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How to Write a 3 Paragraph Essay: Outline and Examples

If you’re looking for a short 3-Paragraph Essay because you’re having trouble fitting all of your important information into three paragraphs, you might have found the right page. The next article explains How to Write a 3 Paragraph Essay , gives many examples, and explains how it is put together and what its goal is. The tried-and-true 3-paragraph essay may be the simplest way to organize an essay. Beginner writers may find the three-paragraph essay useful because it has the same framework as a longer essay without being as long. Advanced writers can learn how to write concisely by going to Researchwritings.com and reading about new writing methods.

3 Paragraph Essay

The 3-paragraph essay is just a study or interpretation of a piece of literature. It has an introduction, a body, and an end. It normally looks at its topic from a limited or personal point of view. Usually, these types of essays are used in schools.

In a three-paragraph essay, the opening explains what the essay is about and makes a case for why the reader should read it. In the body of the essay, the author talks about the topic and talks about its pros and cons. In a 3-paragraph essay, we had to start with a topic line and then back it up with one or two words. Also, we had to write a line evaluating this data in light of your case or topic sentence, and the last paragraph of our 3-paragraph essay had to go into more detail about its importance.

Essay Length

Usually, an essay with three paragraphs is a short piece of writing. Most of the time, these writings have between 500 and 750 words. These essays are written in a way that makes them fit the framework of an essay. They are between 300 and 600 words long. They have a beginning, a main part, and an end. The only way to tell these pieces apart is by their main body, which gives a thorough defense of the subject.

How to Write a 3-Paragraph Essay

If you want to compose a perfect three-paragraph essay, then the following principles must be followed: The steps are:

Plan ahead: think about how you will present your points. It is the process of choosing what to put in your essay. It makes points that are clear and make sense. So, a well-planned structure makes it easier for the reader to understand the points.

  • Making a draft (write down all the ideas you have and start to explain them) Mind mapping is another name for this process. When an author writes, he or she puts his or her ideas into complete sentences and paragraphs.
  • The first paragraph of the paper. The information in the body paragraph must be clear and connected to the topic. The body paragraph needs to talk about the topic’s points of view and how you feel about them.
  • The end comes after the main part of the paragraph. The end of the essay should be short and give an overview of the whole thing. It could also have your thoughts about the subject.
  • To revise (revise) , you have to read the line you just wrote carefully and look for mistakes you made while writing the essay.
  • Editing: Write down all of the mistakes you made while writing the essay and fix them to make it better.

How to Structure a three Paragraph Essay

Introduction.

In the introduction, you must talk about the subject’s past and how people think about it now. Each opening paragraph must start with a theme sentence, also called a thesis statement. A thesis statement is one sentence that says what the paper is about and what the main point is. The second line builds on the first to explain more about the main point being made. The importance of your point needs to be brought out. In the third and final line, you should give a brief summary of the information you plan to present in the body and how you plan to present it. For example, if you were writing a 3-paragraph essay on global warming, the beginning might look like this:

Introduction Example Human activities have been damaging our ecosystem for centuries, and the result is global warming due to rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. It is impossible to turn a blind eye to global warming, and urgent action is required to combat the problem.

In the main part of the essay, the writer must describe the topic and talk about its pros and cons, as well as any consequences or effects. The number of sentences in the body of your essay should match the number of points you want to make. You should spend at least three lines on each of your points to show that you understand it well. The main body of a three-paragraph essay would look something like this:

Body Paragraphs Example Carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants in the earth’s atmosphere have increased due to human activities, including power plant emissions, transportation, and deforestation. Global warming, caused by greenhouse gases that trap solar radiation in the atmosphere, has the potential to alter the entire planet’s topography, uprooting communities, inundating entire nations, and wiping out countless species. Global warming has many direct effects, one of which is more extreme weather. The negative consequences of global warming on Earth’s ecosystems are numerous and will only increase. Cutting down additional trees should be prohibited, and afforestation should be promoted as the best way to protect the planet from further destruction. Get started by planting trees close to your home or place of work, then attend events and share the message about the value of tree planting with others.

In the third and last line of your essay, you should say what you think about what you’ve written. Start by putting the topic sentence in your own words. Summarize the main points, then ask the reader to think about them. In the end, the author must say what he thinks about the subject. As an example:

Conclusion Example As long as humans continue to release greenhouse gases, global warming will increase and cause further ecological devastation. Stopping global warming is crucial, and we all share responsibility for doing so. Get started by planting trees close to your home or place of work, then attend events and share the message about the value of tree planting with others. The damage can’t be undone, but it can be stopped from spreading.

Also Read: How to Write a 600 Word Essay

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Benefits of Visiting ResearchWritings

We know that in a three-paragraph essay, you have to explain your supporting points in just one paragraph. For young writers or students of the English language, visiting our website may be a good idea because it is easy and they can do it without any trouble or stress. Aside from that, its structure gives the reader the basic argument three times: first in the introduction, then in the main body, and finally in the conclusion. This helps new learners understand and learn because each point in the essay relates back to the first paragraph. By writing these kinds of essays, students can finally learn how to make and defend their own arguments, use evidence well, and improve their general writing skills.

3 Paragraph Essay Topics

Three-paragraph essays do not require any special topics, like research papers. We can write these kinds of essays on very basic and usual topics, including:

  • Natural resources 
  • The civil war.
  • The child’s exploitation.
  • The culture.
  • Use of artificial technology
  • The wonder of science.
  • Solar power
  • Natural disasters. 
  • Solar system.
  • Wildlife conservation.
  • Your leader.
  • Human rights.

Apart from this, there are many other topics, including climate change, music, the importance of reading, and many others, that we can use as our topic for writing a 3-paragraph essay.

3 Paragraph Essay Examples

A few examples of the best three-paragraph essays are:

Example #1 >> Artificial Intelligence: Its Pros and Cons

AI is becoming one of the areas that is growing the fastest in the world. It helps make our lives easier and gives us different chances that we can use for the good of all people, but we also know that everything made by people in this universe has both pros and cons. In the following article, the pros and cons of artificial intelligence are talked about.

Here are some of the good things about AI: It’s a big part of how people in our society live their lives. Aside from that, it lets you do more than one thing at once and makes it possible to do less work with the same tools. It also means getting things done without spending a lot of money, and we can use it all the time without stopping. Aside from the good things it does for welfare and society, it has a lot of bad effects that are not only bad for computers but also cause a lot of trouble for people. AI technologies aren’t making people any better, and they’re making them more lazy every day. Aside from this, being able to make a machine that can make people smarter is a big challenge, takes a lot to work on, and is also causing people to lose their jobs. It was all made by people, so it depends on the skills and abilities of different people. This is one of the biggest problems with this technology because it is not creative. It can only do what we want it to do or answer the questions we are tired of asking. Other than that, it is useless. Humans are losing their jobs because artificial technology methods are taking over.

Artificial intelligence is a change in technology that has more bad effects than good ones and could endanger the world. The rise of artificial intelligence makes sure that people are setting up traps that will lead to their own deaths. AI is giving us a lot of great chances, but if we don’t take care of it, it will be hard for us to stay alive, and it could even kill us.

Example #2: Exhibition

An exhibition is the display or presentation of works of art or items of interest to the public. It also focuses on the identification and interpretation of collective things. The exhibition was first introduced to the public in the 19 th century, but before the 19 th century, there had been different temporary exhibitions, especially the display of new arts in the major cities introduced to the public in the 19th century, but before the 19th century, there had been different temporary exhibitions, especially display of new arts in the major cities. The Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturing, and Commerce held the first modern public exhibition on April 21, 1760, in London. It was the first in a series of fine arts exhibitions held by the institution, later known as the Society of Arts. One of the most famous exhibitions was the Academie des Beaux-Arts of the Paris Salon, which was started in 1667 and opened to the public in 1737. The following essay is going to give a brief description of exhibitions.

Exhibition planning is an engaging process. They are usually the experiences of people; they provide communication of ideas, information, feelings, and values. Exhibitions usually occur within cultural, educational, or many other places, which include museums, art galleries, parks, libraries, or different exhibition centers. It is an integrative and multidisciplinary process that often combines architecture, interior design, graphic design, multimedia, lighting, audio, technology, and other disciplines to create a complex narrative around a topic In its most general sense, it is an organized presentation and display of selected items. There is no set method for planning an exhibition, although there are general guidelines that professionals follow. These guidelines include an estimate of how many organizational accommodations are possible. It is because exhibition proponents are strongly encouraged by the partners, and they must involve several co-organizers. It also includes publicizing the exhibition and informing people about it through advertisements or distributing notices.

