Essay Structure Chart
An essay has several paragraphs. Each paragraph has one main idea, and they work together.
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How to do it
- Read what goes in the introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion.
- Read the example for each part.
- Look at the transition words and how to indent a paragraph.
Teaching tip
Keep the chart nearby while your student plans and writes. This sheet is aligned with Common Core W.4.1.
About this chart
The parts of a multi-paragraph essay, with an example of each, transition words for starting a new paragraph, and how to indent.
What kids practice
In 4th grade, students move from writing one paragraph to writing several. An essay has an introduction that hooks the reader and gives the main idea, body paragraphs that each cover one point with a topic sentence and details, and a conclusion that sums it up. Transitions link the paragraphs. The same structure works for opinion essays, informative essays and stories.
Watch for
- Writing one long paragraph instead of breaking it into several.
- Mixing two main ideas in one paragraph.
- Starting the essay with "This essay is about..." instead of a hook.
- Ending without a conclusion, or adding a brand-new idea at the end.
It's free to print, as many copies as you need. See the full multi-paragraph essays guide for 4th grade.
More sheets in this set
2. Hook Your ReaderFour kinds of hooks (a question, a surprising fact, a sound or action, and a short scene), each with an example, then three essay topics to write your own hooks for.
3. Find the Topic SentenceShort paragraphs with their sentences mixed up, to find the topic sentence and put the rest in order. Fewer, Standard or More give 2, 3 or 4 paragraphs. Includes an answer key.
4. Transitions Between ParagraphsFour short essays, two opinion, one informative and one story, with a blank at the start of each paragraph and a word bank of transitions. Includes an answer key.
5. Opinion Essay PlannerA five-paragraph planner for an opinion essay, with a prompt like "Should the school day start later in the morning?" Each new sheet shows a different prompt.
6. Informative Essay PlannerA five-paragraph planner for an informative essay, with a prompt like "Explain how a plant grows from a seed." Each new sheet shows a different prompt.
7. Story PlannerA five-paragraph story planner with a story idea like "You wake up and your dog can talk." Each new sheet shows a different idea.
8. Revise and Edit ChecklistA checklist for a multi-paragraph essay, with revising checks like hooks, topic sentences and transitions, editing checks like indents, capitals and spelling, and boxes for you and a partner.