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How to write strong essay body paragraphs (with examples)

In this blog post, we'll discuss how to write clear, convincing essay body paragraphs using many examples. We'll also be writing paragraphs together. By the end, you'll have a good understanding of how to write a strong essay body for any topic.

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Table of Contents

Introduction, how to structure a body paragraph, creating an outline for our essay body, 1. a strong thesis statment takes a stand, 2. a strong thesis statement allows for debate, 3. a strong thesis statement is specific, writing the first essay body paragraph, how not to write a body paragraph, writing the second essay body paragraph.

After writing a great introduction to our essay, let's make our case in the body paragraphs. These are where we will present our arguments, back them up with evidence, and, in most cases, refute counterarguments. Introductions are very similar across the various types of essays. For example, an argumentative essay's introduction will be near identical to an introduction written for an expository essay. In contrast, the body paragraphs are structured differently depending on the type of essay.

In an expository essay, we are investigating an idea or analyzing the circumstances of a case. In contrast, we want to make compelling points with an argumentative essay to convince readers to agree with us.

The most straightforward technique to make an argument is to provide context first, then make a general point, and lastly back that point up in the following sentences. Not starting with your idea directly but giving context first is crucial in constructing a clear and easy-to-follow paragraph.

How to ideally structure a body paragraph:

  • Provide context
  • Make your thesis statement
  • Support that argument

Now that we have the ideal structure for an argumentative essay, the best step to proceed is to outline the subsequent paragraphs. For the outline, we'll be writing one sentence that is simple in wording and describes the argument that we'll make in that paragraph concisely. Why are we doing that? An outline does more than give you a structure to work off of in the following essay body, thereby saving you time. It also helps you not to repeat yourself or, even worse, to accidentally contradict yourself later on.

While working on the outline, remember that revising your initial topic sentences is completely normal. They do not need to be flawless. Starting the outline with those thoughts can help accelerate writing the entire essay and can be very beneficial in avoiding writer's block.

For the essay body, we'll be proceeding with the topic we've written an introduction for in the previous article - the dangers of social media on society.

These are the main points I would like to make in the essay body regarding the dangers of social media:

Amplification of one's existing beliefs

Skewed comparisons

What makes a polished thesis statement?

Now that we've got our main points, let's create our outline for the body by writing one clear and straightforward topic sentence (which is the same as a thesis statement) for each idea. How do we write a great topic sentence? First, take a look at the three characteristics of a strong thesis statement.

Consider this thesis statement:

'While social media can have some negative effects, it can also be used positively.'

What stand does it take? Which negative and positive aspects does the author mean? While this one:

'Because social media is linked to a rise in mental health problems, it poses a danger to users.'

takes a clear stand and is very precise about the object of discussion.

If your thesis statement is not arguable, then your paper will not likely be enjoyable to read. Consider this thesis statement:

'Lots of people around the globe use social media.'

It does not allow for much discussion at all. Even if you were to argue that more or fewer people are using it on this planet, that wouldn't make for a very compelling argument.

'Although social media has numerous benefits, its various risks, including cyberbullying and possible addiction, mostly outweigh its benefits.'

Whether or not you consider this statement true, it allows for much more discussion than the previous one. It provides a basis for an engaging, thought-provoking paper by taking a position that you can discuss.

A thesis statement is one sentence that clearly states what you will discuss in that paragraph. It should give an overview of the main points you will discuss and show how these relate to your topic. For example, if you were to examine the rapid growth of social media, consider this thesis statement:

'There are many reasons for the rise in social media usage.'

That thesis statement is weak for two reasons. First, depending on the length of your essay, you might need to narrow your focus because the "rise in social media usage" can be a large and broad topic you cannot address adequately in a few pages. Secondly, the term "many reasons" is vague and does not give the reader an idea of what you will discuss in your paper.

In contrast, consider this thesis statement:

'The rise in social media usage is due to the increasing popularity of platforms like Facebook and Twitter, allowing users to connect with friends and share information effortlessly.'

Why is this better? Not only does it abide by the first two rules by allowing for debate and taking a stand, but this statement also narrows the subject down and identifies significant reasons for the increasing popularity of social media.

In conclusion : A strong thesis statement takes a clear stand, allows for discussion, and is specific.

Let's make use of how to write a good thopic sentence and put it into practise for our two main points from before. This is what good topic sentences could look like:

Echo chambers facilitated by social media promote political segregation in society.

Applied to the second argument:

Viewing other people's lives online through a distorted lens can lead to feelings of envy and inadequacy, as well as unrealistic expectations about one's life.

These topic sentences will be a very convenient structure for the whole body of our essay. Let's build out the first body paragraph, then closely examine how we did it so you can apply it to your essay.

Example: First body paragraph

If social media users mostly see content that reaffirms their existing beliefs, it can create an "echo chamber" effect. The echo chamber effect describes the user's limited exposure to diverse perspectives, making it challenging to examine those beliefs critically, thereby contributing to society's political polarization. This polarization emerges from social media becoming increasingly based on algorithms, which cater content to users based on their past interactions on the site. Further contributing to this shared narrative is the very nature of social media, allowing politically like-minded individuals to connect (Sunstein, 2018). Consequently, exposure to only one side of the argument can make it very difficult to see the other side's perspective, marginalizing opposing viewpoints. The entrenchment of one's beliefs by constant reaffirmation and amplification of political ideas results in segregation along partisan lines.

Sunstein, C. R (2018). #Republic: Divided Democracy in the Age of Social Media. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

In the first sentence, we provide context for the argument that we are about to make. Then, in the second sentence, we clearly state the topic we are addressing (social media contributing to political polarization).

Our topic sentence tells readers that a detailed discussion of the echo chamber effect and its consequences is coming next. All the following sentences, which make up most of the paragraph, either a) explain or b) support this point.

Finally, we answer the questions about how social media facilitates the echo chamber effect and the consequences. Try implementing the same structure in your essay body paragraph to allow for a logical and cohesive argument.

These paragraphs should be focused, so don't incorporate multiple arguments into one. Squeezing ideas into a single paragraph makes it challenging for readers to follow your reasoning. Instead, reserve each body paragraph for a single statement to be discussed and only switch to the next section once you feel that you thoroughly explained and supported your topic sentence.

Let's look at an example that might seem appropriate initially but should be modified.

Negative example: Try identifying the main argument

Over the past decade, social media platforms have become increasingly popular methods of communication and networking. However, these platforms' algorithmic nature fosters echo chambers or online spaces where users only encounter information that reinforces their existing beliefs. This echo chamber effect can lead to a lack of understanding or empathy for those with different perspectives and can even amplify the effects of confirmation bias. The same principle of one-sided exposure to opinions can be abstracted and applied to the biased subjection to lifestyles we see on social media. The constant exposure to these highly-curated and often unrealistic portrayals of other people's lives can lead us to believe that our own lives are inadequate in comparison. These feelings of inadequacy can be especially harmful to young people, who are still developing their sense of self.

Let's analyze this essay paragraph. Introducing the topic sentence by stating the social functions of social media is very useful because it provides context for the following argument. Naming those functions in the first sentence also allows for a smooth transition by contrasting the initial sentence ("However, ...") with the topic sentence. Also, the topic sentence abides by our three rules for creating a strong thesis statement:

  • Taking a clear stand: algorithms are substantial contributors to the echo chamber effect
  • Allowing for debate: there is literature rejecting this claim
  • Being specific: analyzing a specific cause of the effect (algorithms).

So, where's the problem with this body paragraph?

It begins with what seems like a single argument (social media algorithms contributing to the echo chamber effect). Yet after addressing the consequences of the echo-chamber effect right after the thesis sentence, the author applies the same principle to a whole different topic. At the end of the paragraph, the reader is probably feeling confused. What was the paragraph trying to achieve in the first place?

We should place the second idea of being exposed to curated lifestyles in a separate section instead of shoehorning it into the end of the first one. All sentences following the thesis statement should either explain it or provide evidence (refuting counterarguments falls into this category, too).

With our first body paragraph done and having seen an example of what to avoid, let's take the topic of being exposed to curated lifestyles through social media and construct a separate body paragraph for it. We have already provided sufficient context for the reader to follow our argument, so it is unnecessary for this particular paragraph.

Body paragraph 2

Another cause for social media's destructiveness is the users' inclination to only share the highlights of their lives on social media, consequently distorting our perceptions of reality. A highly filtered view of their life leads to feelings of envy and inadequacy, as well as a distorted understanding of what is considered ordinary (Liu et al., 2018). In addition, frequent social media use is linked to decreased self-esteem and body satisfaction (Perloff, 2014). One way social media can provide a curated view of people's lives is through filters, making photos look more radiant, shadier, more or less saturated, and similar. Further, editing tools allow people to fundamentally change how their photos and videos look before sharing them, allowing for inserting or removing certain parts of the image. Editing tools give people considerable control over how their photos and videos look before sharing them, thereby facilitating the curation of one's online persona.

Perloff, R.M. Social Media Effects on Young Women's Body Image Concerns: Theoretical Perspectives and an Agenda for Research. Sex Roles 71, 363–377 (2014).

Liu, Hongbo & Wu, Laurie & Li, Xiang. (2018). Social Media Envy: How Experience Sharing on Social Networking Sites Drives Millennials' Aspirational Tourism Consumption. Journal of Travel Research. 58. 10.1177/0047287518761615.

Dr. Jacob Neumann put it this way in his book A professors guide to writing essays: 'If you've written strong and clear topic sentences, you're well on your way to creating focused paragraphs.'

They provide the basis for each paragraph's development and content, allowing you not to get caught up in the details and lose sight of the overall objective. It's crucial not to neglect that step. Apply these principles to your essay body, whatever the topic, and you'll set yourself up for the best possible results.

Sources used for creating this article

  • Writing a solid thesis statement : https://www.vwu.edu/academics/academic-support/learning-center/pdfs/Thesis-Statement.pdf
  • Neumann, Jacob. A professor's guide to writing essays. 2016.

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How to Write a Body Paragraph for a College Essay  

January 29, 2024

how to write a body paragraph college essay

No matter the discipline, college success requires mastering several academic basics, including the body paragraph. This article will provide tips on drafting and editing a strong body paragraph before examining several body paragraph examples. Before we look at how to start a body paragraph and how to write a body paragraph for a college essay (or other writing assignment), let’s define what exactly a body paragraph is.

What is a Body Paragraph?

Simply put, a body paragraph consists of everything in an academic essay that does not constitute the introduction and conclusion. It makes up everything in between. In a five-paragraph, thesis-style essay (which most high schoolers encounter before heading off to college), there are three body paragraphs. Longer essays with more complex arguments will include many more body paragraphs.

We might correlate body paragraphs with bodily appendages—say, a leg. Both operate in a somewhat isolated way to perform specific operations, yet are integral to creating a cohesive, functioning whole. A leg helps the body sit, walk, and run. Like legs, body paragraphs work to move an essay along, by leading the reader through several convincing ideas. Together, these ideas, sometimes called topics, or points, work to prove an overall argument, called the essay’s thesis.

If you compared an essay on Kant’s theory of beauty to an essay on migratory birds, you’d notice that the body paragraphs differ drastically. However, on closer inspection, you’d probably find that they included many of the same key components. Most body paragraphs will include specific, detailed evidence, an analysis of the evidence, a conclusion drawn by the author, and several tie-ins to the larger ideas at play. They’ll also include transitions and citations leading the reader to source material. We’ll go into more detail on these components soon. First, let’s see if you’ve organized your essay so that you’ll know how to start a body paragraph.

How to Start a Body Paragraph

It can be tempting to start writing your college essay as soon as you sit down at your desk. The sooner begun, the sooner done, right? I’d recommend resisting that itch. Instead, pull up a blank document on your screen and make an outline. There are numerous reasons to make an outline, and most involve helping you stay on track. This is especially true of longer college papers, like the 60+ page dissertation some seniors are required to write. Even with regular writing assignments with a page count between 4-10, an outline will help you visualize your argumentation strategy. Moreover, it will help you order your key points and their relevant evidence from most to least convincing. This in turn will determine the order of your body paragraphs.

