What is a 3.5 Essay?
What is a 3.5 Essay?
A 3.5 essay is a five-paragraph essay which consists of an Introduction carrying the Thesis Statement, Body, and Conclusion.The 3 means “3 parts” which pertains to the Introduction, Body, and Conclusion; while the 5 means “5 paragraphs.”
The first paragraph will serve as the Introduction, the second, third, and fourth paragraphs are the Body, and the last paragraph is the Conclusion.
The ideal number of words for a brief 3.5 essay is 500, 100 words for each of the five paragraphs.
Paragraph 1: Introduction or Lead
In a 3.5 essay, the first paragraph or the Introduction (or Lead in Journalism) ideally should be three to five sentences long. As always, it should start with a “bang!” It should have a strong element that would pull your intended readers into your essay.
This part is what I call the “appetizer.” Just like dining in a restaurant, an appetizer is to be served first. It stimulates one’s desire to eat. The Introduction or Lead does likewise. It entices readers to read more.
This could be a Quotation Lead, Question Lead, Exclamatory Lead, Narrative Lead, or Summary Lead. You could write your Thesis Statement here.
The last sentence of the Introduction or Lead should be the “hook” or the transitional statement that would link the first paragraph to the next. The transition should be smooth and not so abrupt. It should not sound like it was forced to jump to the next paragraph.
Paragraph 2:
This consists of five to seven sentences. The first sentence of this paragraph is likewise an ideal place to write the Thesis Statement. (but the usual practice is writing the Thesis Statement in the Introduction or Lead) This paragraph starts to stretch, or expound the argument or point stated in the Introduction or in the Thesis Statement. Explain the Thesis statement in this part of your essay.
The last sentence of Paragraph 2 should be the “hook” or the transitional statement that would link this paragraph to the next.
Paragraph 3:
This consists of five to seven sentences. This paragraph is where needed examples based on the Introduction or Thesis Statement are written.Proofs or back-up information for the argument is also wise to write in this part.
The last sentence of Paragraph 3 should be the “hook” or the transitional statement that would link this paragraph to the next.
Paragraph 4:
This consists of five to seven sentences. You could write related short stories (personal stories are better), anecdotes, or quotes in this part of your 3.5 essay.
The last sentence of Paragraph 4 should be the “hook” or the transitional statement that would link this paragraph to the concluding paragraph of your 3.5 essay.
Paragraph 5: The Conclusion
This is the concluding part of your 3.5 essay, which consists of three to five sentences. Usually the Conclusion is the summary of the whole essay. Most of the time, this is where the Thesis Statement is reechoed, or paraphrased. If you choose not to reword the Thesis Statement, you could also present a different thought which is not totally detached from your Thesis Statement.
This part is what I call the “dessert.” Just like in taking a meal, it would not be considered “done” if there is no dessert. You will not be fully satisfied with your meal without it.
Your conclusion should have a strong effect on your readers for them to remember your essay. Equal the bang you have created in the Introduction or Lead, or better yet, surpass it.
Make sure your Conclusion has a sense of finality, the one that would not sound hanging. Do not force to end your essay, it will not sound good and your target readers will notice it.
Make the Conclusion of your essay the part where the biggest realization, inspiration, motivation, enlightenment, or learning takes place.
