body paragraphs in english literature

McCombes, S. (2022, November 29). How to Write Topic Sentences | 4 Steps, Examples & Purpose. Scribbr. Retrieved March 5, 2023, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-paper/topic-sentences/

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How to Write Strong Paragraphs

Paragraphs are medium-sized units of writing, longer than sentences , but shorter than sections, chapters, or entire works. Because they connect the “small” ideas of individual sentences to a “bigger” idea, paragraph structure is essential to any writing for organization , flow, and comprehension.

Students have a lot of questions when it comes to writing a paragraph: How many sentences should you use ? How do you transition within a paragraph? When do you end a paragraph? Etc. Below we explain everything you need to know about paragraph structure to write like an expert, including several paragraph examples.

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How is a paragraph structured?

Before we dive into paragraph structure, let’s start with paragraph meaning. A paragraph is an individual segment of writing that discusses a central idea, typically with more than one sentence. It even has its own paragraph symbol in copyediting, called the pilcrow (¶), not to be confused with the section symbol called the silcrow (§) that’s common in legal code.

Here we focus mainly on paragraph structure, but feel free to read our ultimate guide to paragraphs for more of the basics.

Parts of a paragraph

Like other forms of writing, paragraphs follow a standard three-part structure with a beginning, middle, and end. These parts are the topic sentence , development and support , and conclusion .

Topic sentences , also known as “paragraph leaders,” introduce the main idea that the paragraph is about. They shouldn’t reveal too much on their own, but rather prepare the reader for the rest of the paragraph by stating clearly what topic will be discussed.

The development and support sentences act as the body of the paragraph. Development sentences elaborate and explain the idea with details too specific for the topic sentence, while support sentences provide evidence, opinions, or other statements that back up or confirm the paragraph’s main idea.

Last, the conclusion wraps up the idea, sometimes summarizing what’s been presented or transitioning to the next paragraph. The content of the conclusion depends on the type of paragraph, and it’s often acceptable to end a paragraph with a final piece of support that concludes the thought instead of a summary.

How many sentences are in a paragraph?

Most paragraphs contain between three and five sentences, but there are plenty of exceptions. Different types of paragraphs have different numbers of sentences, like those in narrative writing, in particular, where single-sentence paragraphs are common.

Likewise, the number of sentences in a paragraph can change based on the style of the writer. Some authors prefer longer, more descriptive paragraphs, while other authors prefer shorter, faster-paced paragraphs.

When it comes to nonfiction writing, like research papers or reports , most paragraphs have at least three sentences: a topic sentence, a development/support sentence, and a conclusion sentence.

Types of paragraphs

Depending on the kind of writing you’re doing, you may need to use different types of paragraphs. Here’s a brief explanation of the common paragraph types most writing deals with.

The type of paragraph used usually depends on the type of writing. For example, if you’re writing a research paper, it would be difficult to justify a narrative paragraph.

Example paragraphs from literature

Rather than merely talk about paragraph structure, let’s look at some paragraph examples so you can see structure in action.

The first paragraph example comes from Bertrand Russell in his essay “Icarus, or the Future of Science.” This excerpt uses the same paragraph structure often used in research papers, essays, and other nonfiction writing. The first sentence makes a claim, and the subsequent sentences defend that claim, ending in a strong conclusion that ties everything together.

If men were rational in their conduct, that is to say, if they acted in the way most likely to bring about the ends that they deliberately desire, intelligence would be enough to make the world almost a paradise. In the main, what is in the long run advantageous to one man is also advantageous to another. But men are actuated by passions which distort their view; feeling an impulse to injure others, they persuade themselves that it is to their interest to do so. They will not, therefore, act in the way which is in fact to their own interest unless they are actuated by generous impulses which make them indifferent to their own interest. This is why the heart is as important as the head. By the “heart” I mean, for the moment, the sum-total of kindly impulses. Where they exist, science helps them to be effective; where they are absent, science only makes men more cleverly diabolic.

Notice how all sentences in the paragraph relate to the same idea: That humans act emotionally more than rationally. However, each sentence makes its own unique point, and when taken together, they connect to the central topic.

Another nonfiction paragraph example comes from Twelve Years a Slave , a memoir from freeborn African-American Solomon Northup who was kidnapped and forced into slavery for twelve years before friends and family intervened with the help of the law.