The most convincing sequence of body paragraphs will depend entirely on your paper’s subject.  Let’s say you’re writing about Penelope’s success in outwitting male counterparts in The Odyssey . You may want to begin with Penelope’s weaving, the most obvious way in which Penelope dupes her suitors. You can end with Penelope’s ingenious way of outsmarting her own husband. Because this evidence is more ambiguous it will require a more nuanced analysis. Thus, it’ll work best as your final body paragraph, after readers have already been convinced of more digestible evidence. If in doubt, keep your body paragraph order chronological.

It can be worthwhile to consider your topic from multiple perspectives. You may decide to include a body paragraph that sets out to consider and refute an opposing point to your thesis. This type of body paragraph will often appear near the end of the essay. It works to erase any lingering doubts readers may have had, and requires strong rhetorical techniques.

How to Start a Body Paragraph, Continued

Once you’ve determined which key points will best support your argument and in what order, draft an introduction. This is a crucial step towards writing a body paragraph. First, it will set the tone for the rest of your paper. Second, it will require you to articulate your thesis statement in specific, concise wording. Highlight or bold your thesis statement, so you can refer back to it quickly. You should be looking at your thesis throughout the drafting of your body paragraphs.

Finally, make sure that your introduction indicates which key points you’ll be covering in your body paragraphs, and in what order. While this level of organization might seem like overkill, it will indicate to the reader that your entire paper is minutely thought-out. It will boost your reader’s confidence going in. They’ll feel reassured and open to your thought process if they can see that it follows a clear path.

Now that you have an essay outline and introduction, you’re ready to draft your body paragraphs.

How to Draft a Body Paragraph

At this point, you know your body paragraph topic, the key point you’re trying to make, and you’ve gathered your evidence. The next thing to do is write! The words highlighted in bold below comprise the main components that will make up your body paragraph. (You’ll notice in the body paragraph examples below that the order of these components is flexible.)

Start with a topic sentence . This will indicate the main point you plan to make that will work to support your overall thesis. Your topic sentence also alerts the reader to the change in topic from the last paragraph to the current one. In making this new topic known, you’ll want to create a transition from the last topic to this one.

Transitions appear in nearly every paragraph of a college essay, apart from the introduction. They create a link between disparate ideas. (For example, if your transition comes at the end of paragraph 4, you won’t need a second transition at the beginning of paragraph 5.) The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Writing Center has a page devoted to Developing Strategic Transitions . Likewise, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Writing Center offers help on paragraph transitions .

How to Draft a Body Paragraph for a College Essay ( Continued)

With the topic sentence written, you’ll need to prove your point through tangible evidence. This requires several sentences with various components. You’ll want to provide more context , going into greater detail to situate the reader within the topic. Next, you’ll provide evidence , often in the form of a quote, facts, or data, and supply a source citation . Citing your source is paramount. Sources indicate that your evidence is empirical and objective. It implies that your evidence is knowledge shared by others in the academic community. Sometimes you’ll want to provide multiple pieces of evidence, if the evidence is similar and can be grouped together.

After providing evidence, you must provide an interpretation and analysis of this evidence. In other words, use rhetorical techniques to paraphrase what your evidence seems to suggest. Break down the evidence further and explain and summarize it in new words. Don’t simply skip to your conclusion. Your evidence should never stand for itself. Why? Because your interpretation and analysis allow you to exhibit original, analytical, and critical thinking skills.

Depending on what evidence you’re using, you may repeat some of these components in the same body paragraph. This might look like: more context + further evidence + increased interpretation and analysis . All this will add up to proving and reaffirming your body paragraph’s main point . To do so, conclude your body paragraph by reformulating your thesis statement in light of the information you’ve given. I recommend comparing your original thesis statement to your paragraph’s concluding statement. Do they align? Does your body paragraph create a sound connection to the overall academic argument? If not, you’ll need to fix this issue when you edit your body paragraph.

How to Edit a Body Paragraph

As you go over each body paragraph of your college essay, keep this short checklist in mind.

  • Consistency in your argument: If your key points don’t add up to a cogent argument, you’ll need to identify where the inconsistency lies. Often it lies in interpretation and analysis. You may need to improve the way you articulate this component. Try to think like a lawyer: how can you use this evidence to your advantage? If that doesn’t work, you may need to find new evidence. As a last resort, amend your thesis statement.
  • Language-level persuasion. Use a broad vocabulary. Vary your sentence structure. Don’t repeat the same words too often, which can induce mental fatigue in the reader. I suggest keeping an online dictionary open on your browser. I find Merriam-Webster user-friendly, since it allows you to toggle between definitions and synonyms. It also includes up-to-date example sentences. Also, don’t forget the power of rhetorical devices .
  • Does your writing flow naturally from one idea to the next, or are there jarring breaks? The editing stage is a great place to polish transitions and reinforce the structure as a whole.

Our first body paragraph example comes from the College Transitions article “ How to Write the AP Lang Argument Essay .” Here’s the prompt: Write an essay that argues your position on the value of striving for perfection.

Here’s the example thesis statement, taken from the introduction paragraph: “Striving for perfection can only lead us to shortchange ourselves. Instead, we should value learning, growth, and creativity and not worry whether we are first or fifth best.” Now let’s see how this writer builds an argument against perfection through one main point across two body paragraphs. (While this writer has split this idea into two paragraphs, one to address a problem and one to provide an alternative resolution, it could easily be combined into one paragraph.)

“Students often feel the need to be perfect in their classes, and this can cause students to struggle or stop making an effort in class. In elementary and middle school, for example, I was very nervous about public speaking. When I had to give a speech, my voice would shake, and I would turn very red. My teachers always told me “relax!” and I got Bs on Cs on my speeches. As a result, I put more pressure on myself to do well, spending extra time making my speeches perfect and rehearsing late at night at home. But this pressure only made me more nervous, and I started getting stomach aches before speaking in public.

“Once I got to high school, however, I started doing YouTube make-up tutorials with a friend. We made videos just for fun, and laughed when we made mistakes or said something silly. Only then, when I wasn’t striving to be perfect, did I get more comfortable with public speaking.”

Body Paragraph Example 1 Dissected

In this body paragraph example, the writer uses their personal experience as evidence against the value of striving for perfection. The writer sets up this example with a topic sentence that acts as a transition from the introduction. They also situate the reader in the classroom. The evidence takes the form of emotion and physical reactions to the pressure of public speaking (nervousness, shaking voice, blushing). Evidence also takes the form of poor results (mediocre grades). Rather than interpret the evidence from an analytical perspective, the writer produces more evidence to underline their point. (This method works fine for a narrative-style essay.) It’s clear that working harder to be perfect further increased the student’s nausea.

The writer proves their point in the second paragraph, through a counter-example. The main point is that improvement comes more naturally when the pressure is lifted; when amusement is possible and mistakes aren’t something to fear. This point ties back in with the thesis, that “we should value learning, growth, and creativity” over perfection.

This second body paragraph example comes from the College Transitions article “ How to Write the AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay .” Here’s an abridged version of the prompt: Rosa Parks was an African American civil rights activist who was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Read the passage carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Obama makes to convey his message.

Here’s the example thesis statement, taken from the introduction paragraph: “Through the use of diction that portrays Parks as quiet and demure, long lists that emphasize the extent of her impacts, and Biblical references, Obama suggests that all of us are capable of achieving greater good, just as Parks did.” Now read the body paragraph example, below.

“To further illustrate Parks’ impact, Obama incorporates Biblical references that emphasize the importance of “that single moment on the bus” (lines 57-58). In lines 33-35, Obama explains that Parks and the other protestors are “driven by a solemn determination to affirm their God-given dignity” and he also compares their victory to the fall the “ancient walls of Jericho” (line 43). By including these Biblical references, Obama suggests that Parks’ action on the bus did more than correct personal or political wrongs; it also corrected moral and spiritual wrongs. Although Parks had no political power or fortune, she was able to restore a moral balance in our world.”

Body Paragraph Example 2 Dissected

The first sentence in this body paragraph example indicates that the topic is transitioning into biblical references as a means of motivating ordinary citizens. The evidence comes as quotes taken from Obama’s speech. One is a reference to God, and the other an allusion to a story from the bible. The subsequent interpretation and analysis demonstrate that Obama’s biblical references imply a deeper, moral and spiritual significance. The concluding sentence draws together the morality inherent in equal rights with Rosa Parks’ power to spark change. Through the words “no political power or fortune,” and “moral balance,” the writer ties the point proven in this body paragraph back to the thesis statement. Obama promises that “All of us” (no matter how small our influence) “are capable of achieving greater good”—a greater moral good.

What’s Next?

Before you body paragraphs come the start and, after your body paragraphs, the conclusion, of course! If you’ve found this article helpful, be sure to read up on how to start a college essay and how to end a college essay .

You may also find the following blogs to be of interest:

  • 6 Best Common App Essay Examples
  • How to Write the Overcoming Challenges Essay
  • UC Essay Examples 
  • How to Write the Community Essay
  • How to Write the Why this Major? Essay
  • College Essay

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Kaylen Baker

With a BA in Literary Studies from Middlebury College, an MFA in Fiction from Columbia University, and a Master’s in Translation from Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis, Kaylen has been working with students on their writing for over five years. Previously, Kaylen taught a fiction course for high school students as part of Columbia Artists/Teachers, and served as an English Language Assistant for the French National Department of Education. Kaylen is an experienced writer/translator whose work has been featured in Los Angeles Review, Hybrid, San Francisco Bay Guardian, France Today, and Honolulu Weekly, among others.

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9.2 Writing Body Paragraphs

Learning objectives.

  • Select primary support related to your thesis.
  • Support your topic sentences.

If your thesis gives the reader a roadmap to your essay, then body paragraphs should closely follow that map. The reader should be able to predict what follows your introductory paragraph by simply reading the thesis statement.

The body paragraphs present the evidence you have gathered to confirm your thesis. Before you begin to support your thesis in the body, you must find information from a variety of sources that support and give credit to what you are trying to prove.

Select Primary Support for Your Thesis

Without primary support, your argument is not likely to be convincing. Primary support can be described as the major points you choose to expand on your thesis. It is the most important information you select to argue for your point of view. Each point you choose will be incorporated into the topic sentence for each body paragraph you write. Your primary supporting points are further supported by supporting details within the paragraphs.

Remember that a worthy argument is backed by examples. In order to construct a valid argument, good writers conduct lots of background research and take careful notes. They also talk to people knowledgeable about a topic in order to understand its implications before writing about it.

Identify the Characteristics of Good Primary Support

In order to fulfill the requirements of good primary support, the information you choose must meet the following standards:

  • Be specific. The main points you make about your thesis and the examples you use to expand on those points need to be specific. Use specific examples to provide the evidence and to build upon your general ideas. These types of examples give your reader something narrow to focus on, and if used properly, they leave little doubt about your claim. General examples, while they convey the necessary information, are not nearly as compelling or useful in writing because they are too obvious and typical.
  • Be relevant to the thesis. Primary support is considered strong when it relates directly to the thesis. Primary support should show, explain, or prove your main argument without delving into irrelevant details. When faced with lots of information that could be used to prove your thesis, you may think you need to include it all in your body paragraphs. But effective writers resist the temptation to lose focus. Choose your examples wisely by making sure they directly connect to your thesis.
  • Be detailed. Remember that your thesis, while specific, should not be very detailed. The body paragraphs are where you develop the discussion that a thorough essay requires. Using detailed support shows readers that you have considered all the facts and chosen only the most precise details to enhance your point of view.

Prewrite to Identify Primary Supporting Points for a Thesis Statement

Recall that when you prewrite you essentially make a list of examples or reasons why you support your stance. Stemming from each point, you further provide details to support those reasons. After prewriting, you are then able to look back at the information and choose the most compelling pieces you will use in your body paragraphs.

