body of essay writing

How to write an essay: Body

• What's in this guide
• Introduction
• Essay structure
• Additional resources

Body paragraphs

The essay body itself is organised into paragraphs, according to your plan. Remember that each paragraph focuses on one idea, or aspect of your topic, and should contain at least 4-5 sentences so you can deal with that idea properly.

Each body paragraph has three sections. First is the topic sentence . This lets the reader know what the paragraph is going to be about and the main point it will make. It gives the paragraph’s point straight away. Next – and largest – is the supporting sentences . These expand on the central idea, explaining it in more detail, exploring what it means, and of course giving the evidence and argument that back it up. This is where you use your research to support your argument. Then there is a concluding sentence . This restates the idea in the topic sentence, to remind the reader of your main point. It also shows how that point helps answer the question.

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“An appropriate use of paragraphs is an essential part of writing coherent and well-structured essays.” Don Shiach,   How to write essays

The main body of your essay is where you deliver your argument . Its building blocks are well structured, academic paragraphs. Each paragraph is in itself an  individual argument  and when put together they should form a clear narrative that leads the reader to the inevitability of your conclusion.

The importance of the paragraph

A good academic paragraph is a special thing. It makes a clear point, backed up by good quality academic evidence, with a clear explanation of how the evidence supports the point and why the point is relevant to your overall argument  which supports your position . When these paragraphs are put together with appropriate links, there is a logical flow that takes the reader naturally to your essay's conclusion. 

As a general rule there should be one clear key point per paragraph , otherwise your reader could become overwhelmed with evidence that supports different points and makes your argument harder to follow. If you follow the basic structure below, you will be able to build effective paragraphs and so make the main body of your essay deliver on what you say it will do in your introduction.

Paragraph structure

• A topic sentence – what is the overall point that the paragraph is making?
• Evidence that supports your point – this is usually your cited material.
• Explanation of why the point is important and how it helps with your overall argument.
• A link (if necessary) to the next paragraph (or to the previous one if coming at the beginning of the paragraph) or back to the essay question.

This is a good order to use when you are new to writing academic essays - but as you get more accomplished you can adapt it as necessary. The important thing is to make sure all of these elements are present within the paragraph.

The sections below explain more about each of these elements.

The topic sentence (Point)

This should appear early in the paragraph and is often, but not always, the first sentence.  It should clearly state the main point that you are making in the paragraph. When you are planning essays, writing down a list of your topic sentences is an excellent way to check that your argument flows well from one point to the next.

This is the evidence that backs up your topic sentence. Why do you believe what you have written in your topic sentence? The evidence is usually paraphrased or quoted material from your reading . Depending on the nature of the assignment, it could also include:

• Your own data (in a research project for example).
• Personal experiences from practice (especially for Social Care, Health Sciences and Education).
• Personal experiences from learning (in a reflective essay for example).

Any evidence from external sources should, of course, be referenced.

Explanation (analysis)

This is the part of your paragraph where you explain to your reader why the evidence supports the point and why that point is relevant to your overall argument. It is where you answer the question 'So what?'. Tell the reader how the information in the paragraph helps you answer the question and how it leads to your conclusion. Your analysis should attempt to persuade the reader that your conclusion is the correct one.

These are the parts of your paragraphs that will get you the higher marks in any marking scheme.

Links are optional but it will help your argument flow if you include them. They are sentences that help the reader understand how the parts of your argument are connected . Most commonly they come at the end of the paragraph but they can be equally effective at the beginning of the next one. Sometimes a link is split between the end of one paragraph and the beginning of the next (see the example paragraph below).

Paragraph structure video

Length of a paragraph

Academic paragraphs are usually between 200 and 300 words long (they vary more than this but it is a useful guide). The important thing is that they should be long enough to contain all the above material. Only move onto a new paragraph if you are making a new point. 

Many students make their paragraphs too short (because they are not including enough or any analysis) or too long (they are made up of several different points).

Example of an academic paragraph

Using storytelling in educational settings can enable educators to connect with their students because of inborn tendencies for humans to listen to stories.   Written languages have only existed for between 6,000 and 7,000 years (Daniels & Bright, 1995) before then, and continually ever since in many cultures, important lessons for life were passed on using the oral tradition of storytelling. These varied from simple informative tales, to help us learn how to find food or avoid danger, to more magical and miraculous stories designed to help us see how we can resolve conflict and find our place in society (Zipes, 2012). Oral storytelling traditions are still fundamental to native American culture and Rebecca Bishop, a native American public relations officer (quoted in Sorensen, 2012) believes that the physical act of storytelling is a special thing; children will automatically stop what they are doing and listen when a story is told. Professional communicators report that this continues to adulthood (Simmons, 2006; Stevenson, 2008).   This means that storytelling can be a powerful tool for connecting with students of all ages in a way that a list of bullet points in a PowerPoint presentation cannot. The emotional connection and innate, almost hardwired, need to listen when someone tells a story means that educators can teach memorable lessons in a uniquely engaging manner that is   common to all cultures. 

The cross-cultural element of storytelling can be seen when reading or listening to wisdom tales from around the world...

Key:   Topic sentence    Evidence (includes some analysis)    Analysis   Link (crosses into next paragraph)

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Basic Essay Structure

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This handout goes over the basic parts of an essay: the title, introduction, thesis or guiding statement, body, and conclusion. Each part plays a different role in bringing ideas together to form a cohesive essay. Following this format will help organize an essay; however, essays should always be written with a specific audience and assignment in mind.

Parts of an Essay

The title grabs the reader’s attention and provides a short overview of what the essay is about. This allows readers to accurately decide whether they are interested in reading the paper for more information.

Introduction

The introduction catches the reader’s interest and provides background information about the topic and connects it to the larger conversation. The introduction is general enough for the reader to understand the main claim but gradually becomes more specific to lead into the thesis statement or guiding statement.

Thesis or Guiding Statement

The thesis or guiding statement concisely states the main idea or argument of the essay, sets limits on the topic, and indicates the structure of the essay. The thesis or guiding statement works as a road map, showing readers the main points that will be used to support the writer’s ideas.

The body of an essay is made up of body paragraphs. Body paragraphs support the main ideas presented in the thesis or guiding statement. Longer essays may include several sections that identify main points, with multiple paragraphs in each section. Each body paragraph has four elements: 1) topic sentence , 2) supporting evidence , 3) analysis , and 4) concluding sentence . The topic sentence identifies the main point of the paragraph. Supporting evidence (e.g., quotations, facts, examples, etc.) reinforces the topic sentence. (Remember to cite sourced material.) Analysis explains how the evidence supports the main idea of the paragraph. Finally, the concluding sentence ties the body paragraph back to the thesis or guiding statement. Topic or concluding sentences may be used to transition from one body paragraph to another.

The conclusion gives the reader a sense of closure by referencing the thesis or guiding statement and directly connecting it to the paper’s main claims. The conclusion addresses the implications and significance of the essay’s main idea; however, new topics should not be introduced.

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Essay Body – How to Write It Right

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Are you unsure how to write a good essay body? If so, you have come to the right place. Writing an effective college essay includes understanding how to craft body paragraphs that provide proof and evaluation in support of your thesis statement. This article will discuss what an essay body entails and how to create a perfect one.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 In a Nutshell: Essay Body
• 2 Definition: Informal writing
• 3 Essay Body: Structure
• 4 Essay Body: Differences
• 5 Essay Body: How to start writing
• 6 Essay Body: What’s important?
• 7 Essay Body: Checklist

In a Nutshell: Essay Body

• Writing strong body paragraphs is crucial to writing a solid college paper.
• The six components of a standard essay body paragraph are a subject sentence, supporting details, and a conclusion .
• Avoiding repetition and transitioning smoothly between paragraphs are two of the most important paragraphing principles.

