1. Support and Expand your THESIS
Body Paragraphs
Support and Expand your THESIS

2. Body Paragraphs
Contain topic sentences – sentences that introduce the paragraph and its connection to your thesis statement.
Provided support for your thesis – this can be in examples, quotes, statistics, etc. (Evidence)
Connect back, through elaboration, to the thesis statement and the introductory paragraph.

3. Organization and flow…
Each body paragraph and its topic sentence refer directly back to the thesis statement.
Essay
Introduction &
Thesis Statement
Body Paragraph 3
_____________
Body Paragraph 4
_____________
Body Paragraph 1
_____________
Body Paragraph 2
_____________

4. Body Paragraphs: Connection and Conciseness
Within each of your body paragraphs, evidence should support the topic sentence and thus refers back to or connects to your essay thesis.
Body Paragraph
NOTE: Each sentence in a body paragraph should support the topic of the paragraph and thus the thesis.
Topic Sentence
Elaborate on and explain support.
Quote
Story
Statistic
other

5. Key Features of the body paragraph
Topic sentence
Evidence
Elaborating or Explanatory sentences

6. Topic Sentences
This sentence contains the controlling and connecting elements of the body paragraph.
It tells the reader what the paragraph will be about and connects back to the thesis statement from the introductory paragraph.
One way suspense is created in “The Most Dangerous Game” is…

7. Evidence
These sentences are used by the author to provide support to the paragraph and the essay thesis.
*Have more than one piece of evidence. If you have several pieces of evidence, your points are more believeable.
They can be quotes from researched sources, statistics, texts, stories or examples.
NOTE: These must be in complete sentences or woven into complete sentences.
ALWAYS INTRODUCE YOUR EVIDENCE!

8. Elaborating Sentences
These are the sentences in which the author explains or elaborates on the connections between the evidence and the overall topic.
Elaborating sentences are where the writer relates the EVIDENCE they have found to the main idea of the paper.
This is your analysis! Therefore, it is the most important part.

9. Label the Body Paragraph
One of the most important things to know when wanting to be a successful runner is what needs to be done before one’s foot even hits the pavement. Because running involves so many of the body’s muscles, it is important to stretch before beginning a long run. According to William O. Roberts, M.D., “Stretching warms up your muscles and tendons and helps to prevent injury.” As a runner begins each stride, each time the runner’s foot strikes against the ground it causes his or her muscles to constrict and push together. Consequently, if one does not stretch before running, the muscles being used are still tight and more susceptible to injury. Stretching can help improve the body’s blood flow and lubricate joints and muscles, which is why it helps to avoid injuries. Another benefit of stretching before running is that stretching can lengthen the muscles and aid in a wider running stride. The wider one’s stride is, the faster he or she is able to run. All in all, stretching has many benefits, but there are also other important things to consider when running a long distance.

10. One of the most important things to know when wanting to be a successful runner is what needs to be done before one’s foot even hits the pavement. Because running involves so many of the body’s muscles, it is important to stretch before beginning a long run. According to William O. Roberts, M.D., “Stretching warms up your muscles and tendons and helps to prevent injury.” As a runner begins each stride, each time the runner’s foot strikes against the ground it causes his or her muscles to constrict and push together. Consequently, if one does not stretch before running, the muscles being used are still tight and more susceptible to injury. Stretching can help improve the body’s blood flow and lubricate joints and muscles, which is why it helps to avoid injuries. Cassie Hearth, a professional trainer, stated, “Stretching before running can lengthen the muscles and aid in a wider running stride.” The wider one’s stride is, the faster he or she is able to run. All in all, stretching has many benefits, but there are also other important things to consider when running a long distance.

11. We also want to create cohesion…
What helps our body paragraphs flow and allows us to connect our ideas?

12. Transition Words
Transition words and phrases help make clear connections between ideas and see that sentences and paragraphs flow together smoothly, making them easier to read.

13. Transitions are important!
Provide more information
Provide an example
Provide a cause or reason
Provide a result or an effect
Provide a purpose or reason
Provide a comparison or contrast
Provide a sequence
Provide a summary
Provide a conclusion