Mastering Body Paragraphs for Stronger Writing

1. Writing a Quality Paragraph

2. This is the organizer we will be using for the next two years!

3. What is the purpose of a Paragraph? • Remember: • Definition: a paragraph is a group of sentences that explains or develops one main idea • It contains one main idea and explains it in greater depth than would be possible in a single sentence • These sentences must be written and ordered so that the reader can understand your message about that main idea

4. What is necessary for a Body paragraph to be successful? When writing a body paragraph, you need to: • Provide substance and clarity: • don’t just give an opinion – give clear and logical reasons and evidence to develop, support, and help prove the main idea • Provide unity: • Every sentence must be related to the main idea – don’t include anything off-topic. • Any sentence that strays from the main idea can distract the reader from what you are saying, thus weakening your argument • Ask yourself: How does this support the purpose of this paragraph?

5. Body Paragraphs “At a Glance” Read through this. I have already copied it onto your note sheet • 1st sentence: Topic Sentence • This is the sentence that states the focus of the paragraph . • This should also support the main idea of the paper. • 2nd sentence: Reason • 1stpoint you are going to use to prove your thesis statement/ topic sentence. • This should be your own thought and words. • 3rd sentence: Example • evidence from expert that proves your 1st point. • This can be direct quotes or paraphrases from creditable sources. • If using a source as an example, you need to give credit.

6. Body Paragraphs con’t • 4th sentence: Connection • This is where you explain how your example proves your reason which proves your topic sentence. • This should be your own analysis. • This SHOULD NOT be a restatement of your example. • Many times this can be more than one sentence. • 5th sentence: Transition…to 2ndreason • 2ndpoint that proves your thesis statement and your topic sentence. • Again this sentence should start with a transitional word or phrase that leads into this sentence. • 6th sentence: 2ndExample • evidence from expert that proves your 1st point. • This can be direct quotes or paraphrases from creditable sources. • If using a source as an example, you need to give credit.

7. Body Paragraphs con’t • 7th sentence: 2nd Connection • This is where you explain how your2nd example proves your reason which proves your topic sentence • This should be your own analysis. • This SHOULD NOT be a restatement of your example. • Many times this can be more than one sentence. • 8th sentence: Clincher sentence • This brings closure to the main idea of the paragraph without simply repeating the topic sentence. • This should remind the reader what he or she has learned from reading this paragraph. • Try not to fade away at the end or stop too abruptly

8. How do I develop QUALITY Reasons? Develop and support the topic sentence with • Reasons: These answer the question “why” in regards to the main idea of the assignment • Purpose: to develop, support, and prove your main idea • The reasons cannot blend into one another – they need to be distinct from one another • (think blue and red, not purple) • This should be one declarative sentence Add this to your notes in the section titled “How do I develop Quality Reasons?”

9. How to included a QUALITY Example? Add this to your notes in the section titled “How do include quality examples?” • Ways to expand examples • Facts and statistics from source that is credible, accurate, current, and real (requires citation) • Example: According to a recent study by the Hale Research Group, forty percent of students volunteer in their community. • Expert opinion from source that is credible, accurate, current, and real (requires citation) • Example: Dr. Smith conducted a study in 2011; he found that students who volunteered at least four times a year were happier than those who never volunteered. He contributed it to the fact that “kids are able to see those less fortunate than themselves and therefore learn to appreciate what they have more.” This makes complete sense; kids learn to be happy with what they have instead of always wanting more.

10. Difference between the two Clarifying the difference between examples and connections: Example: Dr. Smith conducted a study in 2011; he found that students who volunteered at least four times a year were happier than those who never volunteered. He contributed it to the fact that “kids are able to see those less fortunate than themselves and therefore learn to appreciate what they have more.” This makes complete sense; kids learn to be happy with what they have instead of always wanting more. Just read over this. You do not have to write it in your notes.

11. How do I create an OUTSTADNING Connection to get the reader to see things the way I do? Add • Connection • Purpose: fully explaining each example will help you develop, support, and help prove your main idea • You should have a minimum of 2 sentences explaining each reason – often more is needed • Provide clear explanations to give the readers as much information as they need to fully understand your reason and how it supports the main idea • Do not just restate the example in different words. Make sure you are explaining WHY your example proves your reason! Tell the reader why you are right! Add this to your notes in the section titled “How do I create an outstanding connection to get the reader to see things the way I do?

12. How do I conclude the paragraph with a WINNING Clincher sentence? • Purpose: neatly wraps up the paragraph and reminds the readers of the main idea • Try not to fade away at the end or stop too abruptly • Remind the reader what he or she has learned from reading your paragraph Record this on your notes sheet on the pages titled “How do I conclude the paragraph with a winning clincher sentence?

13. How can my paper sound more natural? These have already been copied to your notes sheet Include • Transitions • Used throughout each paragraph • Purpose: • to move from one reason to the next • to show relationships • Show Addition: • in addition (to) • also • again • moreover • furthermore • Show Emphasis: • indeed • in fact • certainly • Introduce an Example: • for example • for instance • that is • in other words • specifically • in fact • first, second… • Acknowledge Another Point of View: • although • despite • even though • Show Rank: • more importantly • above all • First and foremost

14. Show Passage of Time: • then • next • later • during • after • before • soon • meanwhile • while • Transitions con’t • Show Cause and Effect: • because • therefore • thus • consequently • since • as a result • Show Comparison: • likewise • similarly • like • Show Contrast: • unlike • however • on the other hand

15. How do I know which order my body paragraphs should go in? Remember - • Order body paragraphs according to importance/strength • 1st body = mid importance • 2nd body = least important (weakest) • 3rd body = most important (strongest) **the order of your body paragraphs must match the order that the main ideas are listed in the thesis statement!! Record these notes on the note page that has the same title as this slide.