how to write good body paragraphs for an academic essay

1. WRITING GOOD BODY
PARAGRAPHS

2. Good body paragraphs have five
sentences:
 Topic
 Bridge
 Example
 Elaboration/Explanation
 Concluding Sentence

3. Topic Sentence
 explains what the paragraph is about
 supports your thesis statement
 just like the CLAIM in Strong Answer Format
 not the data or example

4. Bridge
 Sometimes called a transition statement
 provides any kind of relevant background
information needed to preface the paragraph’s
supporting example
 connects the topic sentence to the example

5. Example
 a concrete detail that supports the statement
made in the topic sentence
 just like the DATA sentence in Strong Answer
Format
 can take on various forms: direct quote from
the text, specific paraphrased example from
the text, statistics, fact
 must introduce and cite direct quotes

6. Elaboration/Explanation
 explains how the example/data supports the
topic and the thesis
 just like the WARRANT in Strong Answer
Format
 can be more than one sentence

7. Concluding Sentence
 draw a conclusion based on the previous topic
 also transitions the reader into the next topic or
paragraph

8. Things to Avoid
 Do not use words such as “things” and
“stuff.” This is too vague.
 Avoid writing “I think” or “I believe” or “In my
opinion.” This is already understood because the
paper is in the voice of the writer.
 Avoid using 1st person (I, me, us, we) unless you
are writing a personal narrative.
 Never use “you.”
 Never use slang. DO NOT WRITE HOW YOU
TALK! You must take on a more sophisticated
tone when writing.