I expected to die. Though there was little in the prospect before me worth living for, the near approach of death appalled me. I thought I could have been resigned to yield up my life in the bosom of my family, but to expire in the midst of strangers, under such circumstances, was a bitter reflection.

Each sentence in this paragraph example relates to the feeling described in the topic sentence. Although writing in a narrative form, Northup waits until a new paragraph to continue the story—this paragraph focuses solely on that one emotion.

Finally, let’s look at a fiction paragraph example. In Bram Stoker’s Dracula , one of the protagonists, Jonathan Harker, describes the appearance of Count Dracula.

His face was a strong—a very strong—aquiline, with high bridge of the thin nose and peculiarly arched nostrils; with lofty domed forehead, and hair growing scantily round the temples but profusely elsewhere. His eyebrows were very massive, almost meeting over the nose, and with bushy hair that seemed to curl in its own profusion. The mouth, so far as I could see it under the heavy moustache, was fixed and rather cruel-looking, with peculiarly sharp white teeth; these protruded over the lips, whose remarkable ruddiness showed astonishing vitality in a man of his years. For the rest, his ears were pale, and at the tops extremely pointed; the chin was broad and strong, and the cheeks firm though thin. The general effect was one of extraordinary pallor.

Paragraphs in fiction are more flexible with the rules, but nonetheless, this paragraph includes both a topic sentence and a concluding summary. Notice how all the details pertain to Dracula’s face and head; Stoker begins a new paragraph when describing other parts of his appearance, like his hands, because the author treats it as a separate topic.

How to write a paragraph

Paragraph structure isn’t just for the benefit of readers, it also helps authors organize their thoughts and communicate clearly. Below we explain the different steps of how to write a paragraph, from the paragraph introduction all the way to the conclusion.

How to plan a paragraph

Before you begin writing a paragraph, look at how the paragraph fits into the writing as a whole. As mentioned above, different types of writing use different types of paragraphs, so make sure the paragraph type you’re planning matches the context.

Ideally, you’ll already have an outline for whatever you’re writing, which will tell you what the paragraph is about and what to include. If not, your first step is to decide on the paragraph topic and which facts to include as support and development.

Keep in mind what comes before and after the paragraph so you can plan the right topic for the flow of your writing. It’s jarring for the reader when the author jumps wildly from one topic to the next, so try to keep all related paragraphs together and in a logical sequence. If that’s not possible, plan your topic sentence as a segue, perhaps using a transition word .

It also helps to sketch out the parts of your paragraph: topic sentence, development and support, and conclusion. The more you prepare these parts now, the easier it will be to put them into words later.

How to start a paragraph

Unless you’re doing narrative writing, your paragraph introduction should always be the topic sentence. The trick is to avoid overexplaining—say only what’s necessary. The goal of the topic sentence is to inform the reader what the paragraph is about; everything extra should be saved for the following sentences.

For example, in the Twelve Years a Slave paragraph sample, the topic sentence is only four words long. Northup saves the details for the following sentences. As an added effect, the brevity of his first sentence adds both mystery and potency, piquing the reader’s interest and enticing them to continue.

On a technical note, when beginning a new paragraph, follow the rules of paragraph indentation for whatever style guide you’re using. There is a paragraph indentation debate about when to indent the first line and when not to; really, it depends on the assignment or audience.

How to transition within a paragraph

It’s not enough to just throw all your support sentences into a paragraph and hope for the best. For the convenience of your reader, it’s best to connect the sentences in a way that lets the reader move from one point to the next without getting confused.

While some paragraph sentences will run together on their own, sometimes you need transition sentences to assist the flow. Transition sentences make use of transition words like “however,” “therefore,” or “similarly,” or sometimes directly reference the preceding sentence.

Consider the sentence in Russell’s paragraph example: “This is why the heart is as important as the head.” If Russell had said only “The heart is as important as the head,” it would have created an abrupt tone—he adds “this is why” to ease the transition.

If your sentences create a list, such as instructions, you can transition from one item to another using ordinals like “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. Ordinals work well with difficult transitions because they can fit almost any paragraph.

How/when to end a paragraph

When you’ve said everything you need to say about a topic, it’s time to end the paragraph. If the paragraph looks like it’s too long after you’ve said everything, consider breaking it up into separate topics and paragraphs for the sake of the reader.

The best way to end a paragraph is to sum up the topic with all the new information from the support sentences. In the excerpt from Dracula , Stoker concludes with an overall impression of the Count from all the details listed in the previous sentences.

