy of serious consideration and consideration. Providing that the program is at least 30 minutes in length three times a week and that the person's physician allows it, there are various advantages to participating. Exercise regularly relieves tension, enhances looks, and boosts stamina and endurance.

The first of these advantages, the alleviation of tension, is immediately noticeable. A buildup of adrenaline caused by stress, anxiety, or panic causes tension in the body, which then causes it to tense up further. According to doctors, 30 minutes of calisthenics or participation in an active activity such as tennis or volleyball might help to release stress. For the same amount of time spent swimming, jogging, or riding a bicycle, a person should sleep better at night and have a more pleasant disposition the following day. In addition, after the tension has been released, little irritations and frustrations should be less bothersome to deal with. Employees irritated by their day's job and by traffic congestion may rush home, dispute with their spouse and children, and overindulge themselves in unhealthy foods. Taking around 30 minutes to vent frustration through physical activity may assist the individual in avoiding this type of conduct. Thus, planned physical activity has the potential to remove, or at the very least control, tension.

The second advantage of regular exercise is that it improves one's physical appearance. For exercise to produce visible results in the form of a trimmer, firmer physique, it may take several weeks to many months. Improvement, on the other hand, will come. A person who is 10 pounds overweight, for example, may be able to burn away the majority of their excess fat and tighten their muscles over this time, altering their body. Having increased muscular tone and posture, he or she will be able to dress more elegantly and comfortably in his or her attire. A regular exercise routine, when combined with a healthy diet, can also help to enhance a person's skin tone. This enhanced physical look will instill confidence in the wearer and leave a favorable impression on others.

Enhanced physical strength results in increased stamina, in addition to the boost in self-confidence that comes with a more attractive appearance. It goes without saying that a stronger, healthier body is better able to work harder and, in reality, to tolerate natural weariness than a stressed, weak one. But what about the mind? A worker who exercises should be able to work a 40-hour week and yet have energy left over for household chores such as mowing the lawn, painting the garage, or washing windows. In the same way, a student who is attending school, caring for a household, and possibly working part-time should complete responsibilities quickly. This stamina, which is equally vital, aids in the prevention of illnesses such as colds and influenza. Improvements in overall endurance are one of the most significant advantages of participating in a regular exercise regimen.

However, despite the abundance of media coverage promoting simple answers to the aims of losing weight and achieving a more attractive, energetic physique, obtaining these benefits is not straightforward. When a person follows a well-established workout program, the benefits are immeasurable. They include feeling relaxed, looking healthy, and having enough strength to perform demanding as well as ordinary activities without becoming fatigued.

By following the tips above, you’re well on your way to writing a phenomenal essay! But if you need additional help with writing a 5-paragraph essay, check out our FAQ below.

Writing an essay like this is strictly skill-based, and like all skills, this can be developed with lots and lots of practice. Time yourself, and try to beat your best time without sacrificing quality.

Ideally, 5-paragraph essays are 600-800 words long, and you should be able to finish the essay within half an hour, planning and outlining included. Just the writing bits should not take you more than fifteen to twenty minutes.

Not all essays have to be five paragraphs long. The introduction and conclusion are non-negotiable, but the number of body paragraphs can be played around with.

One of the most popular ways of concluding the essay is to restate all the main points of the essay and play off what you wrote in the introduction. Reinforce the thesis statement, and remove all doubt by closing the argument emphatically.

You have to grab the attention of your readers with the first sentence and keep building on it so that they are intrigued enough to read the whole thing. Tell them what the essay is about, what points you’ll be covering, and most importantly, write the introduction last so that you have a handle on everything in the essay when you do.

For students, writing a 5-paragraph essay teaches them the academic writing process while also making them aware of the kind of arguments they need to make to get their points across in academic circles. This knowledge is important in order to develop critical thinking and efficiency with words.

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I studied sociology and marketing at Europa-Universität Viadrina (Germany) and Universidade da Beira Interior (Portugal). When I was a sophomore, back in 2018, I decided to put what I've learned into practice, so I got my first job in digital marketing. I currently work in the content marketing department at Studybay, building strong, effective, and respectful communication between the platform and our clients.

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With this article, I found it easier to write one sentence paragraph and still organize my content. Plus, it allows me to experiment with various essays like the argumentative, narrative, expository, or any other essay. Additionally, if you're preparing for a standardized test, this article can be helpful. The easiest way to start this essay is to select a specific topic rather than a generic one, do research, and then begin writing. I learned a lot about academic writing from this piece, and I've been able to improve my critical thinking and word-processing speed as a result. Also, I know how to include my essay's focus in the thesis sentence.

I'd been struggling with this paper for days, and each time I read it, it felt off. The first problem I became aware of was that it lacked a clear introductory paragraph. I also found that my concluding paragraph lacked a hard-hitting concluding sentence. Imagine all those years in English Language class, and I never understood how to deliver my argumentative essays in the standard format. But with a detailed breakdown of the art of constructing a meaningful and persuasive write-up, I can finally get my main idea across.

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How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay: Step-By-Step

Learning how to write a 5 paragraph essay is an important part of learning the English language and developing core writing skills in high school and beyond. 

Five-paragraph essays are a staple of any writer’s education. You can use this concept to develop your writing skills before taking on longer essays, articles, blog posts, and more. That’s because writing concisely is harder than writing verbosely. 

Now, here’s what you should know about how to write a 5 paragraph essay, writing prompts for essays, and frequently asked questions (FAQ). 

What Is a Five-Paragraph Essay? 

When are five-paragraph essays used , types of essays , step 1: start with your essay outline , step 2: write your introduction paragraph , step 3: write your last paragraph , step 4: write your first body paragraph , step 5: write your supporting points, step 6: include your background information , step 7: proofread your entire essay , persuasive essays , expository essays , narrative essays , final word on writing 5 paragraph essays , what is the difference between a five-paragraph essay and a persuasive essay , what are the best essay topics , what are transition words , is there a standardized test on 5 paragraph essays, essay writing resources.

A 5 paragraph essay format uses an introduction, three main points in the body, and a conclusion paragraph to create a compelling and interesting piece for readers. A five-paragraph essay can be about nearly any topic and is intended to quickly but thoroughly convey a point or opinion to the target audience. 

Five-paragraph essays are often used by middle and high school students to help develop their academic writing skills. Learning how to write a five-paragraph essay prepares students to write more in depth content in college and beyond.

There are a few different types of essays, including but not limited to:  

• Descriptive essay 
• Persuasive essay 
• Expository essay 

Which type of essay you write depends largely on the assignment. Although the chosen topic can differ between types of essays, the same basic five-paragraph structure can be used for each. 

How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay 

Many people mistakenly assume that essay writing is done from the top down, starting with the introductory sentence and ending with the concluding sentence. However, the outline is the most important thing to start with because it shapes the entire essay. 

After your essay outline is done, write the first sentence of your introductory paragraph. This is where you’ll grab the reader’s attention and introduce them to your main points, essentially glossing over what you’re going to be presenting below in your body paragraphs. 

After your first paragraph, your concluding paragraph should be written relatively early during the writing process so you can have a better understanding of how you’ll call the reader to action at the end of the essay. Your last sentence should clearly motivate the reader to click, call, or take another action. 

Your first body paragraph should be as captivating as your introduction paragraph. When you write this next paragraph, be concise while conveying important information to your readers. Don’t get too wordy and avoid a restatement of your introduction. 

