the Body
Body paragraphs: Moving from general to specific information
Your paper should be organized in a manner that moves from general to specific information. Every time you begin a new subject, think of an inverted pyramid - The broadest range of information sits at the top, and as the paragraph or paper progresses, the author becomes more and more focused on the argument ending with specific, detailed evidence supporting a claim. Lastly, the author explains how and why the information she has just provided connects to and supports her thesis (a brief wrap-up or warrant). THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF A GOOD PARAGRAPH (TTEB) A good paragraph should contain at least the following four elements: Transition, Topic sentence, specific Evidence and analysis, and a Brief wrap-up sentence (also known as a warrant) –TTEB!
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Step 1: Identify the paragraph’s purpose
First, you need to know the central idea that will organize this paragraph. If you have already made a plan or outline of your paper’s overall structure, you should already have a good idea of what each paragraph will aim to do.
You can start by drafting a sentence that sums up your main point and introduces the paragraph’s focus. This is often called a topic sentence. It should be specific enough to cover in a single paragraph, but general enough that you can develop it over several more sentences.
Step 2: Show why the paragraph is relevant
The topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is about – but why does this point matter for your overall argument? If this isn’t already clear from your first sentence, you can explain and expand on its meaning.
Step 3: Give evidence
Now you can support your point with evidence and examples. “Evidence” here doesn’t just mean empirical facts – the form it takes will depend on your discipline, topic and approach. Common types of evidence used in academic writing include:
Step 4: Explain or interpret the evidence
Now you have to show the reader how this evidence adds to your point. How you do so will depend on what type of evidence you have used.
Steps 3 and 4 can be repeated several times until your point is fully developed. Use transition words and phrases to show the connections between different sentences in the paragraph.
Step 5: Conclude the paragraph
Finally, wrap up the paragraph by returning to your main point and showing the overall consequences of the evidence you have explored.
Step 6: Read through the whole paragraph
When you think you’ve fully developed your point, read through the final result to make sure each sentence follows smoothly and logically from the last and adds up to a coherent whole.
Not all paragraphs will look exactly like this. Depending on what your paper aims to do, you might:
When to start a new paragraph
As soon as you address a new idea, argument or issue, you should start a new paragraph. To determine if your paragraph is complete, ask yourself:
https://www.scribbr.com/research-paper/paragraph-structure/
First, you need to know the central idea that will organize this paragraph. If you have already made a plan or outline of your paper’s overall structure, you should already have a good idea of what each paragraph will aim to do.
You can start by drafting a sentence that sums up your main point and introduces the paragraph’s focus. This is often called a topic sentence. It should be specific enough to cover in a single paragraph, but general enough that you can develop it over several more sentences.
Step 2: Show why the paragraph is relevant
The topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is about – but why does this point matter for your overall argument? If this isn’t already clear from your first sentence, you can explain and expand on its meaning.
Step 3: Give evidence
Now you can support your point with evidence and examples. “Evidence” here doesn’t just mean empirical facts – the form it takes will depend on your discipline, topic and approach. Common types of evidence used in academic writing include:
- Quotations from literary texts, interviews, and other primary sources.
- Summaries, paraphrases, or quotations of secondary sources that provide information or interpretation in support of your point.
- Qualitative or quantitative data that you have gathered or found in existing research.
- Descriptive examples of artistic or musical works, events, or first-hand experiences.
Step 4: Explain or interpret the evidence
Now you have to show the reader how this evidence adds to your point. How you do so will depend on what type of evidence you have used.
- If you quoted a passage, give your interpretation of the quotation.
- If you cited a statistic, tell the reader what it implies for your argument.
- If you referred to information from a secondary source, show how it develops the idea of the paragraph.
Steps 3 and 4 can be repeated several times until your point is fully developed. Use transition words and phrases to show the connections between different sentences in the paragraph.
Step 5: Conclude the paragraph
Finally, wrap up the paragraph by returning to your main point and showing the overall consequences of the evidence you have explored.
Step 6: Read through the whole paragraph
When you think you’ve fully developed your point, read through the final result to make sure each sentence follows smoothly and logically from the last and adds up to a coherent whole.
Not all paragraphs will look exactly like this. Depending on what your paper aims to do, you might:
- Bring together examples that seem very different from each other, but have one key point in common.
- Include just one key piece of evidence (such as a quotation or statistic) and analyze it in depth over several sentences.
- Break down a concept or category into various parts to help the reader understand it.
When to start a new paragraph
As soon as you address a new idea, argument or issue, you should start a new paragraph. To determine if your paragraph is complete, ask yourself:
- Do all your sentences relate to the topic sentence?
- Does each sentence make logical sense in relation to the one before it?
- Have you included enough evidence or examples to demonstrate your point?
- Is it clear what each piece of evidence means and why you have included it?
- Does all the evidence fit together and tell a coherent story?
https://www.scribbr.com/research-paper/paragraph-structure/