Editorial Body P worksheet
State your position (thesis):
Recommend a solution (call to action):
For each body P, you need to include the following components:
1. A topic sentence (TS) that directly supports thesis statement (see above). This sentence is a
specific opinion statement based on what you will prove (CDs/ evidence) in the paragraph. Use
opening sentence frames to help you. This is the first sentence of the paragraph.
Example: Even though people have believed for centuries that cow’s milk is a necessary dietary
supplement, cow’s milk is no more necessary to the human diet than processed sugar.
Textbook Example:
2. Evidence (CD) usually directly follows a TS, but not always. Your evidence proves the opinion
you state in your TS. This can be a fact, statistic, expert opinion, poll, etc. You can use direct
quotes, paraphrased or summarized information for evidence. Be sure to ALWAYS cite your
evidence in MLA format and attribute the source of the information.
Textbook Example:
3. Commentary (CM) interprets the importance of the evidence (CD) and explains how the
evidence proves the TS. This is a great place to add in SMTs!
Textbook Example:
1. Why is the CD important?
2. How does it prove the thesis?
4. Concluding sentence (CS) is the last sentence of the paragraph. This is all opinion (no facts or
evidence). This is also a great place to add in SMTs. This sentence explains overall what you
proved in the paragraph in your own words. Think about what you wanted to learn by reading
your evidence and CM. Use the closing sentence frames to help you.
Textbook Example:
Words and phrases to create transitions and link ideas:
position
view
assert
believe
opinion
state
According to
As stated by
In fact
persuade
agree
disagree
convince
argue
propose
prove
validate
Strongly supports
Argues against/ in favor of
Supports the position
Asserts that
Makes a claim
Sentences Frames:
To open
In regards to __________, (state your position here)_________________________________________.
Even though some people believe ___________________, (state your position here) ______________.
To state a position
_____________________ presents the position that ________________________________________.
_____________________ proves that ____________________________________________________.
To support your ideas
Many experts claim that _______________________________________________________________.
According to _________________________________________________________________________.
Further evidence can be found in ________________________________________________________.
__________________________ makes it clear that _________________________________________.
To close
There is little doubt that ________________________________________________________________.
____________________________ urges that people must _____________________________________.
By understanding ______________________, people should realize _____________________________.