The body of the essay should be written next, with supporting paragraphs that clearly outline detailed information that supports your main points. The second paragraph in your essay body should provide more detail, and the third should use compelling information to secure the reader’s attention before the conclusion paragraph. 

If you did any type of research during the writing process for your essay, you should include supporting evidence for each source.

Essay writers should take the time to proofread their entire essay at least once after its completion. Ideally, you will be able to have another person proofread it as well, just to catch any mistakes you may have missed. 

Writing Prompts for 5 Paragraph Essays 

• Many people believe elderly drivers should have to reapply for their driver’s licenses after losing some of their ability to hear, see, and react in time. Explain your stance on this issue and why. 
• Write an essay that persuades readers to give up a bad habit that hurts them emotionally, physically, or financially. For example, you could write an essay that imparts the importance of vaccinations or persuades smokers to quit.
• Should fathers be offered paternity leave after they and their partners have or adopt a baby? Why or why not? Explain your stance. 
• Write an essay that persuades a college of your choice to admit you based on your experience and credentials. 
• Describe how two individuals with different core ideas and beliefs form an unlikely alliance. 
• Write about a celebration or event that meant a lot to you as a child or teenager. Describe the event in great detail throughout your essay. 
• Explain the mechanisms of and available treatments for a particular health issue like heart disease or diabetes. 
• Explain the meaning of an adjective and give examples of how you learned about the word and what it means to you. 
• How someone handles a disappointing turn of events tells a lot about that person’s character. Describe a time where you felt disappointed by something and how that impacted your character. 
• Describe how something that changes your life, like moving, changing jobs, or having a baby, impacted you personally. 
• Describe a valuable lesson from a mentor in your life, such as a teacher, parent, or other role model. 
• The first time you try a new thing can be both exciting and terrifying. Write about a time where you tried something new, describing the experience in detail and what you learned about yourself from it. 

Writing a five-paragraph essay generally follows the same format no matter the topic. With practice, you can learn to write compelling, descriptive, and well-researched essays that hone your writing skills and improve your understanding of the English language.

FAQ About Writing a 5 Paragraph Essay 

A persuasive essay is a type of essay that is intended to lead readers to agree with the author’s opinion or take on a particular topic. You can be persuasive in an essay without following the 5 paragraph essay format and you can write a 5 paragraph essay without necessarily being persuasive. 

The best essay topics are provocative and thoughtful, ideally bringing new insight to an already established topic or even bringing an entirely new discussion to light. However, the essay topic you choose should correlate with the type of essay you’re writing. For example, you wouldn’t want to write a descriptive essay about a naturally persuasive topic. 

Transition words are words that help readers transition from one thought process to the next. Examples include “additionally,” “consequently,” etc. Transition sentences use transitional words to help paragraphs flow easily from beginning to end, avoiding reader confusion. 

Many standardized tests for students across the country require students to write a five-paragraph essay from scratch, or they may be asked several questions about how to format and write one. 

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How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay

Written by tutor jackie d..

Have you ever opened up a document to sit and stare at the blank pages for awhile, not even knowing how to start writing a five-paragraph essay that’s due soon? Most of us have. Essay writing can seem overwhelming at times, but breaking it down into sections helps most people write a great essay. Let’s see how.

First, figure out what subject matter will be about. Is this an assignment your teacher gave you with a specific topic, or do you have to find a topic of your own?

When you decide on the topic, ask yourself the following five W questions: Who is this about? What is this about? When and where did this happen? Why is it important? And, last but not least, how did it happen?

Second, research facts that backup your thesis, the argument or point of your essay. Research facts and figures, as well as anecdotal, or interesting supplemental, material that will bring life to your essay.

Third, start the actual writing process by creating a simple outline. This will help you organize your thoughts so writing will be all the easier for you. This is where you can figure out how much information you have researched, as well as determine how you want to go about fleshing out your essay’s argument.

For instance, an outline would look similar to this one I used in writing this essay:

I.     Tips on how to write a five-paragraph essay A. Research topic:

i. Read what other Wyzant tutors have written about this topic ii. Read what other writers have written about this topic online iii. Start jotting down my own tips that I’ve used to teach other students about writing essays B. Determine thesis: i. Writing a five-paragraph essay is not difficult once the writer has streamlined his or her research and thoughts C. Write outline i. This is my outline! D. Write essay

i. Introduction – one paragraph introducing the subject and why it’s an important topic for the reader. It establishes

the who, what, when, and where.

ii. Body – three paragraphs backing up the introduction. This part establishes the how and the why. iii. Conclusion – one paragraph tying together the essay’s argument.

Introduction of the Essay

I recommend writing a brief introduction to start. This sets the stage for your essay. For the first draft, your introduction does not need to be spectacular. It only needs to answer three of the four W questions, who, what, where and when. You can elaborate more with the introduction after writing the body.

Body of the Essay

The body is sometimes the easiest part of the essay to write. In the body, it’s throwing in all the research you’ve found. Thankfully, with Microsoft Word and other related programs, you can throw in all the research you’ve done and then move around sentences that make a better. Think of it as throwing all the ingredients in a stew, and then adding, removing, and mixing ingredients as you need.

The key for writing the body is to think of it in three separate parts. The first paragraph should explain one or two facts with backup research. The second paragraph should pick one or two more related facts. The third paragraph follows the same recipe.

To start with the first body paragraph, pick a fact or statement that seems most important for your essay’s thesis. This is one that you feel most passionately or strongly about, one that makes complete sense to you. This is one that’s usually easiest to write because you have somehow connected with this fact or statement and know it to be true for the purpose of your essay.

Write one or two sentences about this fact, then provide evidence in two more sentences that back up the introduction and provide a simple yet effective argument. Do the same for the second and third paragraphs. But in this case, the second argument should contain the second most important argument or point, and the third paragraph the third most important argument or point. By this time, you will have completed the body of your essay.

Pretty simple, right?

Conclusion of the Essay

The concluding paragraph is little more than a revised version of your introduction. It should not make any new statements, but instead only serve to reaffirm or re-strengthen your thesis statement that you made in the introduction. The conclusion is the place to make one last effort to explain your thesis and sum up the points you made in the body of your essay. The last sentence should be a very concise and simple statement that puts a point at the end of the essay. It may even be something like a call to action in a persuasive essay like this one here.

When you break down how to write the essay, it will no longer seem as overwhelming to write. It’s just about taking the time to collect not only your thoughts, but also the research and the outline, of your paper. A blank page is only the start of the writing process. Think of it as a canvas to paint your words. It’s about expressing yourself through writing in a very practical yet easy manner. You can do it, so now let’s get to it!

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How to Write a Five-Paragraph Essay

The five-paragraph essay is a standard writing exercise for students in both grade school and college. It is also a common part of many national and international standardized tests.

Even for professionals who are long out of school, learning to write an essay can be extraordinarily beneficial.  The time and effort spent learning how to present an argument coherently and concisely is a useful skill in life, especially in a career.

In other words, knowing how to write a five-paragraph essay is pretty important. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of a five-paragraph essay format, as well as tips and tricks to write compelling and high-quality essays yourself.

Table of Contents

What Is a Five-Paragraph Essay?

As the name indicates, a five-paragraph essay is a prose composition that consists of five paragraphs. Unlike other essay formats, it has a strict layout that includes an introductory paragraph, three subtopics (or body paragraphs), and a conclusion paragraph. This formulaic style helps the writer – and the reader – focus on the content, rather than the structure.

