LitWiki - User contributions [en]

What is the “body” of an essay?

2013-11-14T02:40:54Z

JessikaBenoit: /* How to Write a Body Paragraph */

The body of a paragraph explains the main idea of a topic in the essay. Body paragraphs start after the introduction paragraph and before the conclusion paragraph. The body paragraph is an important element in a essay because it clearly states details and facts that support your argument or topic. The body paragraph is usually the longest part of an essay and fully explains the central idea at hand.

== '''How to Write a Body Paragraph''' ==

There are four major components that need to be followed to write a well-written body paragraph:

1. '''Transition Idea'''- a body paragraph should begin with a transition idea that links the paragraph with the previous one
2. '''Topic Sentence''' - basically a mini thesis that states the paragraph's main point
3. '''Support''' - a supporting sentence makes up the body of the paragraph and a supporting paragraph makes up the body of an essay
4. '''Closing Sentence'''- this should finish up the discussion and should look ahead to the paragraph

== Transition Idea ==

A transition idea should be connected in some way to the introduction. The idea will transition and move from one point to another to make the major point. The major point being made should connect with the overall objective of the essay.

'''Example''':

Transition words to use: Addition, Moreover, Consequently, Because, In the same way.

== Topic Sentence ==

The topic sentence should be the sentence that jumpstarts the essay. It should be an effective guiding tool to follow and should help the reader understand the point or claim precisely. The reader should be able to get a full understanding of where the essay is heading from the topic sentence.

'''Example''':

Topic sentence- There are many probable contributing factors to global warming.
Topic- What are the causes of global warming.

== Support ==

Adding support is a critical factor to include in the body. In order for the written material to sound credible, evidence such as specific information, facts, and details need to be mentioned within the essay. All of the proof must completely support the topic.

'''Example''':

Evidence can include:
Published works, Research data, and Research from books, journal articles, and websites.

== Closing Sentence ==

The closing sentence should simply conclude what was written and explained in the paragraph.

'''Example''':

In conclusion, this is why humor can help improve a human's quality of life.

Body paragraphs do the real work of the essay, developing, supporting, explaining, and proving the thesis. A good body paragraph has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

== Four important traits that are key to add in a body paragraph ==

'''Unity'''- the sentences in the body point to the main idea.

'''Development'''- exhibits supporting evidence to show that the main idea is correct.

'''Coherence'''- the thoughts and ideas are expressed accurately and distinctly.

'''Organization'''- is written in a proper sequence and flows throughout the essay.

== '''Works Cited and Sources''' ==

Essay Tips. "''How to Write Body Paragraphs''." 2009-2010. [http://tipsforresearchpapersandessays.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-write-body-paragraphs.html]

Loyola University New Orleans. "''Paragraphs: The body of the essay''." College of Humanities & Natural Sciences: Writing Across the Curriculum. 1996-2013. [http://www.loyno.edu/wac/paragraphs-body-essay]

Nordquist, Richard. "Body Paragraphs." About.com. 2013. Grammar Composition. [http://grammar.about.com/od/ab/g/Body-Paragraphs.htm]

"Massey University." ''Essay body paragraphs''. 1998-2010. Massey University. 18 July. 2013. [http://owll.massey.ac.nz/assignment-types/essay-body-paragraphs.php]

What is the “body” of an essay?

2013-11-14T02:36:39Z

JessikaBenoit: /* Four important traits that are also key to add in a body paragraph */

The body of a paragraph explains the main idea of a topic in the essay. Body paragraphs start after the introduction paragraph and before the conclusion paragraph. The body paragraph is an important element in a essay because it clearly states details and facts that support your argument or topic. The body paragraph is usually the longest part of an essay and fully explains the central idea at hand.

== '''How to Write a Body Paragraph''' ==

There are four major components that need to be followed to write a well-written body paragraph:

1. '''Transition Idea'''
2. '''Topic Sentence'''
3. '''Support'''
4. '''Closing Sentence'''

== Transition Idea ==

A transition idea should be connected in some way to the introduction. The idea will transition and move from one point to another to make the major point. The major point being made should connect with the overall objective of the essay.

'''Example''':

Transition words to use: Addition, Moreover, Consequently, Because, In the same way.

== Topic Sentence ==

The topic sentence should be the sentence that jumpstarts the essay. It should be an effective guiding tool to follow and should help the reader understand the point or claim precisely. The reader should be able to get a full understanding of where the essay is heading from the topic sentence.

'''Example''':

Topic sentence- There are many probable contributing factors to global warming.
Topic- What are the causes of global warming.

