Body Paragraphs How to write ‘em

What you need to include Topic Sentence Supporting Detail Commentary (Optional) Supporting Detail Closing Sentence

Topic Sentence First sentence of each body paragraph. Connects to Thesis. Says what your whole paragraph will be about. Topic Same as Thesis’s Topic Opinion Same as Thesis’s Opinion One Main Point Take one main point from the Thesis for each Body Paragraph

Sample Topic Sentence Topic: Cambodia Opinion: is a challenging place to live Main Idea: because its environment is unfriendly. Cambodia is a challenging place to live because its environment is unfriendly.

Supporting Details Gives a fact or statement supporting the topic sentence. Use your researched material here. Use INTERNAL CITATIONS! Usually 2-3 per paragraph

Sample Supporting Details There are two monsoon seasons: a dry and a wet. During the six month wet season, the monsoon accounts for 80% of Cambodia’s rainfall, and the humidity is often towering above 60% and the temperature tops out at ninety-five degrees (Aliprandi). During the wet season, there are often floods in the plains, but the dry season often brings drought (Aliprandi).

Cambodia is a challenging place to live because its environment is unfriendly. There are two monsoon seasons: a dry and a wet. During the six month wet season, the monsoon accounts for 80% of Cambodia’s rainfall, and the humidity is often towering above 60% and the temperature tops out at ninety-five degrees (Aliprandi). During the wet season, there are often floods in the plains, but the dry season often brings drought (Aliprandi).

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 During those six months, it is quite uncomfortable to live in Cambodia. This torrential weather affects all of their lives and must make it hard to farm and travel efficiently. Cambodia’s climate is ever changing, and with these stark differences of flood to drought, the people must struggle to live a comfortable life.

Cambodia is a challenging place to live because its environment is unfriendly. There are two monsoon seasons: a dry and a wet. During the six month wet season, the monsoon accounts for 80% of Cambodia’s rainfall, and the humidity is often towering above 60% and the temperature tops out at ninety-five degrees (Aliprandi). During those six months, it is quite uncomfortable to live in Cambodia. This torrential weather affects all of their lives and must make it hard to farm and travel efficiently. During the wet season, there are often floods in the plains, but the dry season often brings drought (Aliprandi). Cambodia’s climate is ever changing, and with these stark differences of flood to drought, the people must struggle to live a comfortable life.

Closing Sentence Last sentence of each body paragraph. Restates Topic Sentence. Gives the audience a clinching thought for paragraph Topic Same as Thesis’s Topic Opinion Same as Thesis’s Opinion One Main Point Take one main point from the Thesis for each Body Paragraph

Sample Closing Sentence With Cambodia’s ever changing and uncomfortable weather, it is a challenging place to call home.

Cambodia is a challenging place to live because its environment is unfriendly. There are two monsoon seasons: a dry and a wet. During the six month wet season, the monsoon accounts for 80% of Cambodia’s rainfall, and the humidity is often towering above 60% and the temperature tops out at ninety-five degrees (Aliprandi). During those six months, it is quite uncomfortable to live in Cambodia. This torrential weather affects all of their lives and must make it hard to farm and travel efficiently. During the wet season, there are often floods in the plains, but the dry season often brings drought (Aliprandi). Cambodia’s climate is ever changing, and with these stark differences of flood to drought, the people must struggle to live a comfortable life. With Cambodia’s ever changing and uncomfortable weather, it is a challenging place to call home.

Don’t forget: Body Paragraph Topic Sentence Supporting Detail Commentary (Optional) Supporting Detail Closing Sentence