Body Paragraphs The largest portion of an essay. Typically ______ paragraphs, but can be two.

Body paragraphs should each have ___________sentence _________sentences __________ __________ sentence (optional)

Topic Sentence (main idea) Should discuss only one major point which _________the thesis statement The major point of a paragraph is often called the ___________idea. Every paragraph should have a ____________controlling idea, each one discussing one aspect or part of the overall essay The topic sentence summarizes the ___________in the same way that the thesis statement summarizes the whole __________.

Supporting Sentences The largest part of any body paragraph is the support: ________________, _______________, and ______________. Explanations use logic to fully explain the point raised in the topic sentence. Sometimes it is not enough to just explain an idea, however: you need to show that outside evidence supports it as well. ________ can include Facts/research Facts/research Anecdotes/experiences/examples Anecdotes/experiences/examples Opinions/reasons Opinions/reasons

Example of a body paragraph Students who learn how to write well will earn better grades in most classes. This is true because most instructors assign a variety of written assignments, and depending on the class, these written assignments often encompass a large percentage of a student’s final grade. For instance, all college students seeking a degree will be required to take a composition class. In this class alone, students will write five different essays. Furthermore, other classes, such as history, psychology, nursing, etc., also require students to write multiple essays. According to John Doe, a Professor of English at Aims Community College, the average undergraduate student will write twenty-five different essays while seeking a bachelor’s degree. This number increases dramatically for students who go on to seek a graduate degree(s). Because all students, regardless of major, will be required to compose a large number of essays, it is important that they learn how to write well.

Remember, the more evidence that is provided in a body paragraph, the better. The key is to make a claim (topic sentence), support it with specific detail (give examples and provide specific information), and then conclude the paragraph by reinforcing the original claim (final sentence).

Transitions Body paragraphs do not exist in isolation. They should fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Transitions show the _________between details themselves, and the connections between the paragraphs and the overall _______of the essay (the thesis statement). Transitions are essential for maintaining momentum in your essay and showing the reader how all the ideas _____ ___________.

Example of Transitions Without Transitions: Students who write academic essays need to provide effective transitions. Transitions allow writers to connect the main ideas that are present in an essay. Using conjunctive adverbs and other introductory elements allow a writer to connect one sentence to the next. The use of these words will make the writing more fluent and less choppy. Many students fail to use effective transitions, and the essay comes across as disconnected. Writers should always be aware of the need to connect both sentences and paragraphs together. With Transitions: Students who write academic essays need to provide effective transitions. It is the use of these transitions that allow writers to connect the main ideas that are present in an essay. For example, by using conjunctive adverbs and other introductory elements, a writer can easily connect one sentence to the next. Moreover, the use of these words will make the writing more fluent and less choppy. Unfortunately, students often fail to use effective transitions, and, as a result, the essay comes across as disconnected. To avoid this, writers should always be aware of the need to connect both sentences and paragraphs together, and they should strive to find creative ways to do so.

The following is a categorized list of transitional words that can be used, depending on the type of transition that is needed: To Add: additionally, in addition, again, besides, moreover, finally, further, furthermore,, lastlyTo Repeat: as mentioned, as has been noted, in brief To Show Exception: however, nevertheless, in spite of, yet, still, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes, unfortunately To Compare: however, on the other hand, on the contrary, in contrast, whereas, but, yet, nevertheless, by comparison, compared to, conversely, up against, balanced against, but, although, meanwhile, after all, while this may be true To Emphasize: indeed, certainly, in any case, without a doubt, obviously, definitely, extremely, in fact, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, emphatically, unquestionably, undeniably, without reservation, always, never To Prove: furthermore, moreover, in example, in fact, indeed, because, for, since, for the same reason, for this reason, obviously, evidently, besides, in addition, in any case To Show Sequence: as a result, subsequently, consequently, concurrently, following this, now, at this point, afterward, simultaneously, thus, hence, therefore, first (second, third, etc.) To Give an Example: for example, for instance, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration, in another case, take the case of, on this occasion, in this situation To Show Time: immediately, thereafter, then, soon after, next, and then, finally, later, previously, formerly, first (second, third, etc.) To Summarize or Conclude: In conclusion, as demonstrated, to conclude, summing up, in brief, as a result, therefore, accordingly, consequently, hence, on the whole