Choose one of the following working thesis statements. On a separate sheet of paper, write for at least five minutes using one of the prewriting techniques you learned in Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” .

  • Unleashed dogs on city streets are a dangerous nuisance.
  • Students cheat for many different reasons.
  • Drug use among teens and young adults is a problem.
  • The most important change that should occur at my college or university is ____________________________________________.

Select the Most Effective Primary Supporting Points for a Thesis Statement

After you have prewritten about your working thesis statement, you may have generated a lot of information, which may be edited out later. Remember that your primary support must be relevant to your thesis. Remind yourself of your main argument, and delete any ideas that do not directly relate to it. Omitting unrelated ideas ensures that you will use only the most convincing information in your body paragraphs. Choose at least three of only the most compelling points. These will serve as the topic sentences for your body paragraphs.

Refer to the previous exercise and select three of your most compelling reasons to support the thesis statement. Remember that the points you choose must be specific and relevant to the thesis. The statements you choose will be your primary support points, and you will later incorporate them into the topic sentences for the body paragraphs.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

When you support your thesis, you are revealing evidence. Evidence includes anything that can help support your stance. The following are the kinds of evidence you will encounter as you conduct your research:

  • Facts. Facts are the best kind of evidence to use because they often cannot be disputed. They can support your stance by providing background information on or a solid foundation for your point of view. However, some facts may still need explanation. For example, the sentence “The most populated state in the United States is California” is a pure fact, but it may require some explanation to make it relevant to your specific argument.
  • Judgments. Judgments are conclusions drawn from the given facts. Judgments are more credible than opinions because they are founded upon careful reasoning and examination of a topic.
  • Testimony. Testimony consists of direct quotations from either an eyewitness or an expert witness. An eyewitness is someone who has direct experience with a subject; he adds authenticity to an argument based on facts. An expert witness is a person who has extensive experience with a topic. This person studies the facts and provides commentary based on either facts or judgments, or both. An expert witness adds authority and credibility to an argument.
  • Personal observation. Personal observation is similar to testimony, but personal observation consists of your testimony. It reflects what you know to be true because you have experiences and have formed either opinions or judgments about them. For instance, if you are one of five children and your thesis states that being part of a large family is beneficial to a child’s social development, you could use your own experience to support your thesis.

Writing at Work

In any job where you devise a plan, you will need to support the steps that you lay out. This is an area in which you would incorporate primary support into your writing. Choosing only the most specific and relevant information to expand upon the steps will ensure that your plan appears well-thought-out and precise.

You can consult a vast pool of resources to gather support for your stance. Citing relevant information from reliable sources ensures that your reader will take you seriously and consider your assertions. Use any of the following sources for your essay: newspapers or news organization websites, magazines, encyclopedias, and scholarly journals, which are periodicals that address topics in a specialized field.

Choose Supporting Topic Sentences

Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence that states one aspect of your thesis and then expands upon it. Like the thesis statement, each topic sentence should be specific and supported by concrete details, facts, or explanations.

Each body paragraph should comprise the following elements.

topic sentence + supporting details (examples, reasons, or arguments)

As you read in Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , topic sentences indicate the location and main points of the basic arguments of your essay. These sentences are vital to writing your body paragraphs because they always refer back to and support your thesis statement. Topic sentences are linked to the ideas you have introduced in your thesis, thus reminding readers what your essay is about. A paragraph without a clearly identified topic sentence may be unclear and scattered, just like an essay without a thesis statement.

Unless your teacher instructs otherwise, you should include at least three body paragraphs in your essay. A five-paragraph essay, including the introduction and conclusion, is commonly the standard for exams and essay assignments.

Consider the following the thesis statement:

Author J.D. Salinger relied primarily on his personal life and belief system as the foundation for the themes in the majority of his works.

The following topic sentence is a primary support point for the thesis. The topic sentence states exactly what the controlling idea of the paragraph is. Later, you will see the writer immediately provide support for the sentence.

Salinger, a World War II veteran, suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder, a disorder that influenced themes in many of his works.

In Note 9.19 “Exercise 2” , you chose three of your most convincing points to support the thesis statement you selected from the list. Take each point and incorporate it into a topic sentence for each body paragraph.

Supporting point 1: ____________________________________________

Topic sentence: ____________________________________________

Supporting point 2: ____________________________________________

Supporting point 3: ____________________________________________

Draft Supporting Detail Sentences for Each Primary Support Sentence

After deciding which primary support points you will use as your topic sentences, you must add details to clarify and demonstrate each of those points. These supporting details provide examples, facts, or evidence that support the topic sentence.

The writer drafts possible supporting detail sentences for each primary support sentence based on the thesis statement:

Thesis statement: Unleashed dogs on city streets are a dangerous nuisance.

Supporting point 1: Dogs can scare cyclists and pedestrians.

Supporting details:

  • Cyclists are forced to zigzag on the road.
  • School children panic and turn wildly on their bikes.
  • People who are walking at night freeze in fear.

Supporting point 2:

Loose dogs are traffic hazards.

  • Dogs in the street make people swerve their cars.
  • To avoid dogs, drivers run into other cars or pedestrians.
  • Children coaxing dogs across busy streets create danger.

Supporting point 3: Unleashed dogs damage gardens.

  • They step on flowers and vegetables.
  • They destroy hedges by urinating on them.
  • They mess up lawns by digging holes.

The following paragraph contains supporting detail sentences for the primary support sentence (the topic sentence), which is underlined.

Salinger, a World War II veteran, suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder, a disorder that influenced the themes in many of his works. He did not hide his mental anguish over the horrors of war and once told his daughter, “You never really get the smell of burning flesh out of your nose, no matter how long you live.” His short story “A Perfect Day for a Bananafish” details a day in the life of a WWII veteran who was recently released from an army hospital for psychiatric problems. The man acts questionably with a little girl he meets on the beach before he returns to his hotel room and commits suicide. Another short story, “For Esmé – with Love and Squalor,” is narrated by a traumatized soldier who sparks an unusual relationship with a young girl he meets before he departs to partake in D-Day. Finally, in Salinger’s only novel, The Catcher in the Rye , he continues with the theme of posttraumatic stress, though not directly related to war. From a rest home for the mentally ill, sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield narrates the story of his nervous breakdown following the death of his younger brother.

Using the three topic sentences you composed for the thesis statement in Note 9.18 “Exercise 1” , draft at least three supporting details for each point.

Thesis statement: ____________________________________________

Primary supporting point 1: ____________________________________________

Supporting details: ____________________________________________

Primary supporting point 2: ____________________________________________

Primary supporting point 3: ____________________________________________

You have the option of writing your topic sentences in one of three ways. You can state it at the beginning of the body paragraph, or at the end of the paragraph, or you do not have to write it at all. This is called an implied topic sentence. An implied topic sentence lets readers form the main idea for themselves. For beginning writers, it is best to not use implied topic sentences because it makes it harder to focus your writing. Your instructor may also want to clearly identify the sentences that support your thesis. For more information on the placement of thesis statements and implied topic statements, see Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” .

Print out the first draft of your essay and use a highlighter to mark your topic sentences in the body paragraphs. Make sure they are clearly stated and accurately present your paragraphs, as well as accurately reflect your thesis. If your topic sentence contains information that does not exist in the rest of the paragraph, rewrite it to more accurately match the rest of the paragraph.

Key Takeaways

  • Your body paragraphs should closely follow the path set forth by your thesis statement.
  • Strong body paragraphs contain evidence that supports your thesis.
  • Primary support comprises the most important points you use to support your thesis.
  • Strong primary support is specific, detailed, and relevant to the thesis.
  • Prewriting helps you determine your most compelling primary support.
  • Evidence includes facts, judgments, testimony, and personal observation.
  • Reliable sources may include newspapers, magazines, academic journals, books, encyclopedias, and firsthand testimony.
  • A topic sentence presents one point of your thesis statement while the information in the rest of the paragraph supports that point.
  • A body paragraph comprises a topic sentence plus supporting details.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

body paragraph of an essay example

What is a Body Paragraph? (Definition, Examples, How to Start)

Body Paragraph

What is a body paragraph? How do I start a body paragraph? A body paragraph is the most important part of the sentence subject . It delivers the most impactful information and helps to transition in and out of paragraphs more effectively.

Body paragraph

What is a body paragraph?

Any essay, article, or academic writing starts with an introduction and ends with a conclusion. The text between the introduction and conclusion is the body paragraph.

A body paragraph supports the idea that was mentioned in the introduction by shedding light on new details using facts, statistics, arguments, or other information.

What role does a body paragraph play in an article or an essay?

A body paragraph acts as a connection between the introduction and the conclusion. The body paragraph’s role is to justify the thesis stated in the introduction of an essay or article. As mentioned previously it comes between the introduction and the conclusion which is where most of the writing is done. This signifies its importance.

There can be multiple body paragraphs in an article or an essay. That said, each of the body paragraphs should logically connect with one another. In addition to this, all the body paragraphs should focus on the main idea stated in the introduction. Also, the sentences should not be long, so that readers can easily consume the information.

Here is a brief breakdown of the structure of a body paragraph:

How to structure a body paragraph

Every body paragraph has four main parts. They are:

  • Topic Sentence
  • Evidence Or Supporting Sentences
  • Ending Or Conclusion

Here is a detailed breakdown of each one of them.

Topic sentence

The topic sentence is the first sentence in a body paragraph. This sentence discusses the main idea of the topic and indicates what information to expect in the rest of the paragraph. It sets the stage for the rest of the paragraph.

Evidence or supporting sentences

After the topic sentence comes the supporting sentences. These sentences are used to justify the claim that was stated in the topic sentence. Text citations, evidence, statistics, and examples are used to justify the claim. For example, if the topic sentence discusses “Switzerland is a must visit place”, then the supporting sentences should discuss the beautiful parts of Switzerland with examples to justify the claim.

One sentence to another sentence should flow seamlessly and this is possible by using transition words . Transition words like “however”, “although”, “in addition to”, “next”, and “in contrast” helps in doing exactly the same.

Ending or concluding sentence

Every body paragraph should end with a conclusion which comes after the supporting sentences. It summarizes the main idea of the body paragraph and emphasizes the supporting details. The conclusion gives way to the next line of the next paragraph.

Transitions are a few words that help in the smooth flow of the previous paragraph to the next paragraph. These words can be at the beginning of topic sentences or at the end of the body paragraph. They connect one idea of a paragraph to the next idea of another paragraph.

How to write an effective body paragraph

Keep the body paragraph’s focus on the topic.

All the body paragraphs should support the claim made in the introduction of an essay or an article. It should be consistent with the main idea of the topic. It is recommended to avoid adding unnecessary information in the body paragraph that doesn’t relate to the main idea of the topic.

Break complicated topic sentences into smaller parts

If the topic sentence has many parts to it, the topic sentence should be divided into smaller ideas and each idea should be expressed in a different body paragraph. Having too many parts in a topic sentence will lead to many support sentences in the body paragraph which will be too lengthy for readers to grasp.

Add counterarguments

If it is an academic essay or an opinion article, counterarguments should be included in the piece. Adding counterarguments in such pieces will give a broader perspective of the piece. Such inclusions will strengthen the essay or article.

Use signals when more than one paragraph deals with the same evidence

If multiple body paragraphs deal with the same evidence, there are a few signal phrases that will help the reader connect with evidence used earlier in other paragraphs. The signal phrases like “As mentioned previously” and “As already mentioned” can be used.

Include paragraph breaks

It is a single-line space that divides one paragraph from another. This is necessary because too long paragraphs make it difficult for readers to grasp the information. A space between paragraphs will help the readers to easily wade through the text. A paragraph break also signals the transition of one idea of one body paragraph to an idea of another body paragraph.

The body paragraph should be short

The body paragraph should be short and concise . The paragraphs should not exceed one page. Paragraphs exceeding a page will make the article or essay complicated to comprehend the information.

