How to write a Five Paragraph Essay
Examples
1.  Figure out what the question is asking you to do.  Are you comparing or contrasting, explaining or analyzing?  If you do not know what a term means, look it up or ask me.
 
2.  Brainstorm.  Jot down everything you know about the topic. Try to organize it.  Did the question lend itself to organizing your essay in a certain way? Think in threes. Can you write about the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies?  Can you write about geography, culture, and religion?  You can usually use  political, social, and economic themes.
3. Write your thesis statement.  It should be a restatement of the question and include the three categories of support that you will be writing about. Question:  What is your favorite food?

Thesis statement w/supporting categories:  My favorite food is chocolate because I like the way it tastes, it gives me energy, and it makes me happy.
 
4. Write the introduction.  Your introduction should start out with setting the tone of the essay.  Your first sentences should be broad, general statements.  Then you narrow down to your thesis statement.  Food is essential for human life.  However, humans view food as much more than basic sustenance.  Many people like certain foods better than others and may even develop cravings for those foods.  My favorite food  is chocolate because I like the way it tastes, it gives me energy and it makes me happy.

5.  Write your three supporting paragraphs.  Each paragraph should deal with one of your supporting categories.  Your topic sentence must address that supporting  category. Then your remaining sentences contain facts that support that topic sentence. Try to add transitions from one paragraph to another.		 Topic sentence, 1st body paragraph:  The one factor that makes chocolate most appealing to me is its sweet, creamy taste. Now, add sentences that support that topic sentence. 

Topic sentence, 2nd body paragraph:  In addition to having a delightful taste, chocolate also provides me with an instant energy boost.

6.  Write a conclusion.  This is like your introduction, only turned upside down.  Start with a restatement of your thesis.  Then get back into broad generalizations, maybe making connections to another topic or the future. 		 Chocolate's many attractions, especially its ability to make me happy, give me energy, and please my taste buds, make it my favorite food. It is the one food I reach for when I want to change my mood.  Perhaps scientists could devise a chocolate "pill"  that patients could take when they are feeling sad.  Chocolate might even be the key to world peace.
Helpful Hints
You will be writing these essays under pressure. Stay away from flowery, creative writing and stick to the facts.
Include lots of facts (but make sure they pertain to the question).  Pretend like you are trying to win an argument.  The more facts you can use to support your argument (your thesis), the stronger your case will be.
Don't make your reader do your job for you.  If you are supposed to be comparing or contrasting, use words like "similarly" or "conversely" in your writing. Leave no doubt in the reader's mind that you know what you are talking about.
Don't use first person.

Don't paint yourself into a corner by using words like always and never.

Don't be too judgmental.  Don't say things are the best, the worst, etc.

Do not write, "In conclusion,"  or "as you can see."