5 Paragraph Essay Format with Example

This is a quick and easy guide to a very basic 5 paragraph essay format. More detailed and developed tutorials are available at the study skills link.

1^st Paragraph - Introduction and Thesis Statement

Tell the reader what you are going to write about. A thesis statement should explain your next 3 paragraphs and let the reader know what you are going to discuss. Most teachers will want a 3 part thesis.

 Example: Goldilocks’ trip into the deep dark woods was one the young girl would never forget. Not only did she have an exciting afternoon, Goldilocks learned some important things that day. Goldilocks learned that she had an inquisitive personality, she would always look for adventure, she developed a passion for porridge, and she also learned that she should never enter a stranger’s house.

 2^nd paragraph – Address the first item in your thesis statement.

 Take the first idea of the sentence and write about it. Tell what she was like before, how she changed, or what she discovered, and give an example from the story.

 she had an inquisitive personality, she would always look for adventure

 Example: Goldilocks never behaved as her parents thought a proper little girl should. She was always looking for something new and exciting to explore. She never seemed to be afraid to go where other little girls wouldn’t dare to venture. Goldilocks knew going into the woods could be dangerous and get her into trouble, but she chose to enter the woods anyway. Her adventure was thrilling and left her craving more. After this experience, Goldilocks knew that she would never be really happy unless she was exploring the unknown.

 3^rd Paragraph - Address the second item in your thesis statement.

Take the second idea of the sentence and write about it. Tell what she was like before, how she changed, or what she discovered, and give an example from the story.

 she developed a passion for porridge

 Example: The trip though the woods made Goldilocks very hungry. She was usually a very picky eater and turned her nose at everything. The three bowls sitting on the bears’ table contained something new, porridge. Her hunger drove her to try what she would have usually refused. When she finally found the bowl that was just right, she ate it up and decided she loved it. Porridge would be her new favorite food.

 4th Paragraph - Address the third item in your thesis statement.

 Take the third idea of the sentence and write about it. Tell what she was like before, how she changed, or what she discovered, and give an example from the story.

 she also learned that she should never enter a stranger’s house.

 Example: When the bears came home from their walk, Goldilocks had the surprise of her life. She had never really thought about who might actually live in the cozy house she entered. She never considered that she might really be in danger. When the bears came home, growling and angry, Goldilocks realized she had been a very stupid little girl. Never again would she enter an empty, strange house.

 5^th Paragraph – Conclusion. Wrap it all up.

Example: Goldilocks had a great adventure. She knew she would never stop exploring, it was her passion. She also realized that being such a picky eater might have kept her from discovering new foods that were really quite tasty. She would now eat porridge every morning if she had her way! Although still daring, Goldilocks did learn a lesson about entering strange homes. She now knew that putting herself in danger was not a good idea. She wouldn’t stop going on adventures, but she would be more careful about whose home she entered.