How to Write an Effective Body

Paragraph

Structure and Format1) Topic Sentence

• Address the area of connection you will be discussing. • Be specific - what specific aspects of that area of connection will you be

talking about? • Should be ONE sentence - acts like a hook

2) Reason (x2) • State the reason clearly. • Should directly correlate to the topic sentence • Should be ONE sentence

3) Support (x2) • This is where you present your quote. • Can be from biographical source or lyrics • This part MUST be cited, even if it is a paraphrase. If it is not common

knowledge to a reader who knows nothing about your subject, then you MUST cite it.

Structure and Format

4) Explain (x2) • This may be where you present your matching biographical

information or lyrics • If you use a quote, cite it. • This will require MULTIPLE sentences - Be sure to make the connection

between biographical information and the writer’s work CLEAR.

5) Conclude WITH AN OPENING • Remember - this is not a standalone paragraph! You should not end

with something like “These are the reasons why Tan’s familial relationships are a piece of her identity that she puts in her writing.”

• Leave an opening for a transition to occur in the topic sentence of your next paragraph

Tips and Tricks

1) Your paper should have a flow. Be mindful of using transition words to create a flow from one idea to the next.

2) Be clear and concise! - Get right to the point. Give your reader the information he or she needs to know and keep going.

3) Word economy - Make the most of the words you use. No one wants to read fluff in your paper, so leave it out!

4) Grammar is KEY! - Without proper grammar, an essay with great ideas will hardly look like it. Use your commas wisely, and if you’re unsure about a certain word’s usage, look it up. Good grammar will get you a long way in life.