Step by Step 5 Block Instructions:

 

1. Draw the 5 block outline format

 

 

 

 

 

2. In the first box, put one sentence expressing your topic and main idea

 

I prefer to live in the city.

 

 

3. In the second box, put one sub-topic (you do not need to write a complete sentence)

 

I prefer to live in the city.
shopping

 

4. In the third box, put a second sub-topic

 

I prefer to live in the city.
shopping	ethnic food

 

 

5. In the fourth box, put a third sub-topic (this is optional – if you can only think of 2 or if you are a slow writer, 2 sub-topics is acceptable)

 

I prefer to live in the city.
shopping	ethnic food	theater

 

 

6. Write your conclusion by restating your main idea and summarizing your three sub-topics (eventually you can write the conclusion directly into your essay and skip this step)

 

I prefer to live in the city.
shopping	ethnic food	theater
In conclusion, I prefer to live in the city because of the excellent shopping, high quality ethnic food, and access to the best theaters and performances.

 

7. Go back and add in 2-3 details for each sub-topic.

 

I prefer to live in the city.
shopping o       best department stores o       designer clothing o       more choices	ethnic food o       Indian food o       Asian food	theater o       ballet o       plays
In conclusion, I prefer to live in the city because of the excellent shopping, high quality ethnic food, and access to the best theaters and performances.

 

8. Go back and try to add in 1 detail for each sub-topic (eventually you may skip this step and write details directly into your essay, or, if you really struggle with writing, you may skip this step altogether and keep your essay very simple.)

 

I prefer to live in the city.
shopping o       best department stores o        Macy’s, Harrods o       designer clothing o        Gucci, Versace o       more choices o        international goods	ethnic food o       Indian food o       Asian food o        Thai	theater o       ballet o        Bolshoi in Moscow o       plays o        Broadway in NY
In conclusion, I prefer to live in the city because of the excellent shopping, the ethnic food, and the theaters.

 

9. Follow the outline closely and write your essay paragraph by paragraph using the essay structure guidelines. 

 

An essay from the above outline might look like this:

 

I prefer to live in the city for several reasons.  The city has the best shopping, it has more types of ethnic food, and you can find the best theaters there. 

 

First, the best shopping can be found in the city.  I enjoy shopping at fine department stores such as Macy’s and Harrods, which can’t be found in the countryside.  I love designer clothing by such famous names as Gucci and Versace, which can be easily purchased in a large city.  Finally, the city offers a wider selection of goods, including products from all over the world.

 

Second, I prefer the city because you can find more types of ethnic food there.  I particularly like Indian food, and have eaten in many wonderful Indian restaurants in cities such as NY and DC.  Asian food is another favorite of mine, especially Thai food. Thai restaurants can be found everywhere these days in cities.  In contrast, I spent last summer in the countryside with a relative, and all they had were pizza parlors!

 

Third, the best theaters and performances are found in cities.  For example, the best ballet troupe in the world is found at the Bolshoi theater in Moscow.  The best plays are found in New York City, on Broadway. 

 

In conclusion, I prefer the city to the country because of the excellent shopping, the restaurants, and the theaters.  These things give me great pleasure in my daily life, so it is important for me to live in a place where I can enjoy them.