1

Writing Body

Paragraphs

“Readiness is all."   (William Shakespeare)

2

HOW IS THE BODY PARAGRAPH DIFFERENT?

• Of the three paragraphs--introductory, body and concluding-- the body is probably the most difficult to write.

WHY?

3

Because . . .

This is where you actually have to use reason and logic.

In other words, if you don’t think before writing, you will more than likely repeat yourself, go off topic, or not write enough.

(Errors which more than likely will cause you to fail.)

4

As a result,

Writing body paragraphs takes more planning and time than the introductory or concluding paragraph.

Body Paragraph– Transition Sentence– First Supporting Point

• Details/support for first point» Two or three sentences

– Second Supporting Point• Details/support for second point

» Two to three sentences.– Conclusion sentence

• It should sum up the main point of the paragraph, and . . .

• It should touch on the main points of emphasis discussed in the paragraph

Transition Sentence

• A transition sentence is the first sentence in a body paragraph.

• Its job is to support the thesis.

• The transition sentence consists of three parts:

1. A transition word or phrase2. It should refer to the thesis3. It should name the topic of the

paragraph

First Supporting Point

• The first supporting point should prove the transition sentence.

• It should be . . . – A reason– An example– Or a fact

8

Before you write a body paragraph, you need to

make sure . . .• That you have adequate and specific

examples. (Article, Graph, Chart, etc…) or• A short story (Novel, Play, Etc…) to back

up or illustrate your thinking. and • That your ideas are in the right

T.E.X.A.S. order.

9

This is the format for the body paragraph which should include about 6 to 9 sentences and be of

about 100 words in length.

T – stands for Topic. Here you state what you’ll be talking about in the paragraph. It only needs to be one line, just enough to specify what you're talking about.E - stands for Explain. Here you will elaborate on your Topic, giving the reader more information about what it is. One line will do here, but two is more beneficial for your mark.X - stands for Example. This is where your paragraph comes to the crunch. You will have to use a real example. If you’re Responding to Literature, you'll need a real quote. If you're doing a formal writing essay you'll be able to get away with a looser interpretation of the word 'real'. You will be judged on the content of your quote and how you use it to back up your argument.A - stands for Analysis. Here you discuss how your example backs up your argument. Two lines is a good bet here, the more you show how much you understand your example the better. Feel free to start it off with, 'This shows how..." or "Here we see..." You shouldn't get marked down particularly, but you'll get marked up for a more original link.S - stands for Summary. This often means repeating your Topic statement with more affirmative grammar. Rearranging the words never hurt either.

10

This is the format for the body paragraph which should include about 6 to 9 sentences and be of

about 100 words in length.

T – stands for Topic.

Here you state what you’ll be talking about in the paragraph. It only needs to be one line, just enough to specify what you're talking about.

11

This is the format for the body paragraph which should include about 6 to 9 sentences and be of

about 100 words in length.

E - stands for Explain.

Here you will elaborate on your Topic, giving the reader more information about what it is. One line will do here, but two is more beneficial for your mark.

12

This is the format for the body paragraph which should include about 6 to 9 sentences and be of

about 100 words in length.

X - stands for Example.

This is where your paragraph comes to the crunch. You will have to use a real example. If you’re Responding to Literature, you'll need a real quote from an actual book. You can easily start a sentence with “This can be seen when ______ says…” If you're doing a formal writing essay you'll be able to get away with a looser interpretation of the word 'real'. You will be judged on the content of your quote and how you use it to back up your argument.

13

This is the format for the body paragraph which should include about 6 to 9 sentences and be of

about 100 words in length.

A - stands for Analysis.

Here you discuss how your example backs up your argument. Two lines is a good bet here, the more you show how much you understand your example the better. Feel free to start it off with, 'This shows how..." or "Here we see..." You shouldn't get marked down particularly, but you'll get marked up for a more original link.

14

This is the format for the body paragraph which should include about 6 to 9 sentences and be of

about 100 words in length.

S - stands for Summary.

This often means repeating your Topic statement with more affirmative grammar. Rearranging the words never hurt either.

Transition word/phrase ideas . . .

• Addition:also, again, as well as, besides, coupled with, furthermore, in addition, likewise, moreover, similarly

• Generalizing:as a rule, as usual, for the most part,generally, generally speaking, ordinarily, usually

• Exemplifying:chiefly, especially, for instance, in particular, markedly, namely, particularly,  including, specifically, such as

Transition Words/phrases ~ cont

• Consequence:accordingly, as a result, consequently, for this reason, for this purpose, hence, otherwise, so then, subsequently, therefore, thus, thereupon, wherefore

• Emphasisabove all, chiefly, with attention to, especially, particularly, singularly

Transition word/phrase ideas . . .

