Instructions
Based on your Thesis Statement And Skeleton Outline, complete the first body paragraph.
- Make sure to begin with a topic sentence that expresses the main idea of the body paragraph. The main idea of the body paragraph should be a more specific idea than what’s listed as a key point at the end of the thesis statement.
- Review the section below called, “MEAL Plan (Body Paragraph Development).
- After the topic sentence, provide an evidence sentence that provides detail, examples, facts, and/or statistics that relate to the topic sentence. All citations should be parenthetical and paraphrased, and it’s best to include mainly primary sources. See [[A guide to recent, seminal, and parenthetical referencing in academic writing]].
- Present at least one analysis sentence that relates the evidence to the topic sentence.
- Make sure to present the evidence before offering an analysis.
- Conclude the body paragraph with a linking or summarizing sentence. A linking sentence may connect the main idea of the current paragraph with the main idea of the next paragraph, connect the main idea of the current paragraph to some other main ideas already discussed in prior body paragraphs, and/or the main idea from the current body paragraph may connect with something stated in the thesis statement.
- Your body paragraph should have five-to-eight sentences.
- Include transitions throughout the body paragraph except to begin the topic sentence, but do not feel you need a transition in every supporting sentence. The topic sentence should begin with the main clause and should have a noun (not a pronoun) as a subject. See Types of transitions.
Example (comparative essay)
Thesis statement: To become better informed when evaluating Formula 1 cars, fans should realize how modern Formula 1 cars excel over older models regarding structure, safety, and wheelbase.
Keywords: Formula 1, cars, fans, structure, safety, wheelbase
Topic sentence: Car racing, (e.g., Formula 1 racing) maintains its popularity because experts notice how the structure of the cars have improved over the last 30 years.
Evidence sentence: In the past the cars had narrower front wings and smaller rear wings, which reduced downforce and made them more challenging to drive (Hunter, 2023). Nowadays, …. (citation)
Analysis: As the public becomes more knowledgeable about ongoing improvements to how cars are constructed, more will become interested in this exciting sport that offers wonderful entertainment for so many.
Link: Besides structure an increase in safety measures have also led to greater public demand for the sport.
Car racing, (e.g., Formula 1 racing) maintains its popularity because experts notice how the structure of the cars have improved over the last 30 years. In the past the cars had narrower front wings and smaller rear wings, which reduced downforce and made them more challenging to drive (Hunter, 2023). Nowadays, …. (citation). As the public becomes more knowledgeable about ongoing improvements to how cars are constructed, more will become interested in this exciting sport that offers wonderful entertainment for so many. Besides structure, an increase in safety measures have also led to greater public demand for the sport.