Definition: Informal writing

Informal writing is a relaxed and conversational writing style. It features a casual tone. It is not bound to any rules and conversions as compared to formal writing. It typically consists of short sentences and is commonly applied in contexts like writing to a friend, sharing stories, creative writing, and in everyday conversations.

This writing style helps you convey ideas and feelings in relatable and direct ways. Therefore, it is a powerful academic writing tool for engaging readers.

Essay Body: Structure

Each paragraph in the body should naturally lead into the next, creating an easy-to-follow structure. So, it’s important to consider the following;

Number of Paragraphs

First, an essay body often consists of numerous paragraphs, each of which develops a distinct point of view on the issue at hand. Paragraphs should include an introductory subject sentence that states the major idea, followed by many phrases that elaborate on that point using evidence or examples.

Transitional Sentences

Also, Paragraphs must have transitional phrases between them to help the reader understand the essay’s organization and flow.

Here’s one possible structure for the essay body about the merits of physical activity:

• Paragraph 1: Introduction to the benefits of exercise.
• Paragraph 2: Physical benefits such as weight loss and improved cardiovascular health.
• Paragraph 3: Mental benefits such as reduced stress and improved mood.
• Paragraph 4: Social benefits such as increased social interaction and sense of community.
• Paragraph 5: Conclusion summarizing the benefits of exercise.

By following a clear and concise structure , the body of your essay can effectively convey the writer’s arguments and ideas to the reader.

Essay Body: Differences

Despite the diversity of essays, most may be grouped into one of four broad groups.

Essay Body: How to start writing

Before you begin writing an essay, create a basic framework outlining the primary arguments and the sequence in which you want to present them. As a result, this will assist you keep in mind the connections that each section of your essay body should have with one another.

However, remember that the layout isn’t fixed in stone, so feel free to rearrange things as needed. Preparation for writing an essay includes planning its structure, which continues throughout the writing process and even after the initial outline is complete.

If you have an idea for another part of the essay while you are working on a specific part, write it down in your outline. Similarly, you can make a note of how you plan to organize the academic essay .

First draft

By the end of the first draft, you should be able to refine your initial thoughts into logical arguments. Also, flesh out those claims and visualize the outcome. Here are tips you should consider;

• Approach each concept separately: There should be one main point in every paragraph, supported by relevant examples and arguments.
• Never take anything out: If you start to despise a certain piece or perhaps the whole essay, don’t just throw it out! You may copy and paste it into a new document, but retain what you have even if you don’t intend to use it.
• Eliminate perfectionism: Avoid letting little things hold you down while you are composing a first draft. Write down your thoughts right away, then refine them. Also, mark any words, sentences, or arguments that you’re not happy with in the draft so you can go back and fix them later.

Second draft

When working on a second draft, it’s important to evaluate your progress so far and make any necessary changes. So, there will be some rewriting and some new material added to the essay. Always consider the following tips;

• Compare your thoughts to your thesis statement: Your essay should be the basis for all your writing. If the body of your essay disagrees with the point you set out to make in your introduction, you may need to revise your thesis statement.
• Verify the structure: When you have finished writing the essay’s major points and are satisfied with them, you should review the essay’s structure. It’s important to follow a logical progression and avoid excessive reiteration.

Essay Body: What’s important?

There are four crucial factors to consider while writing the essay’s body: cohesion, clarity, relevancy, and supporting evidence.

• Cohesion : Paragraphs should build on one another and not stray too far from the main point.
• Clarity : By clarity, we imply that the concepts in the essay are straightforward and simple to follow.
• Relevancy : To be relevant, the evidence must be relevant to the discussion and lend credibility to the claims being made.
• Evidence : Finally, your argument needs proof, which might take the form of facts, figures or instances.

Essay Body: Checklist

Making use of an essay checklist can help you make sure all the bases are covered while writing an essay body. First, think about what you need to do to complete the assignment. Next, you should draft an outline and your paper’s thesis . The best essays have an engaging opening, coherent and convincing body paragraphs that brings everything together.

Lastly, check for typos, grammatical problems and sentence structure before submitting. Get more a detailed essay checklist here .

How long should the essay body be?

An essay body paragraphs length often ranges from 200 to 300 words. The most crucial thing is that they are long enough to include everything mentioned above.

What should the essay body consist of?

The body of your essay is where your argument is presented. There should be a clear progression from one paragraph to the next, with each paragraph representing a different argument until the reader reaches your final verdict.

Are questions allowed inside an essay body?

In an essay, questions are acceptable if they are answered or lead to more discussion.

Where do body paragraphs fit in?

A body paragraph aims to examine and develop one of the points you made in your thesis.

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Body Paragraph: Craft the Heart of Your Essay

Table of contents

• 1 Purpose of a Body Paragraph
• 2 Key Elements in the Structure of a Body Paragraph
• 3 Body Paragraph Structure
• 4 Transition Sentences of a Body Paragraph
• 5 How Do You Write a Body Paragraph of an Essay?
• 6.1 Using Different Types of Evidence.
• 6.2 Varying Sentence Length and Structure.
• 6.3 Avoiding Irrelevant Information.
• 6.4 Maintaining Consistency.
• 6.5 Supporting the Overall Thesis.
• 6.6 Using Clear and Concise Sentences.
• 6.7 Avoiding Transitions at the End.
• 7 Essay Body Paragraph Example
• 8 Conclusion

Completing an essay is more than just combining words – creating effective body paragraphs. They are like the building blocks of your text, giving it substance and strengthening your main point.

In this article, we’ll explore how to write a body paragraph for an essay and what methods to use to make it impactful.

• We’ll walk you through the body paragraph format, purpose, and principal elements,
• Cover using evidence wisely and make sure your sentences connect well,
• Deliver step-by-step guidelines and tips to create paragraphs that grab attention,
• Provide a body essay example.

Let’s start this journey into the writing world and learn how to make your essay interesting and well-structured.

Purpose of a Body Paragraph

This section is the backbone of any essay. A well-organized structure of the body paragraph helps your writing be readable. That’s why organizing the information to achieve this goal is essential. When writing body paragraphs in an essay, you focus on presenting and developing one point that supports the main argument.

Whether you write the text for yourself or go for essay papers for sale , each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the topic. It provides evidence, examples, analysis, or elaboration to strengthen and clarify the main point. The body of a paper helps guide the reader by making the ideas flow smoothly. This section aims to make a strong case for the essay’s thesis. It should keep the reader interested with well-developed and organized content.

Key Elements in the Structure of a Body Paragraph

Knowledge is the basis for any writing. Thus, any text you deliver should reflect your level of knowledge. For this, posing strategic and insightful questions to refine your thoughts and reinforce your argument is essential. A well-written body section is a compulsory component of any impactful document.

There are several key parts of a body paragraph in an essay.

• The first element is a transition, linking the preceding and current paragraphs. It should be clear, helping the reader in tracking the conversation. Using starting words for body paragraphs signals a change in focus or introduces a fresh idea.
• The second body paragraph element is the main idea, which is crucial for any text. You must state your argument in the topic sentence, which should be precise and brief. The main statements should relate to the thesis and support the idea.
• The third component is analysis, where the writer elaborates on the perspective. Providing proof and explaining how it supports the thesis statement is necessary. The examination should also be relevant and focused on the introduced topic. This way, you will make the essay structure coherent and easy to follow.
• The final element is the warrant, which explains how the evidence supports the main view. The warrant must be clear and connect the data to the principal argument. It should also focus on the topic and strengthen the argument.

