Five Paragraph Essay Planner

Introductory Paragraph (engage the readers interest and tell what your essay will be about
thesis statement):

2nd Paragraph (support details and 3rd Paragraph (support details and 4th Paragraph (support details and
examples): examples): examples):

Concluding Paragraph (summarise, restate and lave a parting thought):

 Five Paragraph Essay Planner - Example
Introductory Paragraph (engage the readers interest and tell what your essay will be about thesis statement):

"A dog is man's best friend." That common saying may contain some truth, but dogs are not the only animal friend whose companionship
people enjoy. For many people, a cat is their best friend. Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats make excellent housepets as they
are good companions, they are civilized members of the household, and they are easy to care for.

2nd Paragraph (support details and 3rd Paragraph (support details and 4th Paragraph (support details and
examples): examples): examples):

In the first place, people enjoy the
companionship of cats. Many cats
are affectionate. They will snuggle
up and ask to be petted, or
scratched under the chin. Who can
resist a purring cat? If they're not
feeling affectionate, cats are
generally quite playful. They love to
chase balls and feathers, or just
about anything dangling from a
string. They especially enjoy playing
when their owners are participating
in the game. Contrary to popular
opinion, cats can be trained. Using
rewards and punishments, just like
with a dog, a cat can be trained to
In the second place, cats are
civilized members of the household.
Unlike dogs, cats do not bark or
make other loud noises. Most cats
don't even meow very often. They
generally lead a quiet existence.
Cats also don't often have
"accidents." Mother cats train their
kittens to use the litter box, and
most cats will use it without fail from
that time on. Even stray cats usually
understand the concept when shown
the box and will use it regularly. Cats
do have claws, and owners must
make provision for this. A tall
scratching post in a favourite cat
Lastly, one of the most attractive
features of cats as housepets is their
ease of care. Cats do not have to be
walked. They get plenty of exercise in
the house as they play, and they do
their business in the litter box. Cleaning
a litter box is a quick, painless
procedure. Cats also take care of their
own grooming. Bathing a cat is almost
never necessary because under
ordinary circumstances cats clean
themselves. Cats are more particular
about personal cleanliness than people
are. In addition, cats can be left home
alone for a few hours without fear.
Unlike some pets, most cats will not

Concluding Paragraph (summarise, restate and lave a parting thought):

Cats are low maintenance, civilized companions. People who have small living quarters or less time for pet care should appreciate
these characteristics of cats. However, many people who have plenty of space and time still opt to have a cat because they love the
cat personality. In many ways, cats are the ideal housepet.
Providing Students with Feedback

CRITERIA 4 3 2 1
INTRODUCTION The introduction is The introduction clearly The introduction states There is no clear
engaging, states the main states the main topic and the main topic but does introduction of the main
topic and previews the previews the purpose of not adequately preview topic
purpose of the essay the essay, it may not be the purpose of the essay
particularly inviting to the nor is it particularly
reader inviting to the reader
BODY PARAGRAPHS Paragraphs and details Paragraphs and details Either some paragraphs Paragraphs are not in
are placed in a logical are placed in a logical or details re note in a order. Many details are
order and the way they order but the way in logical or expected order, not in a logical or
are presented effectively which they are this distracts the reader expected order. There is
keeps the interest in the presented/introduced little sense that the
reader sometimes makes the writing is organised
writing less interesting
CONCLUSION The conclusion is strong The conclusion is The conclusion is There is no clear
and leaves the reader recognisable and ties up recognisable but does not conclusion, the essay just
with a feeling that they most of the loose ends tie up several loose ends ends
understand the writers
view
SENTENCE STRUCTURE All sentences are well- Most sentences are well- Most sentences are well- Sentences lack structure
constructed with varied constructed with varied constructed but have a and appear incomplete
structure structure similar structure
SUPPORT FOR TOPIC Relevant, telling, quality Supporting details and Supporting details and Supporting details and
(CONTENT) details give the reader information are relevant information are relevant information are typically
important information but only one key issue of but several key issues or unclear or not related to
that goes beyond the the essay may be portions of the storyline the topic
obvious or predictable unsupported are unsupported
GRAMMAR & SPELLING Writer makes no errors in Writer makes 1-2 errors in Writer makes 3-4 errors in Writer makes 5+ errors in
grammar or spelling that grammar or spelling that grammar or spelling that grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from distract the reader from distract the reader from distract the reader from
the content the content the content the content

Comments:
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Teaching and Learning Strategies

Differentiation (modification)
Differentiation (modification)
an essay
Differentiation (modification)
Differentiation (modification)
the correct order (could be cut
Students write dot points on the planner rather than write a full essay
Students are provided with a completed planner (dot points) and they work to turn the summary into
Students work to fully complete only 1 of the squares
Students are given the paragraphs of an essay out of order. They are to read them and put them in
out activity)