Body paragraphs should be proofread

After writing the body paragraph, proofreading is done. This will help in finding and fixing mistakes. It will also help in removing unnecessary sentences in the body paragraph. The ideal way to proofread is by reading the body paragraph loudly. Doing so will help in identifying awkward word placements in the sentence.

In addition to this, asking questions like “is the body paragraph sticking to the main idea of the topic?” should be exercised. It will give a sense that if the paragraph is heading in the right direction or not.

How to start a body paragraph

The first sentence in a body paragraph is the topic sentence and it is the hardest sentence to write. The topic sentence sets the stage for the rest of the sentences in the paragraph.

Once the reader reads the topic sentence, the reader should get a sense that what the rest of the paragraph will be.

So, it should be concise and to the point, revealing enough information that will help the reader to know what the paragraph will be all about.

How to conclude a body paragraph

At the end of the body paragraph, the sentence should summarize the claim stated in the topic sentence and should also include a brief explanation of the supporting sentences. It should be written in such a way that the sentence is concise and at the same time reveals the main points.

This sentence will help the reader to get a gist of what the paragraph is all about.

Body paragraph vs. intro

Difference between body paragraph and introduction

Though both of them are paragraphs, they are very different. Firstly, the structure of an introduction is constructed differently than the body paragraph. An introduction consists of a thesis statement and a brief explanation. On the other hand, the body paragraph consists of a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a conclusion.

Secondly, the introduction comes first in an essay or an article. In comparison, the body paragraph comes after the introduction. It comes after the introduction and before the conclusion of an essay or article.

A typical body paragraph should contain at least six sentences.

To develop a well-structured paragraph:

  • Construct a topic sentence.
  • Include evidence to support the claim expressed in the topic sentence.
  • Add analysis to the paragraph.
  • End it with a conclusion summarizing the key points of the paragraph.
  • Finally, proofread the paragraph to identify and fix mistakes.

An introduction is the first paragraph of an essay or article. It gets the reader’s attention regarding the topic and provides the thesis statement of the topic. To write a good introduction:

  • Keep the introduction paragraph short.
  • In one to two sentences explain the thesis statement of the article or essay.

There is no fixed number of words that a body paragraph should have. That said, typically a paragraph contains about a hundred to two hundred words which are six to seven sentences.

Yes, an essay or article can have more than one body paragraph. Some essays have three to four body paragraphs. That said, having two of these is enough to cover important points of the essay.

A conclusion comes after the body paragraph at the end of the essay. A long essay can have two or three paragraphs to conclude. It summarizes the main idea of the topic.

  • Body Paragraphs: How to Write Perfect Ones | Grammarly blog
  • Body Paragraph Example & Structure
  • How Do I Write an Intro, Conclusion, & Body Paragraph
  • How to Write a Body Paragraph | BestColleges

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body paragraph of an essay example

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Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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Body Paragraph

Definition of body paragraph.

A body paragraph in an essay is a paragraph that comes between the introduction and the conclusion . In a five-paragraph essay, there are three body paragraphs, while in longer essays there could be five or even ten. In major research papers, there are hundreds of body paragraphs.

Components of a Body Paragraph

A body paragraph has three major components: (1) topic sentence , (2) explanation, (3) supporting details. Without any of them, the body paragraph seems to be missing something, and will not add anything to the theme and central idea of the essay.

  • Topic Sentence The topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph, and states the main idea to be discussed in the paragraph. In a body paragraph, the topic sentence is always about the evidence given in the thesis statement of the essay. It could be a claim , an assertion , or a fact needing explanation. It is generally a statement or a declarative sentence.
  • Explanation / Example The topic sentence is followed by an explanation and/or an example. Whatever it is, it generally starts with “in other words” or “it means;” or “for example,” “for instance,” etc. This is called “metacommentary,” or telling of the same thing in different words to explain it further, so that readers can understand.
  • Supporting Details Supporting details include concrete examples, rather than explanation or metacommentary. In common essays, or five-paragraph essays, this is just a one-sentence example from everyday life. However, in the case of research essays, these are usually quotes and statistics from research studies.

Different Between an Introduction and a Body Paragraph

Although both are called paragraphs, both are very different from each other not only in terms of functions but also in terms of components. An introduction occurs in the beginning and has three major components; a hook , background information , and a thesis statement . However, a body paragraph is comprised of a topic sentence making a claim, an explanation or example of the claim, and supporting details.

Examples of Body Paragraph in Literature

Example #1:  autobiography of bertrand russell (by bertrand russell).

“Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind. These passions, like great winds, have blown me hither and thither, in a wayward course, over a great ocean of anguish, reaching to the very verge of despair. I have sought love, first, because it brings ecstasy – ecstasy so great that I would often have sacrificed all the rest of life for a few hours of this joy. I have sought it, next, because it relieves loneliness – that terrible loneliness in which one shivering consciousness looks over the rim of the world into the cold unfathomable lifeless abyss. I have sought it finally, because in the union of love I have seen, in a mystic miniature, the prefiguring vision of the heaven that saints and poets have imagined. This is what I sought, and though it might seem too good for human life, this is what – at last – I have found.”

This is a paragraph from the prologue of the autobiography of Bertrand Russell. Check its first topic sentence, which explains something that is further elaborated in the following sentences.

Example #2: Politics and the English Language (by George Orwell)

“The inflated style itself is a kind of euphemism . A mass of Latin words falls upon the facts like soft snow , blurring the outline and covering up all the details. The great enemy of clear language is insincerity. When there is a gap between one’s real and one’s declared aims, one turns as it were instinctively to long words and exhausted idioms , like a cuttlefish spurting out ink. In our age there is no such thing as ‘keeping out of politics.’ All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred, and schizophrenia. When the general atmosphere is bad, language must suffer. I should expect to find — this is a guess which I have not sufficient knowledge to verify — that the German, Russian and Italian languages have all deteriorated in the last ten or fifteen years, as a result of dictatorship.”

This paragraph has a very short topic sentence. However, its explanation and further supporting details are very long.

Function of Body Paragraph

The elements of a body paragraph help to elaborate a concept, organize ideas into a single whole, and help bridge a gap in thoughts. The major task of a body paragraph is the organization of thoughts in a unified way. It also helps an author to give examples to support his claim, given in the topic sentence of that body paragraph. A good paragraph helps readers understand the main idea with examples.

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  • Example of a great essay | Explanations, tips & tricks

Example of a Great Essay | Explanations, Tips & Tricks

Published on February 9, 2015 by Shane Bryson . Revised on July 23, 2023 by Shona McCombes.

This example guides you through the structure of an essay. It shows how to build an effective introduction , focused paragraphs , clear transitions between ideas, and a strong conclusion .

Each paragraph addresses a single central point, introduced by a topic sentence , and each point is directly related to the thesis statement .

As you read, hover over the highlighted parts to learn what they do and why they work.

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Other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about writing an essay, an appeal to the senses: the development of the braille system in nineteenth-century france.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in nineteenth-century society. Text was one of the primary methods through which people engaged with culture, communicated with others, and accessed information; without a well-developed reading system that did not rely on sight, blind people were excluded from social participation (Weygand, 2009). While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination, blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability, and it was commonly believed that blind people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture (Weygand, 2009). This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time: without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted people for information and education.

In France, debates about how to deal with disability led to the adoption of different strategies over time. While people with temporary difficulties were able to access public welfare, the most common response to people with long-term disabilities, such as hearing or vision loss, was to group them together in institutions (Tombs, 1996). At first, a joint institute for the blind and deaf was created, and although the partnership was motivated more by financial considerations than by the well-being of the residents, the institute aimed to help people develop skills valuable to society (Weygand, 2009). Eventually blind institutions were separated from deaf institutions, and the focus shifted towards education of the blind, as was the case for the Royal Institute for Blind Youth, which Louis Braille attended (Jimenez et al, 2009). The growing acknowledgement of the uniqueness of different disabilities led to more targeted education strategies, fostering an environment in which the benefits of a specifically blind education could be more widely recognized.

Several different systems of tactile reading can be seen as forerunners to the method Louis Braille developed, but these systems were all developed based on the sighted system. The Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris taught the students to read embossed roman letters, a method created by the school’s founder, Valentin Hauy (Jimenez et al., 2009). Reading this way proved to be a rather arduous task, as the letters were difficult to distinguish by touch. The embossed letter method was based on the reading system of sighted people, with minimal adaptation for those with vision loss. As a result, this method did not gain significant success among blind students.

Louis Braille was bound to be influenced by his school’s founder, but the most influential pre-Braille tactile reading system was Charles Barbier’s night writing. A soldier in Napoleon’s army, Barbier developed a system in 1819 that used 12 dots with a five line musical staff (Kersten, 1997). His intention was to develop a system that would allow the military to communicate at night without the need for light (Herron, 2009). The code developed by Barbier was phonetic (Jimenez et al., 2009); in other words, the code was designed for sighted people and was based on the sounds of words, not on an actual alphabet. Barbier discovered that variants of raised dots within a square were the easiest method of reading by touch (Jimenez et al., 2009). This system proved effective for the transmission of short messages between military personnel, but the symbols were too large for the fingertip, greatly reducing the speed at which a message could be read (Herron, 2009). For this reason, it was unsuitable for daily use and was not widely adopted in the blind community.

Nevertheless, Barbier’s military dot system was more efficient than Hauy’s embossed letters, and it provided the framework within which Louis Braille developed his method. Barbier’s system, with its dashes and dots, could form over 4000 combinations (Jimenez et al., 2009). Compared to the 26 letters of the Latin alphabet, this was an absurdly high number. Braille kept the raised dot form, but developed a more manageable system that would reflect the sighted alphabet. He replaced Barbier’s dashes and dots with just six dots in a rectangular configuration (Jimenez et al., 2009). The result was that the blind population in France had a tactile reading system using dots (like Barbier’s) that was based on the structure of the sighted alphabet (like Hauy’s); crucially, this system was the first developed specifically for the purposes of the blind.

While the Braille system gained immediate popularity with the blind students at the Institute in Paris, it had to gain acceptance among the sighted before its adoption throughout France. This support was necessary because sighted teachers and leaders had ultimate control over the propagation of Braille resources. Many of the teachers at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth resisted learning Braille’s system because they found the tactile method of reading difficult to learn (Bullock & Galst, 2009). This resistance was symptomatic of the prevalent attitude that the blind population had to adapt to the sighted world rather than develop their own tools and methods. Over time, however, with the increasing impetus to make social contribution possible for all, teachers began to appreciate the usefulness of Braille’s system (Bullock & Galst, 2009), realizing that access to reading could help improve the productivity and integration of people with vision loss. It took approximately 30 years, but the French government eventually approved the Braille system, and it was established throughout the country (Bullock & Galst, 2009).

Although Blind people remained marginalized throughout the nineteenth century, the Braille system granted them growing opportunities for social participation. Most obviously, Braille allowed people with vision loss to read the same alphabet used by sighted people (Bullock & Galst, 2009), allowing them to participate in certain cultural experiences previously unavailable to them. Written works, such as books and poetry, had previously been inaccessible to the blind population without the aid of a reader, limiting their autonomy. As books began to be distributed in Braille, this barrier was reduced, enabling people with vision loss to access information autonomously. The closing of the gap between the abilities of blind and the sighted contributed to a gradual shift in blind people’s status, lessening the cultural perception of the blind as essentially different and facilitating greater social integration.

The Braille system also had important cultural effects beyond the sphere of written culture. Its invention later led to the development of a music notation system for the blind, although Louis Braille did not develop this system himself (Jimenez, et al., 2009). This development helped remove a cultural obstacle that had been introduced by the popularization of written musical notation in the early 1500s. While music had previously been an arena in which the blind could participate on equal footing, the transition from memory-based performance to notation-based performance meant that blind musicians were no longer able to compete with sighted musicians (Kersten, 1997). As a result, a tactile musical notation system became necessary for professional equality between blind and sighted musicians (Kersten, 1997).