Body Paragraph Structure

Well-thought-out body paragraphs are critical in an essay outline and the writer’s arguments. To effectively structure the body paragraph, you must understand its overall organization. A well-formatted academic essay helps writers communicate their reasoning and convince their audience. However, it’s better not to consider this a fixed and immovable object. Depending on the treated argument, its goal, length, and structure can be adapted to your needs.

You can imagine the skeleton of this part of the text in the following way:

• Topic sentence
• Supporting sentences
• Concluding sentence

The topic sentence is one of the ways to start a body paragraph. It should be a precise and focused statement that encapsulates the main argument of the passage. It connects the introduction paragraph in the essay with a thesis and provides a roadmap for the rest of the section. It will help the reader understand the point and how it relates to the writing. In some cases, it can even be formulated as a question.

Following the topic sentence for the body paragraph, you must provide supporting sentences. They present evidence and analysis to underpin the central idea. They should connect to the topic sentence and be clear and concise. Use language that is easy for the reader to understand.

To create a persuasive assertion, provide information that supports the main argument. The evidence can take many forms, including facts, statistics, or examples. Data should be reliable and relevant to the topic discussed. Research-based proof helps the writer convince the reader that their position is credible.

The concluding sentence is the ultimate statement and a kind of short conclusion you should use when you base your essay on body paragraphs. Its purpose is to summarize the idea and provide a transition to the later passage. This sentence helps the reader comprehend the main claim and its implications. Think of it as the answer to a question or the core information.

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Transition Sentences of a Body Paragraph

To make your writing flow smoothly and be more engaging, use transition words that help connect ideas. You can utilize three types of linking words and phrases:

• Bridging the introductory paragraph to subsequent sections (e.g., a transition from introduction to body): To begin with; In the first place; Initially; As an introduction; Turning to; As we delve into; Now that we have established.
• Connecting body paragraphs: Furthermore; Moreover; In addition; Additionally; Similarly; Likewise; Not only…but also; Besides that; In the same vein; Another key point.
• Linking the final body sentence to the conclusion: In conclusion; To sum up; Finally; In summary; Ultimately; Concluding; To conclude; To wrap things up; As a final point; All in all.

These words and phrases contribute to a coherent and logical essay, guiding the reader through the content. Use transitions to introduce a body paragraph and make your ideas clear and captivating to the audience.

How Do You Write a Body Paragraph of an Essay?

Completing this section requires consideration and attention to detail. It can be challenging to organize your thoughts and reasoning. However, it might be daunting, and professional assistance may be necessary. And this is where PapersOwl can be of great help. Our seasoned paper writing website offers expert homework help to achieve your academic goals.

How long should a body paragraph be? A general recommendation is to aim for 5-7 sentences. It allows you to explore one idea without giving too much information. The most important thing is to keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Introducing a concise topic sentence will be a good way to start a first body paragraph. Topic sentences should be specific and concise. Using them, you provide the reader with a clear understanding of the point you will discuss further. It should also relate to the thesis and connect to the perspective.
• After the topic sentence, use supporting sentences to provide additional information and analysis. This way, you will bolster the main argument. These parts of a body paragraph can include examples, facts, statistics, or expert opinions. Ensure that the information used is reliable and relevant to your idea.
• Employ transition sentences to link your ideas to the preceding and subsequent paragraphs. They make it easier for the reader to follow the main argument.
• Use brief and clear language to present your ideas and rationale. Avoid using complicated vocabulary or technical jargon that may confuse the reader. Instead, be straightforward when writing a body paragraph.
• Finally, end this section with a conclusion sentence. It acts as a summary of the main statement and offers a transition to the next section. The concluding sentence should bring closure to the point in one paragraph. It should also prepare the reader for the next parts of the writing.

When you write a body paragraph in an essay, follow these steps to ensure clarity, conciseness, and persuasiveness in your essay. Adhere to these guidelines to make your ideas concise and transparent and your arguments strong and persuasive. If you follow these steps, your essay will be concise and compelling. Implementing these measures ensures that your text is clear, persuasive, and effective.

Essential Tips to Write Flawless Body Paragraphs

Discover the following comprehensive strategies for crafting effective body paragraphs for your research.

Using Different Types of Evidence.

Incorporate a variety of quotes, statistics, and anecdotes to provide evidence and enhance the appeal and credibility of your writing. This multifaceted approach captivates the reader and reinforces your argument with diverse supporting elements.

Varying Sentence Length and Structure.

Mitigate monotony in the body of an essay by diversifying sentence length and structure. Integrate a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences to enhance the overall readability of your composition. This nuanced use of syntax contributes to a more engaging and dynamic writing style.

Avoiding Irrelevant Information.

Don’t introduce irrelevant information that might distract or dilute the focus of your paragraph. Each sentence should serve a purpose, aligning seamlessly with the central theme and your essay’s purpose.

Maintaining Consistency.

Stay consistent with the tone and style throughout your text. The body paragraphs should harmonize with the established voice of your writing, creating a cohesive and unified reading experience for your audience.

Supporting the Overall Thesis.

When you start a body paragraph, ensure that each sentence significantly reinforces your overall thesis. Every argument, example, or piece of evidence should advance the central claim of your essay, reinforcing its coherence and persuasiveness.

Using Clear and Concise Sentences.

Break down complex topic sentences into clear and concise points. It facilitates a better understanding of your ideas and prevents the reader from feeling overwhelmed by overly intricate or convoluted language.

Avoiding Transitions at the End.

Refrain from using transition words and phrases at the end of paragraphs, as this can disrupt the natural flow of your writing. Instead, strive for seamless transitions within the paragraph’s content, allowing ideas to connect organically without explicitly signaling the conclusion.

Follow these tips to create a strong body paragraph layout for your document. If you need support or lack time and energy to craft your academic papers, do not hesitate to contact our writing experts. When you pay for a paper at PapersOwl, be sure your essay will adhere to all these instructions and requirements with zero flaws. Our team of writers has expertise in various fields and crafts quality papers for you. We deliver plagiarism-free essays and guarantee timely delivery. Whether you need an essay for school, college, or university, PapersOwl is the right choice.

Essay Body Paragraph Example

What is a body paragraph, and how to complete it correctly? Here is a good example to clarify these questions:

[Start with a topic sentence] J K Rowling, in her first book – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, claims that the appearance of a person can sometimes be misleading, [followed by supporting details] showing one of the kindest and most favorite characters – Hagrid as a scary person. His eyes are ‘glinting like black beetles,’ and his face is ‘almost completely hidden by a long, shaggy mane of hair and a wild, tangled beard,’ says the author (Rowling 46). [Then goes an explanation] The author declares that the main character of the book – Harry Potter, is frightened by this intimidating figure, which misleads the reader, making Hagrid appear as a villain. [Explains the significance] However, this image is wrong. Later the reader gets to know Hagrid’s true character, which is the opposite. [Ends with a conclusion and transition to the following part] This example proves how misleading an appearance of someone can be, which is easily proved by many other examples from literature and real life.”

Crafting effective body paragraphs in an essay is an indispensable skill for anyone seeking to elevate their writing. This article gives suggestions to help you write a good body paragraph. Our recommendations allow you to transform your essays into compelling and persuasive texts. These strategies can help both experienced writers and beginners with essay construction. They serve as a valuable toolkit for enhancing the impact and coherence of your text. When you write, remember that a well-organized essay body helps express thoughts clearly, engage readers, and convince them.

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Traditional Academic Essays In Three Parts

Part i: the introduction.

