Help With the Body of Your Paper

1. An essential aspect of your body paragraphs is the presence of a Topic Sentence.
   • Your topic sentence is the sentence that focuses the paragraph and outlines exactly what that paragraph is going to be about.

   • The topic sentence is usually the very first sentence of the paragraph, but may be the second sentence or somewhere in the middle of the paragraph.

   • By placing the topic sentence first in your paragraph, however, you can go ahead and state what you are going to talk about in that paragraph and then devote the rest of the paragraph to supporting and developing that point.

2. The Structure of Your Body Paragraphs
   • Begin each body paragraph with general statement, or topic sentence, about a point that you wanted to make in that paragraph and then devote that entire paragraph to developing more specifically that statement, using examples to back up the points you make.

   • Remember that each statement you make in your body paragraph should relate back to your thesis statement somehow whether in support, defense, or explaination of the statement.

   • Each body paragraph should be ended by making a reference back to the topic sentence you started the paragraph with and then back to your thesis statement to tie it all together.

3. Things to Remember When Writing Your Body Paragraphs
   • Use the same language in your body paragraphs that you did in your introduction. For instance, if you have phrased one of the points you wish to make a certain way in your introduction, phrase it the same way in your body paragraph.

   • Devote each body paragraph to only one point. DO NOT try to include too much information into each paragraph.

   • Make sure that you phrase everything clearly so that your specific audience can understand what you are trying to say.

   • Paragraphs are used as a way to introduce a new idea, and break your paper down into a series of related points that you wish to make in support of your thesis statement.

4. Each of Your Paragraphs Should Contain These Elements: UNITY, DEVELOPMENT, and COHERENCE
   • Paragraph Unity: Paragraph Unity means that your paragraph develops one main point, that is set forth by your topic sentence, and that all of the sentences in the paragraph relate to and support that main point.

   • Paragraph Development: Paragraph Development means that you have included all of the necessary information, explanation and support for your main point or topic sentence so that your reader fully understands the point you are trying to make.

   • Paragraph Coherence: Paragraph Coherence means that you have developed your point in an organized and logical way, which shows the connections between your sentences and ideas.

5. TRANSITIONS

   Transitions are one of the most important aspects of the body of your paper. Transitions between paragraphs as well as between sentences are essential in order for a paper to be readable, for the reader to fully understand the connections between the points you are trying to make and for the overall coherence of your essay. The use of transitions creates one unified paper instead of several smaller papers all thrown together under a similar larger topic.

   • Where Do We Need Transitions?
     1. Between Sections -- This divides the major ideas or topics of your paper
     2. Between Paragraphs -- This divides the minor ideas of your writing because you must show a logical connection between your paragraphs.
     3. Between Sentences -- This shows the relationship between your sentences. These transitions are generally only a word or two, and can be done through the use of conjunctions which are words used to combine two sentences and show the relationship between them.
     4. Between Parts of a Sentence -- This shows how phrases connect within your sentences.
   • Remember to use a variety of transitional expressions

   • Remember to be consistent with your transitional expressions that separate the sequential ordering of your points. For example, use first, second and third if you are ordering your points, but not first, secondly, and last

   • A mark of punctuation such as a dash, colon or semicolon, is a transition because it connects or shows a relationship between two things

   • Remember that if something connects or shows a relationship then it is a transition