What Do You Want?

Ever had someone at your front door not tell you immediately why they’re there? Instead, they spend time introducing themselves, making small talk, and joking around? Finally, they get to the point: they’re going door-to-door selling solar panels.

Not knowing the purpose of communication is a frustrating experience. That’s why it’s important that your reader can always see:

• the point you’re making in every body paragraph
• what evidence you’re using to support that point
• how the evidence connects to that point

Why You Should Care

Understanding how to craft strong body paragraphs is essential for writing persuasive essays. Whether you’re discussing issues like poverty and food insecurity or other topics, mastering this skill helps you communicate your ideas clearly and convincingly.

Body Paragraphs

What Is an Academic Body Paragraph?

Body paragraphs are the building blocks of your essay. They come between the introduction and conclusion in your essay. Their main purpose is to support the thesis statement by proving a single point. Think of each body paragraph as a mini-essay within your larger essay. It has a specific purpose: to present an argument, provide evidence, and explain how this evidence supports your argument.

Four Essential Parts of a Body Paragraph

In every academic body paragraph, you must:

1. Provide Topic Sentence
2. Introduce the Evidence
3. Present the Evidence
4. Explain the Evidence

Every body paragraph will have one topic sentence and at least one (but usually more) piece of cited evidence from a credible source. To flesh out your body paragraph, introduce and explain each piece of evidence.

How Long Is a Body Paragraph?

That depends on what you’re trying to prove. Sometimes you are making a quick point that is easy to prove, so your body paragraph is only five or six sentences. Sometimes you have a complicated point that requires more evidence and explanation, so your body paragraph is fifteen or twenty sentences.

Bottom line: A body paragraph should be as long as necessary to prove the point of the topic sentence. In most academic body paragraphs, this can be accomplished in around 9-12 sentences or three-quarters of a double-spaced page. Check assignment prompts or ask your instructor to see if there are specific length requirements for a project.

Topic Sentences

What Is a Topic Sentence?

A topic sentence introduces the main idea of a body paragraph. It sets the stage for the evidence and explanation that follow. A strong topic sentence is typically placed at the beginning of the paragraph, ensuring the reader knows exactly what to expect. Everything else in a body paragraph (evidence and explanation) must be directly relevant to the topic sentence. In other words, each sentence should contribute to proving the point made in the topic sentence.

Where Should the Topic Sentence Go?

The strongest place for a topic sentence is the first sentence of a body paragraph. While you can technically place the topic sentence anywhere in a body paragraph, placing the topic sentence first helps establish the paragraph’s focus from the outset, making it easier for the reader to follow your argument.

Topic Sentence Rules

You need to follow two rules when creating topic sentences:

1. Make a Single Arguable / Discussable Point
2. Avoid Being Too Narrow or Too Broad

Rule 1: Make a Single Arguable / Discussable Point

A topic sentence should present a point that can be debated or discussed, rather than a simple fact. For example, simply stating a fact like, “Rent is expensive” is not arguable. Therefore, it gives you nothing to prove. You always want to give yourself something to prove with evidence and explanation, such as, “Increasing rent costs can lead to food insecurity among low-income families.” You also want to avoid topic sentence that ask questions or make multiple points.

Making a Single Point

A topic sentence should focus on one main idea to ensure clarity and coherence within the paragraph. Making multiple points in a single topic sentence can confuse the reader and dilute the focus of the paragraph. For instance, the topic sentence “Low-income families face food insecurity, inadequate housing, and limited access to healthcare” tries to address too many issues at once, making it difficult to fully develop any single point.

Arguable or Discussable

A topic sentence should present a claim or assertion that invites discussion or argument. This means it should be something that not everyone would immediately agree with and that requires evidence to support. An arguable point helps to engage the reader and provides a clear direction for the paragraph. For example, “Increasing rent costs can lead to food insecurity among low-income families” is arguable because it presents a cause-and-effect relationship that needs to be proven.

Questions Cannot Be Argued

If someone asks, “Which candidate has a better record on food security?” then they are not making an arguable point. Questions do not make effective topic sentences because they do not present a clear point to argue or discuss. Instead, they ask for information, which the rest of the paragraph would then need to answer, leading to a lack of focus and direction. Notice how the statement, “Candidate X has a strong record of supporting food security legislation” provides a clear assertion that can be argued and proven with evidence. You can use questions in other parts of your essay, but never for thesis statements and topic sentences.

Rule 2: Avoid Being Too Narrow or Too Broad

A topic sentence should be specific enough to be thoroughly discussed within the confines of a single body paragraph, typically around 5-12 sentences. It should not be so broad that it requires multiple paragraphs to explore adequately, nor should it be so narrow that there is not enough to say about it to fill a full paragraph.

Not Too Broad

When a topic sentence is too broad, it attempts to cover too much ground, making it difficult to provide sufficient evidence and explanation within a single paragraph. Broad topic sentences lead to paragraphs that are either unfocused or require too many sentences to address all the points adequately.

For example, the topic sentence “Poverty is a significant issue worldwide” is too broad because it encompasses numerous aspects of poverty that cannot be fully explored in one paragraph.

Not Too Narrow

Conversely, a topic sentence that is too narrow lacks enough scope to develop a full paragraph. A very narrow topic sentence might result in a paragraph that feels incomplete or underdeveloped because there is not enough to discuss. However, it’s almost impossible to be too narrow in academic writing because specificity typically strengthens an argument.

For example, the topic sentence “Rent increased by 5% last year” is too narrow, as it focuses on a single fact without a broader context or implication that can be expanded upon.