An introduction is usually the first paragraph of your academic essay. If you’re writing a long essay, you might need 2 or 3 paragraphs to introduce your topic to your reader. A good introduction does 2 things:

• Gets the reader’s attention. You can get a reader’s attention by telling a story, providing a statistic, pointing out something strange or interesting, providing and discussing an interesting quote, etc. Be interesting and find some original angle via which to engage others in your topic.
• Provides a specific and debatable thesis statement. The thesis statement is usually just one sentence long, but it might be longer—even a whole paragraph—if the essay you’re writing is long. A good thesis statement makes a debatable point, meaning a point someone might disagree with and argue against. It also serves as a roadmap for what you argue in your paper.

Part II: The Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs help you prove your thesis and move you along a compelling trajectory from your introduction to your conclusion. If your thesis is a simple one, you might not need a lot of body paragraphs to prove it. If it’s more complicated, you’ll need more body paragraphs. An easy way to remember the parts of a body paragraph is to think of them as the MEAT of your essay:

Main Idea. The part of a topic sentence that states the main idea of the body paragraph. All of the sentences in the paragraph connect to it. Keep in mind that main ideas are…

• like labels. They appear in the first sentence of the paragraph and tell your reader what’s inside the paragraph.
• arguable. They’re not statements of fact; they’re debatable points that you prove with evidence.
• focused. Make a specific point in each paragraph and then prove that point.

Evidence. The parts of a paragraph that prove the main idea. You might include different types of evidence in different sentences. Keep in mind that different disciplines have different ideas about what counts as evidence and they adhere to different citation styles. Examples of evidence include…

• quotations and/or paraphrases from sources.
• facts , e.g. statistics or findings from studies you’ve conducted.
• narratives and/or descriptions , e.g. of your own experiences.

Analysis. The parts of a paragraph that explain the evidence. Make sure you tie the evidence you provide back to the paragraph’s main idea. In other words, discuss the evidence.

Transition. The part of a paragraph that helps you move fluidly from the last paragraph. Transitions appear in topic sentences along with main ideas, and they look both backward and forward in order to help you connect your ideas for your reader. Don’t end paragraphs with transitions; start with them.

Keep in mind that MEAT does not occur in that order. The “ T ransition” and the “ M ain Idea” often combine to form the first sentence—the topic sentence—and then paragraphs contain multiple sentences of evidence and analysis. For example, a paragraph might look like this: TM. E. E. A. E. E. A. A.

Part III: The Conclusion

A conclusion is the last paragraph of your essay, or, if you’re writing a really long essay, you might need 2 or 3 paragraphs to conclude. A conclusion typically does one of two things—or, of course, it can do both:

• Summarizes the argument. Some instructors expect you not to say anything new in your conclusion. They just want you to restate your main points. Especially if you’ve made a long and complicated argument, it’s useful to restate your main points for your reader by the time you’ve gotten to your conclusion. If you opt to do so, keep in mind that you should use different language than you used in your introduction and your body paragraphs. The introduction and conclusion shouldn’t be the same.
• For example, your argument might be significant to studies of a certain time period .
• Alternately, it might be significant to a certain geographical region .
• Alternately still, it might influence how your readers think about the future . You might even opt to speculate about the future and/or call your readers to action in your conclusion.

Handout by Dr. Liliana Naydan. Do not reproduce without permission.

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• How to write an essay outline | Guidelines & examples

How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples

Published on August 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph , giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold.

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Table of contents

Organizing your material, presentation of the outline, examples of essay outlines, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay outlines.

At the stage where you’re writing an essay outline, your ideas are probably still not fully formed. You should know your topic  and have already done some preliminary research to find relevant sources , but now you need to shape your ideas into a structured argument.

Creating categories

Look over any information, quotes and ideas you’ve noted down from your research and consider the central point you want to make in the essay—this will be the basis of your thesis statement . Once you have an idea of your overall argument, you can begin to organize your material in a way that serves that argument.

Try to arrange your material into categories related to different aspects of your argument. If you’re writing about a literary text, you might group your ideas into themes; in a history essay, it might be several key trends or turning points from the period you’re discussing.

Three main themes or subjects is a common structure for essays. Depending on the length of the essay, you could split the themes into three body paragraphs, or three longer sections with several paragraphs covering each theme.

As you create the outline, look critically at your categories and points: Are any of them irrelevant or redundant? Make sure every topic you cover is clearly related to your thesis statement.

Order of information

When you have your material organized into several categories, consider what order they should appear in.

Your essay will always begin and end with an introduction and conclusion , but the organization of the body is up to you.

Consider these questions to order your material:

• Is there an obvious starting point for your argument?
• Is there one subject that provides an easy transition into another?
• Do some points need to be set up by discussing other points first?

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Within each paragraph, you’ll discuss a single idea related to your overall topic or argument, using several points of evidence or analysis to do so.

In your outline, you present these points as a few short numbered sentences or phrases.They can be split into sub-points when more detail is needed.

The template below shows how you might structure an outline for a five-paragraph essay.

• Thesis statement
• First piece of evidence
• Second piece of evidence
• Summary/synthesis
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement

You can choose whether to write your outline in full sentences or short phrases. Be consistent in your choice; don’t randomly write some points as full sentences and others as short phrases.

Examples of outlines for different types of essays are presented below: an argumentative, expository, and literary analysis essay.

Argumentative essay outline

This outline is for a short argumentative essay evaluating the internet’s impact on education. It uses short phrases to summarize each point.

Its body is split into three paragraphs, each presenting arguments about a different aspect of the internet’s effects on education.

• Importance of the internet
• Concerns about internet use
• Thesis statement: Internet use a net positive
• Data exploring this effect
• Analysis indicating it is overstated
• Students’ reading levels over time
• Why this data is questionable
• Video media
• Interactive media
• Speed and simplicity of online research
• Questions about reliability (transitioning into next topic)
• Evidence indicating its ubiquity
• Claims that it discourages engagement with academic writing
• Evidence that Wikipedia warns students not to cite it
• Argument that it introduces students to citation
• Summary of key points
• Value of digital education for students
• Need for optimism to embrace advantages of the internet

Expository essay outline

This is the outline for an expository essay describing how the invention of the printing press affected life and politics in Europe.

The paragraphs are still summarized in short phrases here, but individual points are described with full sentences.

• Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages.
• Provide background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press.
• Present the thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
• Discuss the very high levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe.
• Describe how literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites.
• Indicate how this discouraged political and religious change.
• Describe the invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg.
• Show the implications of the new technology for book production.
• Describe the rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible.
• Link to the Reformation.
• Discuss the trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention.
• Describe Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation.
• Sketch out the large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics.
• Summarize the history described.
• Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period.

Literary analysis essay outline

The literary analysis essay outlined below discusses the role of theater in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park .

The body of the essay is divided into three different themes, each of which is explored through examples from the book.

• Describe the theatricality of Austen’s works
• Outline the role theater plays in Mansfield Park
• Introduce the research question : How does Austen use theater to express the characters’ morality in Mansfield Park ?
• Discuss Austen’s depiction of the performance at the end of the first volume
• Discuss how Sir Bertram reacts to the acting scheme
• Introduce Austen’s use of stage direction–like details during dialogue
• Explore how these are deployed to show the characters’ self-absorption
• Discuss Austen’s description of Maria and Julia’s relationship as polite but affectionless
• Compare Mrs. Norris’s self-conceit as charitable despite her idleness
• Summarize the three themes: The acting scheme, stage directions, and the performance of morals
• Answer the research question
• Indicate areas for further study

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
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• False cause fallacy
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You will sometimes be asked to hand in an essay outline before you start writing your essay . Your supervisor wants to see that you have a clear idea of your structure so that writing will go smoothly.

