Friday, October 19, 2012

Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay


We can use the Five-Paragraph Essay structure to write an essay about pretty much anything. 
Here, witness the illustrious Nardvark write an essay about one of his favourite topics, food.
Nardvark truly believes that pizza and banana go very well together. So his five-paragraph essay thesis is: "banana goes very well on pizza."

Like all good writers, Nardvark begins with an outline, or plan:

Paragraph 1: Introduction
                Hook Do you think that just because Pizza Hut doesn't have "banana" on their menu, that means it doesn't belong on pizza? What are you, a robot?
                Thesis: Banana goes very well on pizza; it is sweet, mushy, and unusual.
Paragraph 2 Body
                Point 1 sweet
                Example/evidence pineapple; ripe,  - yellow, not green or brown
                Explanation provides nice contrast to tart tomato sauce and cheesy cheese
                Link in addition, (for more linking words, look here and here)
Paragraph 3 Body
                Point 2 mushy
                Example/evidence easy to smush
                Explanation won't fall off pizza slice
                Link above all
Paragraph 4 Body
               Point 3 unusual
                Example/evidence just because it isn't on the menu doesn't mean it isn't good
                Explanation do something different for a change; break out of the mold; be unique
                Link don't be a robot
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
                haven't tried banana on pizza, go ahead.
                can't say it isn't delicious until tried.

Now Nardvark writes his essay in formal language, impersonal style. After going back to revise and edit, he will publish his excellent work here for you to read and enjoy.

Banana goes Well on Pizza
by Nardvark

Do you think that just because Pizza Hut doesn't have "banana" on their menu, that means it doesn't belong on pizza? What are you, a robot?  Banana goes very well on pizza; it is sweet, mushy, and unusual.

Like pineapple, which is often found on Hawaiian pizza, banana is a sweet, delicious pizza topping.  Ripe bananas are best for pizza, but not too ripe - it is best to use bananas when they are yellow, not green, as they are not sweet enough, and not brown, as they are overripe and thus too sweet.  The perfect sweetness of banana creates a pleasing contrast to the tart, zingy taste of tomato sauce and the mild cheesy cheese.  In addition to being sweet, bananas are also good on pizza because of their consistency.

Bananas are mushy, so unlike many pizza toppings, they do not fall off.  Large pieces of pineapple or capsicum slithering off your pizza slice and leaving a greasy stain on your lap can be a terrible irritation and ruin your pizza-eating experience.  This is not a problem with bananas, as the banana can be mushed on the pizza slice, where it stays put until the slice has been completely devoured.   Therefore, banana is a good, solid, topping, but above all, it is unusual.

Everybody seems to want to follow trends and be in fashion, but in today's fast-paced, quickly changing world, it is important to be able to start trends and begin new fashions.  Try doing something unusual, like putting banana on your pizza.  Just because it is not on the menu, does not mean it does not taste good.  One does not know until one tries.  However, by following what is prescribed by menus and fashions, one does not have the opportunity to break out of the mold, come up with new ideas, begin new trends.  Be the one to start something new; eat a slice of pizza with banana mushed on top.  Do not be a robot.

In conclusion, those who have not tried banana on pizza for the simple reason that it has never appeared on a pizza chain menu are missing out on a truly special pizza experience.  Banana is a unique pizza topping, sweet-tasting and it does not slip off.  It is impossible to say whether or not it is delicious without tasting it, so go give it a try.


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

The Five Paragraph Essay Format


Five Paragraph Essay Format
This is your new favourite thing. It can be used to answer nearly any exam essay question—just memorize and apply the following outline. Remember that we usually write with the simple structure of introduction, body, conclusion. Use the PEEL rule in the body paragraphs.
Paragraph 1: Introduction
                Hook (make the reader want to read your essay)
                Thesis: answers the question with three points
Paragraph 2 Body
                Point 1 (from your thesis)
                Example/evidence (to support the point)
                Explanation (of how your example or evidence proves your point)
                Link (to the next paragraph, or back to the question. Create flow.)
Paragraph 3 Body
                Point 2 (from your thesis)
                Example/evidence (to support the point)
                Explanation (of how your example or evidence proves your point)
                Link (to the next paragraph, or back to the question. Create flow.)
Paragraph 4 Body
               Point 3 (from your thesis)
                Example/evidence (to support the point)
                Explanation (of how your example or evidence proves your point)
                Link (to the next paragraph, or back to the question. Create flow.)
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
                Restate thesis in different words / summarize 3 main points
                Show that you have finished the essay in a sophisticated way



Example:
Example essay question...
Comment closely on the ways in which the following poem presents old age and childhood.

Childhood
Frances Cornford
I used to think that grown-up people chose
To have stiff backs and wrinkles round their nose,
And veins like small fat snakes on either hand,
On purpose to be grand.
Till through the banister I watched one day
My great-aunt Etty’s friend who was going away,
And how her onyx beads had come unstrung.
I saw her grope to find them as they rolled;
And then I knew that she was helplessly old,
As I was helplessly young.

(from "Songs of Ourselves" -- Cambridge Anthology)

Paragraph 1: Introduction
                Hook – As a young person, I can’t drive or vote.
                Thesis:  “Childhood” by Patricia Cornford presents old age and childhood through the use of rhyme, simile, and repetition.
Paragraph 2 body
                Point 1--rhyme
                Example/evidence –lines 1/2: “hand”, “grand”
                Explanation—the rhyming structure reminds the reader of nursery rhymes; takes the reader back to childhood.
                Link – the “hand” in rhyme is also used in a simile
Paragraph 3 body
                Point 2-- simile
                Example/evidence “veins like small fat snakes on either hand,” line 3
                Explanation—small fat snakes are an unpleasant image, shows that old age is unpleasant
                Link—simile is a literary tool; another lit tool is repetition
Paragraph 4 body
                Point 3--repetition
                Example/evidence “hopelessly”
                Explanation –we are not able to change our age or its limitations
                Link –can also use linking words in the next paragraph such as furthermore, in addition, on the other hand, additionally, finally, conversely, however...
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
                Therefore, by looking at literary tools used like similes and repetition and aspects of form such as rhyme, we can see that Cornford presents age as a trap from which we are unable to escape. Both old age and youth can be unpleasant because of their limitations. This poem makes me want to get as much out of life as I can, when I am able to, before I am limited by the physical restrictions of age.