Jenna Brockman Updated April 01, 2022
Table of Contents
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2. A Strong Thesis Statement
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4. Structuring the Body Paragraphs
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Used at all levels of education, the four paragraph essay offers a basic format that enables writers to present information in a concise manner. A four paragraph essay is an acceptable format for many types of essays, including cause and effect and compare and contrast essays. The four-paragraph essay consists of an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Each paragraph in the essay requires specific information in order for readers to follow a logical flow of information.
The four-paragraph essay consists of an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion.
1. The Introduction
Begin this paragraph with a “hook” that will make readers interested in your essay.
The University of Maryland University College recommends using:
- a surprising statement or statistic,
- quote,
- personal story
- or rhetorical question.
Avoid the overused and unoriginal dictionary definition opening. After the opener, provide background information on the topic, which should tell readers the purpose of the essay, as well as what they should expect to read.
2. A Strong Thesis Statement
A thesis statement provides readers with a condensed version of the analysis or argument that you will discuss in the essay. These are typically one or two sentences, and are located at the end of the introduction paragraph.
A strong thesis statement avoids vague language and is specific and argumentative.
3. Topic Sentence
- The topic sentence announces the main focus of the paragraph by stating one of the arguments identified in the thesis statement.
- Provide supporting sentences that offer evidence for your claim.
- End the paragraph with your own observation or analysis.
4. Structuring the Body Paragraphs
Your body paragraphs should consist of a clear topic sentence, quotes, and explanations of the supporting evidence you have found. This is where you have the chance to prove your thesis to your reader. In order to do this, you must have strong evidence that supports the claim you are trying to make.
5. The Conclusion
- Rephrase your thesis statement in the concluding paragraph, stating how it has been proven throughout the body paragraphs.
- The conclusion should have a summary of the essay’s main arguments and an explanation on how they are connected.
- Lastly, explain why the topic of your essay is important and why it should matter to the readers.
FAQs
For a four-paragraph essay, the introduction should take up one paragraph. The body should be two paragraphs. Finally, the conclusion should tie all the points with the thesis, hence giving the reader a satisfactory answer to the initial question.
What is the 4 paragraph format? ›
The four-paragraph essay is a format, which is accepted for the different types of essays, including the contrast essays, comparing essays, and effect and cause essays. The essay consists of an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
How do you write a 4 paragraph essay example? ›
The four-paragraph essay contains the following parts:
- An introduction topic paragraph that gives a general sense of the main idea.
- Two supporting paragraphs that back up the main idea.
- A conclusion paragraph that sums up the main idea and bring the essay to a close.
A 600 word essay is 4 paragraphs. A 700 word essay is 4 to 5 paragraphs. A 750 word essay is 5 paragraphs. A 800 word essay is 5 to 6 paragraphs.
How do you write a 4 paragraph opinion essay? ›
Here are a few steps that can help you better understand how to write an opinion essay:
- Think about the topic of your essay. ...
- Research the topic. ...
- Create a persuasive and appealing introduction. ...
- Include your thesis statement. ...
- Provide arguments and evidence to support your thesis. ...
- Write a conclusion. ...
- Proofread your essay.
For a four-paragraph essay, the introduction should take up one paragraph. The body should be two paragraphs. Finally, the conclusion should tie all the points with the thesis, hence giving the reader a satisfactory answer to the initial question.
How many sentences should be in a 4 paragraph essay? ›
Aim for three to five or more sentences per paragraph. Include on each page about two handwritten or three typed paragraphs. Make your paragraphs proportional to your paper. Since paragraphs do less work in short papers, have short paragraphs for short papers and longer paragraphs for longer papers.
How to begin a paragraph? ›
Good paragraphs begin with a topic sentence that briefly explains what the paragraph is about. Next come a few sentences for development and support, elaborating on the topic with more detail. Paragraphs end with a conclusion sentence that summarizes the topic or presents one final piece of support to wrap up.
Is it OK to write a 4 paragraph essay? ›
The key is to ensure that your ideas are presented in a logical order and that each paragraph has a specific purpose. If you feel that your essay flows well with, say, 4 or 6 paragraphs, then that's perfectly fine!
How many words is 4 paragraphs? ›
4 paragraphs is 400 – 800 words for essays, 200 – 400 words for easy writing. 5 paragraphs is 500 – 1,000 words for essays, 250 – 500 words for easy writing. 6 paragraphs is 600 – 1,200 words for essays, 300 – 600 words for easy writing.
500 words is about 2.5-5 paragraphs for essays or 5-10 for easier reading (to allow skimming). A paragraph length typically has 100-200 words and 5-6 sentences.
How many pages should 4 paragraphs be? ›
A good general rule is two to three paragraphs a page. But there's considerable flexibility here, too. So, perhaps it's better to look at paragraphs another way, from the inside. Instead of surveying the paper as a whole, you can count sentences within paragraphs.
How do you end a 4 paragraph essay? ›
A good conclusion should do a few things:
- Restate your thesis.
- Synthesize or summarize your major points.
- Make the context of your argument clear.
Your essay's conclusion should contain:
- A rephrased version of your overall thesis.
- A brief review of the key points you made in the main body.
- An indication of why your argument matters.
Preparation: Decide on your topic, do your research, and create an essay outline. Writing: Set out your argument in the introduction, develop it with evidence in the main body, and wrap it up with a conclusion. Revision: Check your essay on the content, organization, grammar, spelling, and formatting of your essay.
What is the 4 parts of paragraph? ›
In this resource page you will learn about the four parts of a basic paragraph:
- Single Controlling Idea.
- Topic Sentence.
- Supporting Details.
- Concluding Sentence.
There are four types of paragraphs in writing:
- descriptive.
- narrative.
- expository.
- persuasive.
The four patterns noted above – comparison and contrast, cause and effect, division and classification, and process analysis – are very common in academic as well as everyday thinking and writing.
What are 4 parts of a body paragraph? ›
The structural elements—topic sentence, transitions, evidence, analysis, and conclusion—are identifiable parts of strong body paragraphs.
