Common Types of Paragraph Essays

Paragraph essays are, in most cases, classified according to the number of paragraphs that they contain. Hence one-paragraph essay is one with a single paragraph while a two-paragraph essay has two paragraphs. A write-up comprising of more than two paragraphs is called a multi-paragraph essay.

The most common paragraph essay topic examples are one-paragraph essays and five-paragraph essays. The one-paragraph essay has been touted as the core of a body paragraph. It opens with a formal thesis statement and closes with a concluding statement. Five-paragraph compositions take the format of an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph.

Though there are many paragraph essay topics to choose from, this article dedicates itself to these two types. One-paragraph essays are mostly used to provide answers to exam questions, while five-paragraph compositions are, sometimes, used in standardised tests. Read on for more tips on how to write these two common types of paragraph essays.

The One Paragraph Essays

A one-paragraph essay consists of three main components: the topic sentence, a body (which supports the main idea in the topic sentence) and a conclusion or closing statement.

1. The Topic Sentence (Thesis Statement)

This sentence outlines the essay's main idea. Sometimes, it is also be called a thesis statement. It is at this point where you take a position which you seek to defend in the rest of the paragraph.

2. The Body (Provides Support For The Main Idea In The Thesis Statement)

The body of the paragraph essay carries the evidence or ideas that seek to support your opening statement. Such information includes:

Quotes from credible sources
Events or examples that support the opening statement
Statistical data
Outlines of procedures or processes
Comparisons

3. Conclusion (Closing Statement)

The conclusion of your paragraph essay should be a summary aimed at convincing your readers about the main idea in your topic sentence. Don't fall into the trap of repeating your thesis statement. Let your readers feel that they have gained something and that there is a progression in your argument.

Tip: When writing a one-paragraph essay, use words such as first, next, then, after, eventually, and finally. They will lead your readers from your opening statement, through the supportive evidence in body, on to the rational conclusion that you put forth. Make it easy for the readers to follow and understand your sequence of thoughts.

The Five-Paragraph Essays

A five-paragraph essay is one of the paragraph essay topic examples which follow a specific format. It always has a total of five paragraphs. It begins with an introductory paragraph, followed by three body paragraphs which offer support and development of the main ideas. The fifth and last paragraph constitutes the conclusion of the essay.

Because of its structure, a five-paragraph essay is also called a three-tier, one three one, or hamburger essay. When used for standardised tests, students are required to pen a five-paragraph essay of about 500 - 800 words in length.

The Basic Structure of a Five-Paragraph Essay

Introductory paragraph

The first paragraph introduces your essay topic. It is the most significant paragraph as it provides the direction which the entire essay takes. This paragraph should set the tone and capture the attention of your readers with clarity and interest. The best way to approach your introductory paragraph is by:

Precisely describing your main idea (what your essay is about) in a single sentence. You can also write this first sentence in question form.
Develop your thesis statement (what your stand is on the main idea). If the opening statement is a question, your thesis will automatically become an answer to it.
State three arguments or points that seek to support the thesis. It would be best if you arrange them in order of significance (a sentence for each).

Body(Second, Third and Fourth Paragraphs)

The body of the essay comprises of three paragraphs. The paragraphs offer supportive details, such as examples, quotes, facts and credible statistics to back up your introductory paragraph thesis points. Discuss each of them in a distinct paragraph. Each paragraph should take the following format.

Write a topic sentence, which summarises your point.
Follow the topic sentence with a sound supporting argument explaining why you think its position is true.
Finally, provide evidence (examples, facts, quotes and statistics) to back up your position.
Repeat the same steps for all the three body paragraphs.

Paragraph Five (The Conclusion)

In any standard essay, the concluding paragraph tends to give a summary of the whole write-up. In most cases, the conclusion is the trickiest paragraph to craft. When concluding your essay, you should reiterate your thesis and link it up with the body of your essay. You do the linking in a sentence that seeks to explain how each of your points backs up your thesis. Your closing statement should emphasise your central idea clearly and convincingly. You must avoid providing any new information in your concluding paragraph.

Conclusion

When writing paragraph essays as standardised tests, you need to begin by making outlines of the entire compositions. If you have limited time, ensure you write each paragraph as quickly as you can. Look at it as a rough draft. If you run out of time, presenting a complete essay will earn you more points than an incomplete one. The examiner expects to see the beginning, body and conclusion of your work.

However, if you have some spare time to go through your essay before your time runs out, you are better off doing so. Ensure that you have a few minutes to go through the work. The revision will allow you to execute any changes that can make your rough copy better. It also enables you to get rid of any spelling or grammatical errors.

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