BODY PARAGRAPHS
Body paragraphs present the main points of an essay. Each body paragraph logically and
thoroughly explains, describes, or argues one aspect of the thesis statement.
A body paragraph includes:
• a topic sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph. A good topic sentence clearly
connects to the thesis by reusing or paraphrasing key words.
Thesis statement: People who buy merchandise online tend to fit into three different types.
Topic sentence: One type of online shopper is the researcher.
• supporting sentences that give specific information about the topic sentence. They
give information such as facts, examples, explanations, and reasons. Details are extra
explanations, examples, and facts.
EXPLANATION
TOPIC SENTENCE
|
One type of online shopper is the researcher. A researcher does a thorough search of a
EXAMPLE
jj
1
product before buying it. For example, before buying a product, a researcher finds out all the
,
possible places to buy the product and how much it costs at various online retailers.
DETAIL THAT GIVES ANOTHER EXAMPLE
j
j
A researcher might even read product reviews or use online product comparison features.
• a concluding sentence that ties all the ideas in the paragraph together. Writers signal the
conclusion with a word or phrase such as dearly, for these reasons, therefore, and in brief.
Online shopping clearly offers shoppers a wider range of products than traditional retailers can.
Below are some ways that writers can order body paragraphs within an essay:
• Use chronological order when the essay describes events or steps.
• Start with the strongest or most important idea.
• Start with the idea that is most familiar to the audience.
3.9 Notice
*
j
Look at the first body paragraph (paragraph 2) of the Student Model on pages 20-22
and answer the questions.
i
What main point of the thesis does this paragraph describe ?
2
What key word or phrase connects the topic sentence and the thesis statement?
3
Which supporting sentence gives an example?
r ri n
4
i i
r
ti
-
i i n r n
i
i
m
i
i
i
i
I
I
n
i r
rn
m
Which supporting sentence gives a fact?
.
j 1 4 m m
5
28
UNIT 1
Which supporting sentence gives a reason?
.. . ...
1
m
Which of the sentences is also a detail sentence?
6
a
B
e
r
r
i
i
B
P
T
i
B
B
f
i
i
p
p
P P Pi
r T f
r
P
a
*
a
What key word or phrase in the paragraph signals the conclusion ?
7
.
U L J J
B I J J I L
I J I L
.J
j a i L i
J
L I I J
.
i i J J
.
L .i
.a. J
j a i l
J
a
i
i B
a a
J I I I
i B
i
j j
J I I I
L
J J
j
a
B B
L I, I J
J
j
L I I J
a
L I
J J B I
J
2
.
L I I J E L I. I J f l L I I J B L
3.10 Practice
Work with a partner. Read the thesis statement. Think about the underlined main point
in the thesis. Write a topic sentence, two supporting sentences, two detail sentences, and
a concluding sentence fora body paragraph on this point.
Thesis statement: Consumerism is good for the economy because it helps keep existing
companies in business, creates new jobs, and leads to the development of new products.
Topic sentence:
i
j
a
B L i
.i
a
i i i
a a
.
L i
i
<
a
d
..
B i 1 J
i
a
i k k i
a a
h k
aa
i
J
Supporting sentence 1:
a a
a a
k
i
a a i k i a a i k
i
a
a
k B i i
a k
k i
i
a a
k i> i
i
a a
k
a a
fa k B
a
S
i
fa I
:
k
B
a a
B k i
B k
k
i
a
k
a a
B k
h k i
a a
k k J
a
a
B k
Detail sentence:
Supporting sentence 2: .
i i i r r i i i i r 'i B B i i
Detail sentence:
j
a k L
a a n
i
a a
i L i
'B
i
i i i
J J k L
Concluding sentence:
a
++
-
i
a u a
i
I
I
n
I
I
a
I I i
i
g a r
r i
a
a g a r n i n a r
.
I d a I
a!
«
+
-
k
.«.
L i a a k i
a
E L
a
a
m
a
I L L
i j a B i L i j a k
E L
11 E
p
p
a
L
p
E L
J J B L
a
i
a a
i,
I I
_
k
p*
T T
3.1 1 Apply it to Your Writing
Look at the thesis statement you created in Section 1 on page 15 for your writing
prompt. Write a topic sentence for one body paragraph. Write two supporting sentences
and a concluding sentence. You can change these later. This is for practice.
r T i i r r i i i r r
a a f a i.
i
P P
i
-
p
a
i
e
p Ti
a
a u k i
P p !i g B p
i
r rT
I
r r 'i
i
r
i
P 'T 7
' ii
r T1
1
a
P I T 1
a
ii
a. a a a
a a
ri a
P
rra a e
pT
-
ra a a
P P
-
ra a
p p
-
a a a
P ir
-
a r ra
aa
•i
.
I I I I
a
p p
a a a rv a a a r
L i
j i
1
a
3
i l l
j
L ,i
jj
i i
j a m
p B’
a a
p p
a a
'
a a
p
a ra a
= B a
.
i i j
a
-
a a
..
k i
a
B
k
a a a a
.a
i
a a k k
i
a ra a a a ra a a
j
j
-
rva a r ra a a r ra a a r ra a a a ra a
j
j
i
P P
a a a
a a
p
.a
i
.a a
a a
r °r a a
P
i
r
i
a a
k k
a. a a
r
a a
»
B
a
k k
p
a. a a
k
a
B k k i
a
a a a r s a a a
L
J
J
i
a
B k k i
a a
L L I J
p p
,
I
s
a
a
i. a a a
B k i
a
p
p
J I B U
i
a
a
p
p
J I L B
.
.
J I L I I J I L1
CONNECTING IDEAS BETWEEN BODY PARAGRAPHS
Writers choose appropriate words and expressions to connect ideas within an essay. These
words remind readers how ideas in body paragraphs connect to the thesis statement. They also
show how each body paragraph connects to the one before and the one after. For example, the
topic sentence of the first body paragraph in an essay repeats or paraphrases one of the ideas
in the thesis statement. The final sentence in this body paragraph also repeats or paraphrases
one of the ideas in the thesis, while at the same time reminding the reader of the topic of the
paragraph. The topic sentence of the next body paragraph reminds the reader of the topic of
the previous body paragraph, and at the same time, repeats or paraphrases another idea in the
thesis statement. This continues throughout the body paragraphs in the essay.
Writers also use words and phrases such as also, another, in addition, and finally to help readers
transition smoothly from one paragraph to another.
ACADEMIC ESSAYS
29