In most freshmen composition courses, the major projects for
the course are ARGUMENT essays. Every
academic writing must be written in three sections (called the
3-part-layout). The three parts are the Introduction
paragraph, the Body paragraph(s), and the Conclusion.
This handout will discuss some of the specifics about Body
Paragraphs.
What are body paragraphs?
Body paragraphs are any paragraphs that come between
the introduction and conclusion paragraphs. They contain mostly
your writing, but source materials can be used if the sourced content defends, reiterates,
and supports what you have already established in the paragraph. (You will not use sources to make
your argument for you.) Body paragraphs are little nuggets of information that elaborate the argument that is being asserted in the thesis statement of the introduction paragraph.
Strong body paragraphs
· They
begin with a clear argument sentence.
o
This first sentence of the body paragraph is called a topic
sentence.
o
The topic sentence must stay on a single topic—the main point of
your paragraph—that is established in the topic sentence of
that paragraph.
o
The Topic sentence must argue one sub-point that
stems directly from the thesis statement in the introduction
paragraph.
o
(No source usage in a topic sentence.)
· Are
written in 3rd person voice
· Contain no questions and no contractions
· Contain
more content from the writer than from outside sources.
· Provide concrete
examples to demonstrate the main idea in the paragraph
· Explain how
the examples relate to your main point
· Use
outside sources to defend the argument being made in the body
paragraph
· Assess
and analyze the source content to show how it proves the topic sentence main
idea
· They end
with a closing sentence: a sentence that reflects back to the topic
sentence of the body paragraph.
o
This last sentence will contain no source usage.
o
The closing sentence for the body paragraph will be a finalizing
statement that reflects back to the topic
sentence of the body paragraph.
o
This closing sentence will not be another example
of the topic of the body paragraph.
o
The closing sentence will not add new information
o
It will—not focus on some detail from the issue.
o
It will wrap up the argument being made in the body paragraph by
reflecting back to the topic sentence content.
o
(No source usage in a closing sentence.)
Body paragraphs serve as spots for argument assertion,
clarification, and refutation.
Argument Assertion (body paragraphs)
In an argument essay, you need to declare a clear thesis
statement in the introduction paragraph, and assert your argument in the argument
body paragraphs. These body paragraphs are
where you are presenting your arguments and using reliable source content to
defend your argument.
Clarification and Refutation (body paragraphs)
After you have asserted your arguments to develop the thesis
statement through the body paragraphs, you will have one or more body
paragraphs that clarify and refute counterarguments. Counterargument body paragraphs expose other
sides of the issue and argue that these alternative views are not logical due
to X, Y, or Z.
NOTE: While you can insert
counterarguments in your argument body paragraphs, counterarguments work
best as body paragraphs of their own so that the counterargument is fully developed.
If you have a counterargument that is very brief and not able to be fully
developed, you can embed it into the actual argument body paragraph and then
move on to the next argument paragraph.
Limiting Content in Body Paragraphs
Body paragraphs must be at least 5 sentences in length for
minimal development. Keep in mind that
when a body paragraph is approaching 20 sentences, you need to assess whether
the viewpoint/focus has wandered a bit. Typically, a body paragraph
(whether an argument or counter-argument body paragraph) should be less than 20
sentences long.
For additional help with
basics of academic writing, feel free to visit these links.
General Content
|
© 2019, Jeanette Dick
For Educational Purposes Only
|
