Developing Body Paragraphs Presented by Texas A&M International University Writing Center

The Body Paragraph’s Purpose The body paragraph in an argumentative essay is like a cheeseburger. It’s layered and builds upon each ingredient. Key ingredients of a body paragraph include Topic Sentence (reason) Evidence Linking Sentence(s) Concluding Sentence

Why do we need a topic sentence? creates a smooth transition between paragraphs serves as a point of reference for the rest of the body paragraph introduces the subject of the paragraph by identifying a reason that logically supports the thesis

Topic sentence example Thesis example With all the modern possibilities for entertainment, hunting as a recreational sport should be prohibited because it is unethical, (reason 2), and (reason 3). Topic sentence example Hunting should not be allowed in today’s society because it is unethical.

Provide evidence. After writing your topic sentence, you must provide evidence to support it. Types of evidence Real life examples Statistics Authoritative testimonies Hypothetical situations Analogies

Evidence example Hunting should not be allowed in today’s society because it is unethical. Recently, Prince William shot a young wild sheep on a hunting venture. He didn’t kill the animal because he needed food but because, as he said, “It is a sport.”

Create a linking sentence. Provide a linking sentence that clearly explains how the evidence supports the reason.

Linking sentence example Hunting should not be allowed in today’s society because it is unethical. Recently, Prince William shot a young wild sheep on a hunting venture. He didn’t kill the animal because he needed food but because, as he said, “It is a sport.” Thanks to technology, such as virtual reality and simulations, pleasure seekers now enjoy a variety of options for entertainment instead of using innocent animals for sport and personal entertainment, which is cruel and unnecessary.

Further development A strong body paragraph is not like a plain cheeseburger. It has extras! For example, it contains An extra piece of evidence An additional linking sentence

Further development example Hunting should not be allowed in today’s society because it is unethical. Recently, Prince William shot a young wild sheep on a hunting venture. He didn’t kill the animal because he needed food but because, as he said, “It is a sport.” Thanks to technology, such as virtual reality and simulations, pleasure seekers can now enjoy a variety of options for entertainment instead of using innocent animals for sport and personal entertainment, which is cruel and unnecessary. Likewise, the hunting of sea lions is also brutal and unethical. According to CNN, hunters in Alaska beat sea lions repeatedly until they die. Most of these hunters kill these animals for no real purpose other than to see them suffer. Every year ordinary people abuse and kill defenseless animals like these because it continues to be a socially, and often legally, acceptable practice.

Add a concluding sentence. Wrap up your point and complete your argument or reason with the concluding sentence. **Never end a paragraph with a piece of evidence or a linking sentence.

Concluding sentence example Hunting should not be allowed in today’s society because it is unethical. Recently, Prince William shot a young wild sheep on a hunting venture. He didn’t kill the animal because he needed food but because, as he said, “It is a sport.” Thanks to technology, such as virtual reality and simulations, pleasure seekers can now enjoy a variety of options for entertainment instead of using innocent animals for sport and personal entertainment, which is cruel and unnecessary. Likewise, the hunting of sea lions is also brutal and unethical. According to CNN, hunters in Alaska beat sea lions repeatedly until they die. Most of these hunters kill these animals for no real purpose other than to see them suffer. Every year ordinary people abuse and kill defenseless animals like these because it continues to be a socially, and often legally, acceptable practice. Ultimately, killing for money or for fun is an immoral and outdated tradition that depreciates the value of life.

Outline

Introduction Attention Grabber Background/history Thesis Statement Why should your audience care? What is at stake? What is the important history? Thesis Statement Toulmin Model may include qualifier: Because animals are tortured in experiments, congress should ban animal research (Claim #1) that provides no necessary benefit for humans, (Data), excluding medical research (qualifier).

Body Paragraph Topic Sentence (Reason) Topic Sentence (Reason) Evidence Commentary Closing Topic Sentence (Reason) Evidence Commentary Closing

Key Points Body paragraphs are different from introductions and conclusions more specific, contain evidence, focus on one key argument/reason. Each body paragraph should focus on only one argument or reason but should have more than one piece of evidence.

Activity The city of Laredo should ban smoking in all public buildings, including malls and restaurants.