However, it’s not always necessary to restate the topic, which can sometimes come across as padding. It’s equally viable to end a sentence stating one final piece of support. In these instances, it’s best to conclude with the piece of information that has the most profound effect, as with Northup’s excerpt.

Paragraph structure FAQs

What is a paragraph .

A paragraph is a collection of sentences that relate to a single topic.

What are the keys to a strong paragraph?

A strong paragraph explores a single topic with details following in a logical order. Paragraphs often use transitions to connect otherwise disjointed sentences, helping every piece of information to work together.

How is a paragraph structured?

Good paragraphs begin with a topic sentence that briefly explains what the paragraph is about. Next come a few sentences for development and support, elaborating on the topic with more detail. Paragraphs end with a conclusion sentence that summarizes the topic or presents one final piece of support to wrap up.

Writing About Literature: Drafting Body Paragraphs

Contributor: Melissa Kowalski. Lesson ID: 12880

You've got a topic to write about, but you want to make sure it makes sense and is easy to read. An introduction without a proper body is like introducing The Invisible Man: there's nothing there!

Lesson Plan - Get It!

When you hear a speaker, that speaker is introduced before the speech, not during or after.

The speaker spends more time preparing the speech than the introduction. It's the content that gives the speech its value and validates the speaker.

Learn how that applies to writing your essay!

You may have heard that the best place to start is at the beginning.

"But wait," you think. "This lesson is supposed to be about writing body paragraphs, and I haven't written my introduction yet."

You are correct — you haven't started writing your introduction paragraph, and that is because it can be easier to start writing a paper by writing the body paragraphs FIRST!

There are no rules that say you have to start writing a paper with the introduction and write the paper from beginning to end in order.

Some writers are comfortable with starting a paper at the beginning, and others find it intimidating. Just remember that there is no one correct way to write a paper, and every paper you write doesn't have to be written in the same way.

However, for this series, you will practice writing the body paragraphs first, so whether you discover that you enjoy this technique or don't find it productive for your writing style, at least you will have had the opportunity to try a different way of writing.

So why are we starting with the body paragraphs?

The answer is simple: you developed all the information you need for them in the previous Literary Response Paper lesson, found under Related Lessons in the right-hand sidebar.

Your cluster chart contains all the information you need to write your body paragraphs. Therefore, you have specific information about which you can write, so you don't have to worry about staring at a blank screen or page wondering what to write first.

Before you begin drafting your body paragraphs, it's important to understand the components that body paragraphs in a literary response paper should have.

As you read through the parts of a body paragraph for a literary response paper, take notes on these elements. The components are:

The beginning of a body paragraph should start with a transition word or phrase.

This helps the reader move from the previous paragraph to the new paragraph. The writer is leaving a sign-post that the topic is changing.

Transitions might include numbers such as:

Or they might include prepositional words or phrases such as:

Topic sentence

The topic sentence could be part of the first sentence where the transition is used, or it might be in a second sentence.

It is placed at the beginning of the paragraph to inform the reader of the paragraph's focus.

A strong body paragraph will only have one focus because it helps keep the paper's material organized and helps the reader better understand what he or she is reading.

Explanation of topic sentence

This is a sentence, or a few sentences, in the writer's own words that describes the topic more fully.

A simple topic might only need a sentence of explanation, but a more complex topic might need more description in the writer's own words to fully explain the topic to the reader.

This description is a general explanation of the topic. It is the writer's job to make sure a reader understands a topic, so always add as much explanation as you can.

Example(s) to illustrate topic

This is a sentence, or a few sentences, that provides the specific example(s) from the text that prove the claim the topic the paragraph is making.

A paragraph should include one or two examples, depending on the depth of explanation needed for each example. This is where direct quotes should be included in the paragraph.

Be as specific as you can when choosing examples so the reader understands them if he or she has not read the text on which you are writing.

Explanation of examples

It is not enough to simply include examples. A writer must explain how the examples support the paragraph's topic.

A writer can't assume that a reader will interpret an idea in the way that a writer intends, so to make sure a reader understands the point and can see the connection between the example(s) and the paragraph's topic, the writer has to explain in a sentence or a few sentences what the connection is.

Summary sentence

A paragraph should end with a summary sentence to conclude and recap the main idea of the paragraph.

Think of it as a mini-conclusion to the paragraph. You wouldn't end an essay without a conclusion paragraph, so you don't want to end a paragraph without a conclusion sentence.

