How to Write a Body Paragraph in an Essay

If you want to learn how to write a body paragraph in an academic essay, there are four main elements to consider. These elements are Transition words, Evidence, Organization of your thoughts, and Simple language. Read on for more. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll be able to craft an effective body paragraph. Listed below are some general tips to help you compose your own essay.

Evidence

In an essay, the evidence in a body paragraph should support the topic sentence and provide supporting information. For example, if your topic sentence is “We all know that…”, the evidence in a body paragraph should explain why you believe that. For each example, you can use an external source or quote it to support your claim. In each case, the evidence should be linked to the thesis statement or the point of the paragraph. The analysis of the evidence should be written after the paragraph.

Transition words

Effective paragraph transitions help readers connect ideas and make connections. Transition words can appear at the end of the first paragraph or at the beginning of the next. A transition that introduces a new idea usually appears at the beginning of the second paragraph. The transition word should be used in the right place. Here are some examples of effective transition words:

Organization of thoughts

While the content of your essay is of utmost importance, the organization of your ideas is just as important. Your ideas might just flow from your mind in a haphazard manner, but your readers may have different backgrounds and point of views. A clear organization will make it easier for your readers to digest your ideas and analyze them in the most accurate manner. Listed below are some tips for effective organization.

Simple language

When writing a body paragraph, you should always connect every sentence to the main idea. Your main idea should come from the first sentence in the body paragraph, so your reader knows what the rest of the paragraph is about. Your main idea is usually debatable, so it is important to back it up with evidence. Try to avoid using complex language in this paragraph, as it can confuse your reader.

Supporting information

Whenever you want to present tangential or strands of information in your essay, you must make sure to place them in the proper context. Never drop into the thick of examples without a proper lead-in. Subordinate clauses or full sentences are good options to provide a lead-in for supporting information. Just make sure to include the details that support the main point and don’t give too much detail.