Exhibitions usually provide platforms for your product. It is usually the advertisement of your product to the general public and the acknowledgment of the benefits of the product. It provides the opportunity for potential buyers to meet a wide range of sellers in a single location.

Example #3: Fashion

In the last few decades, fashion has become a worldwide phenomenon. Fashion has always been an important part of human life. Fashion styles have changed over the years. Because younger people care more about how they look on the outside, the fashion industry is driven by people who want to look and act like the outside world has changed.

When styles change, people wear new clothes and act in new ways. One way that the modern world is always changing is in the fashion business. The first step to looking chic is to know what’s in style. The modern sense of fashion gives people another way to show who they are. Styles can change from one season to the next or in reaction to a certain need. In the United States, fashion is the lifeblood of the glamorous world, and you could even say that the glamorous world inspires and guides fashion itself. Trends change every day because they are based on styles in the business world, which in turn depend on a glamorous world. Fashion has an effect on both physical society and how people talk to each other online. The ever-changing world of fashion gives us a nice break from our daily lives by giving us ideas for how to look good, be confident, and be in step with the times.

So, in conclusion, the young people of today are so affected by the glitzy fashion industry that it shows in every part of their appearance, including their clothes, hair, accessories, language, and attitude. The way we dress is an interesting part of our lives. It makes us feel good about ourselves and like we belong in the world. Fashion is a big part of what makes culture what it is today. Because of this, each of us learns something new. People’s attitudes, personalities, ways of dressing and acting, and even their hobbies and pleasures can all be seen as examples of fashion. 

Example #4: Pros And Cons Of Social Media

Social media has become very popular in recent years because it is easy to use and easy to get to. Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. are making it easier for people to connect with each other. Yes, thanks to social media, you can quickly connect with anyone, anywhere in the world, with just a tap of your finger. The kids of today are among the people who use social media the most.

There are a lot of good things about using social media. Most importantly, it is an excellent way to learn. Anyone can get to any and all information with just a few taps. Students can learn about a wide range of topics by using social media. This medium also lets people talk to each other in real time. You can watch a talk in the U.S. from where you are sitting in India. Also, as more people stop reading print media, they are getting their news from social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. It gives you the most up-to-date news about the world around you. As a person learns more about world issues, they become more aware of them. It also helps you get closer to the people who are most important to you. With social media, it doesn’t matter how far away someone is. If you have friends or family in another country, it’s easy and quick to get in touch with them. Above all, it gives young singers who are just starting out a free, big stage to perform on. You can also find out about good job opportunities through social networking. Promoting a trademark is another good thing for businesses. Because of this, social media has become a central place for promoting, and it’s a great place to take photos with clients. Even though social media has clear benefits, it is often seen as a big threat to public safety. When people use social media without limits, bad things can happen. It is dangerous because technology breaks down barriers to dialogue that used to be impossible to get past. When kids share too much online, they make it easy for crooks and hackers to find them and hurt them. Because of this, cyberbullying happens, which can be very bad for anyone’s self-esteem. So, it’s important to keep an eye on the social media status updates that kids mostly make. Next, we’ll talk about things that teens like to do, like social networking. When a student spends more time on social media instead of reading, it hurts their grades. When people spend too much time on social media, they tend to push other people away. Its use spreads false information, which in turn poisons the thoughts of people who would otherwise be peaceful.

In a word, using social networking has both pros and cons. But in the end, it depends on the person. A lot of focus should be put on helping the youth of today find a good balance between doing well in school, being active, and using social media. Like any other drug, spending too much time on social media can lead to bad things. So, it’s up to us to find the right mix and work toward a happy life.

Example #5: Women’s Education

Education for women can be seen as a way to teach them things that will make them feel more valuable and worthy. This knowledge can be taught in a number of different ways. Women’s contributions to society can be seen in their jobs as wives, mothers, sisters, coworkers, nurses, and in many other ways. They are better organized and care more about what other people need. Mothers with more education have more chances to contribute to the progress and wealth of their country, and they can do this with the help of men. This essay will give a brief summary of how important women’s education is to the growth of a country.

A good education can help a community in many ways, such as by making people more employable, increasing their wages, and improving their social standing. It can also open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth. Women’s schooling is important for the progress of society as a whole. When it comes to money and making decisions about their health and careers, women with more schooling are more likely to be in charge of their own lives. Educating women will not only help them become financially independent, but it will also give them the skills they need to take care of their own homes. A mother with a good education knows what she needs to do and has the tools to raise good people. She gives birth to children who are driven and have goals. Getting women educated is very important if we want to stop the violence that still happens to them in many parts of the world. If a woman has a good education, she is much less likely to be sexually assaulted or abused in other ways. Women getting an education has helped get rid of problems like dowry and jobless. Education for women has a big effect on population growth because it gives women the power to make choices about their own health that affect their ability to have children. The rate of literacy in a country can be raised by making sure that as many children as possible have moms who have finished school. Muslims think that going to school is a moral duty. A verse in the Holy Quran and a hadith say that women, like men, should learn more and try to learn more. A mother who has gone to college will always be treated with respect, and other women will look up to her as an example.

The progress of society rests on women being able to go to school. As a way to fix the fact that we aren’t making any progress, it should get our attention on a personal, social, and national level. Governments, civil society groups, and individuals can work together to improve gender equality and remove barriers to higher education for women. If we invest in women’s education, we can make sure that everyone has a more prosperous and fair future.

Example # 6: Poverty

Poverty means that a family can’t provide for itself in terms of food, schooling, a place to live, and clothes. Poverty is shown by not having enough food, not having a place to live, not having good child care, living in a hostile area, and not having enough money for public institutions. The poverty barrier, also called the poverty line, is the very least amount of money a person needs to make in a country to be able to live. In this post, we’ll look at poverty and its effects around the world from a high level.

We say that a person, a family, or a whole community is poor when they don’t have enough money to meet their most basic wants. This means that it is hard to get even the most basic things, like food, clothes, a place to live, and medicine. Poverty keeps happening from one generation to the next. Some of the problems that can happen as a result are sickness, hunger, lying, and not having clean places to live. Poverty has many causes, such as rising prices of living, low wages, unemployment, and not getting enough money from social security. People living below the poverty line are also hurt by climate change, inequality or social injustice, not having enough schooling, not getting enough help from the government, and many other things. A rise in the poverty rate is linked to the number of people with mental sickness, chronic diseases, higher death rates, and a shorter life expectancy. Children make up most of the age group that is the poorest. Poverty needs to be stopped because it hurts human capital and slows down economic growth. There are effective ways to do this. Giving everyone the same rights is the first step to stopping unfairness. Getting people skills and jobs is another way to help them get out of poverty. Those who can’t support themselves and can’t read or write, so that we can give them money.

To sum up, then, what we mean when we say someone is poor is that they don’t have enough money to buy the things they need. A national problem like poverty can’t be fixed by just one person. Effective steps should be taken right away to solve the problem. For people, communities, countries, and economies to grow in a way that is long-lasting and all-encompassing, poverty must be eliminated. This is a requirement for growth in any of these areas.

Also Read: Romeo and Juliet Essay

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Example #7: Newspaper Reading

A newspaper is a weekly or daily written report on what’s going on in the world. It usually has a white or gray background and black writing. A good habit is to read the newspaper every day. It’s a great way to find out what’s going on in the world. We learn about current events from reliable source. Newspapers help us learn more about a lot of different things, from politics and culture to the economy and sports. We’ll talk quickly about why it’s important to read the news.

The newspaper is an important way for the people and the government to talk to each other. No matter how small, it all adds up to the whole. It helps us learn more and be better people. Reading the newspaper can help you find a better job. The newspaper tells us about business and job opportunities from different companies, so we can choose the best one. We can also advertise our goods and services in the newspaper with little work. By reading a newspaper, a person will improve their language and grammar the most. You can learn new words and improve your language by reading the newspaper. If someone reads newspapers often, they are likely to have a large and interesting language as well. They have more things in common with other people and can talk about most things more easily. Since you can read a newspaper alone, it keeps us from being bored and lonely. People don’t read newspapers as much as they used to because they can get all the news they need on their phones and computers. This is why newspaper reading is on the slide. Printing newspapers not only lose a lot of paper but is also an inefficient way to spread the news.