A body paragraph should be at least five to seven sentences in length, but it can be longer if it takes more sentences to set up or explain the examples.

Now that you have read about the parts of a body paragraph for a literary response paper, some of them might already be familiar to you.

When you're ready, move on to the Got It? section to practice decoding a paragraph.

Resources and Extras

Related Lessons

Suggested Lessons

Practicing Personification

Narrative Writing: Dialogue

Conjunctions

More and Most: How and When to Use Them

Paragraph Structure: How to Write a Body Paragraph | Essay Writing Part 4

In part four of our Essay Series, we explain to structure your body paragraphs for a Band 6 result.

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Welcome to our post on How to Write a Body Paragraph. This is part 4 in our Essay Writing Series. It will teach you Band 6 paragraph structure for your essays. Some common issues students have with their essays are:

What is paragraph structure?

In this post, we will explain what a sustained argument is; what the theory behind paragraph structure is; and discuss how to produce a body paragraph that develops a sustained argument. We will then show you an easy step-by-step process for writing great body paragraphs.

1. Basic Paragraph Structure 2. Sustained Arguments 3. Recapping Essay Structure 4. Writing a Body Paragraph with a T.E.E.L structure 5. Organising Notes 6. Paragraph Structure: How to Write a Body Paragraph – A Step-by-Step Guide 7. Body Paragraph Structure – A Checklist for Using Evidence

Read on to learn how to write Band 6 body paragraphs.

Basic paragraph structure: How to write a body paragraph | Essay writing Part 4

While many students think otherwise, essay writing is not a mystery. Essay writing is a practical skill that can be learned and improved through practice and dedication. One of the most important skills you must learn is how to develop examples from a text into an argument that supports your thesis.

Body paragraphs are where you support your thesis with evidence. In the case of an English essay, these are where you present your examples and quotations from the text and explain how they support your argument. For example:

Do you see the value of this paragraph structure?

This structure introduces your ideas, supports them, and then connects your evidence back to your thesis. This is the structure of a sustained argument.

Body paragraphs only work well if they are clearly signposted and well structured. Remember, the aim of a good essay is to produce a sustained argument . In this series of posts you have seen us use that term consistently.

But what does a sustained argument actually achieve?

A sustained argument develops an argument so that the work is done for the reader!

The information the reader wants is presented and developed in such a way that it is clearly and easily digestible. Having a strong paragraph structure is crucial for this.

Paragraph structure, sustained arguments, and the ease of reading

Let’s explain how this works and why ease of reading is important.

When we read we don’t like to have our concentration broken. We like to have an argument and its evidence presented clearly and logically. This means that we don’t need to stop and think, or stop and reread, in the midst of reading a piece of writing. This is why signposting is important.

Signposting gives structure and signals to a reader where in an essay they are. Signposting, especially by using topic sentences, consistently orientates readers in the argument – these signposts enable you to see what is being argued and how it relates to the bigger picture in the essay.

If the signposting is flawed and the argument is not consistent, the reader will get distracted. Or worse, they will stop reading and have to start again further up. People are more often convinced by an argument if it is well structured and easy to follow.

Think about what that means for a moment.

Arguments seem more logical if they are easy to read and follow.

So, your essay needs to be easy to read and follow. You don’t want your marker to have to reread part of your essay or stop and think about whether your argument is logical or makes sense. To do this, you must ensure that you have a sustained argument.

Let’s recap how to build the foundations of this in the introduction before we move on to explain how to write body paragraphs that sustain your thesis.

Recapping introductions and topic sentences

In our previous posts, we discussed how the key parts of an introduction – the thesis and thematic framework – connect to the signposting in the body paragraph.

Let’s see how that worked again:

Blog-English-How-To-Write-A-Thematic-Framework-Essay-Structure

Diagram: Essay Structure and Signposting (©Matrix education, 2017)

As you can see, there is a clear and direct connection between the topic sentence and the two central parts of the introduction. This is integral to a sustained argument and what you need to capitalise on in your body paragraphs.

The best way to do this is to present evidence in a methodical way that both supports and reasserts your topic sentence. This, in turn, will clearly sustain your overall thesis throughout your response. Consequently, this will increase its readability and make it more persuasive.

Let’s have a look at how to do this using a T.E.E.L structure.

