1

Writing Body

Paragraphs

2

HOW IS THE BODY PARAGRAPH DIFFERENT?

• Of the three paragraphs--introductory, body and concluding-- the body is probably the most difficult to write.

WHY?

3

Because . . .

• This is where you actually have to use reason and logic.

• In other words, if you don’t think before writing, you will more than likely either

• repeat yourself • go off topic • or not write enough.• (Errors which more than likely will

cause you to fail.)

4

As a result,

Writing body paragraphs takes more planning and time than the introductory or concluding paragraph.

5

Before you write a body paragraph, you need to

make sure . . .• That you have adequate and specific

examples. or• A short story to back up or illustrate your

thinking. and • A well organized paragraph, making

sure that your ideas are in the right order.

6

This is the format for the body paragraph which should include about 8 to 10 sentences and be of

about 100 words in length.

a. Topic sentence

b. Supporting idea

c. Supporting idea

d. Supporting idea

e. Closing sentence

7

Before you begin to write, you must outline,

brainstorm or pre-write.

• All of these terms amount to the same thing. You are gathering and organizing your ideas, so once you begin writing, you will do so with confidence.

USE DRAPES

• DIALOGUE

• RHETORICAL QUESTION

• ANALOGY

• PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

• EXAMPLES

• STATISTICS

8

Dialogue

Dialogue:• Include what someone said in your

essay, like an expert, teacher, parent, or friend.

• Reading an essay that includes dialogue is more interesting to read. Don’t forget to use quotation marks!

Example:According to Dr. D, “Our budget has decreased since money has been spent on…” 9

Rhetorical Questions

Rhetorical Questions:Include a question that makes your reader think

deeply about your position. Engage your reader by asking him/her to

participate in thinking about your important issue.

Example:

Do you think adolescents are equipped to make their own decisions?

10

ANALOGIES

Analogies• Make comparisons to get your reader

to understand what you mean.

Example: Children are like plants. If you

give them lots of care and attention, they grow strong and healthy. If you neglect them, they become weak and sickly.

11

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

• Tell a story or an anecdote. Stories can show your reader that you have first hand experience. Furthermore, people love stories.

Examples:This reminds me of…As a matter of fact, once…I’ll never forget the time… 12

EXAMPLES

• Use specific details and examples to prove what you mean.

• Don’t write general nouns, instead use proper or specific ones.

Examples:No Yessoda Coca Colapeople citizens of Meridenchildren eighth graders or

DCMS students13

STATISTICS

• Give your reader data: percents, numbers, etc… People love facts!

Examples:Can you believe that…As many as…In fact,…Research shows… 14

15

Let’s say that the topic is, “ Do you think that all high school

students should use uniforms? “We come up with three reasonsa. Wearing uniforms is simpler, b. Wearing uniforms creates equality,c. Wearing uniforms creates unityWhen you are thinking about what to write, you don’t want to use a lot of words. You just want to jot down ideas.

Let’s work on reason a.

16

After thinking about, it we come with the following ideas . . . .

SimplerforPrincipals

Students

ParentsPrincipals

17

SimplerforPrincipals

Students

ParentsPrincipals

But how is it simpler for all these groups?

Principals don’t have to waste so much time monitoring student dress.

Students don’t have to waste time deciding what they are going to wear to school.

Parents don’t have to spend a lot of money or time looking for expensive brand clothing.

Believe it or not with these few ideas you can write a good body paragraph.

Created by José J. Gonzalez, Jr. Spring 2002

18

If all public high school students were required to wear uniforms, life would be much more simple for principals, parents and the students. School administrators would not have to make so many rules about student dress. They would simply monitor that each student wear the required uniform. They would not need to check whether some pants are too baggy, or some shirts too long, or whether the shirts have inappropriate art work or phrases. This would free up the administration to focus on more important things. In addition, parents would not be burdened by the endless search for name brand clothing. The decisions parents would have to make for their students’ clothing could be minimal and inexpensive. Moreover, students’ lives would be simpler because they would not have to waste so much time deciding what to wear. They would just wear what was required. Students would then be able to go on to accomplish great things. Therefore, if this uniform rule were adopted, everyone involved would have a simpler and more productive life.

19

Assignment:

Complete the following paragraph. Try to write about 100 words.

Rap music is (dumb or great.)

(You can pick either way, or if you want you can write about both sides.)

20

The following are several examples of body

paragraphs.

21

• Vehicle telephones should be made illegal because they cause car accidents. According to US Department of Public Safety 25% of all accidents last year were caused by drivers using cell phones. Driving requires full concentration. Talking on the phone distracts the driver, making him slow to react to the emergency situation. Last month, I was riding with a friend when, all of a sudden, her telephone rang. She bent down to reach for the phone. At that moment, the car in front of her slowed down to make a turn. She rear ended the car. This proves how dangerous it is to be engaged in a phone calling while driving.

22

Example of Body paragraph• Vehicle telephones should not be made

illegal because they are very convenient. We use vehicle telephones for emergency situations. For example, in case of an automobile accident, we use vehicle phone to call the police department, an emergency ambulance or friends who can help. Another example pertains to a personal experience. Last week I was driving around town, running errands when the nurse in my son’s school called me and informed me about my son’s fever. I was able to pick up my son and rush him to the doctor without delay. This proves that vehicle telephones are convenient for emergency situations.

23

Example of body paragraph The border patrol agents should not be so harsh

with illegal immigrants. The Monitor reported several cases of deaths from drowning. These cases were the results of harsh treatment by the border patrol agents. One death was caused by agents when they were trying to discourage several men on a raft from entering the US territory: the agents lowered their helicopter too close to the illegal immigrant's raft, causing the raft to overturn. In the other case reported, agents illegally detained and deported a Rio Grande man even though he told them that he had documentation. He drowned trying to return to his home. Both these deaths could have been avoided if the border patrol agents had not been so severe in their treatment.