The Introduction (Paragraph 1)

One rookie mistake that students make when writing a five-paragraph essay is to jump into addressing specific arguments (which should be in the body) in the first paragraph. Always remember, the introduction of your essay should start with broad sentences, revealing the central idea of your essay, not the details and individual arguments.

An ideal introduction must also include some necessary background information about the subject you’re writing about. If possible, try to quote an expert or add statistics that can demonstrate the importance of the issue you’re going to address throughout your essay.

You should also, if possible, start it with a “hook,” something that grabs the reader’s attention. For example, you can introduce a story, or a real-life example of the importance of the subject.  Depending on the subject, humor is a tried-and-true hook, as well.

Below, check out some quick tips for the introduction paragraph:

• Keep your introduction short and sweet, generally, five to eight sentences.
• Write an engaging opening sentence to grab readers’ attention.
• If possible, try to include a thesis in the last sentences of your statement.

The two big things to remember are this:  the introduction is meant to draw the reader in, whether by stressing the importance of the topic, or offering levity to entertain.  Whatever you choose, make sure the introduction style fits with the topic at hand.

Pro Tip:   Sometimes, it is challenging to determine exactly what information is appropriate for your essay’s introduction. In that case, you can write your body paragraphs first and then move to the introduction party. It may sound weird, but it is helpful.

Paragraphs 2–4 (Body)

In these paragraphs, your primary focus should be describing, arguing, and explaining the points you listed in your introductory paragraph. You can start with writing your points and then using 3-4 sentences in each paragraph to offer up supporting evidence for your main arguments.

Keep the paragraph lengths between 5 to 8 sentences. Also, make sure all the sentences in each paragraph are unified and around the main purpose of, not only the individual paragraph’s point, but also the essay’s main subject.

While organizing your essay, don’t overlook the importance of being consistent and logical, making certain the argument you present unfolds in a natural sequence. Using transition words like “but,” “so,” and “because,” can help you move smoothly from one paragraph to the next.

Below, check out some tips to arrange your body paragraphs.

• Make sure each body paragraph has a standard format.
• Briefly summarize your point in the first sentence of your paragraph
• Write one or two debating sentences that support your topic sentences
• At last, disclose evidence for your statements. It can be anything, such as a statistic, an example, a quote, a fact, and more.
• Try to keep word length almost similar in each body paragraph

Pro Tip:   If you find it difficult to transition from one topic to the next, it may be beneficial to reorganize the order of your points.  For example, if Point #1 does not transition naturally into Point #2, check to see if Point #3 makes a better first point.  The main idea here is to make certain that your argument develops naturally, so that the reader can follow along and arrive at the exact same conclusion that you do.

Paragraph 5 (The Conclusion)

In the final or concluding paragraph, you need to summarize the key points of your essay and restate your main claim. The opening sentence may include supporting claims you argued in the body paragraphs while the next few sentences should give further thought on your essay’s subject.  Your wrap-up should also leave the reader satisfied with your argument, but also interested in learning more.

Pro Tip: To make your final section more interesting, you can end the conclusion with a question, prompting the reader to consider the topic in more depth on his or her own. As noted above, leaving the reader wanting more – without feeling cheated out of information – is a sure-fire way to leave a lasting impression, and a thoughtful question can do just that.

How Long Should a Five-Paragraph Essay Be?

Besides obviously being five paragraphs long, these types of essays should be at least 500-1,000 words with approximately 100-200 words per paragraph . This will like come out to 1-4 pages depending on whether you single or double space. This will of course depend on your teacher’s instructions.

Final Words

No matter whether you’re a student or an industry professional, you should learn how to write an essay. The ability to argue a point succinctly and thoroughly is a transferable skill that will be important to you, not only while you’re a student, but also as a professional in a career.  And, really, why wouldn’t you want to improve your performance in any way you can?

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Subject Material

How to Write a Five-Paragraph Essay

The five-paragraph essay is often assigned to students to help them in this process. A good five-paragraph essay is a lot like a triple-decker burger, and it is therefore often called the hamburger essay. It requires a clear introduction and conclusion (the top and bottom bun) that hold the main body of the essay (the burger and all the juicy stuff) in place.

Before you start writing an essay, you need to get organised. Read through the task you are given several times, underlining important words that tell you what you are expected to do. Pay special attention to the verbs in the task you are given ('discuss', 'summarise', 'give an account of', 'argue'…). Make sure you do what you are asked and that you answer the whole question, not just parts of it.

Introduction

The introduction to a text is extremely important. A good introduction should accomplish three things:

• Firstly, try to capture the reader’s interest and create a desire to read on and learn more. There are many ways to achieve this. For example, you can start with a relevant quotation from a famous person or a short anecdote. You could also present some interesting statistics, state a startling fact, or simply pose a challenging question.
• Secondly, provide the reader with the necessary information to understand the main body of the text. Explain what the paper is about and why this topic is important. What is the specific focus of this paper? Include background information about your topic to establish its context.
• Thirdly, present your approach to the topic and your thesis statement. The thesis statement is the main idea of the essay expressed in a single sentence. Make sure your thesis statement comes out clearly in your introduction.

The body of the essay consists of three paragraphs, each limited to one idea that supports your thesis. Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence: a sentence that presents the main idea of the paragraph. The first paragraph should contain the strongest argument and the most significant examples, while the third paragraph should contain the weakest arguments and examples. Include as much explanation and discussion as is necessary to explain the main point of the paragraph. You should try to use details and specific examples to make your ideas clear and convincing.

In order to create a coherent text, you must avoid jumping from one idea to the next. Always remember: one idea per paragraph. A good essay needs good transitions between the different paragraphs. Use the end of one paragraph and/or the beginning of the next to show the relationship between the two ideas. This transition can be built into the topic sentence of the next paragraph, or it can be the concluding sentence of the first.

You can also use linking words to introduce the next paragraph. Examples of linking words are: in fact, on the whole, furthermore, as a result, simply put, for this reason, similarly, likewise, it follows that, naturally, by comparison, surely, yet, firstly, secondly, thirdly …

This is your fifth and final paragraph. The conclusion is what the reader will read last and remember best. Therefore, it is important that it is well written. In the conclusion, you should summarise your main points and re-assert your main claim. The conclusion should wrap up all that is said before, without starting off on a new topic. Avoid repeating specific examples.

There are several ways to end an essay. You need to find a way to leave your reader with a sense of closure. The easiest way to do this is simply to repeat the main points of the body of your text in the conclusion, but try to do this in a way that sums up rather than repeats. Another way to do it is to answer a question that you posed in the introduction. You may also want to include a relevant quotation that throws light on your message.

A few notes before you hand in your essay

After you have finished, read through your essay with a critical eye. Does your thesis statement in the introduction match the discussion in the main body and the conclusive statements in the final paragraph? It is important that you build your text logically, so that each part of the essay supports, proves, and reflects your thesis.

You should also remember that a good writer of formal essays:

• does not use abbreviations or contractions.
• does not use first-person pronouns, such as 'I', 'me' and 'my'. It is better to make your statements more general, using 'it is commonly believed that', 'we tend to think', 'scientists argue that'…
• does not engage in personal stories. Stories about your own life experiences, or the experiences of your friends or families do not belong in academic writing.
• does not use a language which is too casual, such as sentences that begin with words like 'well', 'sure', 'now', 'yes', 'no' ...
• does not use slang. Words like 'gonna' and 'wanna' are not accepted in formal essays.
• does not start sentences with conjunctions: 'but', 'and', 'or', 'because'…”.
• uses linking words. This creates better logic and coherence in your text.