Writing body paragraphs using a T.E.E.L structure

Remember, body paragraphs are where you present your evidence. You need to present evidence in a way that supports your thesis and topic sentence. This kind of paragraph structure will increase readability and aid the logic of your argument.

The best method for this is to use a T.E.E.L . structure.

What is a T.E.E.L structure?

T.E.E.L refers to:

E xplanation

This is the ideal structure that Matrix English students are taught to use when writing their body paragraphs. Rather than presenting a list of quotations and techniques, a T.E.E.L structure develops these pieces of evidence into a thorough argument. This is essential for a sustained argument and, thus, a Band 6 result.

The diagram below may help you to visualize T.E.E.L parts of the paragraph:

Diagram: Elements of a T.E.E.L paragraph (© Matrix Education 2017)

It is important to note that these components can be presented in any order. You can begin with the evidence or the explanation of how it links to the topic at hand. The important thing is doing all of the steps involved.

Let’s consider a student who is writing an essay on William Shakespeare’s Macbeth for Year 11 Critical Study of Literature . To do this we must first assemble some notes.

Organising your notes for better body paragraph structure

A good body paragraph needs evidence. So be sure to analyse your text thoroughly for evidence to discuss before starting an essay.

It is important that you organise your evidence and notes in a logical manner that makes it easy to write practice essays. Matrix students learn how to tabulate notes so they can learn to write dynamic essays, rather than learning how to memorise essays. Good paragraph structure is meaningless without meaningful analysis!

For this example, we will continue looking at Macbeth and the question from the previous posts in this series. For the purpose of writing a body paragraph, we will look at the text through the lens of Year 11 Module B – Critical Study of Literature.

What is Year 11 Module B?

Year 11 Module B is the Critical Study of Literature. In this module, students study canonical texts and engage in a critical study of their themes and construction. They take into account a text’s context and develop their own critical interpretation of the text and decide whether it has distinctive qualities and textual integrity .

When we develop our analysis of Macbeth we will connect it to the requirements of this module.

Let’s have a look at one way to tabulate your notes for study:

In this table, the text is broken down by character, themes, technique, effect, and connection to the module.

Think about that for a moment.

Do you do this? You should!

Tabulating your notes like this allows you to easily transform your notes into part of an argument.

This table layout allows you to easily see the connections between the different components of a T.E.E.L paragraph. You can draw these components together to craft powerful analytical statements about the text that are supported by evidence. This is the most important part of paragraph structure: connecting these pieces of information to develop an argument.

Thus, we can use the information from this table to produce a body paragraph. Let’s look at how to use this evidence and analysis to put together a Band 6 response. But first we need to have quick refresher of the question, thesis, and topic sentences that we developed in the previous posts.

Recapping our thesis and topic sentences

Before we consider the details of paragraph structure, we need to revisit the thesis statement and topic sentence. In the first post in the series , we looked at the following question:

“William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is not about revenge, it is a play concerned with morality and madness.”

To what extent do you agree with this statement? Make use of detailed references to the play in your response.

And in the second post , we developed the following thesis in response to it:

“The resolution of The Tragedy of Macbeth (1606) is driven by revenge. However, it is Shakespeare’s interrogation of the morality of Macbeth’s actions and his subsequent descent into madness that is the central focus of the text.”

We decided to look at the following themes:

And in the third post , we produced the following topic sentences to support our argument.

Now we have evidence and a question to work from, we will write a body paragraph using the second topic sentence and the theme of morality.

Paragraph structure: how to write a body paragraph – A step-by-step guide

Evidence supports your arguments and demonstrates your logic to the reader.

Take a second to let that sink in.

This means that your evidence must be relevant to your argument and be explained clearly.

Let’s see the steps that Matrix English Students are taught to use for writing Band 6 responses:

Step 1: Analyse the text

Paragraph structure begins with analysis. We have done this already. This is the information that we have organised into our table above. You will need to ensure that you have gone through you text, in detail, as we have above.

If you need help analysing your texts, look at our Literary Technique Series of posts .

Step 2: Decide which evidence is best for the point you are trying to make

We have several quotations in the table above, but they don’t all suit the argument we are trying to make.

For the purposes of this example we will write a shorter body paragraph that uses the following to quotations.

We will use these because they both directly address the statement – “ Macbeth’s struggle with his increasing immorality foreshadows the text’s depiction of vengeance.”

