Lesson 3 Writing Essay Body Paragraphs

Lesson 3: Writing Essay
Body Paragraphs
By Ms. Lydia Quinn
Wednesday 16th August 2023
ICEBREAKER:
 See how many songs you recall that contain the key words: Say or sing the
line/ lines that contain the key word
1. Love
2. Dance
3. Hands
4. Over
Developing Body Paragraphs
 Each body paragraph should have one main idea, expressed in
the form of a topic sentence. The topic sentence has three
important functions:
 1. It supports the thesis by stating a main point in the discussion
 2. It announces what the paragraph will be about
 3. It controls the subject matter of the paragraph so all the

examples and illustrations must directly relate to and support
the topic sentence.
Body Paragraphs
 A good topic sentence is clear and focused. Avoid vague and fuzzy statements.
 You should place the topic sentence as the first sentence
 The paragraph should be developed with information that adequately
explains, exemplifies, defines or in some way supports your topic sentence.
 The evidence that you can use to support your topic sentence can be:
personal experiences, memories, observations, hypothetical examples,
reasoned arguments, facts, statistics, testimony from authorities, expert
opinions, many kinds of studies, and research.
Types of Support Material
 Personal Experiences: your experience as a teacher, parent,
citizen
 Memories: what you remember
 Observations: what you have observed
 Hypothetical Examples: “If ……….., then………”
 Reasoned Arguments or Logical Arguments:
(a) Deductive Reasoning: start with a generalization, then give
examples that prove the generalization
(b) Inductive Reasoning: start with a set of examples, then arrive at
a conclusion/generalization based on the examples
Types of Support Material
 Facts: something that is known with certainty because it has
been objectively verified
 Statistics: collection of numerical facts
 Testimony from authorities: an authority figure or expert
testifies/gives evidence of something
 Expert opinions: the opinion of an expert in a particular field
 Studies/Research Findings: action research, interview, survey,
questionnaire, experiment done and certain things found
Sample of a Body Paragraph with
Support Material
Although cell phones are a time-saving convenience for busy people, they are too distracting
for use by drivers of moving vehicles, whose lack of full attention poses a serious threat to
other drivers and to pedestrians. The simple act of dialing or answering a phone, for example,
may take a driver’s eyes away from traffic signals or other cars. Moreover, involvement in a
complex or emotional conversation could slow down a driver’s response time just when fast
action is needed to avoid an accident. The author recalls an experience when driving behind a
man who was using his phone. As he drove and talked, one could observe him gesturing
wildly, obviously agitated by the other caller. His speed repeatedly slowed and then picked up,
slowed and increased, and his car drifted more than once, on a street frequently crossed by
schoolchildren. Because the man was clearly not in full, conscious control of his driving, he
was dangerous. This experience is not isolated; a recent study in 2011 by the Foundation for
Traffic Safety has discovered that using a cell phone is far more distracting to drivers than
listening to the radio or talking to a rider. This is borne out by the statistics from the Antigua
and Barbuda Traffic Department which shows that 80% of vehicular accidents were caused by
persons distracted while using cell phones (Traffic Department, 2011). Legislation may
therefore be needed to restrict phone use to drivers of moving vehicles.
Body Paragraphs
 The paragraph must have internal unity by ensuring that all the supporting details directly relate to
and are relevant to the topic sentence.
 Paragraph must have coherence by ensuring there is a recognizable and logical ordering of the
information. The ordering could be Order of Time (chronological order); Order of Space (inside to
outside); Inductive Order(paragraph begins with examination of details and then concludes with a
larger point or generalization about those details); Deductive Order(begins with a topic sentence
which is a generalization and proceeds to supporting details)
 Some paragraphs need transitional words or phrases to help the reader move smoothly:
- Giving examples: for example, for instance, namely, specifically, etc.
- Comparison: similarly, not only, but also, in comparison
- Contrast: although, but while, in contrast, however, though, on the other hand
- Sequence: first, second, third, finally, moreover, also, in addition, furthermore, next
- Result: therefore, thus, consequently, as a result
Body Paragraphs
 Important words or phrases (and their synonyms) may be repeated throughout the
paragraph to connect the thoughts into a coherent statement (e.g. men, people, husbands)
 Ensure parallelism in a paragraph by using the same grammatical structure in several
sentences to establish coherence (e.g. use “you” throughout or “one”)
 You need to consider the order in which you present the paragraphs. Some essays will
already have a natural order. For other essays, you will have to consider strategic placement
of your ideas. In some essays, especially argumentative, some persons withhold their
strongest point until the last so the reader is left with the strongest argument. Sometimes,
you may have to present one particular point first so that the other points make good sense.
Study your points and decide which order will be the most logical and effective.
 Each paragraph has to be linked with transitional words and phrases so that the essay is not
disjointed. The ones used within the paragraph can be used throughout the essay (See those
listed previously)
Writing a Paragraph Using Definition
Definition: involves clarifying terms/ concepts e.g. Christianity, Democracy, Global Warming,
etc.
 1. After you have selected a term, put that term into its larger class
 2. Give the term its identifying characteristics.
 3. Construct your topic sentence. You may want to provide a framework around the term
you are defining by putting it into a context of a specific time and place.
 4. If helpful, use negation, to tell what your term does not mean.
 5. Provide examples. Write at least one or two sentences for each example.
 6. Provide any additional analysis necessary for an understanding of the term.
 7. Write a concluding statement

