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The 5-paragraph essay with the self-similar structure (first sentence is an introduction, body sentences have the meat, final sentence is a conclusion) leads to incredibly rigid and repetitive essays. I too wish it was more well-known that this was the most basic, paint-by-numbers way to make an essay, and not the pinnacle of writing style.

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It took me years to unlearn the 5 paragraph format. I actually wish that I had been thrown into the deep end and taught to write from reading actual quality essayists like Thoreau.

A part of me feels sad that the American schooling system relies so heavily on sub-par standards to teach the basics.

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