Step 3: Decide the order of your evidence

Paragraph structure requires logical ordering. We need to organise the evidence in a logical manner that best supports our position. This may be a sequential order that reflects the order of events in the text, or it could be more of a thematic approach that develops a theme.

In this instance we are trying to analyse the character development of Macbeth, so we will present and discuss the quotations in the sequential order they appear in the text.

Our body paragraph outline is dictated by our examples:

Notice how these quotations follow the character arc of Macbeth? This will give our paragraph a logical structure.

It is important to mentally draw up a body paragraph outline that is logically structured. This is essential for a sustained argument.

Step 4: Introduce your first example

There must be a logical progression to paragraph structure. The segue, that is the transition , between topic sentence and your first example must develop the idea and seem like part of an argument, not the introduction of a list.

Thus, this statement needs to connect the idea we have introduced in the topic sentence to the example from the text. So, in keeping with this process we need to connect the theme of morality and concept of character development to our first example.

That would look like this:

Macbeth’s struggle with his increasing immorality foreshadows the text’s depiction of vengeance. Macbeth likes the concept of wielding more power, but he struggles with the morality of acquiring it.

Consider the logical structure of this:

The next step in paragraph structure is to introduce the example and discuss how it is developing meaning (its technique) and what this represents (its effect).

Step 5: Explain the technique and effect present in the example

The body paragraph requires evidence to make an argument. Good paragraph structure requires examples to be introduced and explained.

So, now we need to explain how this example develops meaning in the text. To do this we have to present the technique and explain how it develops a theme. In this case, the theme is Macbeth’s flawed morality. We need to present information in this rough sequence:

For our example, the statement we would produce is:

The bolded statement above introduces the example and states the technique – extended metaphor. (If you are unsure of what a metaphor is, and how one works you should read this post that explains metaphors. )

The underlined sentences introduce the example and explain what the technique is doing, this is its effect.

Now we need to explain why this example is relevant to our argument.

Step 6: Explain why this example supports your argument

Explaining why evidence supports your point is THE most important part of paragraph structure. It is the connective tissue that yokes your argument together – joining evidence to your thesis and topic sentence. You don’t have paragraph structure without these statements!

Presenting evidence is important. But it alone doesn’t develop an argument.

If you are being told that your “evidence does not support your position”; that you “don’t have a sustained argument”; or you are “listing evidence”, then you are either not doing this step, or not doing it adequately. This is why your paragraph structure is flawed. So let’s fix it!

Our example supports our topic sentence because it develops the character arc of Macbeth from noble to corrupted. Macbeth’s uncertainty and self-awareness, here, gives us a hint of the downfall that awaits him later in the text.

This is important analysis and an explanation of our logic. So, we should state that in our body paragraph. Matrix English students would learn to write something along the lines of:

The bolded statement explains how this piece of evidence supports the topic sentence. Now we need to introduce a new example and develop it in the same way.

Step 7: Introduce the next example and discuss it

Now that we have produced the first example and developed it into an argument, we need to continue doing this. We will repeat this process with our second example. Good paragraph structure requires a series of examples discussed in depth.

The second part of our paragraph will look like this:

Notice how we have included the same steps, only this time they are presented in a slightly different order.

This is perfectly fine. The main point is that you ensure all the steps are present. The order is not important as long as it reads clearly and logically.

Changing up your order of information is a way of keeping your readers engaged. You don’t want them to find your writing monotonous. It needs to be engaging!

We need to use one more example to show the development of Macbeth’s character. Let’s consider Macbeth’s significant moment of aganorisis (a moment of personal insight or realisation) from his soliloquy in Act 2 and use this to finish this body paragraph’s argument:

This piece of evidence concludes the logic of our argument. Remember the logical argument structured into our body paragraph was:

Next, we need to finish off our body paragraph with a statement that reflects the content and logic while connecting to the topic sentence and thesis.

Step 8: Write a concluding statement that summarises your paragraph and connects it to your thesis

Good paragraph structure requires a body paragraph to have an independent structure as well as fit into a larger argument – the essay as a whole – as an integral part.

To finish a paragraph effectively, we need to summarise what we have been talking about. You need to craft a statement that reflects the concerns of the paragraph and connects it to the thesis statement. It needs to do this in a way that orientates the paragraph as part of an argument.

Remember our thesis was:

And our topic sentence was:

“Macbeth’s struggle with his increasing immorality foreshadows the text’s depiction of vengeance”.

We argued that:

“Macbeth is a good man with a moral centre led astray by ambition.”

But this doesn’t account for the notion of vengeance we introduced in the topic sentence. Our final statement needs to address the mode of Macbeth’s downfall so it can be developed further in the essay’s final paragraph.

We can sum up our argument by stating that:

Thus, this reflection introduces the sense of guilt and moral turpitude that will shadow Macbeth and lead to his downfall. Macbeth is a violent, but noble individual whose desire for power corrupts him and drives him horrible acts that lead to his downfall.

You can see that this clearly connects the body paragraph to the overall argument we are making while summing up what we have just discussed.

Note that rather than making one long statement, we have broken this idea down into bite-sized chunks. This increases the readability and ensures that our readers can follow our argument. This is what good body paragraph structure does – it structures arguments logically and enhances their readability. You need to marry clarity and complexity in a body paragraph!

An exemplar body paragraph

Take a second to read through the whole paragraph we have written.

Clearly, this is a sustained argument. Matrix students get one-to-one help from tutors and teachers to learn how to write these during the Matrix Term and Holiday courses. You must follow the same approach when you try to write you own sustained argument for your essays!

Step 9: Begin your next paragraph

Now that you have produced one body paragraph, you need to produce one to two more to further support your argument.

If you are unsure what to do, use this handy body paragraph structure checklist to make sure you are doing all of the steps!

Body paragraph structure – A checklist for how to use evidence:

Always be mindful that is very important that you structure your body paragraphs in a logical and systematic manner. Why?

Body paragraphs need to do more than present examples, they explain their relevance to audiences.

Doing this every time will always ensure that you are producing a sustained argument. Remember, killer body paragraph structure is the secret-sauce of a Band 6 result!

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How to Structure Paragraphs in an Essay

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 167,555 times.

Writing an essay can be challenging, especially if you're not sure how to structure your paragraphs. If you’re struggling to organize your essay, you’re in luck! Putting your paragraphs in order may become easier after you understand their purpose. Additionally, knowing what to include in your introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs will help you more easily get your writing assignment finished.

Essay Template and Sample Essay

Putting Your Paragraphs in Order

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A basic introduction will be about 3-4 sentences long.

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Body paragraphs will make up the bulk of your essay. At a minimum, a body paragraph needs to be 4 sentences long. However, a good body paragraph in a short essay will be at least 6-8 sentences long.

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A good conclusion for a short essay will be 3-4 sentences long.

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Structuring Your Introduction

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Here’s an example: “Recycling offers a way to reduce waste and reuse old items, but many people don’t bother recycling their old goods. Unless people change their ways, landfills will continue to grow as more generations discard their trash.”

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Crafting Good Body Paragraphs

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For instance, you could write, “Clearly, local recycling programs can make a big difference, but they aren’t the only way to reduce waste.”

Arranging Your Conclusion

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You could write, “By participating in local recycling programs, recycling at work, and upcycling old items, people can reduce their environmental footprint.”

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As an example, “Statistics show that few people are participating in available recycling programs, but they are an effective way to reduce waste. By recycling and upcycling, people can reduce their trash consumption by as much as 70%.”

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Community Q&A

If you copy someone else’s writing or ideas, it’s called plagiarism. Don’t ever plagiarize, as this is a serious offense. Not only will you get in trouble if you plagiarize, you probably won’t receive credit for the assignment. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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Body paragraphs (sometimes called "discussion sections") are the...

Body paragraphs (sometimes called "discussion sections") are the parts of your essay that aren't the intro or conclusion. Each of these paragraphs will have: a leading topic sentence that states the paragraph's focus, evidence (quotes, examples, or research), and analysis (your explanation of how the evidence supports the paragraph's main idea.

"A Rose for Emily" Book by William Faulkne

Decide what aspect or element of the story to focus your paragraph on. (For instance: how the setting emphasizes the story's meaning, or how a character changes in the story).