Even when you do not have to hand it in, writing an essay outline is an important part of the writing process . It’s a good idea to write one (as informally as you like) to clarify your structure for yourself whenever you are working on an essay.

If you have to hand in your essay outline , you may be given specific guidelines stating whether you have to use full sentences. If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor.

When writing an essay outline for yourself, the choice is yours. Some students find it helpful to write out their ideas in full sentences, while others prefer to summarize them in short phrases.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

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If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/essay-outline/

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How to Write a Perfect Body of an Essay: Best Tips

Updated 12 Jun 2024

Most students struggling with essays on any topic may have the same questions about the structure, formatting, and methods to use when writing their work. All learners know that a typical essay includes an introduction, the middle part, and a conclusion. But most of them also need to remember that the middle section is the biggest part of any writing piece. This makes us pay a lot of attention to understanding the meaning of the body of an essay and the basic rules about how to create it. That's why some students choose to pay someone to write essay , so they can get expert help in grasping the significance of the essay body and learning the essential rules. Let’s clarify these questions.

What is the body of an essay?

It is any paragraph of an academic paper that comes after the introduction and before the conclusion. The main purpose of the essay body is to explain the essential author’s idea and disclose the topic from a new angle by providing convincing arguments. This paragraph is the longest part of the text and should be based on logical deduction, analyzing empirical data, using evidence, or persuasion.

How long is a body paragraph?

The volume is not limited and depends on the essay structure and the number of pages in the paper. In academic works, the essential part of your writing shouldn’t be shorter than three sentences. Still, it may seldom be longer than one page. On average, an essay should have at least 6 sentences or about 200 words to support the essential idea presented in the introduction. You may use a transition at the beginning of the body paragraph to connect ideas between sentences and keep your readers engaged.

Key elements of the body paragraph

When speaking about the body paragraph structure, we should consider each paragraph as a separate element of an  essay structure . Every paragraph has a miniature introduction, body, and conclusion, and they’re organized in sentences. A body paragraph should include the following four elements:

The combination of words at the beginning and end of a body paragraph links it to other text parts and provides a coherent flow throughout your paper. A transition sentence shouldn’t be complicated. Words like “moreover”, “otherwise”, or a simple phrase “on the other hand” will be sufficient to remove all distractions when moving from one thought to another.

• Topic Sentence

This element is usually the first sentence that introduces the topic and tells what the paragraph will be about. Let’s see an example: “Online education has many advantages”. When we read this, we understand that the author will provide arguments to explain and expand this idea further.

• Supporting Arguments

These are the basis of your body paragraph and the most important part of your essay. In an academic paper, one to three sentences support the assertion exposed in the topic sentence with logical statements, evidence, or expert opinion.

It is a concluding sentence that summarizes the author’s viewpoint and is based on the supporting evidence. It’s a good idea to end your essay with an emotional appeal to encourage the audience to ponder what was discussed.

How to write the body of an essay?

Before describing the main tips for completing a perfect exemplification essay , it’s necessary to understand and follow the algorithm we provide below. There are three essential stages of body writing:

• Produce an outline of what you’re going to tell in your essay;
• Create the first draft of your work by jotting down the essential ideas you’ll elaborate;
• Write the second draft where you specify your arguments and arrange them logically.

Let’s see how to approach every stage and make your writing process easier and faster.

Creating an outline

Think about your paper structure and sketch the essential points you want to present to your audience. This step is important as it helps you understand how every paragraph of your essay relates to other elements. If necessary, you can always change the order of arguments you present. The way you organize your paper may also be changed during the writing process. Don’t hesitate to make improvements and add fresh ideas to your outline, even if you’ve got started with your first draft.

Writing the first draft

During this stage, you should transform your general ideas into well-thought-out supporting arguments and supplement them with essential details and useful examples. It’s crucial to keep in mind how you want your final paper to look. And knowledge about  how to format an essay correctly is important. At this stage, take a look at our valuable recommendations on how to complete an outstanding essay.

How to start your first body paragraph?

Compelling body paragraphs are an essay’s basis. And one of the hardest things to write is the first phrase of your body paragraph. It is crucial to understand how to start the body of an essay, as it usually includes the strongest argument of the whole paper. The first paragraph is also called the “paragraph leader” and should act as a topic phrase and introduce the essential idea of the entire part of an essay. We recommend writing the first sentence to open the discussion and contain a key question that will be solved in the next part of your paper.

Creating the second draft

You must evaluate what you’ve done and rewrite some phrases if necessary. You may also cut some parts of your work and add improvements. Then, before submitting your paper, revise it to exclude grammar and stylistic errors and repetitions. You may read your writing piece aloud to make sure it conveys your intended meaning. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Does my body paragraph clarify the idea exposed in the introduction and support my thesis?
• Have I clearly expressed my point of view on the topic?
• Have I provided enough convincing arguments?
• Does my essay make sense?
• Have I used the proper tone of voice?

Writing tips to create a perfect draft

• Start completing your essay from any part you want.

Most authors begin their work by writing an introduction. But you may start with whatever element you want. You’re free to choose the easiest section first or vice versa ─ write the most challenging part of your essay at the beginning.

• Expand one idea in one paragraph.

Every paragraph in the body of an essay should be focused on one thought, delivering evidence, supporting arguments, and explanation. At the beginning of every paragraph, present a topic sentence expressing the essential point. Then, give the details and expand your idea in the rest of the paragraph. Only when you’ve disclosed all the arguments, move to another paragraph.

• Be flexible when working on your arguments.

Don’t be afraid to eliminate sections if you feel they don’t make sense. You may come up with new thoughts which you can insert into your essay if you see a suitable place for them.

• Don’t delete your essay in a fit of rage.

When you don’t like the result, you may save some sections or even the whole text in a separate document. Even if you don’t plan to use it, you may find new ideas to implement in your essay later.

• Create a list of sources.

Remember to write down the sources when completing drafts. It’ll save you a lot of time and prevent plagiarism issues. Indicate the author’s name, title, year, and page number each time you paraphrase from a source or use quotations.

• Don’t be a perfectionist.

Avoid delving into minor details while creating the first draft. Note your thoughts instantly and polish them later. If you’re unsatisfied with a sentence or word, indicate it in the draft to improve it later. You may struggle with one phrase and not see how to formulate it. In this case, switch to another section and think about it later. No need to spend time changing fragments you might delete or revise in the future.

• Make sure your ideas have clear connections.

Check whether your ideas fit together between paragraphs and within a separate paragraph. They should be organized logically and easy to understand for your readers. Use transition words to relate every next sentence to the previous one.

Writing the body of an essay may be challenging, especially if you only take your first steps in academic research and learn the fundamentals of completing an essay. Keep in mind that other students are struggling with the same complicated things too. That's where an  essay helper comes in, offering valuable guidance and support to make the process easier for you. Our specialists are always ready to give you a helping hand. We can provide the best body paragraph example and give useful recommendations on creating a well-structured essay with the proper formatting and style. With Edubirdie, your writing will always be engaging, clear, and polished, no matter the topic you investigate.

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Writing Resources

Constructing effective body paragraphs.

A paragraph is a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic. This handout breaks the paragraph down into its conceptual and structural components. 

Conceptual Components

The entire paragraph should push toward proving a single idea. In other words, its analysis should move in one direction toward proving the claim laid out in the topic sentence. If it begins with one focus or major point for discussion, it should not end with another or wander within different ideas.

It is useful to envision body paragraphs as links in the chain of reasoning that forms the overall argument of your essay. In order to get to the next link, each paragraph must establish a claim that moves your overall argument one step closer to its ultimate goal (i.e., proving its thesis). Though the topic sentence will announce your paragraph’s direction, the movement of your analysis within the paragraph will consist of pushing this claim from being unproven at the outset of the paragraph to logically compelling at the end.

