Body Paragraphs

How to write them

Essay Structure

Introduction Thesis Statement Body

Subtopic #1 Subtopic #2 Subtopic #3

Conclusion

Remember our Thesis Statement?

In Pakistan, Honor killing is a harsh and cruel punishment that results in unfair deaths, and it should be banned.

Now, let’s focus on the Body of the Essay

Subtopic #1: Background Information and Causes

What you need to include – this matches your outline.

Topic Sentence for first main pointSupporting Detail

Commentary

Supporting DetailCommentary

(Optional) Supporting DetailCommentary

Closing Sentence

Topic Sentence

First sentence of each body paragraph.

States your main point.

Says what your whole paragraph will be about.

First, let’s practice writing the topic sentence.

Topic: Poverty Opinion: is a world-wide problem Main Cause (2 supporting details): caused

by society neglecting the poor. Topic Sentence:

Poverty is a world-wide problem caused by society neglecting the poor.

Practice…

Topic: Child labor on U.S. farms Opinion: is a human rights violation Main Cause: caused by poor families and

lack of government intervention

Child labor on US Farms is a human rights violation caused by poor families and lack of government intervention.

Practice Again…

Topic: Forced marriages Opinion: Main Cause:

Topic Sentence:

Sample Topic Sentence for Subtopic #1: Background Info./Causes

Topic: Honor Killings in Pakistan Opinion: are a cruel and harsh punishment Main Cause: caused by a male dominant

society that denies women their rights.

Honor Killings in Pakistan are a cruel and harsh punishment caused by a male dominant society that denies women their rights.

Your turn…

Write your topic sentence in your outline.

Topic:

Opinion:

Main Cause:

Topic sentence:

Supporting Details

Gives a fact or statement supporting the topic sentence.

Use your researched material and notes here.

Use INTERNAL CITATIONS also known as parenthetical citations.

Usually 2-3 details per paragraph

Sample Supporting Details & Parenthetical Citations Detail #1 (Background/Cause): In Pakistan today, women are

thought of as the property of men. Women also represent the family’s honor. If a woman acts of her own will and either has sex outside of marriage or marries someone of her own will, she will have dishonored the family (Mayell).

Detail #2 (Background/Cause): A local tribe, known as jirgas, decides if the woman is dishonorable and declares the woman ‘kari,’ which literally means ‘black female’ or ‘tainted woman’ (Nosheen and Schellmann).

Detail #3 (Background/Cause): In order to restore the family’s honor, the family or the tribe must kill these women (Mayell).

Honor Killings are a cruel and harsh punishment caused by a male dominant society that denies women their rights. In parts of Pakistan today, women are thought of as property of men. Women also represent the family’s honor. If a woman acts of her own will and either has sex outside of marriage or marries someone of her own will, she will have dishonored the family (Mayell 2002). A local tribe, known as jirgas, decides if the woman is dishonorable and declares the woman ‘kari,’ which literally means ‘black female’ or ‘tainted woman’ (Mayell 2011). In order to restore the family’s honor, the family or the tribe must kill these women (Mayell 2002).

Topic sent. + 3 supporting details

Remember this?

Topic SentenceSupporting Detail

Commentary

Supporting DetailCommentary

(Optional) Supporting DetailCommentary

Closing Sentence

Commentary

Gives explanation of supporting detail. Connects your supporting detail to your topic sentence by explaining the connection.

One or two commentary per supporting detail.

Goes directly after its supporting detail.

Sample Commentary

Detail #1: Women should have equal rights as men and should not be viewed as property.

Detail #2: The jirga is made up of male leaders who are already biased against women and dictate their fate.

Detail #3: Killing a woman for these reasons is an extreme punishment. In fact, a woman should not have to die just for the sake of the family’s honor.

Topic Sent. + Details & Citation + Commentary

Honor Killings are a cruel and harsh punishment caused by a patriarchal society that denies women their rights. In parts of Pakistan today, women are thought of as property of men. Women also represent the family’s honor. Therefore, if a woman acts of her own will and either has sex outside of marriage or marries someone of her own will, she will have dishonored the family (Mayell 2002). However, women should have equal rights as men and should not be viewed as property. Next, a local tribe, known as jirgas, decides if the woman is dishonorable and declares the woman ‘kari,’ which literally means ‘black female’ or ‘tainted woman’ (Nosheen and Schellmann 2011). The jirga is made up of male leaders who are already biased against women and dictate their fate. In order to restore the family’s honor, the tribe must kill these women (Mayell 2002). Killing a woman for these reasons is an extreme punishment. A woman should not have to die just for the sake of the family’s honor.

Closing Sentence

Last sentence of each body paragraph.

Restates Topic Sentence.

Gives the audience a clinching thought for the paragraph.

Sample Closing Sentence

Honor killings are an inhumane form of punishment dictated by a male-dominated society that denies women their essential rights.

Here is the original topic sentence; same but different:

Honor Killings are a cruel and harsh punishment caused by a patriarchal society that denies women their rights.

Put it ALL together…Honor Killings are a cruel and harsh punishment caused by a

patriarchal society that denies women their rights. In parts of Pakistan today, women are thought of as property of men. Women also represent the family’s honor. If a woman acts of her own will and either has sex outside of marriage or marries someone of her own will, she will have dishonored the family (Mayell 2002). However, women are human beings who should have equal rights as men and should not be viewed as property. Next, a local tribe, known as jirgas, decides if the woman is dishonorable and declares the woman ‘kari,’ which literally means ‘black female’ or ‘tainted woman’ (Nosheen and Schellmann 2011). The jirga is made up of male leaders who are already biased against women and dictate their fate In order to restore the family’s honor, the tribe must kill these women (Mayell 2002). Killing a woman for these reasons is an extreme punishment. A woman should not have to die just for the sake of a family’s honor. Honor killings are an inhumane form of punishment dictated by a male-dominated society that denies women their essential rights.

Whew! That’s Impressive!

Don’t forget: Body Paragraph

Topic SentenceSupporting Detail

Commentary

Supporting DetailCommentary

(Optional) Supporting DetailCommentary

Closing Sentence

Now, it’s your turn…Pick 2-3 significant details

1. Read through your Background notes and pick 2 - 3 significant details that best explain your issue.

Sometimes these details can be combined with another related detail from the same source.

2. Write them into your essay outline. If you need more space, use filler paper.

Add Parenthetical Citations

1. For each detail, refer to the source in parenthesis.

2. Use your citation handout to figure out the format.1. (Author pg#) or

2. (“Title” pg#)

3. (“Title”) or

Add Commentary

1. For each detail, add a commentary.• Elaborate (explain) further on the detail, or• Give a personal insight on the matter while

keeping a formal tone. • Make sure it relates to the topic sentence.

Write a Concluding Sentence

Rewrite your topic sentence so that it includes the main point but said in a different way.

Go to Subtopic #2: Effectsand do the same

Essay outline for Subtopic #1 is due Monday = 20 pts.