• Illustration:for example, for instance, for one thing, as an illustration, illustrated with, as an example, in this case

• Similarity:comparatively, coupled with, correspondingly, identically, likewise, similar, moreover, together with

• Exception:aside from, barring, besides, except, excepting, excluding, exclusive of, other than, outside of, save

• Restatement:in essence, in other words, namely, that is, that is to say, in short, in brief, to put it differently

Transition word/phrase ideas . . .

• Contrast and Comparison:contrast, by the same token, conversely, instead, likewise,on one hand, on the other hand, on the contrary, rather,similarly, yet, but, however, still, nevertheless, in contrast

• Sequence:at first, first of all, to begin with, in the first place, at the same time,for now, for the time being, the next step, in time, in turn, later on,meanwhile, next, then, soon, the meantime, later, while, earlier,simultaneously, afterward, in conclusion, with this in mind,

19

Let’s say that the topic is, “Should the New Zealand Government invest

money in roads ?”

We come up with three reasonsa. Traffic Jams are causing unforeseen problems,

b. The roads are in disrepair and need work,c. Cars are bad for the environment

When you are thinking about what to write, you don’t want to use a lot of words. You just want to jot down ideas.

Let’s work on reason a.

20

After thinking about, it we come with the following ideas . . . .

Problems forPrincipals

LawEnforcement

FamilyEmployers

21

But how does it cause problems for all these groups?

Problems forPrincipals

LawEnforcement

FamilyEmployers

22

But how does it cause problems for all these groups?

People get to work late and lose hours for productivity.

Police must monitor and direct Traffic Jams. Traffic Jams cause problems like pollution, accidents, and road rage.

Parents are late picking up kids from school, preparing dinner, and/or spending quality time with their children.

Believe it or not with these few ideas you can write a good body paragraph.

Problems forPrincipals

LawEnforcement

FamilyEmployers

Created by José J.

Gonzalez, Jr. Spring 2002

23

(TOPIC) "New Zealand roads are seriously overcrowded. (EXPLAIN) Most people own a car and use that car everyday. This has lead to crowded streets and more traffic jams. This increased traffic is having a negative effect on a number of people in our society. (EXAMPLE) A government report released in 2006 showed that “the increased ownership of cars has led to a 20% increase in traffic jams over the last 10 years.” (ANALYSIS) Police must monitor and direct Traffic Jams; traffic Jams cause problems like pollution, accidents, and road rage. Also, people get to work late and lose hours for productivity. This means later hours and/or rushed final products. Finally, traffic means parents are late picking up kids from school, not preparing dinner, and/or missing quality time with their children. (SUMMARY) New Zealand roads are far too overcrowded."

24

Assignment:

Write your thesis statement about cell phones and driving.

Remember your argumentative thesis includes: the opposing view point, your view point, and three examples that support your view point.

25

Assignment:

Write a body paragraph that includes the following statistic.

Try to write in the TEXAS format

Cell Phones and Driving?

The US Department of Public Safety

reports, “25% of all accidents last year were caused by drivers using cell phones. That is 1.3 million car crashes a year.”

26

• Vehicle telephones should be made illegal because they cause car accidents. Driving requires full concentration. According to US Department of Public Safety “25% of all accidents last year were caused by drivers using cell phones.” Talking on the phone distracts the driver, making him slow to react to the emergency situation. Last month, I was riding with a friend when, all of a sudden, her telephone rang. She bent down to reach for the phone. At that moment, the car in front of her slowed down to make a turn. She rear ended the car. This proves how dangerous it is to be engaged in a phone calling while driving.

27

The following are several examples of body

paragraphs.

28

Example of Body paragraph• Vehicle telephones should not be made

illegal because they are very convenient. We use vehicle telephones for emergency situations. For example, in case of an automobile accident, we use vehicle phone to call the police department, an emergency ambulance or friends who can help. Another example pertains to a personal experience. Last week I was driving around town, running errands when the nurse in my son’s school called me and informed me about my son’s fever. I was able to pick up my son and rush him to the doctor without delay. This proves that vehicle telephones are convenient for emergency sintuations.

Created by José J.

Gonzalez, Jr. Spring 2002

29

Example of body paragraph The border patrol agents should not be so harsh

with illegal immigrants. The Monitor reported several cases of deaths from drowning. These cases were the results of harsh treatment by the border patrol agents. One death was caused by agents when they were trying to discourage several men on a raft from entering the US territory: the agents lowered their helicopter too close to the illegal immigrant's raft, causing the raft to overturn. In the other case reported, agents illegally detained and deported a Rio Grande man even though he told them that he had documentation. He drowned trying to return to his home. Both these deaths could have been avoided if the border patrol agents had not been so severe in their treatment.