This is a five-sentence model skeleton for the five-sentence paragraph. All paragraphs in my class will require five-seven sentences, but all students are being trained in how to produce a successful 5-sentence paragraph with specific instructions.
First, the topic sentence (also called the main idea or the first sentence of a paragraph) must include two things: a stem of the question and a phrase that leaves opportunity to introduce evidence.
For Example:
Question: Why is raising the minimum wage important?
Excellent Topic Sentence: Raising the minimum wage is important for a number of reasons.
Why is this topic sentence excellent? It includes a stem of the question (Raising the minimum wage is important) and a phrase that leaves enough room for the writer to introduce many pieces of evidence (for a number of reasons).
Students are being trained in a number of popular, published ways to open a topic sentence for evidence.
So, Sentence 1: Topic Sentence (Main Idea Sentence)
Sentences 2-4 are sentences that introduce evidence in support of Sentence 1. Each piece of evidence is introduced using transitional words like "First," "Second," and "Finally."
For Example:
Question: Why is raising the minimum wage important?
Sentences 1-4:
Raising the minimum wage is important for a number of reasons. First, raising the minimum wage would allow hard workers to better provide for their families, which would improve children's lives. Second, higher wages would allow people to spend more in local business, which would improve the economy. Finally, better pay improves how people feel about their work.
**Notice how the stem of the question shows up in the evidence in new clothes. I have explained to students that writing flexibility is shown when a writer can address the main point in the evidence without using the exact same words over and over.***
Now, for Sentence 5.
In a five-sentence paragraph, the fifth sentence is THE CLOSER. The closing sentence is difficult for most scholars because it has to very neatly wrap the question and the topic sentence into a sandwich with the evidence in the paragraph. It's hard to do because the writer has to avoid saying things the exact same way.
For Example:
Question: Why is raising the minimum wage important?
Sentences 1-5:
Raising the minimum wage is important for a number of reasons. First, raising the minimum wage would allow hard workers to better provide for their families, which would improve children's lives. Second, higher wages would allow people to spend more in local business, which would improve the economy. Finally, better pay improves how people feel about their work. Because raising pay would benefit family, the economy and employee morale, it is clear that improving the minimum wage is right for all.
**Notice how all of the evidence used in the paragraph appears in sentence five after a stem of the question shows up in new clothes. The evidence is quickly summarized and not said in exactly the same way.**
For now, students are learning how to perfect the five-sentence paragraph so it is structured perfectly every time. In the near future, all students will be expected to expand to a solid eight sentences per paragraph.