More on the 3-Paragraph Essay

"Veni, vedi, vici," boasted Caeser to the Roman Senate in 47 BC, after a major victory in the Eastern Mediterranean. The English translation of this famous dictum is, "I came, I saw, I conquered." This captures the essence of the 3-paragraph essay.

We want to deliver three powerful, related ideas in one package:

When I was young...

After I grew up...

Now I understand ...

OR:

Society is divided beween two points of view. Some say:

Others say:

I think:

OR:

I have a dilemma: If I do this, this will happen...

If I do that, that will happen...

Perhaps what I need to do is ...

OR:

Dogs and cats are both popular pets, but I favor cats.

On the other hand, there's a lot to be said for dogs.

The reason I prefer to keep a cat is that ...


Please remember the importance of the topic sentence. It's how we know what you're trying to say. Every paragraph must have its own topic sentence.

The first sentence of the essay should usually introduce the whole essay. It may or may not be the topic sentence of the first paragraph. If it is not the topic sentence, the introductory sentence should support the topic sentence of the first paragraph, in addition to announcing your essay's intention.

The last sentence should conclude the essay by extending the idea you presented to start (the first sentence of the composition). It may be the topic sentence of the third paragraph, but usually will not be. If the concluding sentence is not the topic sentence, it must be a supporting sentence, and relate to the topic sentence of the third paragraph (as well as concluding the essay).

Print out these guidelines and follow them carefully, and you will write a clear, 3-paragraph essay every time. This is the simplest essay in the world, yet it must be concise and well-organized. If you learn this form, you will be able to communicate to English readers with great impact.

One warning: Don't try to convey all the information you have, or all the ideas you have about your subject. The 3-paragraph essay differs from a book precisely in its concision. Allow not one unnecessary word, and work on ways to say things briefly and clearly. Using conjunctions to relate your ideas will allow further concision: nobody wants to hear the same subject (e.g. "my father's dog") repeated three times in two lines. Stylistic revision should be done after the basic form is reached -- that is, after your composition is "finished". We will work on this.