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

Bullock, J. D., & Galst, J. M. (2009). The Story of Louis Braille. Archives of Ophthalmology , 127(11), 1532. https://​doi.org/10.1001/​archophthalmol.2009.286.

Herron, M. (2009, May 6). Blind visionary. Retrieved from https://​eandt.theiet.org/​content/​articles/2009/05/​blind-visionary/.

Jiménez, J., Olea, J., Torres, J., Alonso, I., Harder, D., & Fischer, K. (2009). Biography of Louis Braille and Invention of the Braille Alphabet. Survey of Ophthalmology , 54(1), 142–149. https://​doi.org/10.1016/​j.survophthal.2008.10.006.

Kersten, F.G. (1997). The history and development of Braille music methodology. The Bulletin of Historical Research in Music Education , 18(2). Retrieved from https://​www.jstor.org/​stable/40214926.

Mellor, C.M. (2006). Louis Braille: A touch of genius . Boston: National Braille Press.

Tombs, R. (1996). France: 1814-1914 . London: Pearson Education Ltd.

Weygand, Z. (2009). The blind in French society from the Middle Ages to the century of Louis Braille . Stanford: Stanford University Press.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

  • An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
  • Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
  • A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

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How to Write a Body Paragraph for an Essay: Guide & Example

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A body paragraph is the main section, where students develop a specific point or argument related to an essay's thesis statement. Typical 5-paragraph essays comprise 3 body paragraphs. Each body paragraph starts with a topic sentence and is followed by evidence, examples and analysis.

Writing a good body paragraph takes craft and mastery. But, lucky for you and us, this guide can give you all the information you might need. We will guide you step by step on how to write a topic sentence , overall structure, and other crucial details. In the end, we bet you’ll understand how to perfect your writing. So keep on reading, and we’ll get this one together!

What Is a Body Paragraph?

The body of an essay is the meat of any good burger. Without it, our burger will not be tasty, or your essay will not be convincing. Thinking of how to start an introduction for an essay ? First, create a thesis statement. It gives your readers the main argument of the overall essay. However, body paragraphs are made for proving the argument you have developed. They are also perfect places for evidence, research, and everything that can make your peace truly convincing. The size will depend on your essay, but three sentences are your bare minimum. Normally, we have three body paragraphs that take up to 80% of our work.  

What Is the Purpose of an Essay Body Paragraph?

Why do we even need body paragraphs of an essay, and what is their purpose? It’s a good question. You might have noticed that our academic world doesn’t believe everything you’re right. So here’s why we need these parts of an essay:

  • They make your essay more clear.
  • Body paragraphs provide details and evidence that prove your argument.
  • They also give you some time to analytically propose our solution for a problem, in case you have given any.
  • Main body makes your writing sharp and convincing.

Body Paragraph Structure

We also wanted to talk about parts of a body paragraph . Like any essential part of an essay, this one has a specific structure. It consists of three main parts. Take a look below to find out:

  • Topic sentence It summarizes the overall idea of your section.
  • Supporting sentences They provide evidence to prove the argument from the beginning of the section.
  • Concluding statement Wraps up the section and slowly leads to the next one.

How to Write a Body Paragraph?

Now we can think about how to start a body paragraph. Writing is challenging if one has no good tips or guidelines. So we made sure to include all points one might need. Find all our tricks and hacks from StudyCrumb .

1. Body Paragraph: Topic Sentence Introduction

How to start a topic sentence for a body paragraph? That is an excellent question. First and foremost, you should remember that the topic sentence is put at the beginning of our section. Consequently, it contains the main idea of your paragraph. It is an ideal opportunity to prepare the reader for what they are going to read about next. However, make sure that it doesn’t sound like a fact or a statement that one cannot argue. You've yet to prove it. Something like this will work.  

Example of a Topic Sentence

2. Back Up Your Claim With Evidence in Body of a Paragraph

Body paragraph of an essay was created specifically to add evidence and prove your point. As a consequence, it is an ideal opportunity to include everything that is related to your argument and proves it. The following items are usually used:

  • Quotations from research
  • Statistics or similar quantitative findings
  • Experiences of other professionals in our field
  • Schemes or tables retrieved from peer-reviewed sources that support your argument.

Therefore, by including our material that we have mentioned above, you have enough information to prove a claim. You can quote texts or paraphrase authors. But make sure that you give credit to original researchers. Otherwise, you might be facing plagiarism here. Run a plagiarism check before turning your paper in. 

3. Analyze the Evidence in Body Paragraph

Writing a body paragraph also involves not only giving it evidence but also analyzing it. Sadly, it is not enough to randomly put some numbers and statistics without taking our time and commenting on them. First and foremost, you should focus on thorough analysis. Everything you use, each piece of evidence, must be connected with an argument and be explained. Remember that you were making a case and not simply including quotations and words of other authors. To avoid the lack of analysis, make sure that each piece of evidence you use is followed by your own analysis. This combination of proof and your commentary will provide an ideal case for your argument.  

4. Concluding a Body Paragraph

How to end a body paragraph? That is also an excellent question. And we are glad that you asked. We all need some closure. As a consequence, our body paragraph must have some as well. Your concluding sentence provides a quick summary of all the other sentences and details. Mention what our reader has learned and slowly transition to the next paragraph. Also, make sure that you are not using any additional information. It’s not a very good place to do that.  

Transition Words for Body Paragraph

Body paragraph transition words are also crucial for a good flow of your text. What are transition words for essays ? There are those little things that tie everything together. They can show contrast at flow and ensure that our reader stays on top of the material all the time. You might have seen such words:  

  • In contrast
  • First and foremost
  • In conclusion.

Here, our list is endless. But by using them, you keep the attention of your readers and arrange your text in a clear manner. Here’s an example:

Modern horror films greatly rely on jumpscares. In contrast, more old-fashioned movies preferred an eerie atmosphere and carefully crafted starting. 

5. Revise and Proofread Your Body Paragraph

Your essay body paragraph cannot be completed without some proper proofreading. We all make mistakes, especially when it comes to writing. You always should revise and proofread your text to find those embarrassing little errors. Remember, misspelling can happen to anyone. Moreover, the academic world is really harsh with how you write. Therefore, by proofreading your text, you also re-check whether you have proved your argument. It is a perfect opportunity to look critically at your text, analyze evidence and possibly even edit out some sentences. Keep in mind that word count is not the most important part of your essay.  

Tips on Writing a Great Essay Body Paragraph

A good body paragraph will be convincing and full of evidence. Of course, there are certain things to avoid and lots of points to remember. Moreover, there are different structures of body paragraphs depending on the type of work you’re writing. But we still want to include a final list of tips you can use. These tips will help you with the question, " How to write a paper fast ?"

  • Start with outlining your sections.
  • Keep your thesis statement nearby to recheck whether your body paragraphs prove their main argument.
  • Research before you actually start writing.
  • Write your topic sentences before adding evidence or quotations.
  • Continue asking yourself whether you are given an analysis of your evidence and not just quoting it.

Body Paragraph: Example

We couldn’t leave you without body paragraph examples. Writing will be much easier if you have several examples at your disposal. While checking our example below, think about techniques that can be used to grab the attention of your reader. Besides, keep in mind the basic essay structure  that includes a topic sentence, supporting statements, and a concluding one.  

Essay Body Paragraph Example

Final Thoughts on Writing a Body Paragraph

Now we know everything about our body of a paragraph. You might want to practice a little bit. But all tricks and tips are still here to check. Be sure to remember this structure for your essay.

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How to write an essay: Body

  • What's in this guide
  • Introduction
  • Essay structure
  • Additional resources

Body paragraphs

The essay body itself is organised into paragraphs, according to your plan. Remember that each paragraph focuses on one idea, or aspect of your topic, and should contain at least 4-5 sentences so you can deal with that idea properly.

Each body paragraph has three sections. First is the topic sentence . This lets the reader know what the paragraph is going to be about and the main point it will make. It gives the paragraph’s point straight away. Next – and largest – is the supporting sentences . These expand on the central idea, explaining it in more detail, exploring what it means, and of course giving the evidence and argument that back it up. This is where you use your research to support your argument. Then there is a concluding sentence . This restates the idea in the topic sentence, to remind the reader of your main point. It also shows how that point helps answer the question.

Body paragraph example

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How to Write an Essay

The Ultimate Guide on How to Write a Body Paragraph

Cathy A.

13 min read

Published on: May 4, 2023

Last updated on: May 8, 2023

How to write a body paragraph

In This Guide

  • How To Write An Essay
  • Types Of Essays

Essay Topics

Essay Structure

Essay Outline

  • Length of an Essay

Essay Introduction

Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement Example

  • Body Paragraph
  • Essay Conclusion
  • Revise an Essay

Essay Examples

Essay Checklist

The body paragraphs of an essay are crucial for developing and supporting your argument.

Without effective body paragraphs, your writing can come across as disorganized and unfocused.

In this blog, we'll provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to write effective body paragraphs. We'll cover all the components and strategies for writing compelling body paragraphs.

Additionally, we will explore various strategies for improving the coherence and flow of your writing.

By following our guide, you will be able to produce well-structured, focused, and persuasive writing. It will ensure that your ideas are communicated effectively and clearly.

So, let’s get started!

What is a Body Paragraph?

A body paragraph is a unit of text in essay writing . It develops and supports one main point or idea in an essay or research paper.

Effective body paragraphs are crucial for developing and supporting your argument. They help you to demonstrate your understanding of the topic and provide evidence to support your ideas.

Each body paragraph should contain a clear topic sentence, supporting evidence and analysis that explains the topic sentence.

Purpose of a Body Paragraph

The purpose of a body paragraph is to provide evidence and analysis that supports the thesis statement of the essay.

Body paragraphs also provide an opportunity to showcase your critical thinking skills. It helps by analyzing and interpreting evidence, rather than simply summarizing it.

When writing a body paragraph, it's important to keep in mind the overall structure and coherence of essay.

Each body paragraph should relate back to support your thesis statement. It should flow logically and smoothly from one paragraph to the next.

By structuring your body paragraphs, you can ensure that your writing is well-organized, and easy for your reader to follow.

Components of a Body Paragraph

A body paragraph typically consists of three main components: a topic sentence, supporting evidence, and analysis or commentary.

Let's take a closer look at each of these components and how to write a body paragraph in essay:

Topic Sentence

The topic sentence introduces the main idea of the paragraph and connects it to the thesis statement.

Learn how to write a topic sentence with this example:

"One way in which social media has transformed communication is by facilitating new modes of self-expression."

Supporting Evidence

Supporting evidence can take many forms, such as statistics, research findings, or personal anecdotes.

The evidence should be relevant and credible, and support the main idea of the paragraph.

"According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, 72% of American adults use some form of social media, indicating its widespread impact on modern communication."

Analysis or Interpretation

After presenting the evidence, it's important to explain how it supports the main idea of the paragraph.

This can involve interpreting the data, providing context, or connecting the evidence to other aspects of the topic.

"This high level of social media use highlights the extent to which people are embracing new modes of self-expression and connection, and suggests that social media is becoming a central aspect of contemporary communication."

Transitional Sentence

Transitional sentences provides a smooth transition to the next paragraph or idea. It can connect the current paragraph to the larger argument.

"While the impact of social media on communication is significant, it's also important to consider how it has influenced the way we consume news and information."

P.I.E. Paragraph Structure

P.I.E. is a common structure used to organize the thoughts and effectively communicate theideas to the reader.

By using the P.I.E. Paragraph Structure, you can ensure that the paragraphs are well-organized and effectively communicate the ideas to readers.

P.I.E. stands for Point, Illustration, and Explanation:

Point: This is the main idea or argument that the paragraph is trying to convey. It is typically presented in the topic sentence of the paragraph.

Illustration: This is the evidence that supports the point being made. It can take many forms, including examples, anecdotes, statistics, or quotes. The goal is to provide specific and relevant evidence that supports the point being made.

Explanation: This is the analysis or interpretation of the illustration, and it explains how the evidence supports the point being made. It should connect back to the main argument of the essay or paper.

