essay

The Body Paragraph

The body of an essay serves to illustrate examples and evidence that support the thesis statement. A good body paragraph should provide a clear discussion that supports one main idea.

5 Components Essential to a Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence: A topic sentence introduces the main point or controlling idea of a body paragraph. It must support the thesis by clearly stating the main idea of the discussion.

Explanation of the topic sentence: In one or two sentences, this component clarifies or provides an explanation of the topic sentence in more specific terms.

Illustration: This component of the body paragraph provides evidence, examples (personal experience or observation), or reasoning that supports what is stated in the topic sentence.

Analysis: In one or two sentences, this component explains, interprets, and contextualizes the illustrations provided.

Concluding Sentence: A concluding sentence in a body paragraph reemphasizes the significance of the supporting examples and may also evaluate the connections between the illustrations.

Note: Body paragraphs do not always follow this formulaic pattern.

Sample Body Paragraph

In her essay, Kamenetz effectively employs various rhetorical strategies to further her argument. One strategy that she uses to support her argument is exemplification, specifically the use of numbers and statistical representations. She states, for example, that “…50,000 unpaid interns are employed full time for 12 weeks each summer at an average minimum wage of $5.15 an hour.” The number of unpaid internships at such a meager wage clearly illustrates the reality of the situation and the exploitation of students. In addition, Kamanetz provides data from national surveys that clearly support her argument. The use of exemplification, as a result, helps the audience visualize the magnitude of unpaid interns and its impact on the economy. Without this data, it would be difficult to conceptualize the problem that exists for college students seeking to gain relevant work experience.

Topic Sentence

Explanation of Topic Sentence

Analysis

Illustration

Concluding Sentence