Bridges establish the coherence that makes the movement between your ideas easily understandable to the reader. Logical bridges ensure that the same idea is carried over from sentence to sentence. Verbal bridges use language — repetition of keywords and synonyms, use of transitions, etc. — that makes the logical connections between your ideas clear to your reader. 

Structural Components

Topic sentence.

The first sentence in a paragraph should clearly announce the thesis of the paragraph (i.e., its direction), the claim that will be supported by the content of the paragraph. Effective topic sentences will often link this local claim back to the overall thesis of the essay.

Transitions (Movement)

Transitions are verbal bridges that use language to make the logical movement and structure of an essay clear to the reader. The topic sentence will often contain a transition that links the argument of the paragraph to the one made in the previous paragraph. This is most often accomplished by opening the paragraph with a prepositional phrase or by retaining some important language from the previous paragraph. The final sentence of a paragraph may also suggest a logical link to the argument to come. Transitions do not always link adjacent paragraphs. Good writers will refer back to relevant points made several paragraphs earlier. Especially long or complex papers will often contain several sentences (even entire paragraphs) of transitional material summarizing what the essay has sought to establish up to that point.

Quotations, examples, data, testimony, etc. should be cited as evidence in support of your paragraph’s central claim. In order to avoid generalization, you should strive to use evidence that is as specific as possible. Evidence should be preceded by an introduction to its source and relevance and followed by analysis of its significance to your overall argument.

Evidence alone does not make your argument for you. Evidence requires analysis to make it relevant to an argument. Analyzing effectively requires showing or explaining how the evidence you have cited actually supports the larger claims your essay is making, both on the paragraph level and the thesis level. Because analytical sections are the places where your essay does real argumentative work, they should constitute the bulk of your paragraph (and essay).

Like the conclusion to the essay as a whole, the final sentence of a paragraph is a chance to sum up and solidify for your reader that your paragraph has established the claim it set out to. A concluding sentence will revisit the material from the topic sentence, but with an enhanced perspective.

Example Body Paragraph

Here is an example of an body paragraph that we will analyze sentence by sentence:

Swift undermines Gulliver's negative view of humankind by making his hero devolve, in the grip of that view, into an irrational and sadly comic character, unable to appreciate acts of genuine human goodness. Upon leaving the Houyhnhnms at the end of the story, Gulliver's disillusionment with humanity and desire for withdrawal seem, at first, understandable, if not darkly humorous. He wants to find some "small Island uninhabited" in which to isolate himself from human society, "so horrible was the Idea ... of returning to live in the Society and under the Government of Yahoos" (248). But this disillusionment escalates to sociopathia. When he returns home to his wife and children, "the Sight of them filled [him] only with Hatred, Disgust, and Contempt; and the more, by reflecting on the near alliance [he] had to them" (253). Just as Gulliver is disgusted with humanity, by this point Swift is clearly disgusted with Gulliver. Once affably curious, after his departure from the Houyhnhnms, Gulliver loses touch with natural human feelings, values, and priorities. His wife welcomes him home with love, patience, and forbearance, taking him "in her arms and kiss[ing]" him (253). Instead of embracing her in return, Gullivers falls into a "Swoon" for having been touched by an "odious Animal" (253) — a shameful epithet for a loved one. Rather than trying to integrate himself into human society, Gulliver pathologically withdraws from human contact and spends his time talking to a pair of stable horses (254). Here Swift shows us the danger of an excessive sensitivity to human feelings.

Example Body Paragraph: Structural Components

In this table, each structural component of the body paragraph is listed in the left column, and the corresponding sample text is on the right:

Example Body Paragraph: Analysis

Analysis of each structural component of the example paragraph.

Swift undermines Gulliver's negative view of humankind by making his hero devolve, in the grip of that view, into an irrational and sadly comic character, unable to appreciate acts of genuine human goodness.

Explanation

The paragraph's opening sentence clearly establishes the claim that will be argued throughout: that Swift undercuts Gulliver's rejection of humanity by using his authorial power to turn the hero of his novel into a comical figure of pity. This topic sentence reproduces the tension at the heart of the essay's thesis that "there is an ironic disconnect between Swift as author and Gulliver as narrator and critic of humankind." The topic sentence also forges a subtle transition. The reference to "Gulliver's negative view of humankind" refers back to the central claim of the previous paragraph.

• But this disillusionment escalates to sociopathia.
• Just as Gulliver is disgusted with humanity, by this point Swift is clearly disgusted with Gulliver.
• ... Gulliver pathologically withdraws from human contact and spends his time talking to a pair of stable horses.

Can you see what these three examples have in common?

The logical movement of this paragraph is announced by the word "devolve" in the topic sentence. As the author presents and analyzes the novelistic evidence of Gulliver's mental unraveling, he makes the logic of his argument clear to his reader through the use of effective transitions. The author inserts sentences and phrases into his paragraph that trace Gulliver's path from disillusionment, to sociopathia, to antisocial pathology. The author's transitions also expose the logic of Swift's changing attitude toward Gulliver. It is worth noting that these transitions are full integrated into the author's analysis, simultaneously serving as conclusions to one argument as they form introductions to the next. For example, the line "this disillusionment escalates into sociopathia" sums up the section of the author's analysis dealing with Gulliver's disillusionment while introducing the following section that focuses on his sociopathia.

• He wants to find some "small Island uninhabited" in which to isolate himself from human society, "so horrible was the Idea ... of returning to live in the Society and under the Government of Yahoos" (248).
• When he returns home to his wife and children, "the Sight of them filled [him] only with Hatred, Disgust, and Contempt; and the more, by reflecting on the near alliance [he] had to them" (253).
• His wife welcomes him home with love, patience, and forbearance, taking him "in her arms and kiss[ing]" him (253). Instead of embracing her in return, Gullivers falls into a "Swoon" for having been touched by an "odious Animal" (253)

What do all these examples use as evidence? How does the author present them?

Note how the evidence about Gulliver's welcome by his wife is introduced; the author tells the reader what to look for in the evidence — Gulliver's loss of touch with human feelings, values, and priorities — before presenting it. This makes the paper easier to read because the reader is able to assess the adequacy of the evidence while reading it. In addition, the author is careful to present all of the necessary evidence — both the wife's welcome and Gulliver's reaction — before moving on to analysis. Note, in the use of phrases like "odious Animal," how the author is careful to reproduce the specific pieces of Swift's language that will be relevant for his later analysis.

• Upon leaving the Houyhnhnms at the end of the story, Gulliver's disillusionment with humanity and desire for withdrawal seem, at first, understandable, if not darkly humorous.
• Once affably curious, after his departure from the Houyhnhnms, Gulliver loses touch with natural human feelings, values, and priorities.
• ... — a shameful epithet for a loved one. Rather than trying to integrate himself into human society, Gulliver pathologically withdraws from human contact.

Can you see why we classify these examples of analysis rather than evidence? How can analysis, like transitions, contribute to movement?

The burden on the author to analyze is lightened significantly by the way in which he introduced his evidence. However, he is still careful to reflect analytically on what he has cited. His assessment of "odious Animal" as a "shameful epithet for a love one" goes beyond simply explicating the obvious meaning of this phrase; he also succinctly relates what the use of the phrase "odious Animal" says about Swift's attitude toward Gulliver. In addition, note how the author's analysis mingles illuminatingly with his presentation of new pieces of evidence. The "pathological withdrawal from human contact" that the author derives from Gulliver's reaction to his wife is reinforced by the description of Gulliver's proclivity to socialize with his horses.