The decline in bee populations is a serious environmental issue that needs to be addressed.

According to a study by the USDA, bee populations have declined by over 40% in the past decade.

This statistic demonstrates the severity of the issue and emphasizes the need for action to protect these important pollinators.

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How To Write a Body Paragraph?

Writing a body paragraph can seem daunting, but by breaking it down into simple steps, it becomes much more manageable.

If you know how to start a body paragraph, then writing an essay is not challenging for you.

Here are some steps you can follow to write an effective body paragraph:

Step 1: Start With a Clear Topic Sentence

This should introduce the main point or argument of the paragraph. It should be clear and concise, and let the reader know what to expect in the rest of the paragraph.

Step 2: Provide Evidence or Examples

This is where you support your topic sentence with specific evidence or examples.

This could include statistics, quotes, or personal anecdotes, depending on the topic and the type of essay.

Step 3: Analyze the Evidence

After presenting your evidence, take some time to analyze it and explain how it supports your argument.

This is where you can connect the evidence back to your topic sentence. It shows how it helps to prove your point.

Step 4: Conclude the Paragraph

Finally, it is also important to learn how to write a conclusion.

Wrap up the paragraph with a concluding sentence that summarizes the main point and transitions smoothly to the next paragraph.

How to Write a Body Paragraph - Examples

One of the best ways to understand how to write a body paragraph is to see some examples in action.

Here are a few examples of body paragraphs in different types of essays :

Argumentative Essay Body Paragraph Example

In an argumentative essay, the body paragraphs will present evidence and arguments to support the writer's thesis statement.

Want to know how to write a body paragraph for an argumentative essay? Check out this example.

One argument in favor of free college education is that it would help to reduce economic inequality. Currently, only those who can afford to pay for college tuition are able to attend college, while those who cannot afford it are left behind.

This perpetuates a cycle of poverty and inequality, where those who are born into lower-income families are less likely to have access to higher education and therefore less likely to be able to climb the economic ladder.

By making college education free, it would give everyone, regardless of their economic background, an equal opportunity to attend college and improve their economic prospects.

Narrative Essay Body Paragraph Example

In a narrative essay, the body paragraphs will tell a story or recount an experience in vivid detail.

I remember the day my family went on a camping trip in the mountains when I was eight years old. We arrived at the campsite in the afternoon and quickly set up our tent.

As the sun began to set, my parents started a campfire and we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. My older brother and I ran around, playing tag and exploring the surrounding forest.

As the night grew darker, we huddled around the campfire, telling ghost stories and sharing laughs. I felt a sense of adventure and freedom that I had never experienced before.

That camping trip was a turning point for me, as it opened my eyes to the beauty of nature and the joys of spending time with loved ones.

Persuasive Essay Body Paragraph Example

In a persuasive essay, your body paragraphs should use strong evidence and persuasive language. It is important to convince the reader to take action or agree with your position.

Learn how to write a body paragraph for persuasive essay with this example.

Recycling is a simple but effective way to protect the environment and reduce waste. Every year, millions of tons of trash end up in landfills, where they can take hundreds of years to decompose.

By recycling materials like paper, plastic, and aluminum, we can conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and save energy. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, recycling one ton of paper can save 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and 4,100 kilowatt-hours of electricity.

By making a small effort to recycle, we can make a big difference for the planet.

Analytical Essay Body Paragraph Example

In an analytical essay, your body paragraphs should break down a complex topic into smaller parts and analyze them in detail.

Here's an example of how to write a body paragraph from an analytical essay.

In "1984," the Party's slogan "Freedom is Slavery" represents the ultimate form of oppression. By convincing citizens that their lack of freedom is actually a form of liberation, the Party maintains control over every aspect of their lives.

This theme is further explored through the character of Winston Smith, who rebels against the Party's rules but ultimately succumbs to its power. Through Winston's journey, Orwell shows how even the strongest desires for freedom can be crushed under the weight of a totalitarian regime.

Research Paper Body Paragraph Example

To write a body paragraph for a research paper, follow the same basic structure as for any other type of essay. The main components of a body paragraph are the topic sentence, supporting sentences, and concluding sentence.

Explore this example on how to write a body paragraph for research paper.

The studies conducted by Johnson et al. (2018) demonstrate a strong correlation between regular exercise and improved mental health.

In one study, participants who engaged in at least 30 minutes of physical activity three times a week reported significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to those who did not exercise regularly.

Another study found that exercise can even be used as a form of treatment for individuals with clinical depression. These findings suggest that incorporating regular exercise into one's daily routine may be an effective way to improve mental health outcomes.

2 Body Paragraphs Essay Example

Here's an example of a two-body paragraph essay:

Body Paragraph 1:

Regular exercise has numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. First and foremost, it can help improve cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Additionally, exercise can aid in weight management by burning calories and building muscle mass. Exercise has also been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and some types of cancer.

Moreover, regular exercise can have a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. In summary, incorporating regular exercise into one's routine can have a wide range of health benefits.

Body Paragraph 2:

Despite the benefits of exercise, many people struggle to make it a regular part of their routine.

One common barrier to exercise is lack of time. However, even short bouts of exercise, such as a 10-minute walk, can be beneficial.

Another barrier is lack of motivation. Finding an enjoyable form of exercise, such as dancing or playing a sport, can help increase motivation. Setting achievable goals and tracking progress can also be helpful in staying motivated.

Overall, while there may be obstacles to incorporating regular exercise into one's routine, the benefits for both physical and mental health make it well worth the effort.

Strategies for a Compelling Body Paragraph

When writing a body paragraph, it's important to make it compelling and engaging for the reader.

Here are some strategies that can help you achieve this:

Use Specific Details and Examples: The more specific your examples and details are, the more engaging and persuasive your body paragraph will be. This can help the reader visualize and understand your point of view more clearly.

Vary Sentence Structure: Using different sentence structures can make your writing more interesting and engaging. Experiment with sentence length, use of complex and simple sentences, and punctuation.

Start with a Strong Topic Sentence: A strong topic sentence will grab the reader's attention and clearly state the main point of the paragraph. This will set the tone for the rest of the paragraph. This makes it easier for the reader to follow your argument. To ensure your topic sentences are impactful and well-structured, consider using an AI writing tool .

Use Transitional Phrases: Transitional words help connect ideas within a paragraph and between paragraphs. They make the writing flow smoothly and help the reader follow the logical progression of your ideas.

Use Active Voice: Active voice makes your writing more dynamic and engaging. It also makes your writing clearer and more concise.

Don’t Exceed the Word Limit: Try to find the appropriate essay length before writing and make sure you don’t exceed it while writing your body paragraphs.

By incorporating these strategies, you can make your body paragraphs more compelling and effective in communicating your ideas to your reader.

Want to make sure that your essay is revised to perfection? Learn step-by-step revision process with this guide on how to revise an essay !

Unlock the secrets to essay perfection by mastering the art of essay revision !

In conclusion, writing an effective body paragraph is essential in communicating your ideas and arguments clearly and persuasively in your essays.

By understanding the strategies such as PIE structure and concrete examples, you can craft compelling and impactful paragraphs.

Whether you're writing an argumentative or analytical essay, these strategies will help you improve the quality of your writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sentences should be in a body paragraph.

A body paragraph can vary in length. But it is generally recommended to have at least three to five sentences per paragraph.

However, the number of sentences may vary depending on the type of essay and the complexity of the ideas being presented.

How do I know if my body paragraph is well-written?

A well-written body paragraph should have a clear and concise main idea. It should have specific evidence and smooth transitions between ideas.

It should also be easy to understand and follow for the reader.

Can I use personal opinions in a body paragraph?

Personal opinions can be used in a body paragraph. But they should be supported by evidence and presented in a way that is respectful and objective.

It is important to avoid using biased or offensive language and to present alternative viewpoints in a fair and balanced way.

Cathy A.

Cathy A. (Mass Communication, Education)

Cathy is a highly dedicated author who has been writing for the platform for over five years. With a Master's degree in Mass Communication, she is well-versed in various forms of writing such as articles, press releases, blog posts, and whitepapers. As an essay writing guide author at PerfectEssayWriter.ai, she has been helping students and professionals improve their writing skills by offering practical tips on research, citation, sentence structure, and style.

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This resource outlines the generally accepted structure for introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions in an academic argument paper. Keep in mind that this resource contains guidelines and not strict rules about organization. Your structure needs to be flexible enough to meet the requirements of your purpose and audience.

Body paragraphs: Moving from general to specific information

Your paper should be organized in a manner that moves from general to specific information. Every time you begin a new subject, think of an inverted pyramid - The broadest range of information sits at the top, and as the paragraph or paper progresses, the author becomes more and more focused on the argument ending with specific, detailed evidence supporting a claim. Lastly, the author explains how and why the information she has just provided connects to and supports her thesis (a brief wrap-up or warrant).

This image shows an inverted pyramid that contains the following text. At the wide top of the pyramid, the text reads general information introduction, topic sentence. Moving down the pyramid to the narrow point, the text reads focusing direction of paper, telling. Getting more specific, showing. Supporting details, data. Conclusions and brief wrap up, warrant.

Moving from General to Specific Information

The four elements of a good paragraph (TTEB)

A good paragraph should contain at least the following four elements: T ransition, T opic sentence, specific E vidence and analysis, and a B rief wrap-up sentence (also known as a warrant ) –TTEB!

  • A T ransition sentence leading in from a previous paragraph to assure smooth reading. This acts as a hand-off from one idea to the next.
  • A T opic sentence that tells the reader what you will be discussing in the paragraph.
  • Specific E vidence and analysis that supports one of your claims and that provides a deeper level of detail than your topic sentence.
  • A B rief wrap-up sentence that tells the reader how and why this information supports the paper’s thesis. The brief wrap-up is also known as the warrant. The warrant is important to your argument because it connects your reasoning and support to your thesis, and it shows that the information in the paragraph is related to your thesis and helps defend it.

Supporting evidence (induction and deduction)

Induction is the type of reasoning that moves from specific facts to a general conclusion. When you use induction in your paper, you will state your thesis (which is actually the conclusion you have come to after looking at all the facts) and then support your thesis with the facts. The following is an example of induction taken from Dorothy U. Seyler’s Understanding Argument :

There is the dead body of Smith. Smith was shot in his bedroom between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., according to the coroner. Smith was shot with a .32 caliber pistol. The pistol left in the bedroom contains Jones’s fingerprints. Jones was seen, by a neighbor, entering the Smith home at around 11:00 p.m. the night of Smith’s death. A coworker heard Smith and Jones arguing in Smith’s office the morning of the day Smith died.

Conclusion: Jones killed Smith.

Here, then, is the example in bullet form:

  • Conclusion: Jones killed Smith
  • Support: Smith was shot by Jones’ gun, Jones was seen entering the scene of the crime, Jones and Smith argued earlier in the day Smith died.
  • Assumption: The facts are representative, not isolated incidents, and thus reveal a trend, justifying the conclusion drawn.

When you use deduction in an argument, you begin with general premises and move to a specific conclusion. There is a precise pattern you must use when you reason deductively. This pattern is called syllogistic reasoning (the syllogism). Syllogistic reasoning (deduction) is organized in three steps:

  • Major premise
  • Minor premise

In order for the syllogism (deduction) to work, you must accept that the relationship of the two premises lead, logically, to the conclusion. Here are two examples of deduction or syllogistic reasoning:

  • Major premise: All men are mortal.
  • Minor premise: Socrates is a man.
  • Conclusion: Socrates is mortal.
  • Major premise: People who perform with courage and clear purpose in a crisis are great leaders.
  • Minor premise: Lincoln was a person who performed with courage and a clear purpose in a crisis.
  • Conclusion: Lincoln was a great leader.

So in order for deduction to work in the example involving Socrates, you must agree that (1) all men are mortal (they all die); and (2) Socrates is a man. If you disagree with either of these premises, the conclusion is invalid. The example using Socrates isn’t so difficult to validate. But when you move into more murky water (when you use terms such as courage , clear purpose , and great ), the connections get tenuous.