The newspaper is a good way to get news at home. Because they gather information and data from all over the world, they are very important to our everyday lives. It has news and opinion about the business world, politics, pop culture, sports, and economics. This practice will help you improve not only as a student but also as a speaker and writer. Because of this, everyone needs to make it a habit to read the newspaper every day.

Example #8: Child Explanation

Exploiting children is bad for them. When a kid or young person is exploited, they are “groomed” with things like gifts, drugs, money, status, and love. In return for doing something illegal, this is sometimes called “child criminal.” When a child abuser threatens to hurt them physically or uses other ways to scare them, the child may feel useless. They might give out a lot of money or valuable things like drugs and other things. In the next essay, the effects of exploiting children and possible answers to the problem are talked about.

There are many ways to take advantage of children. In a practice called “trafficking,” children are sometimes taken from their homes and used for sexual reasons. They can be moved to other parts of the country and hurt physically and sexually. All acts of violence or neglect against children that cause major physical or mental harm or put the child’s life in danger are included here. Bullying and cyberbullying, which usually happen at school, are two of the most common ways to take advantage of children. This also covers a lot of different kinds of abuse, like sexual attacks, domestic violence, and more. About one-fourth of American girls and one-thirteenth of American boys have been abused as children. When a kid is exploited, they are groomed, pressured, or forced to do something they don’t want to do for an adult’s benefit. One way we can help keep our kids safe is to learn about the signs of physical and sexual abuse for ourselves and for other people. Watch over your kids, teach them how to be safe, and give them good advice. These steps could make it much less likely that a child will be abused or neglected.

Abuse and neglect of children have effects on a lot more people than just the close family. To protect children from this danger, preventive steps and legal remedies need to be put in place.

Editing of a 3 Paragraphed Essay

For the editing of an essay, we had to take the following steps:

Checking the Structure

First of all, you have to check the overall structure of the essay to see if it has the proper structure. Checking structure means checking the introduction, main body, and conclusion of your essay.

Logical Sequence

Make sure that each and every paragraph that you have written has a clear main point that relates to the argument, and check that the paragraphs you have written are arranged in a logical sequence.

Explanation of the Points

Make sure that you have explained the points you used in your essay and try to use more appropriate sentences.

Revise Sentences

Check the words you use in your essay and try to make them simple and accurate.

Punctuation

Before submitting, you must check the grammatical errors and punctuation mistakes if any, because correct grammar use adds beauty to your writing skills.

Tips for Writing a Good Essay

Follow the following steps on How to write a 3 paragraph essay :

  • For a good paragraph essay, we should begin our essay by describing the thesis statement to remind the reader of the purpose of our writing.
  • Introduce the supporting data with the facts to back it up in the introduction.
  • For a good essay, always try to write it in a logical flow and use transitional words to separate the paragraphs..
  • A good 3-paragraph essay just requires us to condense our points into one body paragraph, and they just require a single supporting point before reaching the conclusion.
  • Remember to add an in-text citation for every quote or piece of information.
  • Apart from this, the other qualities needed for writing a good essay are focus, development, unity, coherence, and correctness.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The following article has tried to solve all the problems related to 3 paragraph essay. Above are mentioned all the details in easy words that can help you to compose a well-written short assignment for your class. Also, if you want a well-written essay to be composed by a professional, you can get in touch with our writers through the link Researchwritings.com .

We have a lot of professional writers who can help you with your homework and write a well-written, ideal perfect essay for your class based on your instructions and requirements.

We can write a 10/10 custom essay quickly!

❓ Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

For a good 3-paragraph essay, the writer should go for two references per paragraph. It is not compulsory to give references in the introduction and the conclusion, while in all the paragraphs (the main body), the writer should go for two references to make his essay worth reading.

If you double-space a three-paragraph essay, it usually takes two to three pages. We know that it depends on the size of the fonts, the width of the borders, and the space between the lines on a double-spaced page. So, it's usually around 750 words, or 250 words per page.

The average writer needs about 37 and a half minutes to type a three-paragraph essay where each paragraph is on its own page and about 1 hour and 30 minutes to write it by hand. But this time can go up to 3 hours or more if the content needs study, links, citations, or graphs, like in blog posts or high school essays.

Yes, a 500-word essay can be three paragraphs. Generally, a 500-word essay is around 2 pages long, double-spaced. That is why we can say that a 500-word essay can be a 3-paragraph essay.

A paragraph does not depend on lines. It depends on the number of sentences. A typical paragraph should be at least three sentences long.

Yes, a three-paragraph essay can be one page, but a good general rule is 2 to 3 paragraphs per page.

The structure of an essay means that it needs at least three parts. So, three parts aren't much and are just a normal amount for an essay to have.

Yes, an article with three paragraphs is short. A normal essay is made up of four or five paragraphs.

Yes. We can write a good essay with three paragraphs in two hours. Two hours may seem like a long time to write an essay, but this time can go up or down based on the number of citations, sources, and how complicated the topic is. 

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Posted on 13th October 2017

Writing a Three-Paragraph Essay

By Elise Barbeau

Sally Baggett holds a master’s in literature. She enjoys inspiring students, cooking with her family, and helping others achieve their dreams.

Just like there is more than one way to skin a cat (or so they say), there is more than one way to write an essay. One is not required to produce a perfectly formatted five-paragraph essay every time one composes a piece of writing. There is another type of essay you can write that may just be simpler than the traditional style: the three-paragraph essay. This type of essay might be beneficial for beginning writers as it offers the organizational structure of a longer essay without requiring the length. It also offers a challenge to more advanced writers to condense their points.

The Parts of the Essay and Its Benefits

As with most essays, the three-paragraph essay has three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Yet with this type of essay–unlike its five-paragraph counterpart–each one of these sections has only one paragraph. The three-paragraph essay, therefore, might be ideal for young writers or those who are currently mastering the English language.

Another benefit to the three-paragraph essay could be that it requires you to condense your supporting points into just one, which can be a good exercise. If you had to choose only one point to convince a reader to agree with you, what would it be?

After performing some light prewriting, such as brainstorming or writing an outline, students can move right into composing the essay. While this process is similar across the board for writing academic papers, the three-paragraph essay is unique in that the body will take up less space in the finished product.

An outline for this essay might look like this :

  • Background Points
  • Thesis Statement
  • Supporting fact 1
  • Supporting fact 2
  • Transition Sentence
  • Re-statement of Thesis
  • Summary of Main Point
  • Challenge to the Reader

Paragraph One: Introduction

As with most formal essays, the three-paragraph essay begins with an introduction paragraph. Such paragraphs must, obviously, introduce the reader to your idea and, in most cases, convince the reader that this essay is worth reading. To craft a strong introduction, be sure to open with a solid hook. You want to draw in readers so they are compelled to engage with your writing.

A hook can be something compelling such as a question, a powerful quote, or an interesting fact. Introduction paragraphs also usually contain background information that assists the reader in understanding your topic, perhaps defining it or explaining an important part. Finally, you want to include a thesis statement. Even though your essay only has three paragraphs, there still needs to be a purpose to the writing.

You could structure your introduction paragraph according to this outline :

  • Hook: Is there no solution for dumping waste in the ocean?
  • Explain why trash is dumped in the ocean
  • Statistics about dumping trash in the ocean
  • Thesis Statement: Dumping waste in the ocean is a problem because it spells disaster for the ecosystem, leading to problems on land.

This structure is not mandatory, though it might be useful in the long run for organizing your thoughts.

Paragraph Two: Body

The second paragraph, as we have discussed, is the one and only body paragraph. This paragraph bears the burden of communicating support for the thesis statement all on its own. As such, it may take more than one rough draft to get this paragraph to communicate everything you want it to.

Your body paragraph needs to underscore the thesis statement. Create a topic sentence for this body paragraph that communicates this and also transitions from the introduction into the body. For example, your body paragraph topic sentence based on the outline above could be:

One of those problems might play itself out as food scarcity where humans live.

This topic sentence reiterates the thesis and moves the reader into a body paragraph that contains a supporting point: that damage to the ocean’s ecosystem could lead to food scarcity. Within the body paragraph, you can quote different sources that support this point.