Below we have structured three short essays for you and given you the topic sentences for each paragraph. Choose one of them and write it as a full text. Add facts and reflections under each paragraph. Make sure there are good transitions between the paragraphs.

The importance of learning English

Introduction: the importance of learning English

Living in a multicultural world

International job market

A better travelling experience

The importance of a good education

Introduction: the importance of a good education

Competitive job market

Independence

Personal growth

Living in a digital world

Introduction: living in a digital world

Important for working life

Important in communication

Part of our everyday lives

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How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay: Guide with Structure, Outline & Examples

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A 5-paragraph essay   is a common assignment in high school and college, requiring students to follow a standard structure. This essay format consists of five main components: an introduction paragraph, followed by 3 body paragraphs, and a final paragraph. Each paragraph serves a specific purpose and contributes to the overall coherence and organization of the essay.

Since this is one of the most popular assignments teachers give, you should be prepared to write using a five paragraph essay format. From structure and outline template to actual examples, we will explain how to write a 5 paragraph essay with ease. Follow our suggestions and you will be able to nail this task.

What Is a 5-Paragraph Essay: Definition

A 5-paragraph essay is as simple as it sounds: an essay composed of five paragraphs. It's made up of five distinct sections, namely an introduction , 3 body paragraphs and a concluding section . However, a 5 paragraph essay goes beyond just creating 5 individual sections. It's a method of organizing your thoughts and making them interconnected. 

Despite its straightforward 5-paragraph format, there's more going on beneath the surface. When writing a 5-paragraph essay, you should address the main objective of each part and arrange every section properly. 

Let’s learn about each of these sections more in detail.

5-Paragraph Essay Structure 

A five-paragraph essay structure is often compared to a sandwich that has 3 distinct layers:

• Introduction: This initial paragraph should introduce the main topic and tell what will be discussed further in the essay.
• Body: This part consists of three body paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect of your subject.
• Conclusion: The final paragraph rounds off the main points and offers key takeaways.

As you can notice, each of these sections plays an important role in creating the overall piece.

5-Paragraph Essay Outline & Template Example 

Imagine heading out for a journey in the woods without a map. You'd likely find yourself wandering aimlessly, right? Similarly, venturing into writing an essay without a solid essay outline is like stepping into the academic jungle without a guide. Most high school and college students ignore this step for the sake of time. But eventually they end up writing a five-paragraph essay that lacks a clear organization. 

It’s impossible to figure out how to write a 5-paragraph essay without having a well-arranged outline in front. Here’s a five-paragraph essay outline example showing subsections of each major part. 

5 Paragraph Essay Outline Example

• Hook: Spark the reader's interest.
• Brief background: Provide a general context or background.
• Thesis statement: State the main argument or position.
• Topic sentence: Introduce the main point of this paragraph.
• Supporting evidence/example 1: Provide data, examples, quotes, or anecdotes supporting your point.
• Analysis: Explain how your evidence supports your thesis.
• Transition: Tie the paragraph together and link to the next paragraph.
• Supporting evidence/example 2 : Provide further supporting evidence.
• Analysis: Discuss how the evidence relates back to your thesis.
• Transition: Summarize the point and smoothly shift to the next paragraph.
• Topic sentence: Present the main idea of this paragraph.
• Supporting evidence/example 3: Offer additional support for your thesis.
• Analysis: Show how this backs up your main argument.
• Transition: Sum up and signal the conclusion of the body section.
• Thesis reiteration: Revisit your main argument accounting for the evidence provided.
• Summary: Briefly go over the main points of your body paragraphs.
• Final thoughts: Leave the reader with a parting thought or question to ponder.

How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay Outline? 

When creating an outline for 5-paragraph essay, begin by identifying your topic and crafting a thesis statement. Your thesis statement should encapsulate your main argument. Identify 3 ideas that support your thesis to lay the foundation of your body section. For each point, think about examples and explanations that will help convince the reader of your perspective. Finally, plan what you will include in the concluding section. 

Throughout this process, remember that clarity and organization are key. While it's not necessary for your 5-paragraph outline to be "perfect", it is indeed important for it to be arranged logically. 

Below, you can spot an example of an outline created based on these instructions.

How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay Step-by-Step?

There is nothing difficult about writing a 5-paragraph essay. All you need to do is to just start creating the first sentence. But for most of us, it;s easier said than done. For this reason, we prepared informative step-by-step guidelines on how to write a 5-paragraph essay that your teacher will like. 

As we navigate these stages, remember that good writing isn't a destination, it's a process. So grab your notebook (or laptop) and let's dive into the art of crafting your five-paragraph essay.

>> Learn more: How to Write an Essay

1. Understand the Task at Hand 

The initial step is to make sure you have a full grasp of your assignment instructions. How well you understand the given guidelines can either make or break your 5-paragraph essay. Take a few minutes to read through your instructor’s requirements and get familiar with what you're supposed to do: 

• What’s your topic? Do you need to choose one yourself?
• What  essay type  do you need to write – argumentative , expository or informative essay ?
• What’s your primary goal – persuade, analyze, descibe or inform?
• How long should an essay be ? Is there any specific word count?

Understanding these crucial details will help you remain on course.

2. Research and Take Notes 

Now that you have a good idea of your assignment, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start researching. Spend some quality time gathering relevant resources to get acquainted with the discussed topic. Make sure you don;t refer to outdated resources. Always give a preference to credible, recent sources.

Read these sources carefully and jot down important facts – this is what will form the basis of your essay's body section. Also, you will need to save the online sources to cite them properly.

3. Develop Your Thesis Statement

We can’t stress enough: your thesis statement will guide your entire essay. Write 1-2 sentences that convey your underlying idea. Keep in mind that your thesis  must be succinct. There is no need for long introductions or excessive details at this point.

4. Make an Outline 

A five-paragraph essay outline shows how your paper will be arranged. This visual structure can be represented using bullet points or numbers. You can come up with another format. But the main idea is to prepare a plan you are going to stick to during the writing process. 

Did you know that you can send an outline to professionals and have your essay written according to the structure. Order essay from academic experts should you need any assistance.

5. Write an Introduction Paragraph 

To start a 5-paragraph essay, compose an attention-grabbing statement, such as a question or fact. This is also known as an essay hook – an intriguing opening sentence. Its goal is to spark curiosity and draw your reader into your topic.

Next, you need to establish a background and show what;s under the curtains. Write 1-2 contextual sentences helping your reader understand the broad issue you're about to discuss.

Your 5-paragraph essay introduction won’t be complete without a thesis statement – the heart of your writing. This 1 or 2-sentence statement clearly expresses the main point you will develop throughout your essay. Make sure your thesis is specific, debatable, and defensible.

A staggering report by the World Health Organization reveals that poor diet contributes to more disease than physical inactivity, alcohol, and smoking combined. In our fast-paced world, convenience often trumps health when it comes to food choices. With an alarming rise in obesity and diet-related illnesses, a closer look at our eating habits is more critical than ever. For this reason, adopting a healthy diet is essential for individual health, disease prevention, and overall wellbeing.

>> Read more: How to Start an Essay

6. Create a Body Part 

A body section of a standard 5-paragraph essay layout comprises 3 paragraphs. Each body paragraph should contain the most important elements of the discussion:  

• Topic sentence  
• Detailed explanation
• Supporting evidence from credible sources
• Further exploration of examples
• Transition.

