Composition I: The Five Paragraph Essay (5PE)

Course Objective

The result of learning the Process Writing* method is to produce a cohesive, well-organized basic essay which gives a comprehensive answer to a question (exam writing) or which discusses a simple topic regarding history, literature, science, etc. through the use of three main facts.

The student will produce an essay that proves the thesis statement by a methodical elaboration of three self-generated points, each expanded and proven by three examples. The final student draft will demonstrate all of the elements of a perfectly written five paragraph essay.

Course Mechanics

Note taking in an organized, systematic manner is taught as part of the course. Handouts, numerous practice sessions of each component part of the essay, discussions followed by question and answer sessions, individualized instruction, and a completed Five Paragraph Essay by each student are included in the course.

Grammar (either American or British) will be taught as needed when the essays are generated.

Class Size

Classes are limited to 4 students of equal ability. Before placement each student will be asked to submit a one page writing sample and educational information in order to determine placement. Samples should be sent to: samples@master-writing.com

All classes are taught in English; all students must have a ‘good’ mastery of the language.
This is NOT a course in which to ‘learn’ English;
it is a beginning course to master the writing of the English language
in an organized, methodical, and expository manner.

Tuition: 10-hour course/5 two-hour sessions in my classroom*
Private: (1 Student) 20 euros/hour
Group: (2-4 Students) 10 euros/hour
(Please notice that the course is taught in 2-hour sessions.)

(*additional 5 euros/session for travel within the Larnaca area)

Compostion I: The 10-hour Course

Session I:

Introduction: Why you should use the 5PE, component parts with discussion and terminology/examples/practice.
Read and analyze a 5PE by major author with discussion and introduction to the ‘skeletal organization’ of the essay
Notebook/note taking skills
Introduction to Brainstorming techniques
Homework: Read and analyze a 5PE by a major author (handout) and generate a ‘skeletal’ outline

Session II:

Review homework assignment as a review/warm up
Elements of an ‘Introduction’ discussion and practice writing after ‘brainstorming’ of several new topics
Distinguishing between main and sub topics, the order of ideas, discussing the ‘lay out’ of the body of the essay and contributing organizational elements in order to write, not only a unified paragraph, but also a cohesive body of the 5PE
Homework: Brainstorm a topic of your choice, select three main ideas, and select three supporting ideas for each

Session III:

Review homework assignment, evaluate the main and supporting ideas, student fine tunes and makes modifications if necessary
Read 5PE by a major author, with student evaluation and discussion
Student will generate an essay that ‘models’ the work read
Discussion of transition sentences, their practice and application in the essay
Homework: Read an article of your choice and write an ‘introduction’ and three paragraphs of the ‘body’ of the essay using the 5PE format

Session IV:

Read homework assignment, student editing under teacher guidance
Elements of the summary paragraph Its practice and application to the homework assignment
Generating skeletal outlines of two brainstormed topics
Introduction of the application of the 5PE to exam writing
Homework: Use the 5PE format to organize and to write a ‘mock’ essay exam.
Question will be announced

Session V:

Essay Exams: Application of the 5 Paragraph Essay to Essay Exams by thorough analysis of types of questions and by selecting the best organizational style to product the answer.

Composition II: (Prerequisite Composition I)

Advanced composition developing formal essays using various approaches: descriptive, narrative, factual examples, chronological, comparison & contrast, opinion, and persuasion, etc. (To Be Announced)