Expository Body Paragraphs

What goes in the middle of the paper?

Body Paragraphs

• These are the paragraphs in the middle section of your paper.

• They fully explain your stance on your topic.• You must have multiple body paragraphs, so

depending on your topic, you may end up with anywhere from 2-6.

Parts of a body paragraph

You need to have: • A Topic Sentence!The rest of the paragraph will Be filled with supporting sentences, details, and examples that go with the Topic of the paragraph.

Topic Sentence

This is the MAIN sentence in the body paragraph. It can be the first sentence, but it doesn’t have to be. It tells what point you will be supporting in this paragraph. EVERY other sentence in the paragraph MUST have something to do with your topic sentence.

Ex. A food court in the cafeteria would provide students with many options for food.

Ineffective TOPIC SENTENCES(ICK!)

• First I’m going to tell you about how the classroom for a course on the history of racecars will be designed.

• I am going to talk about the way the class will look.

• First, the looks of the room.• This paragraph will tell you about the way the room will look.

Support Sentence and Detail Sentences

Support sentences explain the point that you have said you are going to make in your topic sentence.

Sometimes you need to give a good example of your supporting sentences just to help the audience have a better understanding of what you are talking about.

Strategies to Use

• Example from personal experience• Vivid adjectives, adverbs, and wording• Clear, concise wording• Specific examples• Further explanation of an interesting example• Describing an idea by defining what it’s not• Cause and effect relationship sentences

Examples and DetailsTopic Sentence: Home economics class will teach

students skills that most people use every day.Support and Detail Sentences: Children will learn to

read a recipe. They will learn the correct methods behind making measurements. Additionally, they will learn safety skills to help insure that they avoid burns and accidents in the kitchen. They will be able to take these new skills home with them to create meals for friends and family! Best of all, aspiring cooks will get to taste test their own creations right there in class!

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More, even Cooler Strategies!• Quotation from an expert• Simile or metaphor• Sensory Details and imagery• Statistics and percentages• Referencing a cultural phenomenon or icon• Statements of wonder• References current events or historical events• Keeps a running theme• Create a scenario

SampleThe teacher would play a key role in the acting class. The teacher would have to be a highly qualified drama teacher with a background in traditional acting as well as musical theatre. The teacher could not be someone who is afraid to share the limelight because to enhance the course he/she will be lining up guest teachers to come and speak. The first guest would have to be Johnny Depp because he has experience in a wide variety of parts.

Transitions

A transition is a word that helps a paper flow better. You should use a few in each body paragraph. Just make sure you don’t use too many! (You will sound like you are trying TOO hard)

Put transitions in your sentences• First of all• First• For one thing• Next• Second• Then• After that• The next thing is• Third• Thirdly• Last• Finally

• Another thing is• Next• Then• Also• For Example• For Instance• Since• Because of this• Similarly• Even though• Although• Meanwhile

Ineffective

First, I’m going to tell you how the room should be set up for the ballet class. It should be pretty. Lots of mirrors. The floor should be correct for dancing. It will be a big room.

Ineffective

First, the teachers would have to know a lot about acting. They would be good actors. They would be good singers. They would be good at dancing. They would know how to direct. They would be fun people.

IMPORTANT

• EVERY sentence in a paragraph MUST be related to the topic sentence for that paragraph.

• Be sure to explain all of your thoughts clearly and fully. Make sure the reader fully understands what you are talking about.

• Write as much as you possibly can without being repetitive or going off topic. Use details and examples.

• Be clear and precise.• Make sure the sentences come in a logical order• Use transition words

• Example from personal experience• Vivid adjectives, adverbs, and wording• Clear, concise wording• Specific examples• Further explanation of an interesting example• Describing an idea by defining what it’s not• Cause and effect relationship sentences• Quotation from an expert• Simile or metaphor• Sensory Details and imagery• Statistics and percentages• Referencing a cultural phenomenon or icon• Statements of wonder• References current events or historical events• Keeps a running theme• Create a scenario