Body Paragraphs - Unity Body paragraphs must be UNIFIED  All of the sentences must relate to a single subject which is stated in the TOPIC SENTENCE Topic sentence must relate back to your primary topic Topic sentence must signal the purpose of your paragraph

Body Paragraphs – Must Include Evidence Evidence consists of:  Paraphrased ideas from your novel  Direct quotes from your novel

Body Paragraphs – Embedding Quotes You must include a “lead in” for your quote which might include information such as WHO said the quote, WHEN it was said or under WHAT circumstances Do not just strand your quote, your quote cannot just be inserted into a paragraph without a proper lead in

Body Paragraphs – Citing Sources OVERARCHING RULES: Each piece of evidence in your body paragraph must be cited (refer to the page where you got the information) The first in-text (or parenthetical) citation must begin with the author’s last name followed by the page #. Example: Curley’s rage causes Lennie to mumble hopelessly, “I don’t like this place, George” (Steinbeck 17).

Body Paragraphs – Citing Sources Place the citation where there is a pause in the sentence – normally before the end of the sentence or before a comma

Body Paragraphs – Transitions Make connections between your ideas Give the reader directions on how to put together all of your ideas Within a paragraph:  Connect quotes and ideas  Usually a single word or a short phrase See your transition word bank

Body Paragraphs – Final Sentences The final sentence of the paragraph could do any of the following:  Remind the reader of how the information in the paragraph is relevant to the topic or your claim about the topic  Summarize the content of the paragraph

Body Paragraphs:Directions Before you hand in a body paragraph, do the following: Highlight the first sentence of your body paragraphs  Is this the paragraph’s Topic sentence?  If not, note down that you need a topic sentence  If there is one, does the sentence signal the purpose of your paragraph?

Body Paragraphs Directions Write the purpose of your body paragraph in the left hand margin Potential purposes:  Background of subject  Reason supporting your thesis (write the specific reason)

Body Paragraphs:Directions Using a pen, number each piece of evidence included in your body paragraphs  You should have at least three pieces of evidence in each paragraph  Summarized or paraphrased ideas from your sources  Direct quotes from your sources

Body Paragraphs Directions Ensure that each numbered piece of evidence is properly cited:  Circle the end of each sentence where there is, or should be, a citation The citation should be : (author’s last name page #) for the first citation (page #). For the remaining citations

Body Paragraphs:Directions Now, look at the direct quotes closely and underline the sentences containing quotes  Does each quote have a “lead-in” describing either who, when or what?  Is the quote correctly cited? “Quote” (page #). If the quote is missing a lead in or is not properly cited – refer to your notes, makes changes

Body Paragraphs: Directions Underline the final sentence of the paragraph Identify its purpose and write this purpose in the margin to the right. Potential purposes could be:  Remind the reader of how the information in the paragraph is relevant to the topic  Analyze the significance of the content of the paragraph

Body Paragraph Format Example Always start body paragraphs with a topic sentence which connects to your thesis and declares the topic of this body paragraph. Insert a transition that introduces your first example related to the topic. Introduce your first example of textual evidence with some context and embed your quote. Cite your evidence properly. Analyze this quote here. Insert a transition that introduces your second example related to the topic. Introduce textual evidence with some context and embed your quote. Cite your evidence properly. Analyze this quote here. Insert a transition that introduces your third example related to the topic. Introduce textual evidence with some context and embed your quote. Cite your evidence properly. Analyze this quote here. Always end paragraphs with concluding sentences that clinches or summarizes the paragraph or you can rewrite the topic sentence in a different way. Avoid using a transition sentence here.