Lesson Plan
Essay Essentials: 5 Paragraphs & Citations
Students will be able to understand the structure of a five-paragraph essay and apply proper citation techniques (MLA format).
Mastering the 5-paragraph essay and citations provides a strong foundation for academic writing, ensuring students can organize ideas clearly and avoid plagiarism.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
2 sessions (30 minutes each)
Approach
Direct instruction, guided practice, and independent application.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
20 minutes
- Review the Slide Deck: Essay Essentials and become familiar with the content.
- Print copies of the Worksheet: Essay Structure & Citations for each student.
- Print copies of the Rubric: 5-Paragraph Essay for each student.
- Ensure projector/screen is working for the slide deck presentation.
- Have markers/whiteboard ready for brainstorming.
Step 1
Session 1: Introduction to the 5-Paragraph Essay (30 minutes)
30 minutes
Part 1: The Hook & Introduction (5 minutes)
- Begin by displaying the title slide of the Slide Deck: Essay Essentials.
- Ask students: "What makes a good argument or explanation? How do you convince someone of your point?" (2 minutes)
- Introduce the lesson objectives. (1 minute)
### Part 2: Deconstructing the 5-Paragraph Structure (15 minutes)
- Use the Slide Deck: Essay Essentials to explain the components of a 5-paragraph essay: Introduction (hook, background, thesis), three body paragraphs (topic sentence, evidence, explanation, concluding sentence), and Conclusion (restate thesis, summarize points, final thought).
- Provide clear examples for each section, emphasizing the flow and connection between paragraphs. (10 minutes)
- Distribute the Worksheet: Essay Structure & Citations and guide students through the first section on essay structure. (5 minutes)
### Part 3: Quick Check & Preview (10 minutes)
- Facilitate a brief discussion to check for understanding on essay structure. (5 minutes)
- Assign students to brainstorm a simple topic for a 5-paragraph essay for homework, focusing on thesis and three main points. (5 minutes)
Step 2
Session 2: Mastering Citations & Practice (30 minutes)
30 minutes
Part 1: Review & Warm-up (5 minutes)
- Ask students to share their brainstormed thesis statements and main points from homework. (3 minutes)
- Quickly review the 5-paragraph structure using the Slide Deck: Essay Essentials. (2 minutes)
### Part 2: The Power of Citations (15 minutes)
- Introduce the concept of academic honesty and plagiarism.
- Use the Slide Deck: Essay Essentials to explain the basics of MLA in-text citations (author-page number) and why they are important.
- Provide clear examples of how to integrate quotes and cite them properly within a paragraph.
- Guide students through the second section of the Worksheet: Essay Structure & Citations on citations, practicing with provided examples.
### Part 3: Application & Wrap-up (10 minutes)
- Have students work individually or in pairs to create an outline for a 5-paragraph essay on a chosen topic, including at least two places where they would need to cite information (even if hypothetical). (7 minutes)
- Distribute the Rubric: 5-Paragraph Essay and review expectations for their future writing.
- Conclude with a quick reflection question: "What is one new thing you learned about essay writing or citations today?" (3 minutes)
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Slide Deck
Essay Essentials: Your Writing Superpower!
Ever wonder how to make your arguments strong and clear?
Today, we'll unlock the secrets to a well-structured essay and how to give credit where it's due!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of essay writing. Ask a provocative question to get them thinking about clear communication.
What's a 5-Paragraph Essay?
It's a classic, clear structure for your ideas!
- Introduction (1 paragraph)
- Body Paragraph 1 (1 paragraph)
- Body Paragraph 2 (1 paragraph)
- Body Paragraph 3 (1 paragraph)
- Conclusion (1 paragraph)
Explain that the 5-paragraph essay is a foundational structure, a 'training wheels' version of academic writing.
The Introduction: Setting the Stage
Your first impression!
- Hook: Grab your reader's attention! (Question, startling fact, anecdote)
- Background Information: Briefly introduce your topic.
- Thesis Statement: Your main argument or point of view (the road map for your essay!).
Break down the intro: Hook to grab attention, background info, and the all-important thesis statement (main argument).
Body Paragraphs: Building Your Argument
Each body paragraph supports your thesis with evidence.
Think TEEL!
- Topic Sentence: What's this paragraph about?
- Evidence: Facts, quotes, examples supporting your topic sentence.
- Explanation: How does your evidence prove your point?
