How do you write effective body paragraphs for an argumentative essay?

In this lesson you will learn how to draft body paragraphs by introducing and explaining

your evidence while using transitions between sentences

and paragraphs.

Let’s Review

Planning To Write

Drafting the Essay

Finding Supporting Evidence

Choosing a topic

A Common Mistake

Body paragraphs do not build on each other in supporting the claim.

Claim

Reason

Reason

ReasonReason

ClaimReason

Reason

Core Lesson

Convert boxes and bullets to full sentences while explaining how the evidence supports the topic sentence.

1

2

3

Use transition words to improve flow.

Write concluding sentence for the body paragraph.

Core LessonHow do I structure a

body paragraph?

Major Reason # ____ = Topic Sentence

Evidence

Evidence

Evidence

Conclusion

Core Lesson

For many people in Africa, there is an urgent need for clean drinking water, one of the essentials for life. • Less than 1% of the world’s fresh water is available for

human consumption (waterinfo.org)• 80% of disease in developing countries is caused by poor

drinking water (WHO)• 884 million people lack access to clean drinking water, 3x the

population of the US (water.org)• Over 40% of those without water live in sub-Saharan Africa

(UNICEF)• 10 African countries only have enough clean drinking water

to support half their population (Water Facts)

Core Lesson

Only 2% of the water on Earth is fresh water and out of that only 1% of it is able to be drank (waterinfo.org).

The World Health Organization estimates that about 80% of all disease in developing countries is caused by this lack of access to clean drinking water.

Less than 1% of the world’s fresh water is available for human consumption (waterinfo.org)

80% of disease in developing countries is caused by poor drinking water (WHO)

How do I convert my evidence into

meaningful sentences?

Core Lesson

For many people in Africa, there is an urgent need for clean drinking water, one of the essentials for life. Only 2% of the water on Earth is fresh water and out of that only 1% of it is drinkable (waterinfo.org). The World Health Organization estimates that about 80% of all disease in developing countries is caused by this lack of access to clean drinking water. There are 884 million people around the world that do not have access to clean drinking water, which is a number three times the population of the United States (water.org). According to UNICEF, over 40% of those without water live in sub-Saharan Africa. There are actually ten African countries that only have enough drinking water to support half of their population (Water Facts).

Do all parts of my paragraph support the topic sentence?

Core Lesson

For many people in Africa, there is an urgent need for clean drinking water, one of the essentials for life. Only 2% of the water on Earth is fresh water and out of that only 1% of it is able to be drank (waterinfo.org). The World Health Organization estimates that about 80% of all disease in developing countries is caused by this lack of access to clean drinking water. This seems especially dangerous when considering that there are 884 million people around the world that do not have access to clean drinking water, which is a number three times the population of the United States (water.org). According to UNICEF, over 40% of those without water live in sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, There are actually ten African countries that only have enough drinking water to support half of their population (Water Facts). In order to prevent disease in Africa, access to clean water must increase through improved sanitation.

For many people in Africa, there is an urgent need for clean drinking water, one of the essentials for life. Only 2% of the water on Earth is fresh water and out of that only 1% of it is able to be drank (waterinfo.org). The World Health Organization estimates that about 80% of all disease in developing countries is caused by this lack of access to clean drinking water. This seems especially dangerous when considering that there are 884 million people around the world that do not have access to clean drinking water, which is a number three times the population of the United States (water.org). According to UNICEF, over 40% of those without water live in sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, There are actually ten African countries that only have enough drinking water to support half of their population (Water Facts).

For many people in Africa, there is an urgent need for clean drinking water, one of the essentials for life. Only 2% of the water on Earth is fresh water and out of that only 1% of it is able to be drank (waterinfo.org). The World Health Organization estimates that about 80% of all disease in developing countries is caused by this lack of access to clean drinking water. There are 884 million people around the world that do not have access to clean drinking water, which is a number three times the population of the United States (water.org). According to UNICEF, over 40% of those without water live in sub-Saharan Africa. There are actually ten African countries that only have enough drinking water to support half of their population (Water Facts).

How do I write a conclusion that will help to lead into the next

paragraph?

How do I use transitions to improve flow between

sentences?

Core Lesson

Convert boxes and bullets to full sentences while explaining how the evidence supports the topic sentence.

1

2

3

Use transition words to improve flow.

Write concluding sentence for the body paragraph.

In this lesson you learned how to draft body paragraphs by introducing and explaining your evidence while using

effective transitions between sentences and paragraphs.

Guided Practice

Practice by using the information below to create your own body paragraph.

With sanitation being a problem, it causes an unclean environment for people to live in, which then causes health related risks. • Fecal matter is the top contaminate to water sources (water.org)• 50% of the world’s population does not have proper sanitation (Blue Planet)• In the past 10 years, water related diseases have killed more people than

World War Two (waterinfo.org• Each year, 3.575 million people die from water related illnesses (water.org)• Proper sanitation cuts down cases diarrhea by one-third (UNICEF/WHO)

Extension Activities

Extension Activities

With a partner, find an op-ed article in the local paper. Read the first body paragraph and break it down into a box with bullets. Did the author effectively support the reason for his/her argument? Why or why not?

Extension Activities

Extension Activities

On your own, think about a time you really wanted to do something. Come up with one major reason you think you should have been able to do it. Write a body paragraph that presents your reason in a clear and concise way. Then, have a partner check that the evidence supports your reason in a focused manner.

Extension Activities

Extension Activities

With a partner, draft a paragraph for a topic you’d like to argue. Use the steps to develop a topic sentence along with supporting evidence. Together, decide if this paragraph clearly states your argument.

Let’s Review

Quick Quiz

On your own, draft a body paragraph for your argumentative essay by introducing and explaining your evidence while using transitions between sentences and paragraphs.