What is the “body” of an essay?: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:40, 13 November 2013

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. [1]

Loyola University New Orleans. "Paragraphs: The body of the essay." College of Humanities & Natural Sciences: Writing Across the Curriculum. 1996-2013. [2]

Nordquist, Richard. "Body Paragraphs." About.com. 2013. Grammar Composition. [3]

"Massey University." Essay body paragraphs. 1998-2010. Massey University. 18 July. 2013. [4]

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-The body, or body paragraphs, is where your essay is developed using concrete details to develop and support your purpose, or assertions. Your body should develop all the points of your thesis so that you essay covers what your thesis promises. The body paragraphs should have unity, appropriate transitions, and logically moves toward a conclusion. The body should contain at least three paragraphs that never lose focus of the essay’s topic, subject, or purpose.
-== 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.
-The body paragraph is "the meat" of an essay. It is one of the most important components of an essay. A body paragraph expands upon and supports the thesis statement located in the first introductory paragraph. The body paragraph provides details that move the thesis forward.
-A body paragraph contains:
-* A topic sentence that goes in-depth about the thesis
-* Develops an idea that support an essay's thesis
-* An ending sentence that helps transition to the next paragraph and wraps up the ideas developed in the paragraph
-== Thesis Statement Extensions ==
-The body paragraph should always connect back to the thesis statement. Each body paragraph is an extension of the thesis statement that is more detailed. The following chart shows how the thesis statement and the body paragraphs are connected to one another.
-[[File:Body paragraph.png]]
+== '''How to Write a Body Paragraph''' ==
-== Elements of a Body Paragraph ==
+There are four major components that need to be followed to write a well-written body paragraph:
-A body paragraph has unity, a topic sentence, transition, and progresses towards a conclusion. Unity in a paragraph is the single focus of the paragraph from beginning to the end. A topic sentence is what the paragraph will deal with and summarizes the general idea of the paragraph. Transition is used in an essay to show that there is another idea being discussed. Transition bridges one body paragraph to another. The body paragraphs progresses towards a conclusion by discussing all ideas related to the thesis statement.
-== Works Cited ==
-[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/606/1/ Owl Purdue Online Writing Lab]
-[http://writefix.com/?page_id=1565 The Body: Use Paragraphs]
-[http://www.loyno.edu/wac/paragraphs-body-essay Paragraphs: The body of an essay]
+. '''Transition Idea'''- a body paragraph should begin with a transition idea that links the paragraph with the previous one
-----
+. '''Topic Sentence''' - basically a mini thesis that states the paragraph's main point
+. '''Support''' - a supporting sentence makes up the body of the paragraph and a supporting paragraph makes up the body of an essay
+. '''Closing Sentence'''- this should finish up the discussion and should look ahead to the paragraph
-[[Composition FAQ]]
+== 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]