- Link: Connect back to your thesis or transition to the next paragraph.
Explain that each body paragraph supports the thesis. Emphasize the TEEL structure: Topic Sentence, Evidence, Explanation, Link. Provide a simple example.
The Conclusion: Wrapping It Up
Bring it all home!
- Restate Thesis: Say your main argument again, but in different words.
- Summarize Main Points: Briefly remind the reader of your body paragraph topics.
- Final Thought/Call to Action: Leave a lasting impression!
Explain that the conclusion wraps everything up without introducing new information. Reiterate the thesis in new words and provide a final thought.
Why Cite? Give Credit Where It's Due!
It's about honesty and respect!
- Avoid Plagiarism: Using someone else's words or ideas without credit is a big NO-NO.
- Build Credibility: Show you've done your research.
- Help Your Reader: Allow them to find your sources.
Transition to the importance of citations. Ask students why they think it's important to give credit.
What Needs a Citation?
When do you need to cite?
- Direct Quotes: Anytime you use someone else's exact words.
- Paraphrases: Putting someone else's ideas into your own words.
- Summaries: Condensing someone else's longer work into a shorter form.
- Specific Facts/Statistics: Information that isn't common knowledge.
When NOT to Cite: Common knowledge (e.g., "The sky is blue").
Explain clearly when a citation is needed: for direct quotes, paraphrased ideas, summaries, and specific facts that are not common knowledge. Distinguish from common knowledge.
Citations 101: MLA In-Text
When you use someone else's words or ideas:
- In-Text Citation: Briefly tell the reader where you got the information right after the quote or paraphrase.
- MLA Style (Author-Page): Usually looks like this:(Author's Last Name Page Number).
- Example: "The early bird catches the worm" (Aesop 12).
- If no author, use the title: ("Early Birds" 5).
Introduce MLA in-text citations. Keep it simple for now: author and page number. Emphasize the placement of the citation and period.
Citing in Action! (Example 1)
How to weave it into your writing:
Original Text: "Reading widely expands a student's vocabulary and understanding of complex ideas." (Smith 45)
Your Sentence: According to Dr. Smith, a crucial benefit of extensive reading is that it "expands a student's vocabulary and understanding of complex ideas" (45).
Notice: The period goes after the parenthetical citation!
Provide a practical example of how to embed a quote and cite it. Draw attention to the period placement.
Citing in Action! (Example 2)
Another example:
Original Text: "Teenagers often benefit from engaging in extracurricular activities, which can improve their time management skills." (Johnson 7)
Your Sentence: Research indicates that participation in activities outside of academics frequently enhances adolescents' ability to manage their time effectively (Johnson 7).
Notice: Even when you paraphrase, you still need to cite!
Provide a second practical example, this time focusing on a paraphrased idea to show another scenario where citation is needed.
Questions & Practice Ahead!
Any questions so far?
Let's get ready to apply what we've learned!
Encourage students to ask questions and prepare for the worksheet activity.
Worksheet
Essay Structure & Citations Worksheet
Part 1: Deconstructing the 5-Paragraph Essay
Instructions: Read the following prompts and fill in the blanks or provide short answers as directed.
-
A five-paragraph essay typically consists of:
- One ____________________ paragraph.
- Three ____________________ paragraphs.
- One ____________________ paragraph.
-
What is the main purpose of the hook in an introduction?
-
What is a thesis statement? Where does it usually appear in the introduction?
-
Name the four main components of a strong body paragraph (hint: TEEL):
- T: ____________________
- E: ____________________
- E: ____________________
- L: ____________________
-
In the conclusion, you should:
- ____________________ your thesis (in new words).
- ____________________ your main points.
- End with a ____________________ thought or call to action.
Part 2: Practicing MLA In-Text Citations
Instructions: For each scenario, write out the correct MLA in-text citation. Remember, the period goes after the parenthetical citation.
-
Quote: "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
Source: Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, page 78.
Your Sentence: Nelson Mandela once wrote, "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall"
____________________.
-
Paraphrased Idea: According to a study, teenagers who read for pleasure perform better in school.
Source: Dr. Emily R. Clark, Journal of Adolescent Studies, page 123.
Your Sentence: Teenagers who frequently read for enjoyment often demonstrate improved academic performance
____________________.
-
Quote: "All that glitters is not gold."
Source: William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act 2, Scene 7, Line 65 (assume page 50 in a textbook).
