Developing a Standard
Essay
Everyone in college has had to write at least one essay in
his or her academic career. However, not everyone knows how to build an essay.
The most basic essay is the five-paragraph form, which consists of an
introduction, three body paragraphs, and the conclusion. However, the form can
be adapted to a longer or shorter paper. The standard, solid essay is five
paragraphs, but there will be times when a nine-paragraph essay is needed. This
form works for any length of paper a student might need to write. You can think
of this essay form as a cheeseburger. The introduction and conclusion are the
buns that hold the delicious burger together. They look relatively the same,
but the top bun always has a bit of a dome shape, which is more welcoming, the
introduction, than the flat bottom bun, the conclusion. However, the flatness
of the bottom offers stability. The body paragraphs are the meat and the meat
is what everyone wants. It’s the main point of a cheeseburger. It holds all the
protein. However, a cheeseburger’s patty is bland without the condiments. The
supporting facts within the body paragraphs are the condiments. They add flavor
and credibility to the burger, making the consumer understand that it really is
a great burger. That’s how the five-paragraph essay is built. It’s sequential,
and if you have great supporting details and facts, then it is fun for the
reader to read.
The Body Paragraph
A rule of thumb when starting the five-paragraph essay is to
always start with the body paragraphs. The writer needs to prepare the meat
before he has to worry about the buns and condiments. Some people are taught to
start with the introduction, but the method in this post bends this rule. The
body paragraphs hold a main point, which was highlighted in the introduction,
but is then elaborated on within the designated body paragraph. Not writing the
introduction first allows the body paragraph’s main point to change if needed,
restricting the writer less while crafting the three paragraphs. Starting with
the body paragraphs can also reduce writer’s block. This is because the body paragraphs are where
all of the main points are explained in detail, allowing the building blocks of
an introduction to be formed in the process.
Supporting Details
Within each body paragraph there are supporting details that
bring credibility to the main points. The supporting details can take the form
of quotes and paraphrased information. Interviews from a specialist, or a quote
out of a medical journal are both great supporting details that can bring
credibility to a paper. Examples, such as real life examples that back up your
main point, can also be used. However, like a cheeseburger, too many condiments
can ruin a perfectly good burger. In the essay, too many supporting details can
be bad. It can bog down the reader and the main point can be lost. Keep in mind
that quotes backing up your claims can be essential, but you are the writer and
the reader wants to read your words, not a bunch of someone else’s quotes.
Introduction
The introduction is the first paragraph the reader comes across.
The first sentence of an introduction is the “hook,” or a “hand-shake” to the
reader. It makes them want to read on and devour the delicious cheeseburger
written before them. Some teachers like the “hook” to take the form of a
question or a quick background story. It really depends on the type of essay
you are writing on which “hook” to use. Also, an introduction holds a thesis
statement, which is talked about in a previous blog post. However, the
introduction is only the top bun of the cheeseburger. It’s just full of carbs.
An introduction’s function is to briefly introduce all of the main topics to
the reader so that they know exactly what to expect within the reading. A good
technique when crafting the introduction is to take a highlighter and highlight
every main point sentence in each body paragraph. The highlighted main points
are exactly what needs to be in the introduction. This is also true for the
conclusion.
Conclusion
The conclusion is quick and easy, but is needed to complete
the paper, just like the bottom bun of the burger. It keeps all of the yummy
food from falling out. In the conclusion, all of the main points need to be
briefly touched on. By doing this, it reminds the reader of what they just read
so that everything is reinforced. However, the main issue writer’s should avoid
is adding new information to the conclusion. In a standard conclusion, new
information is bad. There are techniques that involve bringing up new
information within a conclusion, but for the standard five-paragraph essay, no
new information in a conclusion is widely accepted.
The Perfect
Cheeseburger
Now you have the recipe for the perfect
five-paragraph essay. However, just because you have the recipe doesn’t mean
your paper will turn out perfect every time! Come to the WRIT Center to get
help with any part of the writing process. You can get help with brainstorming,
outlining, rough draft development, and proofreading for your paper. Not only
that, but the WRIT Center is a FREE service. Come visit us any time!
