1. Write an essay comparing and contrasting two civilizations in one category from the River Valley Civilizations sheet.

How to write your 5
Paragraph Essay

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What are you going to write about?
How about an Autobiography?
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This is not a creative writing assignment-it is intended to introduce you to a structured method of writing that uses source material, (facts, statistics, and quotes) to support your ideas.
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There are 7 Types of sentences found in an essay:
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Attention grabber.
Mood or tone setter.
Thesis Statement.
Topic sentence.
Concrete detail.
Comment.
Conclusion.
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In the Introductory Paragraph:
1. Attention grabber.
2. Set the mood or tone.
(what is your attitude)

3. Thesis sentence.
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Attention grabber.
The first sentence should be a general statement designed to grab the reader’s attention.

Here is an example:
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My life is very complicated.

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The second sentence sets the mood or tone for the paper. • This sentence tells the reader what your attitude is about the topic.

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Setting the mood or tone
These are some of the types of
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emotions that you can express:
Enthusiasm
• Anger
Cheerfulness
• Fear
Conservatism • Grief
Boredom
• Apathy
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I have always been afraid when my situation changes.

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There have been a lot of exciting events in my life.

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Develop a
Thesis Statement
• A thesis is the main idea or point of your paper.
• It is the last sentence of your introductory paragraph.
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Attributes of a Thesis Statement
• It is argumentative or controversial.
• It is the controlling force for the rest of the paper. The next paragraphs must relate to this statement. • The thesis statement is specific.
• The thesis statement is not a fact.
• The thesis statement is not a question.
• The thesis statement is not an announcement.
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My sixth birthday, junior high graduation, and the first week in high school each changed my perception of the world.

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I remember the thoughts like: how I went to school, what I did at church and the day I came to
America

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Combine:
• Attention grabber
• Mood or tone setter
• Thesis Statement
To form your introductory paragraph. 16

An Introductory paragraph:
When I was young, I always thought the world revolved around me. I have always been afraid when my situation changes. My sixth birthday, junior high and my first week of high school each changed my perception of the world. 17

Another Introduction:
My life is very complicated.
There have been a lot of exciting events in my life. I remember thoughts like: how I went to school, what I did at church, and the day I came to America.
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You will write three body paragraphs. Body paragraphs start with
Topic sentences.

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• A topic sentence tells the reader what you are talking about in the paragraph. • It must be related to the thesis statement. • Unless you are making a comparison, it must be in agreement with the mood or tone in the introduction. 20

Topic sentences are followed by Concrete Details.
Concrete details are:

1. Facts :
“There are an equal number of freshman boys and girls in this school.”

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2. Statistics:
“There are 547 boys in the freshman class.”

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3. Quotes:
Mr.Thomas said, “This is the most intelligent group of freshman
English students that I have ever seen.”
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Important note
Quotes are both:
The things that a person says in a story:

• "Don't talk rot, Whitney," said
Rainsford. "You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?"
AND
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For our purpose a quote is also:
• Information that you take from a source, that agrees with the mood or tone of your paper, and is proof or evidence that supports your thesis and topic sentences.
For example…..
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This is a quote that supports a description of a character’s hearing ability:
An abrupt sound startled him. Off to the right he heard it, and his ears, expert in such matters, could not be mistaken.
Again he heard the sound, and again.
Somewhere, off in the blackness, someone had fired a gun three times.
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To use this information in your paper you put the “quote marks” around the information, and add
(authors last name and page number). “Off to the right he heard it, and his ears, expert in such matters, could not be mistaken” (Connell p.3).
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Comments
• Writing commentary means giving your opinion, interpretation, analysis, personal reactions, feelings, or reflections about the topic.
• BUT….
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• Your comments must tell the reader why, or how, the evidence that you presented as a concrete detail, supports your topic sentence, thesis statement, and is in agreement with the mood or tone of your paper.
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Commentary may start like this:
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This event effected……
For example ……
As an illustration…..
In addition ……
Because of Rainsford’s excellent hearing ability ……
• This leads to……
• When this occurred ……
• Furthermore ……(more phrases later)

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Concluding Sentence
The concluding sentences of your body paragraphs should either:
• Summarize the importance of the information in the paragraph, or • Use that information as a transition to the next topic.
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Words and phrases that work for comments and concluding sentences:
• If you want to continue an idea:
Additionally, again, also, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, finally. • If you want to show a time relationship
(chronological or process):
Afterward, at this point, eventually, finally, meanwhile, next, presently, previously.
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If you are using comparative advantage:
• To make a comparison:
Also, basically, in the same manner
(fashion), like, likewise, similarly, too.
• To contrast:
Although, and yet, but, conversely, even though, however, on the contrary, on the other hand, never the less, still.
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• If you are showing cause and effect:
As a result, consequently, for this reason, moreover, therefore, thus, so.
• If you are showing a spatial relationship:
In this (or other) location, at the same time in
(another location), this event also occurred.
• If you are doing an analysis:
This piece (part, event, situation), this relates to, with out this part.
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• To emphasize a point:
Again, as a matter of fact, as a result, indeed, in fact.
• In your Concluding Sentence, to summarize: For the most part, for these reasons, in other words, in short, on the whole.
• To make a transition:
As a result, for these reasons, therefore, as a consequence, as a result.
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Conclusion
• Your conclusion should be 3-5 sentences long.
• Tell the reader how your evidence supported your thesis.
• Leave the readers with a statement, quote, or question that will make them remember and think about your paper.
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Tips for your concluding paragraph.
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Briefly summarize your main points.
Ask a thoughtful question.
Use a quotation.
Call for an action.
End with a warning.
Show that this is a universal theme.
Refer to the introductory paragraph with key words, or parallel concepts and images.

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Avoid these in your conclusion: •
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Repeating your thesis.
Introducing a new idea or subject.
Focusing on minor points.
Do not apologize for your view.

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Your First Assignment:
An Autobiography

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The first step is to create a mind map,web diagram, so that you can start organizing your thoughts. 40

Sports
Football

Mind Map
Jr. High

Track

Graduation
6th Birthday

Stu Dent

My cousin

Presents
Friends

Friends

Family

High School
Teachers
Classmates

Tom
Ron
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Think about the type of organization that you are going to use in your essay:
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Spatial
Chronological
Process
Analysis
Cause and Effect
Comparative Advantage

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Select the best topics from your web and create a basic outline :
1. 6th Birthday
a. Presents
b. Friends
2. Jr. High
a. Graduation
b. My cousin
3. High School
a. Teachers
b. Classmates

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The Expanded Outline: fill in every sentence
Introduction:
a. Attention grabber
b. Set mood or tone
c. Thesis Statement

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All 3 of the body paragraphs follow this format:
a. Topic sentence
b. Concrete Detail
c. Comment
d. Comment
e. Concrete Detail
f. Comment
g. Comment
h. Concluding sentence

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Fill in the expanded outline in this order:
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Tone or mood sentence
Thesis Statement
Topic Sentences
Concrete Details
Comments
Concluding Sentences
Attention Grabber
Concluding Paragraph

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Assemble your Autobiography
1. Make a cover page.
2. Include:
a. Mind map.
b. Brief outline
c. Extended outline.
3. Your 5 paragraph essay.
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The
End
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