Your Sentence: A famous line from Shakespeare reminds us that "All that glitters is not gold"
____________________.
-
Information: The average human attention span has decreased significantly over the last decade.
Source: Article titled "Digital Age Distractions", TechToday.com, no author listed, published online (assume no page number, but paragraph 3).
Your Sentence: Studies suggest that the human attention span has considerably shortened in the past ten years
____________________.
Answer Key
Essay Structure & Citations Answer Key
Part 1: Deconstructing the 5-Paragraph Essay
Instructions: Read the following prompts and fill in the blanks or provide short answers as directed.
-
A five-paragraph essay typically consists of:
- One Introduction paragraph.
- Three Body paragraphs.
- One Conclusion paragraph.
-
What is the main purpose of the hook in an introduction?
- Thought Process: The hook is the very first sentence(s) of the essay. Its primary goal is to grab the reader's attention and make them want to continue reading. It sets the stage for the topic without giving everything away.
Answer: The main purpose of the hook is to capture the reader's attention and pique their interest in the topic.
- Thought Process: The hook is the very first sentence(s) of the essay. Its primary goal is to grab the reader's attention and make them want to continue reading. It sets the stage for the topic without giving everything away.
-
What is a thesis statement? Where does it usually appear in the introduction?
- Thought Process: The thesis statement is the core argument or main idea of the essay. It tells the reader what the essay will be about and the writer's stance. It's typically at the end of the introductory paragraph to guide the rest of the essay.
Answer: A thesis statement is the main argument or controlling idea of an essay. It usually appears as the last sentence of the introduction.
- Thought Process: The thesis statement is the core argument or main idea of the essay. It tells the reader what the essay will be about and the writer's stance. It's typically at the end of the introductory paragraph to guide the rest of the essay.
-
Name the four main components of a strong body paragraph (hint: TEEL):
- T: Topic Sentence
- E: Evidence
- E: Explanation
- L: Link
-
In the conclusion, you should:
- Restate your thesis (in new words).
- Summarize your main points.
- End with a final thought or call to action.
Part 2: Practicing MLA In-Text Citations
Instructions: For each scenario, write out the correct MLA in-text citation. Remember, the period goes after the parenthetical citation.
- Quote: "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
Source: Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, page 78.
Your Sentence: Nelson Mandela once wrote, "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" (Mandela 78).- Thought Process: The author's last name is
Rubric
5-Paragraph Essay Rubric
Student Name: ________________________
Date: ________________________
| Criteria | Exemplary (4 points) | Proficient (3 points) | Developing (2 points) | Beginning (1 point) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis Statement | Clear, concise, arguable, and directly addresses the prompt. | Clear and addresses the prompt, but may lack some conciseness or argumentative strength. | Present but unclear, too broad, or only partially addresses the prompt. | Missing or completely unrelated to the prompt. |
| Introduction | Effectively hooks the reader, provides relevant background, and presents a strong thesis. | Includes a hook and background, and presents a thesis, but may lack some engagement or clarity. | Attempts a hook and background, but is unclear or lacks a clear thesis. | Lacks a clear hook, background, or thesis statement. |
| Body Paragraphs | Each paragraph has a clear topic sentence, sufficient evidence, thorough explanation, and smooth transitions. | Each paragraph generally has a topic sentence, evidence, explanation, and some transitions. | Paragraphs sometimes lack clear topic sentences, sufficient evidence, explanation, or transitions. | Paragraphs are disorganized, lack clear topic sentences, or have insufficient evidence/explanation. |
| Citations (MLA In-Text) | All sources are correctly cited in MLA format with accurate author-page number citations. | Most sources are correctly cited in MLA format; minor errors may be present. | Some sources are cited, but errors in MLA format are frequent or significant. | Sources are missing, incorrect, or evidence of plagiarism is present. |
| Conclusion | Restates thesis creatively, effectively summarizes main points, and provides a thought-provoking final statement. | Restates thesis, summarizes points, and provides a concluding thought; may be somewhat repetitive. | Attempts a conclusion but is repetitive, introduces new information, or lacks a strong closing. | Lacks a clear conclusion or simply stops abruptly. |
| Grammar & Spelling | Virtually no errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization. | Few minor errors that do not significantly distract the reader. | Several errors that sometimes distract the reader. | Numerous errors that consistently distract the reader and impede understanding. |
Total Score: ________ / 24
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