On Writing
Expository Essay Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs of your essays present your stance and give support and evidence for the claim of
your thesis.
Thesis: Identification of Topic + Claim + 3 Reasons.
The 3 Reasons make up the topics of each paragraph in your essay.
Body Paragraph
1. Topic Sentence: The first sentence of the body paragraph which tells the reader exactly what
you will discuss. Think of the topic sentence as a thesis for the paragraph, and the paragraph as
a mini essay. (One sentence)
2. Specific Example, Fully Explained: The examples are your supporting details for the claim in
your topic sentence. If the topic of your paragraph is about the importance of writing skills, then
you’ll choose 3 specific examples to discuss in relation to writing skills. Make sure you fully
explain each example so that your reader understands the reasoning behind your support.
3. Specific Example, Fully Explained: The examples are your supporting details for the claim in
your topic sentence. If the topic of your paragraph is about the importance of writing skills, then
you’ll choose 3 specific examples to discuss in relation to writing skills. Make sure you fully
explain each example so that your reader understands the reasoning behind your support.
4. Specific Example, Fully Explained: The examples are your supporting details for the claim in
your topic sentence. If the topic of your paragraph is about the importance of writing skills, then
you’ll choose 3 specific examples to discuss in relation to writing skills. Make sure you fully
explain each example so that your reader understands the reasoning behind your support.
5. Transition/Segue: The transition sentence, or segue, is the last sentence of your body
paragraph. It wraps up the material presented in the paragraph and introduces what you’ll
discuss in the next paragraph. (One sentence)
The body paragraphs make up the meat of your essay. They allow the reader to develop and understand
your claims through the examples and explanations you provide.
Since you need to explain your examples, you may have body paragraphs that reach 10 sentences, which
is fine as long as they support your examples and claim.
One of the many themes in To Kill a Mockingbird is the importance of avoiding false judgment.
Firstly, Scout is told not to judge Walter Cunningham by how he eats his food with a lot of syrup.
Calpurnia pulls Scout aside after she criticizes Walter and yells at her. Calpurnia says, “There’s some
folks who don’t eat like us, but you ain’t called on to contradict ‘em at the table when they don’t. That
boy’s yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?” (Lee 32). Calpurnia
explains to Scout that some people live more challenging lives than the Finches and Scout should not
question their way of life. This is a life lesson, and it did not only apply to Walter Cunningham. Secondly,
Miss Maudie tells Scout not to think poorly of Boo Radley because the rumors of his demeanor are not
all true. Scout wanted to know what Miss Maudie thought of Boo, and Miss Maudie tells Scout “No,
child, that is a sad house. I remember Arthur Radley when he was a boy. He always spoke nicely to me,
no matter what folks said he did. Spoke as nicely as he knew how” (Lee 61). Miss Maudie knows that
Scout listens to what other people say about Boo when she really knows what is true and what is false
about him. She tries to make Scout aware that she should not believe everything she hears. The last
example is that Dolphus Raymond does not want to be judged by Maycomb County, so he pretends to
be a drunk in order to socialize with the people he really likes: the African Americans of the town.
Dolphus explains to Scout why he acts the way he does when Lee writes, “I try to give ‘em a reason, you
see. It helps folks if they can lash onto a reason. When I come to town, which is seldom, if I weave a little
and drink out of this sack, folks can say Dolphus Raymond’s in the catches of whiskey – that’s why he
won’t change his ways. He can’t help himself, that’s why he lives the way he does” (268). Dolphus
Raymond wants to live his life in his own way, so he gives an excuse to society so they can believe it is
not his fault about who he chooses as acquaintances. The characters demonstrate the idea of judgment
and its prominent role in societal values.
A second theme to examine in To Kill a Mockingbird is the idea that society creates false
perceptions of different groups of people.