== Support ==

Adding support is a critical factor to include in the body. In order for the written material to sound credible, evidence such as specific information, facts, and details need to be mentioned within the essay. All of the proof must completely support the topic.

'''Example''':

Evidence can include:
Published works, Research data, and Research from books, journal articles, and websites.

== Closing Sentence ==

The closing sentence should simply conclude what was written and explained in the paragraph.

'''Example''':

In conclusion, this is why humor can help improve a human's quality of life.

Body paragraphs do the real work of the essay, developing, supporting, explaining, and proving the thesis. A good body paragraph has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

== Four important traits that are key to add in a body paragraph ==

'''Unity'''- the sentences in the body point to the main idea.

'''Development'''- exhibits supporting evidence to show that the main idea is correct.

'''Coherence'''- the thoughts and ideas are expressed accurately and distinctly.

'''Organization'''- is written in a proper sequence and flows throughout the essay.

== '''Works Cited and Sources''' ==

Essay Tips. "''How to Write Body Paragraphs''." 2009-2010. [http://tipsforresearchpapersandessays.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-write-body-paragraphs.html]

Loyola University New Orleans. "''Paragraphs: The body of the essay''." College of Humanities & Natural Sciences: Writing Across the Curriculum. 1996-2013. [http://www.loyno.edu/wac/paragraphs-body-essay]

Nordquist, Richard. "Body Paragraphs." About.com. 2013. Grammar Composition. [http://grammar.about.com/od/ab/g/Body-Paragraphs.htm]

"Massey University." ''Essay body paragraphs''. 1998-2010. Massey University. 18 July. 2013. [http://owll.massey.ac.nz/assignment-types/essay-body-paragraphs.php]

What is a “comma splice”?

2013-11-05T18:43:08Z

JessikaBenoit:

'''A comma splice occurs when a comma is used to join two independent clauses. W.W. Norton states, “When you use the comma to join or splice two distinct statements, you are probably trying to keep two related points together in one sentence. But the comma alone cannot do that for you.” This error is also called a “run-on” sentence and can be fixed several ways. The following sentence contains a comma splice:'''

: They will be policemen, they will be doctors and nurses.

'''The easiest way to fix a comma splice is to make each independent clause its own sentence:'''

: They will be policemen. They will be doctors and nurses.

'''However, in this case, two sentences is not a very elegant solution. Instead, a semicolon may be substituted for the comma:'''

: They will be policemen; they will be doctors and nurses.

'''A semicolon’s only job is to join two independent clauses that relate to each other closely. These relate, but a semicolon may not be the best choice here, either. Another way to fix the above comma splice would be to use a coordinating conjunction after the comma:'''

: They will be policemen, and they will be doctors and nurses.

'''Perhaps the best way to fix our splice is by removing the repeated “they will be,” thereby making the second clause dependent:'''

: They will be policemen, doctors, and nurses.

'''Notice, too, the inclusion of the necessary comma after “doctors.” Now a comma splice has been made into a concise, grammatically correct sentence.'''

'''''A comma cannot, by itself, connect two main clauses; the clauses must either form separate sentences or be joined by a coordinating conjunction.'''''

'''Another way to fix a comma splice is to replace the comma with a co-ordinating conjunction such as ( and,but,or,for,yet,nor,or so).'''

: The little girl went to the store, for she was going to grocerries for her mother.

'''You can replace the comma with a subordinating conjunction (after, although, before, unless, as, because, even though, if, since, until, when, while).'''

: The baby was crying because she was hungry.

'''Replacing the comma with a semi-colon and transitional word like however, moreover, on the other hand, nevertheless, instead, also, therefore, consequently, otherwise, as a result).'''

: The little girl went to the store; as a result,she needed to buy grocerries for her mother.

''But as you see you can only use the semi-colon before the transitional word, and a comma after the transtitonal word.''

'''A comma splice is the use of a comma to join two independent clauses and is considered a style error in most writing. However, Strunk, William, Jr. suggests that splices are sometimes acceptable when the clauses are short and alike in form, such as:

"Man proposes, God disposes."'''

'''WORKS CITIED'''
Strunk, William, Jr. (1918). "Do not join independent clauses by a comma". The Elements of Style (1st ed.). Retrieved 2013 4 11.

W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
[[http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/CH15.pdf]]

Buckley, Joanne. Fit to Print: The Canadian Student’s Guide to Essay Writing. Toronto: Harcourt Brace & Company, Canada, 1998.

The Department of English, University of Victoria, 1995

[[Composition FAQ]]
[[Category:Composition|Comma]]