SOME USEFUL TRANSITIONS (modified from Diana Hacker, A Writer’s Reference)
To show addition:
again, and, also, besides, equally important, first (second, etc.), further, furthermore, in addition,
in the first place, moreover, next, too
To give examples:
for example, for instance, in fact, specifically, that is, to illustrate
To compare:
also, in the same manner, likewise, similarly
To contrast:
although, and yet, at the same time, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of,
nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, though, yet
To summarize or conclude:
all in all, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to
sum up
To show time:
after, afterward, as, as long as, as soon as, at last, before, during, earlier, finally, formerly,
immediately, later, meanwhile, next, since, shortly, subsequently, then, thereafter, until, when,
while
To show place or direction:
above, below, beyond, close, elsewhere, farther on, here, nearby, opposite, to the left (north, etc.)
To indicate logical relationship:
accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this reason, hence, if, otherwise, since, so,
then, therefore, thus
BODY PARAGRAPH CONSTRUCTION
Topic Sentence: What is one example you can tell your readers that will help them better
understand your claim? Your answer should be the topic sentence for this paragraph.
Like a thesis statement, a topic sentence makes a claim of some sort. As the thesis statement is
the unifying force in the essay, so the topic sentence must be the unifying force in the paragraph.
They both make a claim, and they both provide a focus for the writing which follows. (Adapted
from Dorothy Turner)
o Introduce Evidence: Introduce your evidence either in a few words (As Dr. Brown states
―…‖)
o State Evidence: What supporting evidence (reasons, examples, facts, statistics, and/or
quotations) can you include to prove/support/explain your topic sentence?
o Explain Evidence: How should we read or interpret the evidence you are providing us? How
does this evidence prove the point you are trying to make in this paragraph?
o Concluding Sentence: End your paragraph with a concluding sentence that reasserts how the
topic sentence of this paragraph helps up better understand and/or prove your paper’s overall
claim.
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!
1. 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.
2. A Topic sentence that tells the reader what you will be discussing in the paragraph.
3. Specific Evidence and analysis that supports one of your claims and that provides a
deeper level of detail than your topic sentence.
4. A Brief 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.
Organizing Your Rebuttal Section: THIS PARAGRAPH SHOULD BE 1/3 COUNTER
ARGUMENT AND 2/3 REBUTTAL
Following the TTEB method outlined in the Body Paragraph section, forecast all the information
that will follow in the rebuttal section and then move point by point through the other positions
addressing each one as you go. The outline below, adapted from Seyler's Understanding
Argument, is an example of a rebuttal section from a thesis essay.
When you rebut or refute an opposing position, use the following three-part organization:
The opponent’s argument – Usually, you should not assume that your reader has read or
remembered the argument you are refuting. Thus at the beginning of your paragraph, you need to
state, accurately and fairly, the main points of the argument you will refute.
Your position – Next, make clear the nature of your disagreement with the argument or position
you are refuting. Your position might assert, for example, that a writer has not proved his
assertion because he has provided evidence that is outdated, or that the argument is filled with
fallacies.
Your refutation – The specifics of your counterargument will depend upon the nature of your
disagreement. If you challenge the writer’s evidence, then you must present the more recent
evidence. If you challenge assumptions, then you must explain why they do not hold up. If your
position is that the piece is filled with fallacies, then you must present and explain each fallacy.
From Purdue Online Writing Lab
CONCLUSION PART 1: SUM UP PARAGRAPH
o PURPOSE: Remind audience of your argument and supporting evidence
o Restates your paper’s overall claim and supporting evidence
CONCLUSION PART 2: YOUR “SO WHAT” PARAGRAPH
o PURPOSE: To illustrate to your audience that you have thought critically and analytically
about this issue.
o Your conclusion should not simply restate your intro paragraph. If your conclusion says
almost the exact same thing as your introduction, it may indicate that you have not done enough
critical thinking during the course of
your essay (since you ended up right where you started).
o Your conclusion should tell us why we should care about your paper. What is the significance
of your claim? Why is it important to you as the writer or your audience? What information
should your audience take away from this?
o Your conclusion should create a sense of movement to a more complex understanding of the
subject of your paper. By the end of your essay, you should have worked through your ideas
enough so that your audience understands what you have argued and is ready to hear the larger
point (i.e. the "so what") you want to make about your topic.
Your conclusion should serve as the climax of your paper. So, save your strongest analytical
points for the end of your essay, and use them to drive your conclusion.
o Vivid, concrete language is as important in a conclusion as it is elsewhere-- perhaps more
essential, since the conclusion determines the audience's final impression of your essay. Do not
leave them with the impression that your argument was vague or unsure.
o WARNING: It's fine to introduce new information or quotations in your conclusions, as long
as the new points grow from your argument. New points might be more general, answering the
"so what" question; they might be quite specific. Just avoid making new claims that need lots of
additional support.
Courtesy the Odegaard Writing & Research Center
http://www.depts.washington.edu/owrc