Study Skill 13.2 Essay Body Paragraphs

Introductory Activity: Body Paragraphs in Action

To begin our exploration of body paragraphs, let's read another set of samples:

80 percent of Americans eat fast food once a month (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/crispy-salty-american-history-fast-food-180972459/) and that is too much because fast food is bad for you even if it has vegetables and protein it can still have chemicals that can cause cancer or hurt you in other ways.

Now let's take a look at another version of this paragraph:

It is common knowledge that eating fast food is not healthy. It doesn’t matter if you choose tacos, pizza, or burgers, the calories and chemicals consumed are greater than if you made these same foods at home using fresh ingredients. According to Matthew Thompson, an editor for Eating Well Magazine, a Big Mac from McDonald’s has 540 calories and 29 mg of saturated fat. Thompson states that if you made this same burger at home, you would consume 375 calories and 16 mg of saturated fat. While the homemade burger is still on the unhealthy side, it is significantly fewer calories and fat than the Big Mac made at McDonald’s. Thompson also looks at the sodium in Big Mac, which is double that of a homemade burger coming in at a whopping 1,010 mg. According to Thompson, another issue contributing to the unhealthiness of the Big Mac is the buns, which are highly processed and contain several different chemicals. He compares this to a bun you could buy from a local bakery that has just five ingredients. The problem of making unhealthy choices is compounded when unhealthy foods take the place of healthy foods in our diets. A study has shown that children who attend school near fast-food restaurants eat fewer servings of fruits and vegetables, more sugary drinks and had a higher propensity to be overweight when compared to children who did not attend school near these places of business (Davis and Carpenter 505). Faced with the growing concern over childhood obesity and the growing concern about unhealthy ingredients, many restaurants are expanding their healthier menu options.

Now that you have read these two paragraphs, think about your answers to these questions:

Compare the size of the examples. Why is Example 2 so much longer than Example 1?
Both examples cite sources. Which one uses paraphrasing and correct citation?
A fully developed paragraph needs supporting sentences. How many supporting sentences does Example 1 have? Example 2?
According to the transition sentence in Example 2, what will be the topic of the next body paragraph?
How could you develop Example 1 from one sentence to a full paragraph?

Introduction to the Concept

Returning to the hamburger analogy of the essay, the body paragraphs are all the delicious things that are between the buns of the sandwich. If the introduction and conclusion are the buns, the body paragraphs are the meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and other tasty toppings. The main ideas that support the thesis are in the body paragraph. All that research that must be done to prove the thesis statement can be found in the body paragraphs. The main message you want to send to your reader is supported by details and examples found in the body of your essay. The body paragraphs make the essay fulfilling and satisfying.

Depending on the assignment, you may have 1,2, or 3 body paragraphs. Perhaps you will be required to write even more if you have a very challenging essay assignment. For this tutorial, we have focused on the five-paragraph essay which requires three body paragraphs. Each body paragraph must contain the following parts.

Topic sentence

One statement
Tells the reader the main idea of the paragraph

Supporting sentences

At least 3
Must connect to and support the topic

Transition sentence

Comes at the end of the paragraph, like a clincher or concluding sentence in a paragraph assignment.
May serve as a sense of closure for a complete point.
Often serves to connect the current point to the next point.
Overall, bridges to the next paragraph.

If any of these pieces are missing then you have an underdeveloped paragraph. You need to make sure to include every piece to make your essay satisfying and complete.

Watch

Writing Transition Sentences - Shmoop https://tinyurl.com/pl6q3um
How and When to use a concluding sentence - Shmoop https://tinyurl.com/yc8t3nzw
How to write body paragraphs - connecting details and support to the topic https://tinyurl.com/qthlgd4

Visit

Writing body paragraphs - the PIE formula https://tinyurl.com/y8q4j67n
What is a body paragraph? - text, video, and quiz https://tinyurl.com/ybx7l82c

Special Focus: Drafting, Revising, and Editing

You may think that writing is something you do naturally and you are either good at it or not. That isn’t true! You can become a stronger writer by following the writing process and getting support from teachers, peers, and resources. An important part of the writing process comes at the end, after you have planned and written your essay. It is time for drafting, revising, and editing. What is the difference between each of these steps?

Drafting

Writing your essay. Each time you make revisions or edits you create another draft. The final draft submitted for your assignment should be clean and clear of all editing and revising marks. It should be free of errors and include all the requirements for the assignment.

Revising

This step focuses on the paper as a whole and gives attention to things such as focus on the topic, organization, supporting sentences/information, and the clarity of your voice in the essay.
It requires a look at how the message is conveyed between the writer and the reader.
Make sure your focus is clear and you have addressed the prompt.
Check your argument for support and clarity. You should have adequate research to support your side and the opposing side, if necessary.
Helps you to see the strengths and weaknesses of the essay.
This is where you define terms for your reader, narrow or elaborate ideas, and rewrite any areas that may be confusing.
It is okay to move the sentences around and even re-organize the paragraphs. Just be sure your introduction overview mirrors this change in topics.

Editing

Focuses on the sentence level and any issues with spelling, grammar, punctuation, or word choice.
Get advice from a teacher or peer at this stage. There is no conversation like we have in revising, the editor just needs to mark comments and corrections on the paper.
Your editor can make a guess as to what grade your writing will receive based on the errors present and the grading rubric. You can be your own editor.
Any mistakes that are found should be fixed in this stage of the writing process.

It is necessary to go through all of these steps in the writing process. If you feel your first draft is perfect, that is a sure bet that it is not, and you need to continue to draft, revise, and edit before you submit your work. Below are some resources you can use to help you through the writing process.

Review the assignment directions, writing prompt, and grading rubric. Make sure your essay addresses all the items in each of these.
Use the Peer Editing Response Form to get input and advice from several friends and classmates.
Edit and revise your work on your own using some of the resources listed below.
Work with a teacher if you have any questions.
Persevere! Strong writers are not created overnight or through one assignment. Keep doing your best and follow the writing process.

Resources

Aimes Community College, Revision tips with checklist: https://tinyurl.com/yd4ojrsa
Berkeley Student Learning Center, Editing vs. Revision https://tinyurl.com/ya9yt5w7
Berkeley Student Learning Center, Revising body paragraphs https://tinyurl.com/y9dkp4k2
George Mason University, Editing tips with checklist https://tinyurl.com/ybqj7uck
Excelsior Online Writing Lab, Printable and Interactive Editing checklist https://tinyurl.com/ycdwwmnn
Guide to Self-Editing with checklist https://tinyurl.com/y9y695n8
Plymouth State University, Peer editing checklist https://tinyurl.com/ya55xf8z