BODY PARAGRAPHS

I CAN WRITE AN INTRODUCTION, BUT I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO AFTER, HELP ME.

REVIEW OF INTRO

• Hook (Question, Quote, Statement)

• Background/Overview Sentences (Author, Title of Work, Plot Summary)

• Thesis (Argument using Subpoints)

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH

• What are:

• Hook

• Overview Sentences

• Thesis

TOPIC SENTENCE (TS)

• The TS is a sentence that presents the first main idea you will use to prove your thesis. 

• A TS is the first sentence of a body paragraph and includes a subject, commentary words, and an explanation of the commentary words chosen.

TOPIC SENTENCE (TS) EXAMPLE

PRACTICE BODY PARAGRAPH WRITING

• Write a Thesis about one theme from the Ravine

• Choose one of the subpoints

• Write a topic sentence from your chosen subpoint.

CONCRETE DETAIL (CD)

• A CD is a sentence or sentences that present a piece of factual evidence or an example from the text of the literary work or historical text.

• The CD must be powerful, revealing in some way, and supportive of the TS (and overall thesis). 

• At times, your CD will be a paraphrase of what took place in the text. Your example should be as specific as possible and should almost always include a direct quote.

CONCRETE DETAIL EXAMPLE

PRACTICE BODY PARAGRAPH WRITING

• Write two concrete details supporting your topic sentence

• Must relate back to Thesis & Topic Sentence

COMMENTARY

• A CM is a sentence that voices your perspective, your interpretation, or your evaluation of the CD you selected. 

• Here is where you analyze things like character personality and motive, author technique, significance of events, causes of conflicts, etc.

• Remember that your CM should always explicitly explain how your CD advances your thesis.

COMMENTARY EXAMPLE

PRACTICE BODY PARAGRAPH WRITING

• Write two commentary statements for each of your Concrete Details

• Don’t forget to explain how it relates back to the Thesis & Topic sentence.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE

• Write a sentence that acts as an insightful mini-conclusion of the argument made in your BP while also serving as a transitional link to the next paragraph. 

• It’s a tough sentence to write, but a powerful and important one when finished. 

• This sentence must be something new and interesting (not just a cop-out repeat) and must be ALL commentary.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE EXAMPLE

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfV_yM7A1SY

PRACTICE BODY PARAGRAPH WRITING

• Write a concluding sentence to your paragraph

• Does it relate back to your paragraph’s topic sentence?

• Does it transition to your next topic sentence (second subpoint)?

• Is it all commentary?