For example, some historians might argue that Lincoln didn’t really shine until a few years into the Civil War, after many Union losses to Southern leaders such as Robert E. Lee.

The following is a clear example of deduction gone awry:

  • Major premise: All dogs make good pets.
  • Minor premise: Doogle is a dog.
  • Conclusion: Doogle will make a good pet.

If you don’t agree that all dogs make good pets, then the conclusion that Doogle will make a good pet is invalid.

When a premise in a syllogism is missing, the syllogism becomes an enthymeme. Enthymemes can be very effective in argument, but they can also be unethical and lead to invalid conclusions. Authors often use enthymemes to persuade audiences. The following is an example of an enthymeme:

If you have a plasma TV, you are not poor.

The first part of the enthymeme (If you have a plasma TV) is the stated premise. The second part of the statement (you are not poor) is the conclusion. Therefore, the unstated premise is “Only rich people have plasma TVs.” The enthymeme above leads us to an invalid conclusion (people who own plasma TVs are not poor) because there are plenty of people who own plasma TVs who are poor. Let’s look at this enthymeme in a syllogistic structure:

  • Major premise: People who own plasma TVs are rich (unstated above).
  • Minor premise: You own a plasma TV.
  • Conclusion: You are not poor.

To help you understand how induction and deduction can work together to form a solid argument, you may want to look at the United States Declaration of Independence. The first section of the Declaration contains a series of syllogisms, while the middle section is an inductive list of examples. The final section brings the first and second sections together in a compelling conclusion.

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  • Ann Inoshita, Karyl Garland, Kate Sims, Jeanne K. Tsutsui Keuma, and Tasha Williams
  • University of Hawaii via University of Hawaiʻi OER

If the thesis is the roadmap for the essay, then body paragraphs should closely follow that map. The reader should be able to predict what follows an introductory paragraph by simply reading the thesis statement. The body paragraphs present the evidence the reader has gathered to support the overall thesis. Before writers begin to support the thesis within the body paragraphs, they should find information from a variety of sources that support the topic.

Select Primary Support for the Thesis

Without primary support, the argument is not likely to be convincing. Primary support can be described as the major points writers choose to expand on the thesis. It is the most important information they select to argue their chosen points of view. Each point they choose will be incorporated into the topic sentence for each body paragraph they write. The primary foundational points are further supported by evidentiary details within the paragraphs.

Identify the Characteristics of Good Primary Support

In order to fulfill the requirements of good primary support, the information writers choose must meet the following standards:

Be Specific

The main points they make about the thesis and the examples they use to expand on those points need to be specific. Writers use specific examples to provide the evidence and to build upon the general ideas. These types of examples give the reader something narrow to focus on, and, if used properly, they leave little doubt about their claim. General examples, while they convey the necessary information, are not nearly as compelling or useful in writing because they are too obvious and typical.

Be Relevant to the Thesis

Primary support is considered strong when it relates directly to the thesis. Primary support should show, explain, or prove their main argument without delving into irrelevant details. When faced with a great deal of information that could be used to prove the thesis, writers may think all the information should be included in the body paragraphs. However, effective writers resist the temptation to lose focus. Good writers choose examples wisely by making sure they directly connect to the thesis.

Add Details

The thesis, while specific, should not be very detailed. Discussion develops in the body paragraphs. Using detailed support shows readers that the writer has considered all the facts and chosen only the most precise details to enhance the point of view.

Prewrite to Identify Primary Supporting Points for a Thesis Statement

When writers brainstorm on a topic, they essentially make a list of examples or reasons they support the stance. Stemming from each point, the writer should provide details to support those reasons. After prewriting, the writer is then able to look back at the information and choose the most compelling pieces to use in writing body paragraphs.

Select the Most Effective Primary Supporting Points for a Thesis Statement

After writers have engaged in prewriting to formulate working thesis statements, they may have generated a large amount of information, which may be edited later. It is helpful to remember that primary support must be relevant to the thesis. Focusing on the main argument, any ideas that do not directly relate to it can be deleted. Omitting unrelated ideas ensures that writers will use only the most convincing information in their body paragraphs. For many first-year writing assignments, students would do well to choose at least three of the most compelling points. These will serve as the content for the topic sentences that will usually begin each of the body paragraphs.

Body Paragraph Structure

One wat to think about a body paragraph is that it, essentially, consists of three main parts: the main point or topic sentence, information and evidence that supports the main point, and an example of how the information gives foundation to the main point and the essay’s overall thesis. The three parts of a paragraph can be referred to as the following:

I = Information

E = Explanation

An Example of Abbreviated Version of P.I.E.

As a pedestrian in Hawai‘i, it is important to be aware of one’s surroundings. In 2018, 43 pedestrians died in car accidents (Gordon 3). Hawai‘i’s roadways can be dangerous, and being vigilant is necessary in order to increase pedestrian safety.

Point: As a pedestrian in Hawai‘i, it is important to be aware of your surroundings.

Information: In 2018, 43 pedestrians died in car accident.

Explanation: Hawai‘i’s roadways can be dangerous, and being vigilant is necessary to increase pedestrian safety.

Use Transitions

Transitional words and phrases help to organize an essay and improve clarity for the reader. Some examples of transitions can be found at “ Transitional Devices ,” The Purdue Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL).

  • Write a paragraph that contains a main point, follow-up and substantial information, and an explanation about how that information relates to the main point of the paragraph or to the overall thesis of the essay. The topic of your paragraph is up to you. What topic would you like to write about?

P: What is the main point of your paragraph?

I: What information backs up your point?

E: Explain how this information proves that your main point is correct.

Combine these three parts to form a paragraph.

Further Resources

Ashford University Writing Center: “ Essay Development: Good paragraph development: as easy as P.I.E. ” Writing resources .

Works Cited

“ 43 pedestrians died on Hawaii roadways in 2018. That’s more than the number killed in vehicles. ” HawaiiNewsNow , 3 January 2019.

Parts of this section are adapted from OER material from “ Writing Body Paragraphs “ in Writing for Success v. 1.0 (2012). Writing for Success was adapted by Saylor Academy under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensor.

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Argumentative Essay Body Paragraph: 5 Compelling Examples

Are you looking for a guide that will break down argumentative writing for you? Crafting a solid essay can be daunting. Whether you need to persuade your professor or classmates, these five compelling argumentative body paragraph examples will inspire and guide you to get excellent grades.

Table of Contents

Creating a Strong Argumentative Essay Body Paragraph

An argumentative essay is a type of writing that is used to convince the reader in favor of specific arguments. Claims made in an argumentative paper are based on reasoning and evidence. Writing strong body paragraphs is the most crucial part of an  argumentative essay outline . So what makes an impactful argumentative essay body paragraph?

Characteristics of an Impactful Argumentative Essay Body Paragraph

There are five main characteristics of a strong argumentative essay body paragraph. Once you learn to tackle these elements, you can write on any of the  argumentative essay topics .

Argument or Claim

Your claim is the first thing you’re going to pen down. You may even consider this your topic sentence. As this is the first statement of your body paragraph, it must have some connection to the thesis statement.

Your reader should understand your main idea through your argument. Avoid being vague or overly complex, as it might set off your audience.

Evidence and Reasoning

Remember changing people’s opinions about anything is a hard job. Thus, the  claim in an argumentative essay  needs proper back up with reasoning and evidence. Your evidence may include quotations, facts, and data from reputable sources and studies.

It is also essential that you connect your evidence to your main idea. You can elaborate, analyze, and even provide your perspective on the evidence.

Counterargument

The art of arguing includes acknowledging the other side of the story. The use of counter arguments can help in swaying your critics. Once you have written the counterargument, explain why people might stick to it.

After you have explained the counterargument, you must bring out the big guns. A rebuttal is a crucial characteristic of your argumentative essay body paragraph. You will provide a rebuttal and debunk the counterargument. This will strengthen your argument and create an influence on your reader.

Almost all types of essay writing require a proper structure and flow. A proper transition requires a strong vocabulary. You must be able to connect all the dots with clarity. To ensure smooth changes in the content, pay close attention to the model writing you are following and write accordingly.

Argumentative Essay Body Paragraph Models

Argumentative Essay Body Paragraph

There are two approaches to writing argumentative essay body paragraphs which you can use: the Toulmin and the Rogerian model.

The Toulmin method of argumentative writing follows four steps. These steps can be repeated as often in an argumentative essay as is required.

Writer’s claim

Evidence to back the writer’s argument

Warrant. Explains how this claim is more favorable.

Discuss possible limitations of your claim. You can show specific counterarguments that can fulfill the limitations of your claim.

The Rogerian method has five steps that you can utilize in argumentative essay writing .

Discuss the counter-approach and why people stick to it.

Limitations of opposing claims.

Evidence to back your argument.

How can people benefit from adopting your approach?

Now let’s move to some examples to see how these methods can be applied in writing academic essays. 

5 Outstanding Examples to Break Down Argumentative Essay Body Paragraph

Is animal testing moral.

Thesis Statement : Animal testing is an immoral practice that violates the rights of animals and fails to provide reliable data for human safety and health. Thus it should be banned globally.

Argument 1 : Animal testing is unethical because it causes animals to suffer.

Evidence : PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is an organization that’s been working to defend animal rights since 1980. Activists from the organization claim that 100 million animals die due to harsh lab testing in the U.S. alone.

Animal testing includes toxicity tests, medical training, drug testing, medical experimentations, dissections, and food testing. PETA has also launched a new traveling exhibit, “Without Consent,” that covers over 200 horrible stories of harsh experimentation and human exploitation of animals.

Counterargument : Animal testing helps with scientific advancements.

Rebuttal : Since 1971, Americans have invested hundreds of billions of dollars into cancer research. However, the results of this investment have been disappointing. A study conducted on 4,451 experimental cancer drugs developed between 2003 and 2011 found that over 93% failed after entering the first phase of human clinical trials, despite all of them having passed animal testing successfully.

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Should Religion be Part of The School Curriculum?

Thesis statement : The inclusion of religion in the school curriculum is inappropriate and should not be allowed, as it violates the principle of separation between church and state, undermines the diversity of beliefs and backgrounds among students, and fails to prepare them for living in a pluralistic society where tolerance and respect for different beliefs are crucial.

Argument 1 : By including religious teachings in schools, the government would be promoting a particular set of beliefs and violating the rights of those who do not share those beliefs

Evidence : Including religion in the school curriculum goes against the principle of separation between church and state. This principle is enshrined in the Constitution of many countries, including the United States, where the First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a state religion.

Argument 2 : Incorporating religion into the school curriculum can create divisions among students based on their religious beliefs.

Evidence : British logician, historian, and philosopher Bertrand Russell suggests that religion can create differences among people. It’s born of fear of losing one’s herd or bending into different groups. Schools should be where students of all backgrounds and beliefs can come together to learn and grow. Introducing religion into the curriculum can create an environment where students feel alienated or excluded based on their beliefs, undermining schools’ inclusive and diverse nature.

Argument 3 : Teaching religion in schools fails to prepare students for living in a pluralistic society where tolerance and respect for different beliefs are essential.

Evidence : In the real world, people encounter various beliefs, and it’s vital for students to learn to be respectful and tolerant of these differences. Exposing students to different views and encouraging them to think critically about them can help build these essential skills.

Counterargument : Teaching religion in school can give students insight into different religions and cultures.

Rebuttal : Simply teaching one set of beliefs can create a narrow-minded worldview that is not conducive to building tolerance and respect for diversity

Is Online Learning Effective?

Thesis Statement : With appropriate use, online learning can benefit many students. People can customize their learning style, pace, and timing accordingly. Yet, online learning depends on some factors. These include; quality of learning material, involvement of instructors, and technological infrastructure.

Argument : Online learning can be helpful for many individuals, especially if they have other commitments like sports, jobs, and families.

Evidence : Studies done at IBM show that students tend to absorb at least five times more with online learning than the standard classes. This is especially evident after the COVID pandemic. (when learning was made more accessible to everyone through online platforms).

