The Unbeatable Five-Paragraph Essay Format for a 1000-Word Argumentative Essay

There is no single correct way to write an argumentative essay. What matters is that you are satisfying the requirements of the assignment, which could be found in the rubric and instructions. In terms of structure and format, here are a few characteristics that are typically required to score 90% or above on an argumentative essay:

• Readability
• Depth
• Relevance
• Balance

Here is a breakdown of Learn Ahead's unbeatable five-paragraph argumentative essay structure

Introduction

1. Hook: A compelling opening sentence to grab the reader's attention.
2. Background Information: Brief context or relevant details about the topic. This could be 2-4 sentences for a 1000-word essay.
3. Thesis Statement: A clear and concise statement that presents the main point or argument of the essay. This must be supported by three clear, specific and distinct points.

Body Paragraph #1

1. Topic Sentence: A sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This must focus on the first point from the thesis statement.
2. Supporting Detail A: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
3. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
4. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail A.
5. Supporting Detail B: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
6. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
7. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail B.
8. Supporting Detail C: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
9. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
10. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail C.
11. Concluding sentence: This sentence concludes the body paragraphs by providing a suggestion, a recommendation, emphasis or a prediction based on the content of the body paragraph.

Body Paragraph #2

1. Topic Sentence: A sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This must focus on the first point from the thesis statement.
2. Supporting Detail A: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
3. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
4. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail A.
5. Supporting Detail B: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
6. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
7. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail B.
8. Supporting Detail C: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
9. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
10. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail C.
11. Concluding sentence: This sentence concludes the body paragraphs by providing a suggestion, a recommendation, emphasis or a prediction based on the content of the body paragraph.

Body Paragraph #3

1. Counter-argument + refutation: A sentence that starts with an adverb clauses (eg. even though some would argue [x], [insert thesis point #3].
2. Supporting Detail A: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
3. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
4. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail A.
5. Supporting Detail B: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
6. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
7. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail B.
8. Supporting Detail C: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
9. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
10. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail C.
11. Concluding sentence: This sentence concludes the body paragraphs by providing a suggestion, a recommendation, emphasis or a prediction based on the content of the body paragraph.

Conclusion

1. Restatement of Thesis: Rephrase the thesis statement without repeating it verbatim. This should be one sentence.
2. Summary of Main Points: Briefly recap the key supporting points from the body paragraphs. This could be 1-3 sentences.
3. Closing Statement / clincher: A final thought or idea that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. 

Alternative Body Paragraph Format

You will notice that the by using the above format, your body paragraphs will be quite long. Each body paragraph will be at least 8 sentences in length. Alternatively, you may break your body sub-sections into smaller paragraphs:

Original format: 

1. Topic Sentence: A sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This must focus on the first point from the thesis statement.
2. Supporting Detail A: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
3. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
4. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail A.
5. Supporting Detail B: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
6. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
7. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail B.
8. Supporting Detail C: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
9. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
10. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail C.
11. Concluding sentence: This sentence concludes the body paragraphs by providing a suggestion, a recommendation, emphasis or a prediction based on the content of the body paragraph.

Alternative Format:

Sub-section #1 Body Paragraph #1

1. Topic Sentence: A sentence that introduces the main idea of the sub-section. This must focus on the first point from the thesis statement.
2. Supporting Detail A: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
3. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
4. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail A.
5. Concluding Sentence.

Sub-section #1 Body Paragraph #2

1. Topic Sentence: A sentence that re-introduces the main idea of the sub-section and indicates a shift to a new supporting detail. This still must focus on the first point from the thesis statement.
2. Supporting Detail B: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the sub-section.
3. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
4. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail B.
5. Concluding Sentence. 

Sub-section #1 Body Paragraph #3

1. Topic Sentence: A sentence that re-introduces the main idea of the sub-section and indicates a shift to a new supporting detail. This still must focus on the first point from the thesis statement.
2. Supporting Detail C: A sentence that looks at your thesis point in more depth. This must be distinct from other supporting details in the paragraph.
3. Evidence, examples, or explanations: At least one sentence that reinforces supporting detail A with a specific context, quote or paraphrase. These must be specific to supporting detail A and not overlap with other evidence, examples, or explanations in the essay.
4. Analysis: this will include one or more sentences which link the evidence, example or explanation to the respective supporting detail. The analysis may explain how the source support applies to supporting detail C.
5. Concluding sentence: This sentence concludes the body paragraph by providing a suggestion, a recommendation, emphasis or a prediction based on the content of the entire sub-section (all three paragraphs).

Follow the above format for all three sub-sections (one for each thesis point).

 Tips for Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay:

• Ensure that each paragraph focuses on a single main idea.
• Use specific and relevant examples to support your points.
• Maintain a logical flow between paragraphs with the use of transitions.
• Be concise and avoid unnecessary repetition.
• Revise and edit to improve clarity, coherence, and overall quality.
• Thesis points and supporting details are not the same: supporting details provide a closer look at your thesis point. They are necessary to apply depth to your analysis.

Try planning an argumentative essay based on this outline. 

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