Question

what is a better way to write an essay besides the normal 5 paragraph format?

Answer 1

It would depend on the type of essay, for starters. For example, when I had AP European history, we had to write something called FRQ's (free response questions) and DBQ's (Document based questions). For the FRQ we would introduce the topic (typical introduction) and include the thesis there. After that we would simply explain how this was relevant to the question asked. As for the DBQ we would be assigned a question and have to use proof, which were documents handed to us. We would have to answers the question(s) using those documents.

So, the type of essay is important. xD