5 PARAGRAPH RAPID ESSAY
(FOR COLLEGE, THE SAT, OCCUPATIONAL EXPRESSION, ETC.)
By J. S. Reed PhD
The First Step (after reading the statement or question posed) is to set up three small columns:
why to agree with a stated premise, why to disagree with the premise, and why to conditionally agree-disagree.
Then list at least 3 reasons under each column.
If there are problems finding "why's" for any column - stretch your experience (put yourself into the mind of a nun, gang member,
politician, corporate CEO, atheist, general, religious fanatic, etc. - use your imagination - RISK!!). (Time = 5 min).
The Second Step occurs after you have listed at least 3 items in each of your columns.
Begin considering words from your "source vocabulary" that might fit well into the essay.
Write them down in a list as they come to mind. (Time = 1 min).
Your Third Step is writing your essay. (Time = rest of essay).
1st Paragraph
The First Sentence is a restatement of the question asked or the premise posed as a statement.
The Second Sentence is what you hope or "plan" to accomplish in the body of your essay.
(Reason: Any essay should be self-contained and be able to be read and understood without any knowledge of the question.
It implies that the discussion you are presenting is naturally flowing from your understanding and not a synthesis made
spur of the moment. Your "planning" statement sets the reader up for your position and alerts them to
observe the strengths of your supporting information.)
2nd Paragraph
Creatively state reasons that are supportive to what you stated as your "plan".
Give those reasons a fully sensory description. Use economic, psychologic, ethical, social, legal, historic,
and any other means to support your reason. Though creative, obey sentence grammar, punctuation, syntax, and semantics.
This is your initial impression; make it strong!
(Reason: Unless you are VERY skilled, take the position you actually believe in.
You are beginning the body of the essay with your strengths to wake the reader up and make a good first impression.
You are also causing the reader to create the counter-arguments within their own reasoning to challenge your position.
(All good readers should challenge what they read.)
3rd Paragraph
Creatively state reasons that are conditional to what you stated in your "plan" and use that as
your "limit of flexibility" for your argument. A possible introduction could be, "Should even the already mentioned reasons be
insufficient to sway the topic, at the very least one must consider (state the items in the conditional column)".
(Reason: Following the position of the 2nd paragraph, you are giving the "grey area" that begin the undermining of many papers.
This is called the area of "moderate reason" and demonstrates the ability to be flexible while still being confident about your belief.
The reader will soften their opposition or hesitation to your premise after realizing that you have actually thought out your position.)
4th Paragraph
Creatively state reasons that are counter to your position - and attack each of their core faults.
ALL statements have weaknesses - find them (if the counter reason is based on religion, use logic; if based on civil rights,
use safety and security; if based in economics, use emotion or ethics; etc.).
(Reason: This paragraph undermines the thoughts of the reader that may be in opposition to your initial position.
At this point you have presented and supported your position, acknowledged that there is a grey area and are now demolishing
the reasoning of the counter-argument. It should leave the reader saying inside, "Wow, strong and well supported position.")
5th Paragraph
First Sentence is a synopsis or summary of Paragraphs 2,3, & 4.
Second Sentence is a "tie-in" which means that it can hook into another question or premise.
An example might be, "The above mentioned premise can also be correlated to discussions of XXX, YYY, and ZZZ though these
would best be explored in a follow-up essay." It's a nice touch to relate what you discussed to larger and more profound questions.
(Reason: Mohammed Ali always had a "final paragraph" to his fights in the boxing ring - his statement at the end of the fight.
This paragraph should be your "Ali statement". By synopsizing the body paragraphs you refresh how strong, solid,
and reasonable your position is and how any opposing argument is without foundation. To demonstrate that you are
a "global thinker", the final statement demonstrates that you are practical in your reasoning and can apply it to related concerns.)
"Source vocabulary" = literary, expository, or creative language and vocabulary that is rarely used in
spoken language but demonstrates impressive word usage.
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Last Updated January 20, 2008 by Contact Me: Dr. J. S. Reed PhD