Here Swift shows us the danger of an excessive sensitivity to human feelings.

The author makes sure the reader understands the main argument of the paragraph by restating it before moving on. However, the author does not simply reproduce his initial contention that Swift undermines Gulliver's antihumanism at the end of Gulliver's Travels. He pushes his proper claim one step further by turning Swift's rejection of Gulliver into a social commentary. This subtle addition serves as a transition to the following paragraph in which the author discusses Swift's attitude toward human society.

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Basics of essay writing - Body

The body paragraphs will explain your essay's topic. Each of the main ideas that you listed in your outline will become a paragraph in your essay. If your outline contained three main ideas, you will have three body paragraphs. Start by writing down one of your main ideas, in sentence form.

If your essay topic is a new university in your hometown, one of your main ideas may be "population growth of town" you might say this:

The new university will cause a boom in the population of Fort Myers.

Build on your paragraph by including each of the supporting ideas from your outline In the body of the essay, all the preparation up to this point comes to fruition. The topic you have chosen must now be explained, described, or argued.

Each body paragraph will have the same basic structure.

• Start by writing down one of your main ideas, in sentence form. If your main idea is "reduces freeway congestion," you might say this: Public transportation reduces freeway congestion.
• Next, write down each of your supporting points for that main idea, but leave four or five lines in between each point.
• In the space under each point, write down some elaboration for that point. Elaboration can be further description or explanation or discussion. Supporting Point Commuters appreciate the cost savings of taking public transportation rather than driving. Elaboration Less driving time means less maintenance expense, such as oil changes. Of course, less driving time means savings on gasoline as well. In many cases, these savings amount to more than the cost of riding public transportation.
• If you wish, include a summary sentence for each paragraph. This is not generally needed, however, and such sentences have a tendency to sound stilted, so be cautious about using them.

Each main body paragraph will focus on a single idea, reason, or example that supports your thesis. Each paragraph will have a clear topic sentence (a mini thesis that states the main idea of the paragraph). You should try to use details and specific examples to make your ideas clear and convincing.

Useful links

• 5-paragraph Essay
• Admission Essay
• Argumentative Essay
• Cause and Effect Essay
• Classification Essay
• Comparison Essay
• Critical Essay
• Deductive Essay
• Definition Essay
• Exploratory Essay
• Expository Essay
• Informal Essay
• Literature Essay
• Narrative Essay
• Personal Essay
• Persuasive Essay
• Research Essay
• Response Essay
• Scholarship Essay

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Writing A Body Paragraph

How To Write A Strong Body Paragraph

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A Guide to Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay

Many students and writers struggle to write effective body paragraphs, often dealing with issues like clarity, coherence, and staying relevant. These challenges can result in weak arguments, messy essays, and a lack of persuasiveness.This blog is your guide to creating strong body paragraphs. With our easy steps for writing a good body paragraph, you can create clear and coherent essays.So, let’s get started!

• 1. Body Paragraph Structure
• 2. How To Write a Body Paragraph
• 3. Don'ts of Writing a Body Paragraph

Body Paragraph Structure

Understanding the structure of a body paragraph is crucial for crafting effective and coherent writing. Each part of the structure serves a specific purpose in developing the main idea and supporting the overall argument of the essay. 

Here is the typical structure of a body paragraph:

Topic Sentence

The topic sentence is the first sentence of a body paragraph and introduces the main idea of the paragraph. It should be clear, concise, and directly related to the thesis statement of the essay. 

A strong topic sentence sets the tone for the paragraph and gives the reader an idea of what to expect.

Supporting Sentences

Supporting sentences follow the topic sentence and provide evidence, examples, and explanations to develop the main idea. These sentences should be well-organized and logically connected to ensure coherence. 

Types of evidence include facts, statistics, quotes from experts, and real-life examples.

Explanation and Analysis

In addition to presenting evidence, it's important to explain and analyze how the evidence supports the topic sentence. This involves interpreting the significance of the evidence and connecting it back to the main idea of the paragraph.

Concluding Sentence

The concluding sentence wraps up the paragraph by summarizing the main point and providing a transition to the next paragraph. It reinforces the topic sentence and ensures that the paragraph ends on a strong note.

The TEAR structure is also an effective way to organize body paragraphs to ensure clarity and coherence. TEAR stands for Topic sentence, Evidence, Analysis, and Recap.

How To Write a Body Paragraph

Creating an effective body paragraph is essential for building a strong, coherent essay. 

Body paragraphs are typically placed between the essay introduction and the conclusion , forming the core of the essay. 

Follow these steps to ensure each paragraph is well-structured and supports your overall argument, as detailed in your essay outline :

Step 1: Understand the Purpose

Before you start writing, understand the purpose of your body paragraph. Each paragraph should support your thesis statement and contribute to the overall argument or narrative of your essay.

Step 2: Write a Clear Topic Sentence

Start with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This sentence should be clear, concise, and directly related to your thesis statement.

Example: "Effective communication is a crucial skill in the workplace."

Step 3: Provide Supporting Evidence

After the topic sentence, include supporting sentences that provide evidence to back up your main idea. Use facts, statistics, quotes, or real-life examples. Ensure your evidence is relevant and credible.

Example: "A recent survey found that 85% of employees believe good communication skills are essential for career advancement."

Step 4: Explain and Analyze the Evidence

Explain and analyze the evidence you provided. Show how it supports the topic sentence by interpreting the significance of the evidence and connecting it back to the main idea. This step is crucial for demonstrating your critical thinking skills and deep understanding of the topic.

Example: "This statistic highlights the importance of communication skills in professional success, as it demonstrates that most employees recognize their value."

Step 5: Conclude with a Concluding Sentence

End the paragraph with a concluding sentence that summarizes the main point and provides a transition to the next paragraph. This sentence should reinforce the topic sentence and ensure the paragraph ends on a strong note.

Example: "Therefore, developing effective communication skills is essential for anyone looking to succeed in the workplace."

Step 6: Ensure Coherence and Flow

Make sure your sentences are logically connected and that the paragraph flows smoothly from one idea to the next. Use transitional words and phrases to maintain coherence and guide the reader through your argument.

Step 7: Review and Revise

After writing your paragraph, review it to ensure it effectively supports your thesis statement and follows the TEAR structure (Topic sentence, Evidence, Analysis, Recap). 

Revise for clarity, coherence, and conciseness.

Example Paragraph:

How to Write a Body Paragraph for a Research Paper

Writing body paragraphs for a research paper requires a precise approach to ensure clarity, coherence, and credibility. Here’s how you can craft effective body paragraphs for a research paper:

• Write a Clear Topic Sentence Begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph and relates directly to your thesis statement.
• Introduce and Cite Evidence Provide credible supporting evidence, such as data, statistics, or quotes from experts, and cite your sources properly.
• Analyze and Interpret the Evidence Explain how the evidence supports your topic sentence, discussing its significance and implications.
• Connect to the Broader Argument Relate the analysis back to the broader argument of your research paper. Show how this paragraph fits into your overall thesis and contributes to the understanding of the topic.
• Conclude with a Recap or Transition End with a concluding sentence that summarizes the main point or transitions to the next paragraph.

How to Write a Body Paragraph for an Essay

Crafting body paragraphs for an essay involves presenting a coherent argument that supports your thesis statement. Here’s how to write an effective body paragraph for an essay:

• Write a Clear Topic Sentence Start with a topic sentence that clearly states the main idea of the paragraph and links back to your thesis statement.
• Provide Supporting Evidence Include relevant evidence, such as facts, statistics, examples, or quotes from credible sources.
• Explain and Analyze the Evidence Interpret the evidence and explain how it supports your topic sentence, highlighting its significance.
• Conclude with a Recap or Transition End with a sentence that summarizes the main point or transitions to the next paragraph.