Begin your body paragraph by introducing a separate aspect related to your thesis statement. For example, if you are writing about the importance of physical activity, your body paragraph may start this way: 

Regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

Don’t just make a bold statement. You will need to expand on this idea and explain it in detail. You should also incorporate facts, examples, data, or quotes that back up your topic sentence. Your evidence should sound realistic. Try to draw the examples from personal experience or  recent news. On top of that, you should analyze how this evidence ties back to your overall argument. 

It’s not a good idea to finish your body paragraph just like that. Add essay transition words to keep your five-paragraph paper cohesive. 

First and foremost, a healthy diet plays a pivotal role in maintaining individual health and vitality. A balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, provides the essential nutrients our bodies need to function effectively. A research study by the American Heart Association found that individuals who adhered to a healthy eating pattern had a 25% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This data emphasizes that a proper diet is not just about staying in shape. It directly affects critical health outcomes, impacting our susceptibility to serious health conditions like heart disease. While the implications of diet on personal health are substantial, the preventative power of healthy eating against disease is equally noteworthy, as we shall explore next.

>> Read more: How to Write a Body Paragraph

7. Write a Concluding Paragraph 

Wrapping up your 5-paragraph essay might seem like a breeze after developing your introductory and body parts. Yet, it's crucial to ensure your conclusion is equally impactful. Don't leave it to the reader to join the dots – restate your thesis statement to reinforce your main argument. Follow this by a brief recap of the 2-3 key points you've discussed in your essay.

The last taste should be the best, so aim to end your 5-paragraph essay on a high note. Craft a compelling closing sentence that underscores the importance of your topic and leaves your reader considering future implications.

As was outlined in this essay, a balanced diet isn't just a lifestyle choice, but an essential tool for maintaining individual health, preventing disease, and promoting overall wellbeing. Healthy eating directly affects our personal health, its power in disease prevention, and how it contributes to a sense of wellness. What we consume profoundly impacts our lives. Therefore, a commitment to healthy eating isn't merely an act of self-care; it's a potent declaration of respect for the life we've been given.

>> Learn more: How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay

8. Review and Revise

Your 5-paragraph essay should be up to scratch now. However, double-check your work for any errors or typos. It's worth revising your essay at least twice for maximum impact. Our practice shows that revising your essay multiple times will help you refine the arguments, making your piece more convincing.

As you proofread, make sure the tone is consistent, and each sentence contributes something unique to the overall point of view. Also, check for spelling and grammar errors. 

Once you're happy with your 5-paragraph essay, submit it to your teacher or professor.

5 Paragraph Essay Example

Students can ease their life by exploring a sample five paragraph essay example shared by one the writers. Consider buying a college essay if you want your homework to be equally good.

Extra 5-Paragraph Writing Tips 

Here’re some bonus tips on how to write a good 5-paragraph essay:

• Be clear and concise Avoid fluff and filler. Every sentence should contribute to your argument or topic.
• Keep paragraphs focused Each paragraph should be dedicated to an individual point or idea.
• Use strong evidence To support your points, use solid evidence. This could be statistics, research findings, or relevant quotes from experts.
• Use active voice Active voice makes writing direct and dynamic. It puts the subject of the sentence in the driver's seat, leading the action.
• Avoid first-person pronouns To maintain a formal, academic tone, try to avoid first-person pronouns (I, me, my, we, our). First-person pronouns are acceptable only when writing a narrative essay , personal statement or college application essay .

Final Thoughts on How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay 

Writing a five-paragraph essay may seem challenging at first, but with practice and determination it can become a piece of cake. Don’t forget to use your secret power – an outline, so that you have a clear idea of what points to cover in each paragraph. Make sure that you stick to the right format and cite your sources consistently. With these tips and 5 paragraph essay examples, you will be able to write an effective piece.

If any questions pop out, do not hesitate to leave the comments below or contact our professional writing service for expert assistance with your “ write an essay for me ” challenge.

Our team of experienced writers is ready to provide you with high-quality, custom-written essays tailored to your specific requirements. Whether you're struggling with a complex topic or short on time, our reliable service ensures timely delivery and top-notch content. Buy essays online and forget about struggles.

FAQ About Five-Paragraph Essays

1. how long is a 5-paragraph essay.

A five-paragraph essay typically ranges from 300  to 500 words, depending on the topic and type of paper. It's important to consider the length of your essay when determining how much information you want to include in each paragraph. For shorter essays, it is best to stick to one main point per paragraph so that your essay remains concise and focused.

2. What is a 5-paragraph format?

The five-paragraph essay format is a classic structure used to organize essays and persuasive pieces. It consists of an introduction (which includes your thesis statement), 3 body paragraphs that explain each point, and a conclusion which sums up your fundamental ideas. Each paragraph should feature one main aspect, with supporting evidence discovered during research.

3. How to start a 5-paragraph essay?

The best way to start a five-paragraph essay is by writing an engaging introduction that contains your thesis statement. Your first paragraph should provide readers with some context as well as introduce your main argument. Make sure to cover at least 2 or 3 points in your thesis statement so that you have something to elaborate on further in your text.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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How Long Is an Essay? The Ultimate Essay Length Guide

It’s safe to say that most students struggle with the word limit within an essay. Sometimes, it’s hard to find ideas for a text and meet the word requirement for every part of the paper. With so many factors influencing essay length, it’s easy to get confused.

Luckily, our custom-writing team has your back. In this article, our custom-writing experts will answer all your questions regarding essay length. We will also help you write papers with an ideal number of words!

📜 Is Essay Length Important?

📏 essay parts: recommended length.

• 🤔 How to Make Essays Shorter or Longer
• 📑 Essay Length & Formatting
• ❓ Different Academic Levels FAQ
• 📚 Essay Length: Different Types
• ⭐ Other Aspects
• 📝 Essay Examples

🔍 References

Often, the phrase “word limit” causes panic among students. After all, if an essay is too long or too short, your grade will be lowered. However, in reality, there’s nothing to worry about. When it comes to words, limitations are beneficial for both the students and the professors.

Let’s see what exactly it means.

Many people believe that the longer an essay is, the better. However, according to Frontiers, research shows that it’s a bias that couldn’t be further from the truth. A perfect-length paper is one that allows students to express their ideas and showcase their knowledge fully while keeping it clean and simple.

What Influences Essay Length

Various factors determine the length of an essay. Here are the most important ones:

Let’s start with the essentials. Usually, assignment length is given as a number of words rather than pages. Unless your supervisor or instructor mentions any specific limitations, it’s acceptable to be 10% below or above the word limit.

It’s also worth knowing the 80/20 rule . According to it, the body should constitute 80% of the text, while the intro and the conclusion take up the remaining 20%.

Keep reading to learn more about the recommended length of each essay part. The main numbers are shown in the table below:

How Long Should an Introduction Be?

An introduction is the first section and the face of your essay. For that reason, it needs to be compelling and well-thought-out. Usually, it consists of 3 to 5 sentences or 50 to 80 words .

An introduction must have a hook, some background information, and a thesis statement. While the attention grabber and the thesis are usually brief, you may need 2 to 3 sentences for the background. To avoid going overboard, try to stay on topic and don’t add any filler.

How Long Is a Body Paragraph in an Essay?

The length of a body paragraph may vary. Sometimes, it can be limited to a single sentence. In other cases, it may take up a whole page. Usually, it’s recommended to have between 80 and 200 words (5-8 sentences) per body paragraph.