Again, this paragraph does not have room to contain everything that a full five-paragraph essay might. But that doesn’t mean you can’t fit in some strong evidence to convince your reader to see your perspective, such as is accomplished through quotes and analysis. Don’t forget to end with a strong transition sentence to move the reader seamlessly into the conclusion.

Paragraph Three: Conclusion

The final paragraph in an essay is usually the conclusion. The three-paragraph essay is no exception. In this essay, the conclusion can be just as long as the other two paragraphs, and it can drive home the point made in the thesis statement and body paragraph. As with most conclusion paragraphs, this paragraph ought to restate the thesis in different words. It should then summarize what was stated in the body paragraph before challenging the reader in some way, whether in thought or action.

Editing Before Turning It In

One thing to be sure of in this type of essay (as in any other) is to polish it. Make it flow well. In other words, revise it!

Before beginning the revision process, take a break from your writing so that you can look at it with fresh eyes. Once you start revising, hunt not only for grammar and punctuation errors but for ways to make the writing flow better. Take a look at the sentences at the beginning and end of each paragraph. Do these sentences contain transition words? Do these paragraphs link to each other? Transition words or phrases like “Likewise,” “In spite of,” or “In addition to” can ensure that your paragraphs are coherent. There are also other services that will automatically proofread you paper.

If you used any sources (i.e. websites, books, videos, etc.) to help support your points and write your paper, you need to cite them! Most teachers will ask you to create a bibliography in MLA format . Others may have you one in APA format , or create references in Chicago style. Ask your teacher for guidance on what citation style they prefer.

Final Thoughts

Don’t forget that you aren’t limited to using this type of essay for just persuasion. You can also use it to relate a narrative tale, using the three parts as the beginning, middle, and end of a story. You can use this to craft an informative essay. See if other types of essays–such as a process analysis or an evaluation–will fit inside the three-paragraph essay format.

In many ways, the three-paragraph essay is similar to the five-paragraph essay. They both make a solid point using an introduction, body, and conclusion. This simpler essay only requires that you condense your points into one body paragraph, perhaps only one supporting point, before reaching a conclusion. Again, this can make a good exercise for beginning English writers, but can also make a challenge for a more advanced writer to select their strongest supporting points.

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Table Of Contents

1. introduction paragraph, 2. the starting point of a three-paragraph essay, 3. focus on making the meaning clear and understandable, 4. presenting the meaning in a logical and coherent manner, 5. understanding the purpose and structure of a three-paragraph essay, 6. keeping the word count in mind, 7. concise writing is key, 8. introducing your topic with clarity and precision, 9. developing the main idea and supporting evidence in the second paragraph, 10. the importance of restating the theme in the final paragraph, the backbone of the essay.

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Monday, 17 April 2023

3 paragraph essay

As an English language learner, writing a three-paragraph essay can be a daunting task. However, with the right steps and guidance, crafting a great essay doesn’t have to be complicated. A three-paragraph essay is a perfect way to express your thoughts and ideas in a concise and comprehensive form, while adhering to the various nuances of the English language. In this blog post, we will provide you with some essential tips and tricks to help you write an impactful three-paragraph essay in English. So, let’s get started!

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1. Introduction Paragraph ">In order to craft a successful three-paragraph essay, the writer must first begin with a strong and effective introduction paragraph. This introductory section is the starting point for the entire essay, and it must effectively introduce the topic to the reader. It should be concise, clear and engaging, providing the reader with a glimpse into the main theme of the essay. The writer should aim to grab the reader’s attention from the outset by using an interesting fact, quote or anecdote relevant to the topic at hand. The introduction paragraph should also establish the focus of the essay and set the tone for the subsequent paragraphs. By starting off with a strong introduction, the writer can ensure that the rest of the essay flows smoothly and coherently, keeping the reader engaged from beginning to end.

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The starting point of a three-paragraph essay is the introduction paragraph, which serves as the foundation for the rest of the essay. In this paragraph, the writer must capture the reader’s attention and introduce the main idea or thesis statement. It is important to focus on making the meaning clear and understandable, presenting the information in a logical and coherent manner.

Understanding the purpose and structure of a three-paragraph essay is essential to developing a strong introduction paragraph. The writer must keep the word count in mind and strive for concise writing, as three paragraphs require brevity. The introduction paragraph sets the stage for the rest of the essay and must accurately introduce the topic and thesis statement.

To introduce the topic with clarity and precision, the writer may want to use an interesting example or a surprising fact. In the second paragraph, the main idea and supporting evidence must be developed. The final paragraph serves as a conclusion and should restate the theme, providing a satisfying ending to the essay. The starting point of a three-paragraph essay is crucial, as it sets the direction for the rest of the essay and determines its success.

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In order to successfully write a three-paragraph essay, it is essential to focus on making the meaning clear and understandable. This means using concise language and avoiding overly complex sentence structures. The writer should also aim to clearly present their arguments in a logical and coherent manner, allowing the reader to easily follow their thought process. By using specific examples and supporting evidence, the writer can make their points more clear and convincing. Additionally, remember that the introduction paragraph should set the stage for the essay and provide a clear focus for the reader, while the conclusion should restate the main idea and leave the reader with a lasting impression. Overall, the key to making a three-paragraph essay successful is to remain focused and intentional in all aspects of the writing process.

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The key to writing a successful three-paragraph essay is to present the meaning in a logical and coherent manner. As mentioned earlier, coherence and cohesion are important for connecting ideas, sentences, and paragraphs, using various cohesive devices to create a smooth flow of thoughts. Additionally, keeping the word count in mind and using concise language is crucial to make the meaning understandable to the reader.

The second paragraph is where the main idea is developed, and the evidence is presented to support it. It is important to stick to the topic sentence and avoid going off-topic. The writer should also use transitions to link sentences and ideas together.

The third and final paragraph is where the theme is restated, and the essay is concluded. This paragraph should summarize the main points and restate the thesis in a concise manner. The writer should also leave a lasting impression on the reader by providing a concluding thought or opinion.

Overall, presenting the meaning in a logical and coherent manner is pivotal for a successful three-paragraph essay. It not only helps the reader understand the argument but also showcases the writer’s ability to structure and organize ideas effectively.

Understanding the purpose and structure of a three-paragraph essay is essential to writing a successful essay. The purpose of this format is to introduce a topic, develop a main idea with supporting evidence, and conclude the essay with a restatement of the theme in a concise and clear manner. The structure of a three-paragraph essay consists of an introduction, a body paragraph, and a conclusion. The introduction presents the topic with clarity and precision, the body paragraph develops the main idea with evidence and logical coherence, and the conclusion restates the theme in a concise and clear manner. Keeping the word count in mind plays a significant role in ensuring that the essay is concise, clear, and easy to understand.

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When it comes to writing a three-paragraph essay, it’s important to keep the word count in mind. As mentioned before, concise writing is key. This means avoiding unnecessary words and maintaining clarity in your writing. A three-paragraph essay typically ranges from 150 to 250 words, making each word count.

To ensure the word count is met, it’s important to plan out the essay with a clear structure in mind. The introduction should briefly introduce the topic and provide a thesis statement. The second paragraph should develop the main idea and support it with evidence, while the final paragraph should restate the theme and provide a conclusion.

When writing each paragraph, it’s important to stay focused on the topic at hand and avoid going off on tangents. This will help to keep the essay on track and within the desired word count. Additionally, utilizing links to tie the ideas together can help maintain flow between sections and paragraphs, while also saving valuable word count.

Remember, the word count is not a suggestion, but rather a requirement. It’s important to make every word count and avoid wasting valuable space on fluff or redundancy. By keeping the word count in mind and striving for concise writing, you can effectively communicate your ideas in a three-paragraph essay.

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Concise Writing is Key to producing a successful three-paragraph essay. As mentioned before, the word count is crucial in this form of writing, and every word must serve a purpose. By eliminating any redundancies or superfluous words, the writer can keep their writing clear and to the point. Remember to start each sentence with the subject to create an assertive tone and keep the focus on the main idea. Additionally, using signposts or connectives throughout the essay will help the reader follow along and understand the writer’s train of thought. Overall, concise writing is crucial to maintaining the flow and coherency of a three-paragraph essay.

