Essays are probably the most common type of assignment in college, but this doesn’t make them any less daunting. Moreover, 5-paragraph essays will account for a lot of the essays students write during their studies because they are relatively short and straightforward. We’re going to go over the 5 paragraph essay outline and how to make writing them a breeze.
Prewriting
Let’s go over the basic things you need before you start writing: you need an argument or at least a general topic (could be why ice cream as an afternoon snack is nutritious or just something about food in general), you need to read a few sources to understand the information available to you, and you need to create three basic points.
Define Your Argument
An important part of 5-paragraph essays is that they need three main points, and these will be for paragraphs 2-4 in your essay. So, you need a statement that has three pillars. Depending on whether it’s an argumentative, informative, persuasive, etc. essay, these points will differ. However, you should start your thesis with the main topic and then outline the three points you’ll mention. For now, we’ll move on to the rest of the essay and finish the introduction later.
1st Body Paragraph
Every five paragraph essay outline encompasses five crucial sections: an introduction, body paragraphs 2-4, and a conclusion. We’ll begin with the first body paragraph. Take a look at the first point of your thesis, this will be the topic for this paragraph. Now, we can organize the paragraph into four sections:
- Topic sentence: this gives an introduction to your point without using sources.
- Further context: you can specify a bit further what the point is if you need to.
- Sources: you can include quotes or paraphrases that support your point, but remember, if you’re using a quote, you need to give some context. Don’t include a quote as a standalone sentence! Your 5 paragraph essay outline should always make room for supporting details. If you need help with this, Litero can help you expand an idea when you click AI Commands, or if you have AI suggestions enabled it’ll appear automatically.
- Cite your sources!: anything you cite, quote, mention, or paraphrase should come with a citation to ensure you’re not plagiarizing anything. Essay instructions come with rubrics, and these should include the style you need like APA, MLA, Chicago, etc. We recommend that you include this somewhere within your 5 paragraph essay outline so you always remember it. Litero comes with a citation system that allows you to input information ” a source and save it so you can it whenever you need to in any citation style.
- Explanation for your sources: what do they mean for your argument? How do they support the point of the paragraph and your 5 paragraph essay outline? In other words, you need to justify why you’re using them. Take a look at your thesis, why is this point necessary?
- Transition sentence: this closes your paragraph and gives the reader a smooth way to begin reading your next point.
2nd Body Paragraph
This paragraph will follow the same structure as the one before:
- Topic sentence regarding your second point mentioned in the thesis.
- Context.
- Sources (paraphrases + quotes).
- Explanation for sources.
- Transition sentence.
3rd Body Paragraph
Now, here’s where things might get interesting. If your essay is about persuading or arguing in favor of something, then your 5 paragraph essay outline should make room for a counterargument. This isn’t mandatory, but some essays ask for it. If they don’t, just follow the structure we gave you above. If not, then you should consider the opposition’s argument and how to disprove it. Need help with a counterargument or an opposing stance? Litero is here to help! One of its AI commands is ‘Write opposing argument,’ and this helps you create a good argument that recognizes the nuances of your topic and points.
Conclusion
This is (almost) the final stretch of your 5 paragraph essay outline! This paragraph will summarize everything you’ve written so far. Here’s what you need to include:
- Restate your thesis and change it slightly.
- Summarize your first point.
- Summarize your second point.
- Summarize your third point.
- Explain what all of this means.
Introduction
We know it’s a bit backward to write your introduction last, but we’ve got a good reason! If you don’t know what your essay is about, then you won’t know how to make this paragraph appealing and interesting. The first paragraph of your 5 paragraph essay outline should include a hook, something that catches the attention of your reader, and then gives a brief overview of the topic. The last sentence should be your thesis, and this can be one or two sentences long. If you need help with this, Litero helps you write an introduction or just expand your ideas for you. Remember to start this paragraph with a good hook that is interesting and makes your readers want to read more. Rereading the other points in your five paragraph essay outline can help give you ideas.
Finishing Touches: Grammar Check
Unfortunately, sometimes we think that just because we don’t see mistakes that means they’re not there. You should always use a grammar check like Litero’s grammar tool to spot and correct any mistakes. The most common ones include conjugation errors and using the wrong preposition. The good news is that using a grammar check lets you improve your writing skills.
Use a Plagiarism Checker
One of the final yet most critical steps in essay writing is checking for plagiarism. Even unintentional copying can jeopardize your credibility and academic standing. Litero.AI’s plagiarism checker is designed to safeguard your work by scanning it against extensive databases to ensure originality. It highlights potential overlaps and provides actionable suggestions to rephrase or cite properly. This tool not only protects your academic integrity but also strengthens your ability to create unique, authentic content. With Litero, you can submit your essays with complete confidence.
Litero.AI – The Ultimate Writing Assistant
Litero.AI stands out as a comprehensive writing companion, offering features that streamline every step of the essay-writing process. Its AI-powered brainstorming tool generates ideas and expands on your topics, while the citation manager formats and organizes sources effortlessly. Litero’s grammar and syntax checker ensures your writing is polished and professional, catching errors you might otherwise overlook. Whether you need help with structuring paragraphs, building transitions, or refining your thesis, Litero adapts to your needs, making essay writing smoother and more efficient. For students and professionals alike, Litero.AI is a game-changer in creating impactful, high-quality content.