Body Paragraphs Flashcards
What is the most important thing to remember about body paragraphs?
They provide direct support for your thesis.
Why is there a direct correlation between your thesis and your body paragraphs?
They are very much dependent on one another: each body paragraph provides one point of support for your thesis (which is your answer to the prompt) and the sum of your points (two or three, depending on the essay) forms your argument in supporting and advancing the position of your thesis and in answering the question posed in the prompt.
What are the three central components of a strong body paragraph?
1) A specific point conveyed via a topic sentence (with a clear tie to both thesis and prompt)
2) Supporting evidence (ex. a specific example, logic, reason, or some combination; it can and should draw on the scenario of the prompt, as applicable)
3) Direct and specific analysis (how your example proves your point and thus supports your larger argument)
How should your topic sentence be formatted?
It is generally one sentence, but there are some exceptions
What are the requirements for a topic sentence?
It should clearly and specifically identify the point you will argue in the paragraph; it must be as specific as possible while maintaining a clear connection to the thesis (and therefore the prompt).
How should your evidence be formatted?
It is generally 2-4 sentences, depending on what is necessary for the particular point
In timed essays, what form does evidence usually take?
It usually is conveyed in the form of “real-world examples”, but the evidence is not restricted to only this
What types of evidence can you use?
You can use a specific example, of anything you’ve learned or experienced, read, or heard, etc.
What are examples of evidence?
politics, literature, science, history, current events, sports, popular culture (and more); you can also employ logic and reason, in response to the scenario of the prompt
What should you be careful of when employing logic and reason as evidence?
Be careful not to employ polarizing or easily disputed logic, or to present broad assumptions and generalizations as fact.
How should the analysis be formatted?
It is generally 1-2 sentences at the end of the body paragraph.
What is the most important component of your body paragraph?
Analysis, as it allows you to tie your point into your larger argument
What are you asking the reader to do, without analysis?
You are asking the reader to do too much work in inferring the relevance and validity of your point.
What does analysis help you do?
It helps you connect the dots for the reader and allows you to showcase your own ideas, rather than rely on your evidence alone to make the point.