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When writing a three-paragraph essay, it is essential to introduce your topic with clarity and precision in the opening paragraph. This will capture your reader’s attention and introduce them to your subject matter. The topic sentence should identify the main idea of the essay while supporting evidence follows in subsequent sentences. This will ensure that the meaning of the essay is clear and understandable. Making use of a logical and coherent approach will enable you to relate the issues outlined in the introduction to the body of the essay. A narrative link between sentences and paragraphs should be maintained to ensure the reader can follow your argument. Punctuation and grammar should be given due attention and bad syntax avoided. Lastly, remember to stick to the purpose and structure of a three-paragraph essay, keeping in mind that concise writing is key.

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Once you have introduced your topic with precision and clarity in the opening paragraph, the primary focus in a three-paragraph essay should shift towards developing the main idea and supporting evidence in the second paragraph. This is where your thesis statement should be introduced, and each sentence should build upon the previous one, steadily expanding upon the primary argument. It is crucial to include strong supporting evidence to back up your central claim, such as facts, statistics, expert opinions, or other relevant data. Each supporting detail should be presented in a logical sequence and be relevant to the central thesis. Remember to keep your language succinct, focused, and crisp, and avoid waffling or generic statements, as this will undermine the effectiveness of the argument. By clearly presenting your main idea and supporting evidence in the second paragraph, you will enable the reader to follow the argument and persuade them of the validity of your thesis statement.

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Restating the theme in the final paragraph is a crucial element of a three-paragraph essay. As discussed earlier, the final paragraph is where the writer emphasizes the main idea of the essay and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. By restating the theme, the writer reminds the reader of the purpose of the essay and reinforces the message. This also helps to tie the essay together, making it clear and coherent. Without restating the theme, the essay may lack focus and appear disjointed. Therefore, it is essential to restate the theme in the final paragraph to provide a clear and concise conclusion.

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The Backbone of the Essay ">The backbone of any essay is the thesis statement, which serves as the central argument that the entire essay builds upon. Every subsequent paragraph should support the thesis statement through evidence or examples. In a three-paragraph essay, it is critical to ensure that the second paragraph supports and expands on the main idea of the thesis statement. The final paragraph should restate the thesis statement in a summary and conclusive manner. Keeping the structure clear and coherent helps readers to follow the argument effectively. Therefore, the backbone of the essay is the thesis statement, which should be strong and clear in its message.

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Conclusion ">The conclusion is a crucial component of the three-paragraph essay. It serves as the final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the reader. As the backbone of the essay, the conclusion ties all main points discussed in the body of the paper back to the thesis statement. Restating the theme in the final paragraph reinforces the argument and ensures that the reader has a clear understanding of the author’s standpoint. Therefore, it is essential to reassert the thesis clearly in the first sentence of the conclusion. In concise and assertive language, the author should summarize the key points and present the significance of the argument. A well-crafted concluding paragraph provides closure to the reader and leaves a lasting impression. With a clear understanding of the purpose and structure of the three-paragraph essay, the author can create a compelling conclusion that will strengthen the essay’s overall impact.

3 paragraph essay

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Traditional Academic Essays In Three Parts

Part i: the introduction.

An introduction is usually the first paragraph of your academic essay. If you’re writing a long essay, you might need 2 or 3 paragraphs to introduce your topic to your reader. A good introduction does 2 things:

  • Gets the reader’s attention. You can get a reader’s attention by telling a story, providing a statistic, pointing out something strange or interesting, providing and discussing an interesting quote, etc. Be interesting and find some original angle via which to engage others in your topic.
  • Provides a specific and debatable thesis statement. The thesis statement is usually just one sentence long, but it might be longer—even a whole paragraph—if the essay you’re writing is long. A good thesis statement makes a debatable point, meaning a point someone might disagree with and argue against. It also serves as a roadmap for what you argue in your paper.

Part II: The Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs help you prove your thesis and move you along a compelling trajectory from your introduction to your conclusion. If your thesis is a simple one, you might not need a lot of body paragraphs to prove it. If it’s more complicated, you’ll need more body paragraphs. An easy way to remember the parts of a body paragraph is to think of them as the MEAT of your essay:

Main Idea. The part of a topic sentence that states the main idea of the body paragraph. All of the sentences in the paragraph connect to it. Keep in mind that main ideas are…

  • like labels. They appear in the first sentence of the paragraph and tell your reader what’s inside the paragraph.
  • arguable. They’re not statements of fact; they’re debatable points that you prove with evidence.
  • focused. Make a specific point in each paragraph and then prove that point.

Evidence. The parts of a paragraph that prove the main idea. You might include different types of evidence in different sentences. Keep in mind that different disciplines have different ideas about what counts as evidence and they adhere to different citation styles. Examples of evidence include…

  • quotations and/or paraphrases from sources.
  • facts , e.g. statistics or findings from studies you’ve conducted.
  • narratives and/or descriptions , e.g. of your own experiences.

Analysis. The parts of a paragraph that explain the evidence. Make sure you tie the evidence you provide back to the paragraph’s main idea. In other words, discuss the evidence.

Transition. The part of a paragraph that helps you move fluidly from the last paragraph. Transitions appear in topic sentences along with main ideas, and they look both backward and forward in order to help you connect your ideas for your reader. Don’t end paragraphs with transitions; start with them.

Keep in mind that MEAT does not occur in that order. The “ T ransition” and the “ M ain Idea” often combine to form the first sentence—the topic sentence—and then paragraphs contain multiple sentences of evidence and analysis. For example, a paragraph might look like this: TM. E. E. A. E. E. A. A.

Part III: The Conclusion

A conclusion is the last paragraph of your essay, or, if you’re writing a really long essay, you might need 2 or 3 paragraphs to conclude. A conclusion typically does one of two things—or, of course, it can do both:

  • Summarizes the argument. Some instructors expect you not to say anything new in your conclusion. They just want you to restate your main points. Especially if you’ve made a long and complicated argument, it’s useful to restate your main points for your reader by the time you’ve gotten to your conclusion. If you opt to do so, keep in mind that you should use different language than you used in your introduction and your body paragraphs. The introduction and conclusion shouldn’t be the same.
  • For example, your argument might be significant to studies of a certain time period .
  • Alternately, it might be significant to a certain geographical region .
  • Alternately still, it might influence how your readers think about the future . You might even opt to speculate about the future and/or call your readers to action in your conclusion.

Handout by Dr. Liliana Naydan. Do not reproduce without permission.

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Submit a Perfect 3 Paragraph Essay Without Applying Extra Effort!

3 paragraph essay

There are many ways to write an academic paper. Although a 5 paragraph essay is the most common form of writing in the academic environment, there is another form that is also widely used. A 3 paragraph essay is a simplified version of a standard essay, which makes it more attractive to many students. In fact, this format is basic as it includes only three main paragraphs. At the same time, the limited amount of space may turn writing such a paper into a problem for a student.

Though a 3 paragraph essay is preferred by many students, not all of them can write it properly. In our guide, you will find some helpful tips and suggestions that will help you create a high-quality paper.

What Is a 3 Paragraph Essay?

In a nutshell, a 3 paragraph essay is one of many forms of academic writing that consists of an introduction, followed by the main body in which the author supports the statements made in the opening part, and a conclusion summarizing the whole piece.

The Importance of Each Paragraph in an Essay

It is difficult to underestimate the importance of a paragraph in a 3 paragraph essay. A well-written passage makes a clear point supported by strong evidence. Besides, the author should explain why the evidence is relevant to the argument. The main parts should be linked together with the help of appropriate transition words. In this case, the paper will have a logical flow, which will significantly increase the author’s chances of getting a good grade.

According to common conventions of academic writing, one paragraph should be dedicated to a single point. Otherwise, you may confuse your reader. By following the traditional structure, you will be able to submit well-structured papers regardless of the topics you will be supposed to uncover.

Length of a Paragraph

Most probably, your professor won’t specify the exact amount of paragraphs to be included in your essay. However, in accordance with the common standards, your document should include not less than three paragraphs. As for the length of the paragraph in such an essay, it should be as long as it allows you to develop your main claim and support it by solid evidence. Many students commit the same mistake by making a passage too short. In this case, it will include insufficient analysis, which will compromise the quality of your work. If the prompt provided by your professor does not include the information about the required length, you need to write a 300-600-word paper and divide this length between its main parts.

How to Write a Three Paragraph Essay?

