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The Main Course-Body Paragraphs

By Kyle Cushman, Vermont College of Union Institute and University

Basic essay structure always has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. While the introduction and conclusion are the appetizer and dessert of the essay respectively, the body paragraphs are the "meat and potatoes" (or for vegetarians, the tofu and potatoes). A good introduction wets the appetite, tantalizing the reader with an interesting lead and a provocative thesis statement, and the conclusion puts the finishing touches on a lovely meal, leaving the reader satisfied. The body paragraphs are the main course; they are what fill the reader up with intriguing ideas, tasty facts and delicious details.

Effective body paragraphs should:

1. present key points that support the thesis (main point) which was stated in the introduction.
2. analyze and explain the key points.
3. support the key points with specific details, evidence, facts, quotes and anecdotes.

Steps for students to consider when writing body paragraphs:

A. Create a list of key points

• What key points should I discuss to help my reader understand my thesis?

These key points will be the topics for individual body paragraphs.

B. Analyze and explain

• Why is this point important to know?

After stating a key point in your body paragraph, show how that point supports your thesis by drawing upon a healthy mix of your own ideas and the ideas of experts on the topic (authors, researchers, etc.).

C. Details and evidence

• What are the relevant quotes, details, facts, research results, stories, and examples that will best support each key point?

Be sure to be the "guide" who helps the reader to understand the relevance of the evidence you are including in your body paragraphs. What does this evidence show about your key point?

When revising body paragraphs, students can watch out for:

• Paragraphs which don't state the key point or topic.
• Paragraphs in which the key point is unclear.
• Key points that don't support the thesis and are irrelevant.
• Paragraphs with more than one key point or topic.
• Paragraphs which offer a key point and evidence, but no analysis or explanation.
• Paragraphs which offer a key point and an analysis, but no evidence.
• Irrelevant evidence that does not support the key point.

Overall, coach students to check to be sure they have logical transitions between body paragraphs and that their points (and therefore their paragraphs) are arranged in the best order. One point should flow to the next. Once students get the hang of writing effective body paragraphs, the whole essay will be stronger and will hold together as a cohesive whole. Though students may feel that they already know how to write body paragraphs, breaking down these paragraphs to their essential parts can help students to achieve more coherency.

Questions or comments? Contact the author at kyle.cushman@tui.edu.

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