The 5-8-5 Essay

The 5-8-5 Essay

Step-Up to Writing

Stoplight colors

• GO! Tell your big idea

• SlOW DOWN! Give a reason, fact or detail.

• STOP! Explain what you mean.

• GO BACK! Bring back your big idea.

5 Sentence OutlineInventions of the Han Dynasty

Three inventions of the Han Dynasty

Gunpowder

Compass

Paper Still make life easier

Color the letters and stars.Study the colors so that you can highlight the paragraph that came from this outline.

Inventions of the Han Dynasty

5 Sentences

During the Chinese Han Dynasty, nearly 2000 years ago, scientists created three important inventions. Gunpowder was invented to make beautiful and explosive fireworks. Compasses were made to help travelers know which way was south. A government official made the first writing paper to make his job easier. These inventions have made life easier for all that time.

Highlight your copy of this paragraph

Inventions of the Han DynastyHighlighted

During the Chinese Han Dynasty, nearly 2000 years ago, scientists created three important inventions. Gunpowder was invented to make beautiful and explosive fireworks. Compasses were made to help travelers know which way was south. A government official made the first writing paper to make his job easier. These inventions have made life easier for all that time.

Prompt for your Own Paragraph Outline

• 6th Grade After Columbus discovered the New World, many people chose to come and settle here.

• 7th Grade The Ancient Greeks had many gods.• 8th Grade The Ancient Mayas advanced in many ways.

Instructions: 1. With your teacher, brainstorm several ways to support the statement for

your grade.2. Select three supports for your outline.3. Complete your outline

Your Outline5 Sentence Paragraph

(Main idea)

(Supporting idea)

(Supporting idea)

(Supporting idea)

(Main idea, with a different spin)

Color the stars and letters, then fill it in from the brainstorm.

From Outline to Paragraph

• Expand each part of your outline into a sentence to form a five sentence paragraph (on binder paper).

• Remember that the first sentence is a topic sentence and the last is a conclusion.

• Highlight your work with the stoplight colors.

Adding Three Details to an OutlineFor an Eight Sentence Paragraph


GunpowderSulfur, charcoal, saltpeter

CompassIron needle in a cork, floating

PaperMulberry bark and rags

Still make life easier

Study the colors and the words

Highlight this Paragraph(Eight Sentences)

During the Chinese Han Dynasty, nearly 2000 years ago, scientists created three important inventions. Gunpowder was invented to make beautiful and explosive fireworks. It was made from sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter. Compasses were made to help travelers know which way was south. An iron needle stuck through a cork was floated on water. A government official made the first writing paper to make his job easier. He made it from mulberry bark and rags. These inventions have made life easier for all that time.

Inventions of the Han DynastyHighlighted

During the Chinese Han Dynasty, nearly 2000 years ago, scientists created three important inventions. Gunpowder was invented to make beautiful and explosive fireworks. It was made from sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter. Compasses were made to help travelers know which way was south. An iron needle stuck through a cork was floated on water. A government official made the first writing paper to make his job easier. He made it from mulberry bark and rags. These inventions have made life easier for all that time.

Your OutlineFor an Eight Sentence Paragraph

Directions:1.Color the shapes with the stoplight colors.2.Copy the items from your first outline.3.Think of a detail for each star.4.On binder paper, write an eight sentence paragraph from your outline.

a. Keep your original five sentencesb. Insert a new sentence after each

“star” sentence. 5.Highlight your paragraph.

Adding More DetailsTo the Stars

Each star gets two new details

Each star will become a topic sentence for a paragraph

Each group gets a conclusion

These three groups will make three paragraphs in the middle of an essay (the BODY).

GunpowderSulphur, charcoal, saltpeter WeaponsSpread to other countries

Entertainment becomes tool of conquest Compass

Iron needle in a cork, floatingAttracted to poleTravel long distances

Needle still floats free

PaperMulberry bark and ragsPressed flatSmooth paper

Writing more legible

Highlight the BODY of the Han EssayGunpowder was invented to make beautiful and explosive fireworks.

Sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter were the main ingredients. Eventually, gunpowder was used to launch stone cannons through bamboo tubes, making weapons. Within a few hundred years, gunpowder was an important part of wars across Asia, Africa, and Europe. While it started out as entertainment, gunpowder quickly became a tool for conquest.

Another invention, the compass, has served the same purpose all along: to help travelers know which way was north or south. The Chinese stuck an iron needle through a cork and floated it on water. The tip of the needle was attracted to the magnetic pole. This amazing device helped people plot a route to travel over long distances. Our compasses today still use a free floating needle, just like the ancient Chinese used.

A more practical invention was paper, created by a government official to make writing easier. Papyrus and parchment sometimes was too rough to write on. He made his paper from mulberry bark and rags, which he boiled into a paste. He spread the paste and pressed it flat. When it was dry, he had smooth paper. We can thank him for thinking up a way to make writing more legible.

Your Essay OutlineThe BODY

1. Add two more details to every star in your last outline.

2. Add a conclusion for each “star” topic.3. Write the three paragraphs for the

BODY of your essay.

Creating an Introduction Outline

Ways to make life easier

Job

Travel

Entertainment


“Hook” your reader

Suggest the “stars”

Your original topic sentence.

Highlight the IntroductionHan Essay

All throughout history, people have thought up inventions to make their lives easier or more interesting. Sometimes it is to make doing a job more efficient. There might be a need to keep on course while traveling. Or sometimes, we just might want something to make celebrations special. During the Chinese Han Dynasty, nearly 2000 years ago, scientists created three such inventions.

Your Essay OutlineThe INTRODUCTION

1. Think of a way to “hook” your reader (Blue)

2. Suggest the ideas behind the stars (yellow) Projected Plan

3. Finish with the original topic sentence idea.

4. Write your INTRODUCTION paragraph.

Creating a Concluding Outline

Three inventions still important

Fireworks

Hikers

Paper

Life is easier

Rephrase your original topic sentence

Match these to the conclusion above

Finishing comment

Highlight the ConclusionHan Essay

These three inventions, created so many years ago, have been important to civilization. Gunpowder is still used in fireworks, as well as in weapons. Hikers are wise to carry a compass. Paper, in many forms and used for many purposes, are part of our daily life. These inventions have made life easier for a long time.

Your Essay OutlineThe CONCLUSION

1. Rephrase or rethink the original idea

2. Mention the star ideas

3. Add a concluding thought

4. Write your CONCLUSION paragraph

Your Five Paragraph Essay

• You now have five paragraphs!

• Copy them over neatly in the correct order.

• Indent each paragraph and check for errors.

• You have learned how to expand a

FIVE SENTENCE PARAGRAPH into a

FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAY

The 5-8-5 Essay

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