ABCDE Essay Structure The FiveParagraph Essay For Persuasive

ABCDE Essay Structure The Five-Paragraph Essay (For Persuasive and Expository Writing)

Example Prompt: Write an essay explaining what qualities you look for in a friend. Provide reasons and examples to support your answer.

Prewriting loyalty honesty friend’s name respect

Paragraphs Concluding Body Introductory ABCDE Essay Format Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Divisions Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement

Introductory Paragraph Attention-Grabber General Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Specific

Step 1: Central Thesis Statement o Most important sentence of the essay. o It is the main idea statement. (Highlighted in green) o Always an opinion when writing to persuade. o Contains three main points supporting the opinion. o Must be written first before planning the essay. o Narrows the topic down to a manageable size. o Always the last sentence of the Introductory paragraph.

Step 1: Central Thesis Statement (Cont’d) Example: Opinion The qualities I look for in a friend are honesty, loyalty, and respect. 3 Reasons

Step 2: Attention-Grabber o Always the first sentence of the first paragraph o Purpose: n To “hook” the reader n To introduce the subject o NEVER an opinion. n You don’t want your audience to disagree with you right away. o Facts work better. n Your audience can’t disagree with a fact.

Step 2: Attention-Grabber (Cont’d) Example: People come in and out of our lives, but the ones that we depend on, we call friends.

Step 3: Bridge/Background o Gives background information and details that will help your reader understand the details in the rest of the essay. o In an essay, you should explain the idea or situation given to you in the prompt. n Ex. The school board is considering requiring students to wear uniforms. n Ex. Many people don’t think that we need to recycle. o Should be about 2 sentences.

Step 3: Bridge/Background Example: People come in and out of our lives, but the ones that we depend on, we call friends. In times of need, in times of joy, we hope to be surrounded by people who will support us and share our happiness. As I’ve grown, I have come to learn that there are many qualities I look for in a friend. The qualities I look for in a friend are honesty, loyalty, and respect.

Paragraphs Concluding Body Introductory ABCDE Essay Format Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Divisions Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement

Body Paragraphs Divisions

Step 4: Divisions o Three paragraphs (2, 3 and 4) which are the body of the essay. n D-1: o 1 st Body Paragraph (2 nd Overall Paragraph) n D-2: o 2 nd Body Paragraph (3 rd Overall Paragraph) n D-3: o 3 rd Body Paragraph (4 th Overall Paragraph) o They are the specific supporting details for the Central Thesis.

Division Paragraphs Each paragraph in the body should be a POWER PARAGRAPH, with: • A topic sentence • Supporting Details/Examples (with transitions) • Restatement of Topic Sentence D-1: First reason for thesis. Transition, reason 1. Explanation 1. Transition, reason 2. Explanation 2. Transition, reason 3. Explanation 3. Transition, restatement of first reason for thesis. D-2: Second reason for thesis. Transition, reason 1. Explanation 1. Transition, reason 2. Explanation 2. Transition, reason 3. Explanation 3. Transition, restatement of second reason for thesis. D-3: Third reason for thesis. Transition, reason 1. Explanation 1. Transition, reason 2. Explanation 2. Transition, reason 3. Explanation 3. Transition, restatement of third reason for thesis.

Step 4: Divisions Example D-1: One of the qualities I look for in a friend is honesty. n Transition word 1 st idea about honesty+ Explanations/Examples n Transition word 2 nd idea about honesty + Explanations/Examples n Transition word 3 rd idea about honesty + Explanations/Examples Then you would restate your D-1 topic sentence from above.

Step 4: Divisions Example D-2: Another quality I look for in a friend is loyalty. n Transition word 1 st idea about loyalty+ Explanations/Examples n Transition word 2 nd idea about loyalty + Explanations/Examples n Transition word 3 rd idea about loyalty + Explanations/Examples Then you would restate your D-2 topic sentence from above.

Step 4: Divisions Example D-3: The last quality I look for in a friend is respect. n Transition word 1 st idea about respect+ Explanations/Examples n Transition word 2 nd idea about respect + Explanations/Examples n Transition word 3 rd idea about respect + Explanations/Examples Then you would restate your D-3 topic sentence from above.

Paragraphs Concluding Body Introductory ABCDE Essay Format Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Divisions Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement

Concluding Paragraph Ending Statement Specific Summarize Division Paragraphs “Clincher” Statement General

Step 5: Ending Statement o A restatement of the Central Thesis Statement (also highlighted in green). o Basically, the same as the Central Thesis, but using different words. o This is the first sentence of your Concluding Paragraph.

Step 5: Ending Statement (Cont’d) Example: Honesty, loyalty, and respect are the character traits I look for in a friend.

Step 6: Summarize Division Paragraphs o Quickly restate each of your supporting details. o This will remind your reader of your reasons.

Step 7: “Clincher” Statement o This is meant to drive home the main idea or argument. o It helps to write something that affects the reader. o Example: Just as I look for these traits in my friends, I hope I exhibit those very same characteristics.

Paragraphs Concluding Body Introductory ABCDE Essay Format Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Divisions Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement