How to structure the paragraphs in the body of a literature essay.

1. Body paragraphs and transitions
RUSS 155, Queens College

2. Reminder: Components of an argument
• claim:
• an assertion about the text; an educated opinion
• must be both supportable and contestable
• reasons:
• why should the reader agree with (“buy”) your claim? Give several reasons,
typically with a paragraph allocated to each.
• evidence:
• words, phrases, sentences, and/or longer passages in the text that provide
proof that your reasons are valid.
Example: The narrator in The Bronze
Horseman draws the reader’s sympathies
more toward Peter I (the Horseman) than
toward the poem’s “hero,” Evgeny.
Example: The narrator greatly admires
Peter’s “creation,” the city of St. Petersburg:
Example: “Old Moscow’s paled before this
other / metropolis...” (119).

3. Components of a well-structured paragraph
• topic sentence:
• announces topic of paragraph
• gives one reason the reader should agree with your claim
• second sentence will likely introduce your first piece of evidence
(quotation) in support of the reason stated in the topic sentence
• next sentences (after quotation) will explain the quotation, showing how
and where it provides support for your reason /claim
• include 1-2 such “quotation sandwiches” per paragraph, depending on
length
• final sentence of paragraph
• should summarize the conclusions of that paragraph and look forward to the topic of
the next paragraph, providing a link from one part of your argument to the next
• the final sentence should always consist of your own words -- never a quotation!

4. Video 1
A. Watch the 5-minute video, “Writing a Well-Developed Paragraph,” and answer these questions:
1. What is a paragraph?
2. What are the five components of an effective body paragraph, and in what order should they appear?
3. What do “linking words and phrases,” aka “transition signals” or “signpost words,” do for the body of an
essay?
B. Read the text on the webpage, below the video frame, and answer these questions:
1. What should the topic sentence of a body paragraph do?
2. What should the last sentence of a body paragraph do?
3. What are two things you can do to ensure logical flow within a body paragraph (from sentence to
sentence)?
4. Click on the list of transition signals provided as a PDF (and on the slides that follow this one).
For your own use, write down two examples of each of the following: (a) transition signals used to
introduce a specific example; (b) transition signals used to introduce an idea that adds further
detail/support for what was just said; (c) transition signals used to introduce an idea that contrasts or
disagrees with what was just said; (d) transition signals used to introduce an idea that agrees with or is
similar to what was just said; (e) transition signals used to show a cause/effect relationship; (f) transition
signals used to summarize or conclude.

9. Video 2
Now point your browser to this page and watch the 5-minute video. Then answer these questions:
1. Fill in the blank: ________________ are words, word combinations, and even sentences that highlight connections between
ideas.
(a) Supporting details (b) Examples (c) Thesis statements (d) Transitions
2. Which of the following sentences would provide the best transition between a paragraph about educational
philosophies in the 1800s and one about how those philosophies changed in the 1900s?
a. There are many more philosophies to be studied, such as those of John Dewey, David Hume, and others that impacted
the 1900s.
b. While these philosophies played a foundational role in shaping education, the turn of the century would bring about
even more changes in how we teach children.
c. That wraps up the section about 1800's philosophies; as you can see, it was a time of heavy reliance on memorization
and punishment for not learning.
d. Teachers have never really known what they were doing, but they've always invested a great deal of energy into trying to
figure it out.
3. Which of the following would make the best transitional link from a paragraph about an experience in
Kentucky to a paragraph about a similar experience in Ireland?
a. The experience in Kentucky taught me to trust my intuition and follow my instincts.
b. In Ireland I was as free as a bird; I loved to take long trips into the country for scenic drives.
c. I soon discovered that this experience was not confined to the United States.
d. The opportunity to travel has taught me many life lessons which I value deeply.

10. Examples
(from actual student papers)

13. (From the Dictionary of
Literary Biography,
entry for Lermontov)