According to a common three paragraph essay format, such a paper should include three main parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. At the same time, this paper is different from other kinds of academic writing. Since the space is limited, the document should not include any irrelevant information. Most probably, you will need to follow the 3 paragraph essay outline provided below:

  • Appropriate background points;
  • A strong thesis statement.
  • Topic sentence (should be related to your thesis statement);
  • First supporting fact;
  • Second supporting fact.
  • Re-statement of a thesis in different words;
  • Summary of the main points;
  • A call to action.

Let’s discuss this structure in detail as it will help you find out how to write a 3 paragraph essay:

The opening part of a 3 paragraph essay example should introduce the topic to the reader. Remember that your task is to engage your reader and help them understand that your paper is worth their attention. The first thing that should appear in your introduction should be a hook. It can be a quote, statistical fact, or anything else that will captivate the attention of your reader. Next, to contextualize your topic, you will need to add appropriate background detail. Such an approach will help you explain to your reader why your topic is important. Below, you will find a brief description of the most important points that should appear in your introduction:

  • Begin your introduction by telling your reader some general points about the topic chosen;
  • Make sure to incorporate the keywords into your essay. Otherwise, you will make it look too vague;
  • Explain why the topic matters. If the subject is debatable, feel free to inform your reader about it by briefly describing the arguments of both parties;
  • Introduce the key terms. In case some of them are not clear, do not forget to interpret them;
  • State your point. Finally, your introduction should provide your reader with the central claim related to your topic. This is also known as a thesis statement.

The second paragraph is the main body of your paper. The primary purpose of this section is to provide supporting information and suggest some arguments explaining your thesis statement. Please note that your arguments should be developed logically. In most academic papers, the main body section is the longest part of the work as it should include all the important details related to the topic. Let’s have a look at the essential features of the main body:

  • It should identify the main ideas supporting your central claim;
  • All of the ideas discussed in the main body should flow logically;
  • Whenever you include in-text citations to support your claims, do not forget to cite them in accordance with the formatting style requested by your professor;
  • For longer papers, you are supposed to use headings and subheadings;

Typically, the main body paragraph should be structured in the following way:

  • Point. Suggest the main point;
  • Proof. Include appropriate evidence that will explain your main claim;
  • Significance. Tell your reader why your paragraph is important.

The final paragraph of your paper should summarize your document. In the concluding part, you don’t need to include any new information as your primary goal is just to summarize the points mentioned above. Please note that your conclusion should refer to all the points you have made in the previous sections without adding new information. In other words, you just need to reflect on the ideas that are already written. Below, you will find the essential features of a good conclusion:

  • Remind your reader about the points made in your essay;
  • Summarize the key ideas that supported your thesis statement;
  • Suggest some steps for further investigation of the topic;
  • Explain to your reader why he or she should care.

How to Create a Reference List?

You won’t be able to create a perfect paper without consulting with the outside sources. Pay attention that copy-pasting any ideas from these sources without mentioning the authorship is forbidden. All the reference information of the sources used should appear right after the conclusion. When creating a reference list, you should follow the requirements of the formatting style indicated in your prompt as each style has a unique set of requirements. In other words, you need to find out what citation style you are supposed to follow. Then, you need to check if the in-text citations, layout, as well as a reference list, correspond with this style.

If you are not sure what a good essay should look like, we strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the three paragraph essay example written by one of our proficient writers. It will help you figure out how such a paper should be written, structured, and formatted.

Essay Example

In the history of the USA, there were many good presidents, including Abraham Lincoln or John F. Kennedy. However, my favorite is Barack Obama, the 44th President of the USA. Moreover, he is the first African American, who served in the office. In my opinion, Barack Obama was one of the best presidents of the USA even though some people criticized him. He had to lead the country in the times of an economic crisis. According to InsideGov, the government research site, during the presidency of Barack Obama, unemployment rate changed from 10% to 4.7%. Moreover, GDP had been growing during both terms. However, he succeeded not only in the economic sphere, but also he contributed to the healthcare and to the foreign relations. For example, he signed the Affordable Care Act, which provided millions of people with health insurance. In addition, he strengthened the international diplomacy with Cuba and Iran. He spoke with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the phone. It was the first direct contact between two countries in more than thirty years. Barack Obama won the Noble Peace Prize in 2009 for his accomplishments. What really made him a good president was that he was always simple and respectful. Despite the fact that he was the most important man in the USA, he was not arrogant. On the contrary, he was very communicative and sympathetic. I appreciate when a president does not alienate himself/herself from common people. Barack Obama could walk on the streets and talk to the citizens. Undoubtedly, he is a wise man that you can trust and rely on. I believe that Barack Obama is an example of a good president because he is a strong leader. He had a clear vision of future development and pursued it vigorously. He is famous for great intelligence and transparent honesty that make every president reliable. In addition, a president should be a family person because he/she could not build a country if he/she is not able to build his/her life. Only consistent people could provide unity for a nation. Finally, it is highly important that a president understands the consequences of his/her actions and inactions. He/she should always protect people and their rights.

Get Professional Writing Help with Writing a 3 Paragraph Essay

Our guidelines should help you understand how to write a 3 paragraph essay successfully. Unfortunately, not all students can handle this task well. Some of them don’t have sufficient writing experience whereas others just don’t have enough time to pay attention to every single detail of this task. If you are one of them, we recommend that you take advantage of cooperating with our professional writing team. For many years, we have been helping our customers achieve their academic goals by providing them with custom-written essays. No matter what your discipline is or what subject you want us to uncover in your academic paper, we will find a qualified writer, who will take great care of your task following the traditional 3 paragraph essay format.

As a result of our partnership, you will receive a brilliant essay example that will impress the most demanding tutor. Our customers are provided with a number of great benefits that make our cooperation truly enjoyable for them. So why are you still hesitating? If you take care of your academic performance but have no idea how to write a three paragraph essay, just place an order on our platform and we will handle the rest!

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How to Write a Three Paragraph Essay

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  • 1 - What is a Full Paragraph?
  • 2 - Pre-Writing
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  • 4 - Body Paragraph
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How to Write a Three Paragraph Essay

What is a Full Paragraph?

In elementary school, you probably were told that a paragraph can be three to five sentences. This is true, however, in middle school and beyond a well-developed paragraph should be five sentences at the minimum. In this module, you will learn how to write a well-developed three-paragraph essay.   

Pre-Writing

The pre-writing process is very important because it gives your writing a clear direction and provides organization. To begin the writing process, you must select a topic and three supporting details. More experienced writers will deviate from this pattern; however, this module is here to teach new writers. The first step in the pre-writing process is to select a topic, the second is to add three supporting details, and the last is to give more information about the supporting details. 

Example 

Topic: Working at Walmart was my worst job

Support: Long hours

  • I missed holidays with family 
  • I did not receive breaks 
  • Standing for long amounts of time was hard on my legs   

                Insufficient pay

  • all employees start at minimum wage despite work experience or education
  • the pay was not enough for the number of responsibilities that the company gave each employee  

                 Inadequate training

  • The training was done mostly online and was lacking the real-life experiences 
  • Often employees are moved to many different departments without training in that area 

Introduction Paragraph

In your introduction paragraph, you will introduce your topic and briefly discuss your supporting points without going into the details you outlined. Remember, your introduction is to simply gain the reader's attention and introduce the main talking points in a minimum five sentence paragraph.  

Body Paragraph

In the body paragraph, you will discuss the supporting points and all the details you listed in the pre-writing section. It is in this paragraph that you will give the reader the bulk of the information you wish to give to the reader.  

Conclusion Paragraph

The conclusion paragraph is the final paragraph. It is at this point you will summarize all your points and conclude your essay. It is important not to introduce any new thoughts, concepts, or issues. The conclusion is just for you to summarize and end the paper.  

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Ultimate Guide: Outline for Three Paragraph Essay

Table of Contents

Creating an outline for three paragraph essay is more effective than instinctively writing. This is especially true if you’re comparing and contrasting two ideas.

An outline for three-paragraph essay helps to organize your ideas into three separate parts, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.

This article will cover the basic principles of mapping an outline and what you need to know to create a perfect structure. Read on!

person holding ballpoint pen writing on notebook

What is a three-Paragraph Essay?

Writing a 3-paragraph essay is different from writing other sorts of essays. This is because of the structure and short body content (only one paragraph). 

In a three-paragraph essay, there are no more or less than three main points in its structure. 

Start a three-paragraph essay with the following:

  • An introductory sentence that introduces the topic
  • A sentence that delivers the essay’s core idea
  • Concluding paragraph that restates the essay’s main ideas.