Since the paper’s body contains the most information, it’s necessary to explain and support your ideas properly. That’s why it’s no big deal if your body paragraphs go slightly over the word limit.

How Many Body Paragraphs Should Be in an Essay?

Like the word count, the number of paragraphs is determined by the type of paper and its topic. The minimum is 1. Generally, however, the body consists of 3-5 paragraphs , 1 for each argument.

To improve your paper’s structure, ensure that there are as many paragraphs as there are points in your thesis statement. Each one should have a purpose and support your arguments. If there’s any fluff, it’s better to get rid of it.

How Long Should a Conclusion Be?

Like the introduction, the conclusion consists of 50-80 words . It’s essential to keep it simple and only mention the central ideas. A weak concluding sentence may affect the reader’s understanding of the topic and spoil the overall impression of your paper.

🤔 How to Make Essays Shorter or Longer: Best Tips

Undoubtedly the essay’s content is more important than the number of words you use. But there are times when students go more than 10-15% below or over the limit. Is there a solution to this problem?

Yes, there is! In this section, we will share the most useful tips to help you stay on point with your paper’s word count.

How to Make Essays Longer

Since having enough words is essential for a good grade, we’ve collected the best tips that can help you lengthen your essay without teachers noticing:

• Use relevant quotations.  You don’t need to litter your essay with citations, but using them whenever appropriate is a great idea. For instance, if you’re working on a book analysis, referencing a couple of direct quotes from the source text will make your essay more credible and increase the word count.

• Give examples.  Go through the claims in your paper and provide additional evidence where possible. It will make your essay longer and more informative.

• Use transitional expressions.  Adding transition words and phrases is a natural way of increasing the number of words. It will also improve your essay’s readability. 

• Add more references.  Providing references is always a good idea when writing a formal essay. That way, you will increase the number of words and make your paper more credible.

• Work on your descriptions.  If you struggle to develop new ideas, go over what you’ve already written and consider adding some descriptive words. It’s a great idea for creative essays to include more imagery. 

How to Shorten an Essay

Another struggle of academic writing is cutting down the number of words in your essay to meet a set limit. We are here to tell you that it’s not that hard. Writing straightforwardly and keeping your sentences short is a key to concise content. Here are several strategies you may use to tighten a lengthy essay:

• Choose the active voice.  It takes up less space than passive voice. Using it also makes your writing more professional and compelling.

• Remove needless transitions.  Transitions can indeed maintain the flow of the paper. But some transitional phrases can be easily removed.

• Get rid of unnecessary adverbs and adjectives.  Some students tend to overuse adjectives and adverbs. It adds wordiness to their writing.

• Avoid running starts.  Some students like to start their sentences with long phrases like: “there are,” “it is believed,” or “the fact that.” Getting rid of them makes texts much more concise.

• Delete “that.”  In most cases, the word “that” can often be easily removed from texts.

Another cool trick is to use our summarizing tool as essay shortener. Try it out!

📑 How Long Is an Essay Depending on Formatting?

As we mentioned earlier, the essay’s length is usually limited by the number of words. But sometimes, a teacher may ask you to write a specific number of pages. This is trickier because the amount of text you can place on the page depends on the formatting. By using the font size and spacing properly, it’s possible to make the paper visually longer or shorter. Let’s discuss it in more detail.

Essay Spacing: How Does It Affect the Length?

• Adjusting the spacing between lines.  Try to make the changes as slight as possible. For instance, if you were asked to double-space the paper, use 2.1 or 2.2 spacing instead. Another option is to slightly extend spaces between paragraphs.
• Extending the margin size.  You can increase the right and bottom margins by a quarter to make very subtle changes in length. For example, if the margins are 1 inch , you can set them at 1.25 inches instead. 
• Increasing the spacing between characters.  It is less noticeable than the line spacing. Still, try not to overdo it and keep the numbers between 1.2 and 1.5 . 
• Adjusting the footer.  Add a footer with page numbers to stretch the bottom margin even further.
• Lengthening the header.  You can extend your header by adding your name, e-mail address, or other relevant information. Another option is double-spacing it.

Length of an Essay: Font and Size

• Using the right type of font.  If your instructor didn’t specify which font you should use, go for the bigger ones. We suggest Arial, Bangla Sangam MN, Cambria, or Quicksand. They will make your text look longer without being too on the nose.  
• Using a bigger font size.  This is another technique that can come in handy. However, be careful and don’t increase your font by more than 0.1-0.5 pt.  
• Increasing the size of periods and commas.   This is one of the less noticeable tricks you can use. For instance, if your paper’s font is 12 pt. , increase it to 14 pt. only for punctuation marks. Italicizing periods and commas will also add several lines of length to your essay. 

What to Do if There Are No Length Guidelines

Sometimes a teacher sets no word limit for a written work. What to do in that case? Well, first, you can ask your professor to confirm if they have simply forgotten to mention it. But if that’s not the case, here are a couple of helpful solutions:

• Think of the paragraph number.  Sometimes, you may be given the number of paragraphs instead of words. In that case, you can decide on the number of words depending on how many paragraphs you have. 
• Think about the topic’s complexity.  The length of your paper is also directly dependent on the theme. If the topic is simple, 4-5 paragraphs will be enough. A more complex issue may require an in-depth explanation, so your essay can be 6-8 paragraphs long.

❓ Essay Length for Different Academic Levels FAQ

The length of the elementary school essay is usually short. Usually, a paper needs to have around 3-5 paragraphs, with 4-5 sentences per paragraph. Primary school essays can be 1-2 paragraphs long.

The word limit for a middle school essay is usually between 300 to 1000 words. The most common essay length is 500 words, which is about 5 paragraphs. However, it may differ from school to school.

The length of the high school essay may differ depending on the school and the complexity of the task itself. Usually, however, a paper can be between 300 to 1000 words long.

The length of the undergraduate college essay often falls within the range of 1500 to 2100 words. It translates into roughly 5-7 pages. 5 pages is the most common essay length at this level.

When it comes to the graduate school admission essay, the word limit is usually between 500 and 1000 words. It’s possible to go slightly over or below the set limit; however, it’s best to stick to the requirements as close as possible.

📚 How Long Should an Essay Be: Different Types

Now, let’s talk about different types of essays. How long should they be? Keep reading to learn about the length of college essays, short and extended ones, scholarship essays, and research papers.

How Long Is a College Essay?

When it comes to a college essay, it’s more important to stick to the word limit than with any other paper. Some teachers may refuse to read it unless it meets all the requirements.

The shortest limit for a college essay is about 250 words which is the shortest length of a Common App personal statement. It’s also rare to see a good college essay with over 650 words . So, an average piece usually has between 150 and 650 words ; you can go over or below the limit by 50.

How Long Is a Paragraph in College Essays?

A college essay usually consists of 4-5 paragraphs . One paragraph takes about 1/3 of the page, which is roughly 5 sentences . Each sentence corresponds with one of the following components:

• Topic sentence.
• Explanation.
• Transitions.

College Essay Length Requirements: Top 5 Schools

To understand the requirements for a college application essay even better, take a look at the table below. It showcases the top 5 schools and their length criteria for personal statements. Keep it in mind when writing your college essay:

How Long Is a Short Essay?

A short essay is usually 500 words long. Using 12pt Times New Roman font with standard margins and double spacing should result in about 2 pages of text.

Extended Essay Length

An extended essay is different from a short or a standard one. It requires extensive research and thorough explanation. That’s why the upper limit for this kind of essay is 4000 words . In this case, a typical essay length is 3500 words or 18 paragraphs .

