When writing a five-paragraph essay, after your third body paragraph, you typically follow it with a concluding paragraph. The concluding paragraph serves as a summary of your main points and wraps up your essay. It is not necessary to have two separate paragraphs for the conclusion. Instead, you can include a summary of your main ideas within the concluding paragraph itself.
The structure of a five-paragraph essay usually looks like this:
1. Introduction: Introduce your topic and provide a thesis statement that states your main argument or point.
2. Body paragraph 1: Present your first supporting point or argument, along with evidence and examples.
3. Body paragraph 2: Present your second supporting point or argument, along with evidence and examples.
4. Body paragraph 3: Present your third supporting point or argument, along with evidence and examples.
5. Conclusion: Summarize your main points, restate your thesis in a different way, and provide a closing thought or final insight.
In the conclusion, you should briefly recap the main ideas discussed in the body paragraphs. However, try to avoid simply restating the exact same sentences used in the body paragraphs. Instead, rephrase and summarize the key points to reinforce your thesis and leave a lasting impression on the reader.
Additionally, you can provide a closing thought or insight that relates back to your thesis or leaves the reader with something to ponder.
Remember, the five-paragraph essay structure is a guideline, and you can adjust it to fit your specific assignment or writing style.