Now, how does this essay deviate from the standard essay format? Traditional five-paragraph essays have three body paragraphs in which students present their arguments and evidence to an audience.

Mapping out an Outline for Three Paragraph Essay

An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing . The following structure could make writing a three-paragraph essay less challenging:

1. Have a Visual Map

An essay plan is developed, detailing the three sections that make up a complete essay. You should have your attention grabber and thesis statement in the opening. 

The essay’s body provides supporting evidence for the argument made in the introduction. The conclusion should end with a thought-provoking reminder of the entire piece and a call to action for the reader.

2. Write Down Your Thoughts

An outline involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph. It gives you a picture of how your argument will unfold .

Make your outline easy to follow by assigning Roman numerals to each section as you go. 

For example, 

Section I should be the introduction, section II the body, and section III the conclusion. 

Separate subsections containing the elements in each section should be established. Jot down two potential issues of discussion for each section. 

The ideal way to wrap up your essay is with whatever sentences appropriately summarize your work.

3. Create a Solid Argumentative Thesis

The thesis statement explains the author’s position and serves as an introduction to the body of the paper. If you write about dogs, for instance, you should first consider what you want to say about them. 

Either you talk about what to look for in a pet dog or why it’s good to save a dog that got stuck.

Having a topic in mind makes building a thesis statement and subsequent arguments in the essay’s body simpler.

4. Get Started on the Actual Essay

You should begin with an opening line, followed by three to five body paragraphs. Ensure detailed descriptions of each topic in the essay’s body. 

Finally, you should compose a conclusion that restates the theory and summarizes the most important ideas. Close with a thought-provoking comment that departs significantly from the essay’s main points.

5. Correct Typos and Polish the Text

Proofreading your work before submitting it allows you to catch any grammatical or spelling errors you may have missed.

 Avoid using jargon and complex terms that could confuse your readers in favor of simpler alternatives. Spell and grammar check. 

Check each sentence to see if your word choice is crystal clear and if each point is made without ambiguity. Having a peer reviewer check your work is an excellent approach to closing your project. 

Guidelines for Writing a Three-Paragraph Essay

An essay’s outline is created before the first word is written. This outline will serve as a roadmap for the development of your article. 

An outline for a three-paragraph essay follows an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Therefore, what guidelines should an outline for a three-paragraph essay have? Consider the following.

  • Choose an appropriate header or topic to get started. 
  • When writing an essay, it’s much easier to know what to write about if the topic is easy to grasp.
  •  Examine how it’s shaping up, and adjust your drafts. 
  • There should be uniformity in the subject matter covered by successive paragraphs. 
  •  Do your best to avoid ambiguity. Essay clarity aids in making points and guiding the reader through the work. 
  • Use a variety of instances to argue in your favor. Ensure every part of your thesis is supported. 
  • It would help if you also injected your writing with energy. This technique ensures that the reader gives your entire article their undivided attention.

The first sentence of your introduction should be a focused, topic-making remark. After the introduction, your paper’s body should have sentences that support your primary claims in sequence.

The main text follows the introduction. The three-paragraph essay only allows one body paragraph, unlike the five-paragraph essay. This implies you should launch right into your main argument and then introduce the secondary points that will back up your statements.

Finish up with a satisfying conclusion. Your topic sentence should effectively summarize the entire argument. It can start with a sentence that clarifies to the reader that you are drawing to a close.

To improve your writing, reread what you’ve written and try rewriting it using different terms. 

The three-paragraph essay is easy and efficient to write, but always remember to map out your ideas and watch how they develop. 

If you have a complex topic, it might be a good idea to break it down into a visual map. This will help your thoughts become more organized and easy to follow.

Ultimate Guide: Outline for Three Paragraph Essay

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

What this handout is about

This handout will help you understand how paragraphs are formed, how to develop stronger paragraphs, and how to completely and clearly express your ideas.

What is a paragraph?

Paragraphs are the building blocks of papers. Many students define paragraphs in terms of length: a paragraph is a group of at least five sentences, a paragraph is half a page long, etc. In reality, though, the unity and coherence of ideas among sentences is what constitutes a paragraph. A paragraph is defined as “a group of sentences or a single sentence that forms a unit” (Lunsford and Connors 116). Length and appearance do not determine whether a section in a paper is a paragraph. For instance, in some styles of writing, particularly journalistic styles, a paragraph can be just one sentence long. Ultimately, a paragraph is a sentence or group of sentences that support one main idea. In this handout, we will refer to this as the “controlling idea,” because it controls what happens in the rest of the paragraph.

How do I decide what to put in a paragraph?

Before you can begin to determine what the composition of a particular paragraph will be, you must first decide on an argument and a working thesis statement for your paper. What is the most important idea that you are trying to convey to your reader? The information in each paragraph must be related to that idea. In other words, your paragraphs should remind your reader that there is a recurrent relationship between your thesis and the information in each paragraph. A working thesis functions like a seed from which your paper, and your ideas, will grow. The whole process is an organic one—a natural progression from a seed to a full-blown paper where there are direct, familial relationships between all of the ideas in the paper.

The decision about what to put into your paragraphs begins with the germination of a seed of ideas; this “germination process” is better known as brainstorming . There are many techniques for brainstorming; whichever one you choose, this stage of paragraph development cannot be skipped. Building paragraphs can be like building a skyscraper: there must be a well-planned foundation that supports what you are building. Any cracks, inconsistencies, or other corruptions of the foundation can cause your whole paper to crumble.

So, let’s suppose that you have done some brainstorming to develop your thesis. What else should you keep in mind as you begin to create paragraphs? Every paragraph in a paper should be :

  • Unified : All of the sentences in a single paragraph should be related to a single controlling idea (often expressed in the topic sentence of the paragraph).
  • Clearly related to the thesis : The sentences should all refer to the central idea, or thesis, of the paper (Rosen and Behrens 119).
  • Coherent : The sentences should be arranged in a logical manner and should follow a definite plan for development (Rosen and Behrens 119).
  • Well-developed : Every idea discussed in the paragraph should be adequately explained and supported through evidence and details that work together to explain the paragraph’s controlling idea (Rosen and Behrens 119).

How do I organize a paragraph?

There are many different ways to organize a paragraph. The organization you choose will depend on the controlling idea of the paragraph. Below are a few possibilities for organization, with links to brief examples:

  • Narration : Tell a story. Go chronologically, from start to finish. ( See an example. )
  • Description : Provide specific details about what something looks, smells, tastes, sounds, or feels like. Organize spatially, in order of appearance, or by topic. ( See an example. )
  • Process : Explain how something works, step by step. Perhaps follow a sequence—first, second, third. ( See an example. )
  • Classification : Separate into groups or explain the various parts of a topic. ( See an example. )
  • Illustration : Give examples and explain how those examples support your point. (See an example in the 5-step process below.)

Illustration paragraph: a 5-step example

From the list above, let’s choose “illustration” as our rhetorical purpose. We’ll walk through a 5-step process for building a paragraph that illustrates a point in an argument. For each step there is an explanation and example. Our example paragraph will be about human misconceptions of piranhas.

Step 1. Decide on a controlling idea and create a topic sentence

Paragraph development begins with the formulation of the controlling idea. This idea directs the paragraph’s development. Often, the controlling idea of a paragraph will appear in the form of a topic sentence. In some cases, you may need more than one sentence to express a paragraph’s controlling idea.

Controlling idea and topic sentence — Despite the fact that piranhas are relatively harmless, many people continue to believe the pervasive myth that piranhas are dangerous to humans.

Step 2. Elaborate on the controlling idea

Paragraph development continues with an elaboration on the controlling idea, perhaps with an explanation, implication, or statement about significance. Our example offers a possible explanation for the pervasiveness of the myth.

Elaboration — This impression of piranhas is exacerbated by their mischaracterization in popular media.

Step 3. Give an example (or multiple examples)

Paragraph development progresses with an example (or more) that illustrates the claims made in the previous sentences.

Example — For example, the promotional poster for the 1978 horror film Piranha features an oversized piranha poised to bite the leg of an unsuspecting woman.

Step 4. Explain the example(s)

The next movement in paragraph development is an explanation of each example and its relevance to the topic sentence. The explanation should demonstrate the value of the example as evidence to support the major claim, or focus, in your paragraph.

