This is followed by your body paragraphs which contain the content for your essay. Finally, the conclusion gives a summary for what you have been talking about. As well-written essay in most cases has five well-illustrated paragraphs. The introduction usually has one paragraph, the body has three paragraphs, and the conclusion too has one paragraph. This, therefore, is the recommended number of paragraphs for an essay. However, depending on the scope of the content one is writing on, you are not restricted to adhering to the five-paragraph format at all times.