Writing a Paragraph Using Illustration
Illustration: involves stating a thesis, clarifying it and explaining any important terminology that is
being used in the essay, and then presenting supporting information in the form of examples that
serve to illustrate the thesis e.g. the richness of Caribbean culture, etc.
 1. Compose your topic sentence, being sure to consider carefully your choice of controlling idea.
 2. When using examples, consider the options: personal experience, hypothetical examples,
interviews or surveys, and research. What type of example will fit your idea best?
 3. Decode how many examples you will provide to develop your paragraph. Will there be one
extended example with several sentences or several brief examples of one sentence each?
 4. If you have more than one example, decide on the order to present them. You can start with
the least important example and end with the most important
 5. Use complete sentences when you write down your examples. Each example must support
the main idea.
 6. Write a final sentence that concludes what you want to say about this idea.
Writing a Paragraph Using Causal
Analysis
Causal Analysis: involves a reasoning process of finding inferences, of tracing the logical relationship
between one thing and another. It involves explaining the cause-and-effect relationship between two or
more elements e.g. The Impact of Violent Media on Children
 1. After you have chosen your topic, plan your topic sentence
 2. Brainstorm by jotting down all possible causes or effects. Do research if necessary. Consider long-
range effects or underlying causes.
 3. Choose the three or four best points from your list.
 4. Decide on the best order for these points. One way is from least important to most important.
 5. Write at least one complete sentence for each of the causes or effects you have chosen from your
list.
 6. Write a concluding statement

Writing a Paragraph Using Process
Analysis
Process Analysis: a step-by-step explanation of how to do something or it can explain how
something happens e.g. How to Lose Weight Effectively
 1. After you have chosen your topic and controlling idea, plan your topic sentence.
 2. List as many steps or stages in the process as you can.
 3. Eliminate irrelevant steps, add any equipment or materials needed, and explain any special
circumstances of the process.
 4. Put the steps in order.
 5. Write at least one complete sentence for each of the steps you have chosen from your list.
 6. Write a concluding statement that says something about the results of completing the
process.
Writing a Paragraph Using Comparison
& Contrast
Comparison & Contrast: involves discussing one item by assessing it in terms of another item or we
assess both items by considering them in relation to some general standard e.g. Comparing and
Contrasting Covid-19 and the Flu
 1. After you have chosen your two-part topic, plan your topic sentence
 2. List each point that could be compared or contrasted.
 3. Choose the three or four most important points from your lists.
 4. Decide whether you want to use the point-by-point method or the block method of organizing
your paragraph
 5. Write at least one complete sentence for each of the points you have chosen from your list.
 6. Write a concluding statement that summarizes the main points, makes a judgment, or emphasizes
what you believe is the most important point.
Writing a Paragraph Using Classification
& Division
Classification & Division: separating something into its component parts (division); systematically grouping a
number of things into categories (classification) e.g. Various Types of Music
 1. After you have selected a topic, decide on the basis for your classification
 2. Determine the categories for your classification. Give each category an identifying title or name. Be as
creative as possible. Remember, no item should belong in more than one group, and your classification
should be complete.
 3. Write your topic sentence. Use one of the terms (such as group or type) that signal a classification
 4. Write at least one or two sentences for each group, remembering that each group should be given
approximately equal space and importance.
 5. Write a concluding statement. If you have not already indicated a useful purpose for the classification,
do so in the conclusion
Writing a Paragraph Using Subject
Analysis
 Subject Analysis: involves explaining what things are, how they are put together, how
they work e.g. The Human Body, Caribbean Music, Government, etc.
 1. After you have chosen your topic, respond to the following questions: who, what,
where, when, why, how
 2. Compose a topic sentence that incorporates answers to who, what, where, etc.
 3. Answer the questions by putting them into sentences.
 4. Use illustrations, definitions, etc. to clarify your sentences
 5. Write a concluding statement for the paragraph.

Practice Activity
 Group Write: Together, we will construct a body paragraph for a thesis statement

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Lesson 3: Writing Essay

 1. It supports the thesis by stating a main point in the discussion

 2. It announces what the paragraph will be about

 3. It controls the subject matter of the paragraph so all the

 2. Give the term its identifying characteristics.

 6. Provide any additional analysis necessary for an understanding of the term.

 7. Write a concluding statement

 3. Choose the three or four best points from your list.

 6. Write a concluding statement

 2. List as many steps or stages in the process as you can.

 4. Put the steps in order.

 2. List each point that could be compared or contrasted.

 3. Answer the questions by putting them into sentences.

 4. Use illustrations, definitions, etc. to clarify your sentences

 5. Write a concluding statement for the paragraph.

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