How to write a strong body paragraph

1. Writing Body Paragraphs
You CAN write amazing paragraphs!!

2. What is a Body Paragraph?
• A body paragraph presents the supporting
information for the thesis in an essay.
• A body paragraph can also be a stand alone
answer to an essay question on a test.
• A body paragraph consists of several types of
sentences: topic, support, elaboration,
elaboration detail, and concluding.

3. What Do These Sentences Do?
• A Topic Sentence states what the paragraph
will be about.
For Example:
• There are many reasons why dogs make good pets.
• While there are thousands of varieties of trees to
choose from, there are three particular trees that
make great additions to most residential landscapes.

4. What Do These Sentences Do?
• A Support Sentence gives more specific
information about the topic in general.
For Example:
• There are many reasons why dogs make good pets.
– One reason that canines are good companions is that they
are very entertaining.
• While there are thousands of varieties of trees to
choose from, there are three particular trees that
make great additions to most residential landscapes.
– One of the best trees to plant in a yard is the Sugar Maple,
a deciduous tree that often grows to be over fifty feet tall.

5. What Do These Sentences Do?
• An Elaboration Sentence gives more specific
detail about a particular Support Sentence’s
topic.
For Example:
• There are many reasons why dogs make good pets.
– One reason that canines are good companions is that they
are very entertaining.
» Pooches bring joy and improved health to people’s
lives by performing lots of tricks or making people
laugh because of the bizarre things they do.

6. What Do These Sentences Do?
• An Elaboration Sentence gives more specific
detail about a particular Support Sentence’s
topic.
For Example:
• While there are thousands of varieties of trees to choose from,
there are three particular trees that make great additions to
most residential landscapes.
– One of the best trees to plant in a yard is the Sugar Maple,
a deciduous tree that often grows to be over fifty feet tall.
» This long-lived tree is prized for its dense summer
foliage, strong branches, and attractive appearance.

7. What Do These Sentences Do?
• An Elaboration Detail Sentence (or Secondary
Support) gives more specific detail about a particular
Elaboration Sentence’s topic.
For Example:
• There are many reasons why dogs make good pets.
– One reason that canines are good companions is that they
are very entertaining.
» Pooches bring joy and improved health to people’s
lives by performing lots of tricks or making people
laugh because of the bizarre things they do.
» In fact, their loving and funny companionship has
been proven to lower people’s blood pressure and
help ease depression.

8. What Do These Sentences Do?
• An Elaboration Detail Sentence (or Secondary Support)
gives more specific detail about a particular Elaboration
Sentence’s topic.
For Example:
• While there are thousands of varieties of trees to choose from,
there are three particular trees that make great additions to most
residential landscapes.
– One of the best trees to plant in a yard is the Sugar Maple, a
deciduous tree that often grows to be over fifty feet tall.
» This long-lived tree is prized for its dense summer
foliage, attractive fall appearance, and strength..
» While this maple is most prized because it has stunning
bright orange-yellow leaves in the fall, its ability to
withstand high winds also makes it a great pick.

9. What Do These Sentences Do?
• A Concluding Sentence summarizes the
paragraph and often helps the reader move
smoothly to the next paragraph.
For Example:
• While there are many animals people can have as
pets, dogs are definitely one of the best companions
anyone can have.
• TS: There are many reasons why dogs make good
pets.

10. What Do These Sentences Do?
• A Concluding Sentence summarizes the
paragraph and often helps the reader move
smoothly to the next paragraph
For Example:
• The Sugar Maple, Blue Spruce, and White Birch are
three excellent trees to add to most people’s yards.
• TS: While there are thousands of varieties of trees to
choose from, there are three particular trees that
make great additions to most residential landscapes.

11. When these sentences
are arranged appropriately,
they will form
a well-written
body paragraph.

12. All together now…
There are many reasons why dogs make good pets. One reason that
canines are good companions is that they are very entertaining. Pooches
bring joy and improved health to people’s lives by performing lots of
tricks or making people laugh because of the bizarre things they do. In
fact, their loving and funny companionship has been proven to lower
people’s blood pressure and help ease depression. Another reason dogs
are good pets is that they love unconditionally. Dogs don’t care if their
owner is rich or poor, popular or unpopular; they will love their owner
regardless of their faults. In giving that love, dogs provide their owners
with a sense of emotional well being. Finally, dog walking increases
social interaction. Many people who walk their dogs become friends with
other dog owners they regularly meet. In doing so they often experience a
reduction in the feelings of loneliness or social isolation. While there are
many animals people can have as pets, dogs are definitely one of the best
companions anyone can have.

13. All together now…
While there are thousands of varieties of trees to choose from, there are
three particular trees that make great additions to most residential landscapes.
One of the best trees to plant in a yard is the Sugar Maple, a deciduous tree
that often grows to be over fifty feet tall. This long-lived tree is prized for its
dense summer foliage, strong branches, and attractive appearance. While this
maple is most prized because it has stunning bright orange-yellow leaves in the
fall, its ability to withstand high winds also makes it a great pick. Another
great choice is the Blue Spruce, an evergreen tree that can grow to be forty to
fifty feet tall. The state tree of both Utah and Colorado, it is an attractive tree.
Because it resembles a Christmas tree it holds appeal for those who want to
decorate their landscapes for Christmas. Finally, the third best tree to plant in a
yard is the White Birch. This deciduous tree is considered to be a medium
sized tree and is often used as an ornamental. Because the bark of a birch is
white and peels off in long horizontal stripes it is valued for its look in a
landscape. The Sugar Maple, Blue Spruce, and White Birch are three excellent
trees to add to most people’s yards.

14. Typical Sentence Arrangement for a
Regular Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence
Support Sentence
Elaboration Sentence
Elaboration Detail Sentence
Support Sentence
Elaboration Sentence
Elaboration Detail Sentence
Support Sentence
Elaboration Sentence
Elaboration Detail Sentence
Concluding Sentence