CUNY - College of Staten Island - English Language Institute



CUNY - College of Staten Island: The English Language Institute (ELI) of the Center for Global Engagement has offered innovative academic programs for students learning English as a Second Language since the late 1970’s. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and ethnicity of New York City. Classes range from beginner to the advanced level.

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

How to make body paragraphs in an essay

How to make body paragraphs in an essay

The structures of an essay and a body paragraph are different. There are some parts in common but the contents may differ in information.

In this article, we will cover how to structure a body paragraph, not an essay structure. The body paragraph has four components: topic sentence, explanation or reason, evidence or facts, and a concluding sentence. The difference with an essay is mainly the length and the content of what we are about to write.




The body paragraphs explain the essay and each idea that will build up the essay.

There are four components:

  1. Topic sentence: The main idea in each paragraph. It is usually the first sentence in the paragraph, but it can be placed afterwards as well as long as it has coherence to show that we are portraying the main idea there.
  2. Explanation or reason: This is a sentence in each paragraph that explains the topic sentence. It can further explain why the topic sentence has been written in a certain way. We usually use the word 'because', but the writer can use other expressions as well such as since, due to, due to the fact that, among other expressions. Not all the paragraphs need an explanation, but it can be replaced with other perspectives such as contrasts, comparisons, examples, etc.
  3. Evidence or facts: One key factor in a paragraph is to provide facts. The writer can provide evidence with examples, data, numbers, dates, time expressions, etc. This is an important part when you write a complex essay where you have to provide evidence of your findings or opinions. If your essay is about a situation that occurred, you can extend your evidence giving more details of what happened, citing dates, timelines, or even quotes. The number of sentences providing facts per paragraph will depend on the complexity of your entire essay.
  4. Concluding sentence: This is not the final idea or opinion of your essay but the wrap-up of your paragraph. The writer can provide 'small' conclusions or concluding opinions of each paragraph and even putting in advance some concluding positions you may have from the main topic. If the topic sentence does not summarize the main idea of the essay, you may end your paragraph with simple conclusions in compound, concluding sentences.
Good luck on your essay!

English Language Institute
College of Staten Island




------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interested in learning English? Sign up in our English program: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu / www.csi.cuny.edu/eli at the English Language Institute at the College of Staten Island/The City University of New York (CUNY). The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and innovative academic program for students learning English as a second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and the ethnicity of New York City. ELI offers semester and summer terms of 18 and 22 hours of class per week. Students can also join the groups that have already started the semester or summer term and study as many weeks as possible. Students have courses such as reading and writing, grammar, conversation, and TOEFL test preparation workshops with a final TOEFL ITP test, which lets students apply for any CUNY school degree. Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience. We invite you to come and see our beautiful campus. Learn English while enjoying the rich culture New York City has to offer. Staten Island Staten Island is about four times the size of Manhattan and has a population of approximately 473,000. It is noted for its parks and recreational areas, in addition to several notable cultural sites. Manhattan and other "boroughs" of New York City are easily accessible by public transportation. The campus The College is set on a large campus with woodlands and open spaces in Staten Island. Its attractive facilities include technologically advanced laboratories, a Sports and Recreation Center and a Center for the Performing and Creative Arts. Campus location The College is twenty-five minutes by ferry from Manhattan. Our students have easy access to the rich cultural life of the City by way of a ferry shuttle ride located on the CSI campus. The ferry shuttle travels directly to the Staten Island ferry. ELI academic program The ELI offers intensive, comprehensive English language instruction and cultural orientation throughout the year. The program covers all aspects of spoken and written English, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are given at three levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Course content includes the proper use of English structures, fluency and accuracy of expression with acceptable pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Students communicate in English from the first lesson at the beginner level. At all levels they work on integrated skills, focusing on the active, knowledgeable use of the language, rather than mere passive comprehension. ELI courses: Reading & Writing Grammar Communications (Conversation) TOEFL Workshop

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