Paragraph that includes:

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COMMENTS

Body Paragraphs
The four elements of a good paragraph (TTEB) A good paragraph should contain at least the following four elements: T ransition, T opic sentence, specific E vidence and analysis, and a B rief wrap-up sentence (also known as a warrant) -TTEB! A T ransition sentence leading in from a previous paragraph to assure smooth reading.
Body Paragraphs
Writing Body Paragraphs Follow these steps below to write good body paragraphs. Step 1: Develop a Topic Sentence Step 2: Provide Evidence to Support your Topic Sentence and Overall Argument Step 3: Add your Own Analysis and Interpretation Step 4: Conclude Step 5: Revise and Proofread A P.I.E. Paragraph For Example
Body Paragraphs: How to Write Perfect Ones
Generally, body paragraphs support the work's thesis and shed new light on the main topic, whether through empirical data, logical deduction, deliberate persuasion, or anecdotal evidence. Some English teachers will tell you good writing has a beginning, middle, and end, but then leave it at that.
How Do I Write an Intro, Conclusion, & Body Paragraph?
Body paragraphs help you prove your thesis and move you along a compelling trajectory from your introduction to your conclusion. If your thesis is a simple one, you might not need a lot of body paragraphs to prove it. If it's more complicated, you'll need more body paragraphs.
PDF Body Paragraph Analysis
movement, and bridges—form the logical makeup of an effective paragraph. The structural elements— topic sentence, transitions, evidence, analysis, and conclusion—are identifiable parts of strong body paragraphs. Conceptual Components Direction - The entire paragraph should work toward proving a single idea. In other words, its analysis
How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay
The body of your essay is everything between the introduction and conclusion. It contains your arguments and the textual evidence that supports them. Paragraph structure. A typical structure for a high school literary analysis essay consists of five paragraphs: the three paragraphs of the body, plus the introduction and conclusion.
The Paragraph Body: Supporting Your Ideas
The Paragraph Body: Supporting Your Ideas. Whether the drafting of a paragraph begins with a main idea or whether that idea surfaces in the revision process, once you have that main idea, you'll want to make sure that the idea has enough support. The job of the paragraph. body is to develop and support the topic.
What is a Body Paragraph?
Each body paragraph will have a topic sentence, which tells readers what your paragraph is going to be about and what you want to say about your topic. For example: One of the challenges that...
Definition of Body Paragraphs in Composition
The body paragraphs are the part of an essay, report, or speech that explains and develops the main idea (or thesis ). They come after the introduction and before the conclusion. The body is usually the longest part of an essay, and each body paragraph may begin with a topic sentence to introduce what the paragraph will be about.
How to structure a GCSE English Literature essay
Write the main body While every essay will look different, you should generally aim to include three main points in the main body. You can structure this however you please, but keep in mind that you should use body paragraphs correctly. Each paragraph should explain how the writer makes his or her point.
How to write a literary analysis body paragraph
This video talks through the typical body paragraph structure for an essay on a book or novel, often called a literary analysis essay. I will cover a topic s...
How to Start a Paragraph with Sentence Starters
The body paragraphs are the ''meat'' of the essay, and each paragraph usually covers a certain sub-topic or supporting detail connected to the overall subject matter. ... English Literature ...
How to Write Topic Sentences
Step 3: Expand with evidence. The rest of the paragraph should flow logically from the topic sentence, expanding on the point with evidence, examples, or argumentation. This helps keep your paragraphs focused: everything you write should relate to the central idea expressed in the topic sentence. In our example, you might mention specific ...
Paragraph Structure: How to Write Strong Paragraphs
Paragraphs are medium-sized units of writing, longer than sentences, but shorter than sections, chapters, or entire works. Because they connect the "small" ideas of individual sentences to a "bigger" idea, paragraph structure is essential to any writing for organization, flow, and comprehension.
Writing About Literature: Drafting Body Paragraphs
Before you begin drafting your body paragraphs, it's important to understand the components that body paragraphs in a literary response paper should have. As you read through the parts of a body paragraph for a literary response paper, take notes on these elements. The components are: transition; topic sentence; explanation of the topic sentence
How to Write a Body Paragraph
Step 4: Introduce your first example. There must be a logical progression to paragraph structure. The segue, that is the transition, between topic sentence and your first example must develop the idea and seem like part of an argument, not the introduction of a list.
5 Ways to Structure Paragraphs in an Essay
Begin each body paragraph when you have a new idea to introduce. The "body" paragraphs are the paragraphs between your introduction and conclusion. Paragraphs begin with a new idea, which should be explained in the topic sentence. ... He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014 ...
Body paragraphs (sometimes called "discussion sections") are the
Body paragraphs (sometimes called "discussion sections") are the parts of your essay that aren't the intro or conclusion. Each of these paragraphs will have: a leading topic sentence that states the paragraph's focus, evidence (quotes, examples, or research), and analysis (your explanation of how the evidence supports the paragraph's main idea.