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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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