Scholarship Essay Length

Generally, scholarship papers have a limit of 500 words , which is 1 page in length. Most scholarship programs provide additional requirements that indicate the minimum number of words or pages. If there are no set limitations, you can stick to the limit.

How Long Is a Research Paper?

Typically, a research paper is between 4000 and 6000 words long. Sometimes, there are shorter papers, which have around 2000 words, or in-depth ones with over 10000 words.

⭐ Other Aspects of Essay Length

When it comes to essay length, many different aspects come into play. Here, we’ve gathered all the essential information regarding an essay’s number of pages, paragraphs, words, and references.

How Many Paragraphs Are in an Essay?

Sometimes, it is more convenient to count paragraphs rather than words. Let’s now figure out how many paragraphs are in essays of different lengths. You may also check out the examples to see what such an essay looks like:

How to Count Paragraphs in an Essay Based on Word Count

You can also count the number of body paragraphs for your essay using the formula below:

Number of body paragraphs (average) = (TWC – TWC*0.16)/100

• TWC – total word count
• 0.16 – an average percentage of total word count for introduction and conclusion
• 100 – an average number of words per paragraph

How Many Pages Are in an Essay?

The number of pages in your essay may vary from subject to subject. But it’s still possible to determine the number of pages based on word count. Check out the numbers below to see the conversions with bonus examples:

You can also use a specialized calculator such as Word Counter to determine a number of pages in your essay.

What Does an Essay Look Like when Typed?

You might be wondering: what do essays of different lengths look like when typed? Well, here’s the table where you can find out the metrics for single- and double-spaced papers.

How Many Pages Are in a Handwritten Essay?

In case you need to turn in a handwritten paper, you should check out the table below.

Counting Words in a Handwritten Essay

If you don’t have enough time to count the words in your handwritten essay one by one, here’s what you can do:

• Count how many words there are in one line. Take the first and last lines and a line in the middle of a page. Let’s say there are 15, 14, and 15 words in them. Then, the average number of words per line is 15.
• Next, count how many lines there are on one page. Let’s say there are 17 lines on a page.
• Take the number of words per line and multiply it by the number of lines per page. In our case, we multiply 15 by 17. So, there are 255 words per page on average.
• Finally, multiply the number of words per page by the number of pages. If your essay has 3 pages, it is approximately 765 words long.

How Long Does it Take to Write an Essay?

It is crucial to know how long writing will take you, especially if you are working on an exam essay or just short on time. Note that you need to consider the time for typing and researching necessary to complete a piece. Research time may vary. Usually, it’s 1-2 hours for 200-250 words .

Below, we’ve gathered the average writing time for average and slower writing speed:

And here are the results in pages:

How Many References Does an Essay Need?

Another essential part of any composition is the reference list. Different academic levels require different references. You’ll find out how many of them should be in your paper in the table below!

📝 Essay Examples: Different Length

Finally, we’ve gathered some excellent sample essays of different lengths. Make sure to check them out!

We also recommend you check out our free essay samples sorted by pages:

• 1-Page Essay Examples
• 2-Page Essay Examples
• 3-Page Essay Examples
• 4-Page Essay Examples
• 5-Page Essay Examples
• 10-Page Essay Examples
• 20-Page Essay Examples
• 30-Page Essay Examples
• 40-Page Essay Examples
• 50-Page Essay Examples

Now you know all about essay length, word limits, and ways to lengthen or shorten your text. If you know other interesting tricks, make sure to share them in a comment! Good luck with your writing assignments!

You may also like:

• How to Write a Process Analysis Essay: Examples & Outline
• How to Write a Precis: Definition, Guide, & Examples 
• How to Write a Critical Analysis Essay: Examples & Guide
• How to Write a Narrative Essay Outline: Template & Examples
• How to Write a Formal Essay: Format, Rules, & Example
• Word Limits and Assignment Length: Massey University
• The Paragraph in the College Essay: California State University, Long Beach
• Introductions & Conclusions: The University of Arizona Global Campus
• How Long Should a Paragraph Be?: Daily Writing Tips
• Paragraphing (Length Consistency): Purdue University
• Hitting the Target Word Count in Your College Admission Essay: Dummies.com
• How Long Should Your College Essay Be? What is the Ideal Length?: College Vine
• Writing Personal Statements Online: Issues of Length and Form: Penn State University
• Pen Admissions: Essays: University of Pennsylvania
• Essay Questions: University of Michigan
• Essay Structure: Harvard University
• Components of a Good Essay: University of Evansville
• Write Your Essay: UNSW Sydney
• College Writing: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• 21 Helpful and Easy Tips to Make an Essay Longer: Seventeen
• How to Make a College Paper Longer: ThoughtCo
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How Long it Takes to Write an Essay: From 500 to 5k words

• by Joseph Kenas
• January 12, 2024

When you receive an assignment as a writer, you would want to calculate the duration that you will take to complete the assignment.

Unluckily, there exists no exact formula that can assist you in knowing the correct time. However, you can gauge your efficiency over several variables that we will be highlighting in this write-up. Read on. 

How Long Does it Take to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay?

Writing a five-paragraph essay can be effortless when you understand the topic well. The most important aspect is to know the entire word count. In the same vein, beginning with a complete introduction and put the key ideas within the body.

The time it takes to write a 5-paragraph essay is 3 hours if you are a good writer and the topic is easy, or over 5 hours if the topic is technical. The reason for the variation is because of the writing ability of the writer and the technicality of the content. Therefore, it takes between 3 hours and 5 hours to write a 2-page essay.

If you did the proper research and mastered the topic, it should take you between forty and one hours by doing the following: 

You should operate in a quiet environment by sitting off everything that will cause distraction. You can proceed by shutting the windows and doors so that the exterior noise will not disturb you.  

Again, you should put off the music because it is likely to divert your attention. Once you set the environment well, you can begin to work on your five-page essay effectively. 

2. Acquire Information 

The chances of letting your essay suffer can be high if you do it within one hour. Some will prefer to do it within four to five hours to get the right information to include in the essay.

Well, it could be sensible to get poor scores than no scores. You can perform quick research from at least three reliable sources. 

3. Understand Instructions 

Many instructors will have different requirements to allow you to finish the assignments. For this case, the demand is to complete a five paged essay within a short period. Ensure that you stick to those demands when doing research and writing. 

When you master the instructions, it is great that you manage your time. Don’t assume that the instructor gave you more or little time to finish the essay.

The best approach is to start early and complete in time. Doing so gives you more time to proofread and kick out any inconsistencies effectively. 

4. Conduct Brief Research 

You can go to the internet and research on the topic. Read through the articles that you found which can be resourceful to you.

If you have a pencil, you can jot down any point that you find it fit for you.

If you are working via soft copies only, then ensure that you highlight the area with a specific color. 

When you discover that one point occurs in several articles, it is crucial to note it.

If you will be talking about the same point in your essay, then ensure that you express your personal opinion over it. 

5. Create an Outline 

It is challenging to write a five-paragraph essay minus the outline. One needs the outline to write faster. Use the underlined pieces to get a good outline and organize it in a structured manner. Avoid taking the same structure to resemble your sources. 

The most common one is to have the introduction where you will put general topic information. Let the body carry three paragraphs where you will put your key arguments. Lastly, the final paragraph should include a summary of your topic. 

6. Begin Writing 

Follow the guidelines to write the first draft. Ensure you mention all the points that you wanted to talk about.

