DEVELOPING THE BODY OF A PAPER

Thesis Statements  Thesis Statements should be ARGUMENTATIVE—not descriptive.  Can you imagine someone disagreeing with your position?  Thesis Statements should clearly asserts your own conclusion based on evidence.  It should be clear to us how your ideas differ or support the ones Feagin includes. Remember to use attributive tags to distinguish Feagin’s ideas from your own.  Thesis statements avoid vague language (like "it seems").  Thesis statements should address both points of agreement and disagreement.

Sample Thesis Statement  While I agree with Feagin’s assertion that white people are unlikely to identify themselves as racist, I disagree with the idea that affirmative action is not supported by white people for this reason.  Feagin’s discussion on “Everyday Racism” supports experiences that I have had, but like the examples he mentioned, I never thought of them as important enough to be considered racist.

Body: Elements of a Paragraph  Unity  Single focus  Idea expressed in topic sentence should be only idea explored in paragraph.  Coherence  Coherence is the trait that makes the paragraph easily understandable to a reader.  A topic sentence  Indicates main idea  Can be placed anywhere, but best at beginning of paragraph

Body: Elements of a Paragraph, cont.  Adequate development  Topic should be discussed fully  Short paragraphs often indicate poorly developed ideas  Some methods to make sure your paragraph is well- developed:  Use examples and illustrations  Cite data (facts, statistics, evidence, details, and others)  Examine testimony (what other people say such as quotes and paraphrases)  Use an anecdote or story  Define terms in the paragraph  Analyze the topic  Describe the topic

Body: Constructing Paragraphs  A good paragraph should contain at least the following four elements: Transition, Topic sentence, specific Evidence and analysis, and a Brief wrap-up sentence– TTEB!

Transition Sentences  A Transition sentence leading in from a previous paragraph to assure smooth reading. This acts as a hand off from one idea to the next.  Creating Transition Sentences  Picking up key phrases from the previous paragraph  Making connections  Being specific

Examples of Transition Sentences  Previous paragraph: Amy Tan became a famous author after her novel, The Joy Luck Club, skyrocketed up the bestseller list.  Current transition/topic sentence: There are other things to note about Tan as well. Amy Tan also participates in the satirical garage band, the Rock Bottom Remainders, with Stephen King and Dave Barry.  Revision: Though her fiction is well known, her work with the satirical garage band, the Rock Bottom Remainders, receives far less publicity.

Practice  Previous paragraph: : Overall, Management Systems International has logged increased sales in every sector, leading to a significant rise in third- quarter profits.  Current transition/topic sentence: Another important thing to note is that the corporation had expanded its international influence.  Revision: ?

Topic Sentences  A Topic sentence tells the reader what you will be discussing in the paragraph.  Summary topic sentences  Should address main idea being expressed by author  Example: Feagin discusses the reasons why whites are reluctant to endorse affirmative action  Response topic sentences  I disagree with Feagin’s claim that lower class whites are more likely to be violent towards black people.  Summary response topic sentences  Should address Feagin’s perspective and your own  Example: Feagin asserts that many white people are unable to see themselves as racist because they’re less racist than their parents, and in my experience, that is true.

Evidence  Personal Story or example  Information from Feagin’s text  Outside sources

Brief Wrap-Up Sentences  The ending sentence in a paragraph or essay should summarize what has already been said. ZING  The ending sentence should add ZING to the paragraph or essay.

1.Topic: My best holiday celebration ever Are you ready to choose the best wrap up sentence? Details: Christmas last year Remote controlled car Visit grandparents in Florida

As you can see, Christmas last year was my favorite holiday since I received a remote controlled car and visited my grandparents in sunny Florida. As you can see, Christmas last year was my favorite holiday, because I had so much fun and got to play with all my stuff; and it was cool.

As you can see, Christmas last year was my favorite holiday since I received a remote controlled car, visited my grandparents in sunny Florida. As you can see, Christmas last year was my favorite holiday, because I had so much fun and got to play with all my stuff; and it was cool.

5. Topic: Babysitting my little brother Click the box to choose the best wrap up sentence! Details: Sneaky Picky eater Whiney

I’m in double trouble when I have to babysit my little brother, because he is sneaky, a picky eater, and whines like a cat. I hate babysitting my little brother because he is sneaky, a picky eater, and whines a lot.

I’m in double trouble when I have to babysit my little brother, because he is sneaky, a picky eater, and whines like a cat. I hate babysitting my little brother because he is sneaky, a picky eater, and whines a lot.

Body: When to start a new paragraph?  When you begin a new idea or point.  Hint: If you use a transition word within the same paragraph (i.e. however), then you’ve probably moved on to a new idea.  When your readers need a pause.  Hint: Long paragraphs are difficult for readers to manage.  When you are ending your introduction or starting your conclusion.  Hint: In longer papers, your intro and/or conclusion may be many paragraphs long.