Essay Glossary

Five-Paragraph Essay

Definition:

We're willing to bet that the five-paragraph essay is the most common essay structure you'll use in school. The format goes like this:

Paragraph 1: Introduction + Thesis Statement
Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4: Body Paragraphs
Paragraph 5: Conclusion

Paragraph 6: Epilogue, Paragraph 7: Afterward, and Paragraph 8: Acknowledgments are generally considered excessive. But whatever floats your boat.