The cool thing is you can finish the first draft quickly before thinking of revising the details. 

Support every claim with tangible evidence.

Suppose you are borrowing information from a different source, it is vital to cite properly.

Paraphrase it well to overcome cases of plagiarism. 

7. Polish the Details 

When you finish writing, begin to polish the details in your first draft. You should reread it to see any mistakes that can compromise the total quality. Add or remove unwanted phrases as you eliminate any inconsistencies. Reading it aloud works wonders for you. 

It can be an optional step but it is key to your accomplishment. It can be hard if you are only taking a single hour to finish the essay hence lacking enough time to perfect it as you wish. You can correct any typos and other mistakes to improve your quality. 

Read more about how it takes to write a 5-page paper and learn how to optimize the lengths more. Also, we have written a comprehensive guide to write good essays for you to learn step-by-step.

Factors Determining time taken to Write an Essay

Several elements will dictate your pace when delivering an essay. Remember, you want to deliver the essay within the shortest time possible.   

It can be hard to ignore the following aspects for effective delivery within an agreeable time. 

If the instructions allow you to select the topic, then ensure you settle for the right topic.

You should not choose a hard topic that will become unmanageable. Such is true because it will lower your chances of success. 

When given the topic, ensure you exhaust it well to know what you should go about it. Before you write a new topic, it will call for thorough research for you to grasp all the facts before writing about it in an engaging manner. 

2. Experience 

One sharpens the writing skills over time because you will be developing new techniques and tools to complement your effort. If you have been writing for a long period, it is an indicator that you have been honing your skills over time. 

When working on an essay paper, there will be a clear demarcation between one with ten years of experience than the one-two month of experience. The one with more experience will likely deliver the essay faster than the rest. 

3. Barriers

Many writers encounter challenges and barriers while crafting their content. These barriers will dictate the pace at which you will perform. One of the hardest things to cope with is the psychological barriers. 

When you get overwhelmed by negative emotions and feelings, you are likely to begin dragging or procrastinating. If you experience such barriers, the chances of delivering a five-page essay within an hour become a tall order. 

4. Pressure

If you are working under pressure to perform, it will affect your productivity. Remember, you need the peace of mind to recollect and research your topic well before you begin to write anything about it. 

The challenge could be that you may be handling many tasks at the same time. You may be having many assignments where you have strict deadlines hence causing you to work under pressure. When done hurriedly, you can meet the deadlines but sacrifice quality.  

5. Typing Skills

Your typing speed is a critical factor that will dictate how fast you can complete an essay when within a given period. If you have efficient typing skills, then it will only take you a few minutes before you complete your projects. 

If your speed is slow especially to a beginner, then you are likely to drag before you complete the essay. If you are slow, then you will increase the chances of delay and extend beyond one hour. 

Read more on how to write a 2-page essay and get some insights into the skills you need to perfect it.

Note that these tips and data relate to writing a normal essay for assignments. This could be different if you are writing other types of essays.

For example, if you are writing a college application, the time taken to write an admission essay is a bit different from a normal assignment essay. But the principles may be the same.

Joseph is a freelance journalist and a part-time writer with a particular interest in the gig economy. He writes about schooling, college life, and changing trends in education. When not writing, Joseph is hiking or playing chess.

How To Summarize A Paragraph

How to Summarize a Paragraph: Steps, Techniques, & Examples

Published on: Aug 19, 2024

Last updated on: Aug 18, 2024

People also read

Summarizing a paragraph involves creating a short version of a longer passage, focusing on its main ideas and key points.

This skill is crucial for improving your reading and writing abilities. While summarizing might seem straightforward, doing it with clarity and brevity can be challenging.

It's also important to distinguish between summarizing and paraphrasing. A paraphrase involves rewriting a passage in your own words, while a summary condenses only the main points and important details into a much shorter form.

Summarizing is essential whether you’re working on reports, essays, or just trying to grasp the core of a text. 

In this guide, we'll explore steps and techniques on how to summarize a paragraph without plagiarizing, ensuring your summaries are both clear and concise.

What is the Summary of a Paragraph? 

A summary of a paragraph is a brief restatement of the main idea and essential supporting details contained within the original text. 

It captures the core message in a concise form, typically in a few sentences or a short paragraph. 

Importance of Summarizing a Paragraph 

Summarizing a paragraph holds significant importance for various reasons:

• Helps you understand and retain the main points of a text. 
• Allows you to convey complex information clearly and efficiently.
• Allows you to grasp essential concepts quickly, which is useful for exams, assignments, and research.
• Helps in presenting information in a structured and coherent manner.
• You save time when reviewing or communicating essential points.

How to Write a Summary of a Paragraph 

Writing a summary involves refining a paragraph into its core elements while maintaining the original meaning. 

Here are the essential steps to create an effective summary:

Step #1: Read the Paragraph Thoroughly 

Start by reading the entire paragraph carefully to understand its overall meaning. 

Pay attention to the main idea and supporting details. If needed, read the paragraph several times to ensure you grasp the key points.

Step #2: Identify the Main Idea

Determine the main idea or the primary message of the paragraph. This is usually a general statement that encapsulates the central point. 

Look for topic sentences or statements that summarize the core message.

Step #3: Note the Supporting Details 

Identify the supporting details that back up the main idea. These could be examples, explanations, or evidence provided in the paragraph. 

Make brief notes on these points as they help reinforce the main idea.

Step #4: Draft the Summary 

Using your notes, write a concise version of the paragraph. Focus on including the main idea and the most important supporting details. Avoid adding new information or personal opinions. 

Your summary should be brief but informative, typically no longer than a few sentences or a short paragraph.

Step #5: Review and Revise

After drafting your summary, review it to ensure it accurately reflects the original paragraph’s content. Check for clarity, brevity, and coherence. 

Revise if necessary to improve the flow and make sure the summary is clear and to the point.

Dos and Don’ts of Summarizing a Paragraph

Summarizing a paragraph can be a straightforward task when approached correctly. To ensure your summaries are effective, follow these dos and don’ts:

How To Summarize A Paragraph - Example

To illustrate the process of summarizing a paragraph, let’s walk through an example:

Original Paragraph:

Here is how you can summarize this paragraph in your own words:

All in all, summarizing a paragraph is a valuable skill that enhances both your reading comprehension and writing efficiency. Remember the key dos and don’ts. 

By following these guidelines and practicing the R.A.T. method—Read, Annotate, Think—you’ll improve your ability to summarize effectively.

If you're wondering how to summarize a paragraph online, give our summarizer tool a try! 

For generating content online without any hassle, check out MyEssayWriter.ai - an AI essay writer | free essay writing tool !

Frequently Asked Questions

How to summarize a paragraph without plagiarizing.

To summarize a paragraph without plagiarizing, first, read and understand the main idea. Next, note the key points and rewrite them in your own words. Avoid using direct quotes from the original text and provide proper citations if needed.

How To Convert a Long Paragraph Into Summary?

To convert a long paragraph into a summary, start by reading the entire text thoroughly to understand it. Identify and highlight the main points, then write a concise version that includes only the essential details. Ensure the summary accurately reflects the original content and keep it brief.

Caleb S. (Mass Literature and Linguistics, Masters)

Caleb S. is an accomplished author with over five years of experience and a Master's degree from Oxford University. He excels in various writing forms, including articles, press releases, blog posts, and whitepapers. As a valued author at MyEssayWriter.ai, Caleb assists students and professionals by providing practical tips on research, citation, sentence structure, and style enhancement.

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