Counterargument : Online learning cannot provide the same level of the learning experience as standard classes. Students can struggle without face-to-face interaction with teachers.

Rebuttal : Online learning allows students to have more control over their studies. It enables them to work at their own pace and convenience. It allows exploring more ways of learning than available within standard classes.

Students can have excess to multiple exports or instructors and choose whichever suits their needs. One way of learning from these experts is through online  assignment writing service  platforms that help students gain valuable and practical insight from professional writers.

Reducing Ozone Depletion- An Argumentative Essay

Thesis Statement : The use of CFCs should be banned.

Argument : CFC is the contributory factor in developing an ozone hole.

Evidence : The chlorine atom in ozone separates the O3 bonding leaving O2 and a free oxygen molecule. Also, the chlorine molecule is regenerated, which can destroy tons of ozone gas, resulting in the depletion of the ozone layer.

Counterargument : However, many businesses run due to CFC gas because it serves as building blocks for refrigerators, Air Conditions, solvents, etc.

Rebuttal : There are several substitutes for CFC, such as the class of Hydrofluorocarbon that can be used instead of CFC and are also environmentally friendly.

Argumentative Essay On Video Games

Thesis Statement : Despite some claims that video games promote violent behavior among youngsters, numerous studies have demonstrated no causal relationship between playing and becoming violent, indicating that video games do not make children violent.

Argument : Video Games do not make children violent. Many other factors can play a role in determining a child’s behavior, such as family environment, social interactions, and individual personality traits.

Evidence : Studies by The Royal Society and the University of York show that video games do not contribute to violent behavior in adolescents.

Counter Argument : Playing violent video games can desensitize children to violence and make them more aggressive in their interactions with others.

Rebuttal : Children exposed to violence in their real lives may be susceptible to the harmful effects of violent video games. Ultimately, it’s important to consider all the factors that can contribute to a child’s behavior rather than solely blaming video games.

Now that we have given you elaborate examples on five popular topics let’s see if you can write a few examples independently.

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Popular College Argumentative Essay Topics

More often than not, your professors assign you topics for essay writing. But if you have to write an argumentative essay and are not given a title, here are some cases to choose from.

Arrange marriages

Money can’t buy happiness

Mobile phones

Unequal employment opportunities

All that glitter may not be gold

Test matches Vs. World cup

Big Bang Theory

You can use these topics to practice writing your essay. However, if you still hesitate, you can  hire an essay writer  to learn how an expert might write on the subject. Further, we have some tips that can be beneficial for you.

Additional Tips for Writing a Strong Argumentative Essay Body Paragraph:

Following are some tips for writing a good body paragraph for your essay:

Refer to the thesis when writing the body paragraph to keep you on track.

If you get stuck somewhere, consult the outline before writing the essay because it can keep you going. 

Your body paragraph should be consistent with your thesis statement.

Give supporting details with examples to make it specific and stronger.

If you’re writing an argumentative essay body paragraph on a subject that doesn’t have many examples to support it, don’t panic. You can skip out on the examples and add more details and evidence. 

You can also skip examples when word choice is a limit.

An argumentative essay is based on rationality, so never fret over if a limited amount of data is available.

Writing sound conclusions and transitions is always essential. But these, too, can be skipped if you’re running out of time or word count.

Use confident words. Avoid words like “may,” “could,” etc.

Using transitional words enhances your writing. Try to incorporate them when connecting argumentative essay body paragraphs to have a proper flow in writing.

Keep a flow in the paragraphs. One paragraph should flow swiftly to the other without jerks and bounces.

You can always find expert help from  college paper writing service  platforms. So don’t hesitate and focus on your learning.

Conclusion:

Argumentative essay body paragraphs can be challenging to write. We are sure our examples will help and inspire you to compose strong essays. But it takes a lot of work to ace this job in one go. So, if you feel stuck or need help figuring out where to start, experts at  perfect essay writing  are always available for assistance.

The 5 parts of a body paragraph in an argumentative essay are:

Arguments/claims,

Counter-arguments/counter-claims, and

To start an argumentative essay body paragraph, you need to

Add a topic sentence to represent the body paragraph following the thesis.

Then comes the detail or discussion for representing the arguments and counterarguments.

Lastly, a concluding sentence would represent the other body paragraph or simply a clincher sentence.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you give maximum details of your discussion and arguments. Moving rationally, we insert evidence, reasonings, facts, figures, etc., to develop a strong body paragraph.

To end the body paragraph of an argumentative essay, one should insert a sentence that summarizes the discussion of that body paragraph. If it is not the last body paragraph, then we try to represent the other paragraph following it in this sentence. Such a sentence can also be a clincher statement.

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IMAGES

  1. How To Write A Body Paragraph For A Persuasive Essay

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  2. How to Write Strong Essay Body Paragraphs

    body paragraph of an essay example

  3. Body Paragraph ⇒ Features, Structure, and Ordering Explained

    body paragraph of an essay example

  4. How to Write Strong Body Paragraphs in an Essay

    body paragraph of an essay example

  5. PPT

    body paragraph of an essay example

  6. 014 How To Write Body Paragraph For An Argumentative Essay Example

    body paragraph of an essay example

VIDEO

  1. My Body Essay in English 10 lines on my body Write an essay on My Body

  2. How to Write a Body Paragraph Persuasion Essay

  3. An example of writing a body paragraph

  4. Writing an Essay 5: BODY PARAGRAPH 3

  5. Crafting Effective Body Paragraphs for Rhetorical Analysis Essays

  6. Body Paragraph for Literary Analysis of a Poem with Resilience Theme

COMMENTS

  1. How to Write a Strong Body Paragraph for an Essay

    When writing an argumentative or analytical essay, you'll want to use one of your body paragraphs to briefly make a case for any counterarguments before explaining why your thesis is stronger. Presenting facts and considering a topic from every angle adds credibility and will help you gain a reader's trust. Use paragraph breaks as necessary.

  2. How to write strong essay body paragraphs (with examples)

    For example, an argumentative essay's introduction will be near identical to an introduction written for an expository essay. In contrast, the body paragraphs are structured differently depending on the type of essay. In an expository essay, we are investigating an idea or analyzing the circumstances of a case. In contrast, we want to make ...

  3. How to Write the Body of an Essay

    The body is always divided into paragraphs. You can work through the body in three main stages: Create an outline of what you want to say and in what order. Write a first draft to get your main ideas down on paper. Write a second draft to clarify your arguments and make sure everything fits together.

  4. PDF The Anatomy of a Body Paragraph

    new point or example. A strong paragraph in an academic essay will usually include these three elements: • A topic sentence. The topic sentence does double duty for a paragraph. First, a strong topic sentence makes a claim or states a main idea that is then developed in the rest of the paragraph. Second, the topic sentence signals to readers ...

  5. How to Write a Body Paragraph for a College Essay

    Body Paragraph Example 1 Dissected. In this body paragraph example, the writer uses their personal experience as evidence against the value of striving for perfection. The writer sets up this example with a topic sentence that acts as a transition from the introduction. They also situate the reader in the classroom.

  6. 9.2 Writing Body Paragraphs

    Key Takeaways. Your body paragraphs should closely follow the path set forth by your thesis statement. Strong body paragraphs contain evidence that supports your thesis. Primary support comprises the most important points you use to support your thesis. Strong primary support is specific, detailed, and relevant to the thesis.

  7. How to Write a Body Paragraph

    Body Paragraph Example. Here is an example of a well-structured body paragraph, and the beginning of another body paragraph, from an essay on William Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night." See whether you can identify the topic sentence and its development, the evidence, the writer's analysis and proof of the objective, and the transition to the ...

  8. PDF Developing Body Paragraphs

    To write an effective body paragraph, follow these steps: begin with a clear topic sentence that logically supports the thesis statement. support the argument by providing facts, examples, quotations, or statistics that develop or support the central claim of the paragraph. explain the significance of each fact, example, quote, or statistic ...

  9. What is a Body Paragraph? (Definition, Examples, How to Start)

    A body paragraph acts as a connection between the introduction and the conclusion. The body paragraph's role is to justify the thesis stated in the introduction of an essay or article. As mentioned previously it comes between the introduction and the conclusion which is where most of the writing is done. This signifies its importance.

  10. Body Paragraph ⇒ Features, Structure, and Ordering Explained

    Body Paragraph Structure. There is a standard basic structure of a body paragraph that helps bring together unity, coherence, and flow. This structure works well for the standard five-paragraph format of academic writing, but more creative pieces of writing (like a narrative essay) may deviate from this structure and have more than the standard three body paragraphs.

  11. Body Paragraph

    In a body paragraph, the topic sentence is always about the evidence given in the thesis statement of the essay. It could be a claim, an assertion, or a fact needing explanation. It is generally a statement or a declarative sentence. The topic sentence is followed by an explanation and/or an example. Whatever it is, it generally starts with ...

  12. Example of a Great Essay

    This example guides you through the structure of an essay. It shows how to build an effective introduction, focused paragraphs, clear transitions between ideas, and a strong conclusion. Each paragraph addresses a single central point, introduced by a topic sentence, and each point is directly related to the thesis statement.

  13. Body Paragraph: Writing Guide & Examples

    A body paragraph is the main section, where students develop a specific point or argument related to an essay's thesis statement. Typical 5-paragraph essays comprise 3 body paragraphs. Each body paragraph starts with a topic sentence and is followed by evidence, examples and analysis. Writing a good body paragraph takes craft and mastery.

  14. How to write an essay: Body

    The essay body itself is organised into paragraphs, according to your plan. Remember that each paragraph focuses on one idea, or aspect of your topic, and should contain at least 4-5 sentences so you can deal with that idea properly. Each body paragraph has three sections. First is the topic sentence. This lets the reader know what the ...

  15. How to Write a Body Paragraph: Tips and Tricks

    Analytical Essay Body Paragraph Example. In an analytical essay, your body paragraphs should break down a complex topic into smaller parts and analyze them in detail. Here's an example of how to write a body paragraph from an analytical essay. For example. In "1984," the Party's slogan "Freedom is Slavery" represents the ultimate form of ...

  16. Body Paragraphs

    The four elements of a good paragraph (TTEB) A good paragraph should contain at least the following four elements: Transition, Topic sentence, specific Evidence and analysis, and a Brief wrap-up sentence (also known as a warrant) -TTEB! A Transition sentence leading in from a previous paragraph to assure smooth reading.This acts as a hand-off from one idea to the next.

  17. 3.3: Body Paragraphs

    One wat to think about a body paragraph is that it, essentially, consists of three main parts: the main point or topic sentence, information and evidence that supports the main point, and an example of how the information gives foundation to the main point and the essay's overall thesis. The three parts of a paragraph can be referred to as ...

  18. 4.3: Body Paragraphs

    Figure 4.3.1 4.3. 1: An example of a persuasive body paragraph paired with an explanation of its parts. This page titled 4.3: Body Paragraphs is shared under a CK-12 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by CK-12 Foundation via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit ...

  19. 5 Stellar Examples Of Argumentative Essay Body Paragraph

    These steps can be repeated as often in an argumentative essay as is required. Writer's claim. Evidence to back the writer's argument. Warrant. Explains how this claim is more favorable. Discuss possible limitations of your claim. You can show specific counterarguments that can fulfill the limitations of your claim.

  20. Anatomy of a Body Paragraph

    First, a strong topic sentence makes a claim or states a main idea that is then developed in the rest of the paragraph. Second, the topic sentence signals to readers how the paragraph is connected to the larger argument in your paper. Below is an example of a topic sentence from a paper by Laura Connor '23 that analyzes rhetoric used by ...

  21. How to Write a Process Essay

    Step 5: Gather all the components of your guide and consider what you could add to the main body. Compose paragraphs in the body. Step 6: Writing your introduction at the outset is not a smart idea. Write your opening paragraph immediately after you have finished writing your main body. Step 7: Make sure your report has a compelling hook. It ...