Just Right

A well-scoped topic sentence strikes a balance between being specific and manageable. It should present a clear, arguable point that can be supported with sufficient evidence and explanation within a single paragraph. An appropriately scoped topic sentence allows the writer to delve deeply into the subject, providing thorough support and analysis.

For example, “Increasing rent costs can lead to food insecurity among low-income families” is just right because it presents a specific point that can be fully explored with evidence and explanation in a single paragraph.

Evidence

The Role of Evidence in a Body Paragraph

Evidence supports the topic sentence by providing concrete information that backs up your argument. It makes your claims more credible and persuasive.

How Much Evidence Should Be Included?

Follow the Goldilocks rule: not too much, not too little. The amount of evidence usually comprises 20-30% of a body paragraph. Including too much evidence can overwhelm your argument, making it difficult for your readers to follow your point. On the other hand, too little evidence can weaken your argument and damage your ethos by suggesting you haven’t conducted sufficient research. Balancing evidence is key to maintaining the strength and clarity of your argument. If you’re body paragraph is 10 sentences long, you should generally have 2-3 pieces of evidence.

Explaining the Evidence

What Is Explanation?

Explanation is the process of interpreting and analyzing the evidence, showing how it supports the topic sentence.

In academic writing, explaining evidence within a body paragraph is essential to ensure clarity and strengthen the argument. Evidence provides the factual foundation for claims, but without thorough explanation, its relevance and impact may be lost on the reader. By elaborating on evidence, writers can connect the data or quotations directly to their thesis, illustrating precisely how the information supports their argument. This practice not only enhances the reader’s understanding but also demonstrates the writer’s analytical skills and depth of knowledge. Additionally, explaining evidence helps to anticipate and address potential counterarguments, thereby solidifying the overall credibility and persuasiveness of the essay. In essence, thorough explanation transforms mere facts into compelling proof, making the argument both coherent and convincing.

For example, notice how the explanation below helps demonstrate how the evidence is relevant to the claim in the topic sentence:

Topic Sentence: Increasing rent costs can lead to food insecurity among low-income families.

Introducing the Evidence: According to a 2021 study by the Urban Institute, 

Evidence: “Families with stable housing are 50% less likely to experience food insecurity.”

Explanation: This statistic illustrates how working to reduce rental costs can also reduce the likelihood of food insecurity.

We’ll discuss techniques for introducing and explaining your evidence in a future chapter. For now, think about each piece of evidence being the center of a sandwich where the bread is introducing the evidence (on the top) and explaining it (on the bottom).

Unity, Development, and Organization

What Is Unity?

In an academic body paragraph, “unity” refers to the coherence and consistency of ideas presented, ensuring that all sentences contribute to a single main idea or argument. Unity is crucial because it maintains the focus and clarity of the paragraph, allowing readers to easily follow the writer’s train of thought. When a paragraph is unified, every piece of evidence, explanation, and detail directly supports the topic sentence, eliminating any irrelevant or distracting information. This not only makes the argument stronger and more persuasive but also enhances the overall readability of the paper. By adhering to the principle of unity, writers can effectively communicate their ideas, leading to a more structured and compelling academic work.

What Is Development?

In an academic body paragraph, “development” refers to the process of expanding upon the main idea by providing detailed explanations, examples, and evidence. Development is crucial because it allows the writer to thoroughly explore and support their argument, making it more convincing and comprehensive. By elaborating on the topic sentence with specific details, the writer can clarify complex ideas, address potential counterarguments, and engage the reader with a deeper understanding of the subject. This thorough development not only strengthens the argument but also enhances the overall coherence and persuasiveness of the essay, ensuring that each paragraph contributes meaningfully to the reader’s comprehension and the paper’s overarching thesis.

What Is Development?

In an academic body paragraph, “organization” refers to the structured arrangement of ideas and evidence in a logical and coherent manner. Effective organization is crucial because it ensures that the reader can easily follow the writer’s argument and understand the connections between different points. A well-organized paragraph guides the reader through the writer’s thought process, making the argument more persuasive and the overall essay more cohesive.

Ways to Organize a Paragraph

There are many methods you can use to organize your body paragraphs. When you are outlining your essay, consider which methods will best help you prove your points. You can also decide to use a single method for an entire body paragraph, or use multiple methods. The table below shows just a few of the organizational methods common in academic essays.

Tips and Activities for Organizing Thoughts into Coherent Writing

Create an Outline

Before writing, outline the main points you want to cover and the order in which you will discuss them. This helps you see the overall structure of your paragraph or essay.

Use Transition Words

Transition words and phrases (e.g., however, furthermore, therefore) help connect ideas and provide a logical flow to your writing.

Practice Mind Mapping

Use mind maps to visually organize your thoughts. Start with the main idea in the center and branch out with supporting details and evidence.

Group Related Ideas

As you brainstorm, group similar ideas together. This will help you see which points naturally belong together and should be discussed in the same paragraph.

Peer Review

Share your outline or draft with a peer to get feedback on the organization. A fresh set of eyes can help identify areas that need better structure or clarity.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of creating effective body paragraphs is essential for writing persuasive and well-structured essays. By understanding the purpose of a body paragraph and incorporating a clear topic sentence, relevant evidence, and thorough explanation, you can build strong arguments that support your thesis statement. Focusing on unity, development, and organization within your paragraphs ensures that your writing is clear, coherent, and compelling. Remember, each body paragraph is a building block of your overall argument, and when constructed thoughtfully, they work together to create a powerful and persuasive essay.