Don'ts of Writing a Body Paragraph

When writing your body paragraphs, be mindful of these additional pitfalls to ensure clarity, coherence, and effectiveness in your writing:

• Avoid unsupported claims; always provide evidence.
• Use quotes sparingly; ensure they directly support your points.
• Stay focused on your main idea; avoid introducing new concepts.
• Stick to relevant information; avoid tangential details.
• Provide specific evidence; avoid overgeneralizing.

Now you know how to write an effective body paragraph for essays and research papers. 

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your paragraphs are clear, well-supported, and contribute meaningfully to your overall argument. 

However, if you're still struggling with your writing or need further assistance, feel free to contact our essay writing service . We're here to help you craft compelling and well-structured academic papers.

So, trust your essays to our professional writers and place your order!

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Narrative Essay

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A narrative essay is a form of storytelling where the writer shares a personal experience in a detailed and engaging manner. Crafting a Short Narrative Essay allows the author to focus on a specific event or moment, making it concise and impactful. Writing a Beneficial Narrative Essay helps readers connect with the author’s journey, providing insight and reflection. The Thesis Statement for Narrative Essay serves as the guiding idea, encapsulating the main point or lesson learned. A well-crafted Narrative Summary ensures the story is coherent and compelling, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

What is Narrative Essay?

A narrative essay is a form of writing that tells a story from the writer’s personal experience, using vivid details and a clear sequence of events. It aims to engage readers by making them feel a part of the journey, often imparting a meaningful lesson or insight.

Examples of Narrative Essay

• A Memorable Family Vacation – Recount a family trip that left a lasting impression.
• My First Day at School – Describe the emotions and experiences of your first school day.
• An Unexpected Adventure – Share a surprising and exciting experience you had.
• Overcoming a Fear – Narrate the story of how you faced and conquered a fear.
• A Life-Changing Event – Detail an event that significantly impacted your life.
• A Lesson Learned the Hard Way – Explain a situation where you learned an important lesson through a challenging experience.
• My Favorite Childhood Memory – Describe a cherished memory from your childhood.
• A Time I Helped Someone – Share a story where you helped someone in need and what you learned from it.
• A Day I Will Never Forget – Narrate a day that stands out vividly in your memory.
• My First Job Experience – Recount your experiences and lessons learned from your first job.
• The Best Decision I Ever Made – Explain a decision that positively changed your life.
• A Time I Stood Up for Myself – Describe an instance where you confidently defended your beliefs or actions.
• A Significant Challenge I Faced – Narrate how you dealt with a major challenge in your life.
• My Favorite Holiday Celebration – Share your experiences and traditions during a special holiday.
• A Friendship That Changed Me – Describe a friendship that had a profound impact on you.
• A Moment of Personal Growth – Explain a situation where you experienced significant personal development.
• A Funny Incident from My Life – Recount a humorous event that still makes you laugh.
• A Time I Felt Truly Happy – Describe an experience that brought you immense joy and fulfillment.
• My Experience Moving to a New Place – Share your feelings and experiences about relocating to a new environment.
• A Mistake That Taught Me a Valuable Lesson – Narrate a mistake you made and the lessons you learned from it.

Narrative Essay Examples for Students

• My First Day at High School : My first day at high school was a mix of excitement and nervousness. Walking through the crowded halls, I felt lost but eager to start a new chapter.
• Overcoming Stage Fright : In eighth grade, I was chosen to lead the school play. Though terrified, I practiced tirelessly and eventually overcame my stage fright.
• A Memorable Family Vacation : Last summer, my family and I went on a trip to the Grand Canyon. The breathtaking views and the bonding moments we shared made it an unforgettable experience.
• The Day I Got My First Pet : Getting my first pet, a golden retriever named Max, was a day filled with joy. I vividly remember the feeling of holding him for the first time and the instant bond we formed.
• Learning to Ride a Bike : Learning to ride a bike was a significant milestone in my childhood. My dad spent countless hours running beside me, encouraging me not to give up.

Narrative Essay Topics

• A Life-Changing Experience
• My First Day at a New School
• An Unforgettable Family Reunion
• The Day I Overcame a Fear
• A Time I Got Lost
• The Best Birthday Party Ever
• A Lesson Learned from a Mistake
• The Moment I Realized I Was Growing Up
• A Memorable Road Trip
• An Unexpected Act of Kindness
• A Funny Incident in My Life
• A Time I Stood Up for Myself
• A Significant Challenge I Faced
• My First Job Experience
• A Time When I Felt Truly Happy
• A Difficult Decision I Had to Make
• The Day I Met My Best Friend
• An Adventure in Nature
• A Family Tradition That Means a Lot to Me
• The First Time I Tried Something New

Narrative Essay Format

Introduction.

From a young age, I was terrified of public speaking. The very thought of standing in front of an audience made my palms sweat and my heart race. However, my journey to overcome this fear taught me valuable lessons about courage and perseverance.

In eighth grade, I was unexpectedly chosen to play the lead role in our school play. At first, I wanted to decline the offer, but my teacher encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. With her support and my parents’ encouragement, I reluctantly agreed.

As the day of the performance approached, my nerves intensified. However, I remembered my teacher’s advice: “Focus on the story you’re telling, not on the audience.” On the night of the play, I took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage, my heart pounding in my chest.

To my surprise, as I delivered my first lines, the fear began to fade. I became immersed in my character, and the audience’s presence seemed to disappear. By the end of the play, I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride that I had never experienced before.

Overcoming my stage fright was a pivotal moment in my life. It taught me that facing my fears head-on and persevering through challenges can lead to personal growth and unexpected rewards.

How to write Narrative Essay

Choose a Topic : Pick a story or experience from your life that you can describe in detail and that has a clear point or lesson.

Create an Outline : Outline the main events of your story in the order they happened. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure your essay flows smoothly.

Write the Introduction:

• Hook : Start with an interesting opening sentence to grab the reader’s attention.
• Setting the Scene : Provide background information about where and when the story takes place.
• Thesis Statement : Briefly explain the main point or lesson of your story.

Write the Body Paragraphs :

• Paragraph 1: Beginning of the Story
• Paragraph 2: Rising Action
• Paragraph 3: Climax
• Paragraph 4: Falling Action
• Write the Conclusion : Summarize the lesson or main point of your story.

Tips for Narrative Essay Writing

• Start with a Strong Hook
• Use Vivid Descriptions and Sensory Details
• Show, Don’t Just Tell
• Reflect on the Significance

How does a narrative essay differ from a biography?

Unlike a Biography Narrative Essay , a narrative essay focuses on a specific event or experience.

Can a narrative essay include fictional elements?

Yes, a narrative essay can blend fact and fiction for creative storytelling.

What is a narrative history essay?

A narrative history essay recounts historical events in a story-like format.

How do you start a narrative essay?

Begin with an engaging hook, setting the scene or introducing key characters.

What are the key components of a narrative essay?

Introduction, plot, characters, climax, and conclusion are essential.

How should a narrative essay be structured?

Follow a chronological order or a logical progression of events.

What tone should a narrative essay have?

The tone can vary but should suit the story’s context and audience.

How do you end a narrative essay?

Conclude by reflecting on the story’s significance or lessons learned.

How important is the setting in a narrative essay?

A well-described setting enhances the story’s mood and context.

What is the purpose of a narrative essay?

To entertain, inform, or convey personal experiences and insights.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

10 Examples of Public speaking

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