Moving to the Five

Paragraph Narrative Essay

A Write On Activity
How do you move from the
graphic organizer to a five
paragraph essay?
I had a surprise Grandma made
party. my favorite cake.
•Only family •Triple layer
•Really shocked •Chocolate
•Held at zoo •Trick candles
•Biggest piece
My eighth birthday was the
best one I ever had.

My parents gave
me the best gift As you can see, my
of all. eighth birthday was
•Puppy a most memorable
•Goldy celebration.
•Best friend
 Begin with the introductory
paragraph.
• The introductory paragraph is formed
from the topic sentence.

My eighth birthday was

the best one I ever had.
 Begin with the introductory
paragraph.
• In a narrative essay it answers these
questions: Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?
 Begin with the introductory
paragraph.
• I shall never forget my eighth
birthday. My parents surprised
me with a party at the zoo.
Grandmother baked my favorite
cake. There were many gifts from
friends and family. It was a
wonderful celebration.
Who?
 Begin with the introductory
paragraph.
• I shall never forget my eighth
birthday. My parents surprised
me with a party at the zoo.
Grandmother baked my favorite
cake. There were many gifts from
friends and family. It was a
wonderful celebration.

What?
 Begin with the introductory
paragraph.
• I shall never forget my eighth
birthday. My parents surprised
me with a party at the zoo.
Grandmother baked my favorite
cake. There were many gifts from
friends and family. It was a
wonderful celebration.

When?
 Begin with the introductory
paragraph.
• I shall never forget my eighth
birthday. My parents surprised
me with a party at the zoo.
Grandmother baked my favorite
cake. There were many gifts from
friends and family. It was a
wonderful celebration.

Where?
 Begin with the introductory
paragraph.
• I shall never forget my eighth
birthday. My parents surprised
me with a party at the zoo.
Grandmother baked my favorite
cake. There were many gifts from
friends and family. It was a
wonderful celebration.

Why?
 Don’t forget the hook!
• The biggest, best birthday
ever…that would describe my
eighth birthday! My parents
surprised me with a party at the
zoo. Grandmother baked my
favorite cake. There were many
gifts from friends and family. It
was a wonderful celebration.
 …toremember…
And indent!
The biggest, best
birthday ever…that would
describe my eighth birthday! My
parents surprised me with a party
at the zoo. Grandmother baked
my favorite cake. There were
many gifts from friends and
family. It was a wonderful
celebration.
 Use vivid words as you
write the next 3 paragraphs
from you graphic organizer.
I had a surprise Grandma made
Paragraph 2 party.
•Only family
my favorite cake.
•Triple layer
•Really shocked •Chocolate
•Held at zoo •Trick candles
•Biggest piece
My eighth birthday was the
best one I ever had.

My parents gave
me the best gift As you can see, my
Paragraph 4 of all. eighth birthday was
•Puppy a most memorable
•Goldy celebration.
•Best friend
Remember to use transition
words! They help make
connections for the reader.
I had a surprise Grandma made
It all began with.. party.
•Only family
my favorite cake.
•Triple layer
•Really shocked •Chocolate
•Held at zoo •Trick candles
•Biggest piece
My eighth birthday was the
best one I ever had.

My parents gave

Later… me the best gift As you can see, my

of all. eighth birthday was
•Puppy a most memorable
•Goldy celebration.
•Best friend
 The last square will be
the summary paragraph.

I had a surprise Grandma made

party. my favorite cake.
•Only family •Triple layer
•Really shocked •Chocolate
•Held at zoo •Trick candles
•Biggest piece
My eighth birthday was the
best one I ever had.

My parents gave
me the best gift As you can see my
of all. eighth birthday was
•Puppy a most memorable
•Goldy celebration.
•Best friend
 Summary Paragraph
As you can see, my
eighth birthday
Can Include: was a most
memorable

• Concluding sentence celebration.

• Summary of other paragraphs

• Feeling sentence
• Question
• Exclamation
 Summary Paragraph
As you can see, my eighth
birthday was a most memorable
celebration. The party at the zoo,
a delicious cake, and a special
gift made it a memorable birthday.
I think it was a superb way
to remember the day I was born.
The Five Paragraph Essay

Let’s read the final product!

1. The Introductory Paragraph
The biggest, best birthday
ever…that would describe my
eighth birthday! My parents
surprised me with a party at
the zoo. Grandmother baked
my favorite cake. There were
many gifts from friends and
family. It was a wonderful
celebration.
 2. First Square
It all began with a
surprise party at the zoo
thrown by my parents. No one
mentioned my birthday all
morning so I figured everyone
had forgotten it. I was
shocked when my mom drove
me to the zoo parking lot, and
everyone jumped from behind
cars shouting, “Surprise.”
Only close family was invited.
 3. Next Square
After that we went to my
Grandma’s house. She had
made my favorite cake. It was
a triple-layer chocolate delight.
I blew and blew at the candles
until I finally realized they were
trick candles. Grandma gave
me the biggest piece, yummy!
 4. Next Square
Later my parents gave me
the best gift of all. It was a
fuzzy golden retriever puppy. I
named him Goldy. He is still
my best friend today.
 5. Summary Paragraph
As you can see, my eighth
birthday was a most memorable
celebration. The party at the
zoo, a delicious cake, and a very
special gift made it a memorable
birthday. I think it was a superb
way to remember the day I was
born.
 Follow these steps to create a
fantastic five paragraph essay!