Continue the pattern of giving examples and explaining them until all points/examples that the writer deems necessary have been made and explained. NONE of your examples should be left unexplained. You might be able to explain the relationship between the example and the topic sentence in the same sentence which introduced the example. More often, however, you will need to explain that relationship in a separate sentence.

Explanation for example — Such a terrifying representation easily captures the imagination and promotes unnecessary fear.

Notice that the example and explanation steps of this 5-step process (steps 3 and 4) can be repeated as needed. The idea is that you continue to use this pattern until you have completely developed the main idea of the paragraph.

Step 5. Complete the paragraph’s idea or transition into the next paragraph

The final movement in paragraph development involves tying up the loose ends of the paragraph. At this point, you can remind your reader about the relevance of the information to the larger paper, or you can make a concluding point for this example. You might, however, simply transition to the next paragraph.

Sentences for completing a paragraph — While the trope of the man-eating piranhas lends excitement to the adventure stories, it bears little resemblance to the real-life piranha. By paying more attention to fact than fiction, humans may finally be able to let go of this inaccurate belief.

Finished paragraph

Despite the fact that piranhas are relatively harmless, many people continue to believe the pervasive myth that piranhas are dangerous to humans. This impression of piranhas is exacerbated by their mischaracterization in popular media. For example, the promotional poster for the 1978 horror film Piranha features an oversized piranha poised to bite the leg of an unsuspecting woman. Such a terrifying representation easily captures the imagination and promotes unnecessary fear. While the trope of the man-eating piranhas lends excitement to the adventure stories, it bears little resemblance to the real-life piranha. By paying more attention to fact than fiction, humans may finally be able to let go of this inaccurate belief.

Troubleshooting paragraphs

Problem: the paragraph has no topic sentence.

Imagine each paragraph as a sandwich. The real content of the sandwich—the meat or other filling—is in the middle. It includes all the evidence you need to make the point. But it gets kind of messy to eat a sandwich without any bread. Your readers don’t know what to do with all the evidence you’ve given them. So, the top slice of bread (the first sentence of the paragraph) explains the topic (or controlling idea) of the paragraph. And, the bottom slice (the last sentence of the paragraph) tells the reader how the paragraph relates to the broader argument. In the original and revised paragraphs below, notice how a topic sentence expressing the controlling idea tells the reader the point of all the evidence.

Original paragraph

Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.

Revised paragraph

Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.

Once you have mastered the use of topic sentences, you may decide that the topic sentence for a particular paragraph really shouldn’t be the first sentence of the paragraph. This is fine—the topic sentence can actually go at the beginning, middle, or end of a paragraph; what’s important is that it is in there somewhere so that readers know what the main idea of the paragraph is and how it relates back to the thesis of your paper. Suppose that we wanted to start the piranha paragraph with a transition sentence—something that reminds the reader of what happened in the previous paragraph—rather than with the topic sentence. Let’s suppose that the previous paragraph was about all kinds of animals that people are afraid of, like sharks, snakes, and spiders. Our paragraph might look like this (the topic sentence is bold):

Like sharks, snakes, and spiders, piranhas are widely feared. Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless . Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.

Problem: the paragraph has more than one controlling idea

If a paragraph has more than one main idea, consider eliminating sentences that relate to the second idea, or split the paragraph into two or more paragraphs, each with only one main idea. Watch our short video on reverse outlining to learn a quick way to test whether your paragraphs are unified. In the following paragraph, the final two sentences branch off into a different topic; so, the revised paragraph eliminates them and concludes with a sentence that reminds the reader of the paragraph’s main idea.

Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. A number of South American groups eat piranhas. They fry or grill the fish and then serve them with coconut milk or tucupi, a sauce made from fermented manioc juices.

Problem: transitions are needed within the paragraph

You are probably familiar with the idea that transitions may be needed between paragraphs or sections in a paper (see our handout on transitions ). Sometimes they are also helpful within the body of a single paragraph. Within a paragraph, transitions are often single words or short phrases that help to establish relationships between ideas and to create a logical progression of those ideas in a paragraph. This is especially likely to be true within paragraphs that discuss multiple examples. Let’s take a look at a version of our piranha paragraph that uses transitions to orient the reader:

Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, except in two main situations, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ instinct is to flee, not attack. But there are two situations in which a piranha bite is likely. The first is when a frightened piranha is lifted out of the water—for example, if it has been caught in a fishing net. The second is when the water level in pools where piranhas are living falls too low. A large number of fish may be trapped in a single pool, and if they are hungry, they may attack anything that enters the water.

In this example, you can see how the phrases “the first” and “the second” help the reader follow the organization of the ideas in the paragraph.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Lunsford, Andrea. 2008. The St. Martin’s Handbook: Annotated Instructor’s Edition , 6th ed. New York: St. Martin’s.

Rosen, Leonard J., and Laurence Behrens. 2003. The Allyn & Bacon Handbook , 5th ed. New York: Longman.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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  • How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

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Table of contents

When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

  • Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
  • Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
  • Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
  • Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
  • Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
  • Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

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An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

  • Make a claim
  • Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
  • Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
  • Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

  • Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
  • Cite data to support your claim
  • Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
  • Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

  • Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
  • Highlight the problems with this position
  • Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
  • Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

  • Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
  • Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
  • Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
  • Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

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An expert's guide to Frank Auerbach: three must-read books (and a film) on the German-British painter

All you ever wanted to know about auerbach, from a biography by one of his sitters to a collection of essays about his drawings—selected by the courtauld gallery curator barnaby wright.

Out of the limelight: an early photo of the famously reclusive Auerbach in his studio Heritage Image Partnership Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo

Out of the limelight: an early photo of the famously reclusive Auerbach in his studio Heritage Image Partnership Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo

• Click here for more reading lists on the world's greatest artists The Berlin-born, London-based artist Frank Auerbach is famously reclusive, rarely doing interviews and for much of his career has worked away diligently in his London studio. He is associated with the School of London alongside friends and peers such as Francis Bacon, Leon Kossoff and Lucian Freud. Kossoff sat for Auerbach and is one of the intimate charcoal drawings from the late 1950s and early 60s that have been brought together at the Courtauld Gallery in London for an exhibition titled Frank Auerbach: the Charcoal Heads (until 27 May). The exhibition’s curator Barnaby Wright has selected three books and a film to help us get closer to the life and work of Frank Auerbach.

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Courtesy Rizzoli International Publications

Frank Auerbach (2022 revised edition) by William Feaver

“This book is the comprehensive account of Auerbach’s work to date. As well as being a writer on art, William Feaver has sat for Auerbach over many years and his introduction and interview with the artist share a wealth of insights. The book’s extensive catalogue section illustrates all the paintings and large-scale drawings Auerbach has made—more than 1,000 at the time of publication. Looking through these gives a sense of how Auerbach’s intense scrutiny over decades of a small number of sitters and areas of London he knows intimately, has given rise to a huge variety of paintings and drawings.”

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Courtesy Yale University Press

Frank Auerbach: Drawings of People (2022), edited by Mark Hallett and Catherine Lampert

“Drawing has always been fundamental to Auerbach’s way of working. Surprisingly, this is the first book to focus specifically on his drawings. It takes the form of a series of essays by a range of writers who approach Auerbach’s drawing practice from different vantage points. These range from essays that look in detail at the moves, marks and layers of Auerbach’s drawings, to others that situate his work in expanded historical and cultural contexts.”

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Courtesy Thames and Hudson Ltd

Frank Auerbach: Speaking and Painting (2019) by Catherine Lampert

“Catherine Lampert has been a sitter for Auerbach for over 40 years. She has written extensively on his art and organised his major retrospective exhibitions. This important book is rooted in the numerous conversations she has had with Auerbach and offers a richly detailed and illuminating account of his art and life. The book brings you close to the artist whilst offering a deeply informed account of the development of his art and ideas.”

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© Hannah Rothschild

Frank Auerbach: To the Studio (2001 film), co-produced by Jake Auerbach and Hannah Rothschild

“Jake Auerbach has made a series of remarkable films about art and artists. This is one of two films he has made about his father (the other being Frank , 2015)—and both are as important as anything written on Auerbach for deepening our understanding of the artist and his work. To the Studio features interviews not only with Auerbach but also with his small group of long-term sitters. Hannah Rothschild’s interview with Auerbach elicits responses that are both insightful and deeply poignant.”

• Frank Auerbach: the Charcoal Heads , Courtauld Gallery, London, until 27 May

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