Writing Body Paragraphs

Or…The Meat of the Meal

Sample Introduction- no prongs

Since the beginning of the written word, great writers have gifted readers with characters who captivate or teach lessons that shape who we are as humans. Writers such as Hemingway, Chaucer, and Tolstoy have crafted characters who become tools to teach us and enlighten us, yet no writer possesses the ability to use characters to point the reader to truth more than William Shakespeare. It is through a journey of the unexpected that Shakespeare masterfully uses the most unlikely of characters to impart the most profound truths.

• Prongs I will use: (Who speaks wisdom? 1. Children, 2. working class, 3. fools and the unintelligent).

What makes a body paragraph effective?

Transitions• You must smoothly move from paragraph to paragraph

using transitional words and phrases• Pull some information from the previous paragraph as you

head into the new one• Do NOT use “first, secondly, lastly, etc.”

• Ex. Not only does Shakespeare show us the paradoxical use of a child, he also uses the often-dismissed peasants and members of working class to speak words which one would expect the leaders and wealthy to speak.

Topic Sentences- at the beginning of each body paragraph – they tell us what will be discussed in each

paragraph

• Ex. Not only does Shakespeare show us the paradoxical use of a child, but he also uses the often-dismissed peasants and members of working class to speak words which one would expect the leaders and wealthy to speak.

• This sentence lets the reader know this paragraph will discuss peasants and working class.

What makes a body paragraph effective?

Reminders of the Thesis • You must continually remind your reader of why

the reasons you present prove the thesis

• Use “reminder wording”– Ex. ……This is yet another instance in which

Shakespeare uses characters in an unexpected fashion to draw the reader’s attention to a truth or moral.

What makes a body paragraph effective?

Continual Reminders of the Thesis

• Ex. (Citing a quote from the drunk in Macbeth)– Using the unexpected, profound statement from a

seemingly naïve child, Shakespeare presents us with a brilliant paradox that illustrates his expert use of characters to teach the reader a lesson.

Closing SentenceGives closure to your idea

• The final sentence should wrap up your paragraph’s claims and let the reader know you are closing this particular paragraph and heading to the next section of your paper.

• Ex. Clearly, using children to speak wisdom to the audience was a common way Shakespeare promoted the themes in his plays.

What makes a body paragraph effective?

Use only Active Voice• Avoid passive voice.

• Passive – Points were proven by Shakespeare in his plays.

• Active – Shakespeare used the characters in his play to prove important points.

Check for Passive Voice

• If you can use the words “by zombies” at the end of the verb phrase, it is passive. Change it to active voice.

• Ex. Throughout Lord of the Flies Golding’s anti-war viewpoint can be clearly seen (by zombies).

• Correct: Golding presents a clear anti-war viewpoint throughout the story of Lord of the Flies.

Remember • Use text-based evidence• Explain your evidence• Be clear

• Things you can use to PROVE the thesis:– Symbolism– Allegorical messages– Actions of the characters– Words of the characters– Development of the plot

What is in your notes?

• Transition• Topic Sentence• Evidence that proves your claim• Continual reminders of the thesis• Active Voice• Final sentence to conclude your paragraph

(closure)• Evidence is Introduced, Cited, Explained

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