8.0 Body Paragraph

8.0 Body Paragraphs

Learn the key elements and strategies for writing a successful essay.

Parts of an Essay

1. Introduction: Includes the thesis statement as the last sentence.

2. Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should have a topic sentence, supporting blocks, and a concluding sentence.

3. Conclusion: Summarizes the main points and restates the thesis.

   Essay Length: Depends on the literature, your thoughts, or teacher's requirements.

Parts of an Essay

This lesson will focus on how to write a body paragraph

How long does YOUR essay need to be?

1. Introductory paragraph

2. Two body paragraphs

3. One conclusion

Reorder

Reorder the following parts of the essay into their order

• Introduction

• Thesis Statement (last sentence of the introduction)

• Body Paragraph #1

• Body Paragraph #2

• Conclusion

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

What are the following parts of a block inside of a body paragraph?

• Transition

• Evidence

• Analysis

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

Multiple Choice

What is evidence?

• Evidence is subjective and can vary from person to person.
• Information or data from the text (short story, song, movie) that you are using to support your thesis

• Evidence is irrelevant information that has no bearing on a claim or statement.
• Evidence is a collection of opinions rather than facts.

Multiple Choice

What is analysis?

• The process of ignoring certain parts of a topic or substance to simplify understanding.
• The process of memorizing all the details of a topic or substance without breaking it down.
• The process of interpreting the meaning behind a complex topic or idea.

• The process of combining multiple topics or substances to create a more complex understanding.

Reorder

Reorder the following parts of the body paragraph

• topic sentence

• block #1

• block #2

• concluding sentence

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Transition + Evidence + Analysis

A word or short phrase to smooth the shift from your last sentence, which was either the topic sentence or a previous body paragraph block, as you prepare to unleash the next awesome idea on your reader.

​Transition

Transition + Evidence + Analysis

Examples:
For instance, Additionally, Next, Similarly, Furthermore, Finally,

​Transition

Transition + Evidence + Analysis

Describe an element from the story, song, movie, video, ect... that stands out to you. You could write it in your own words or directly quote a line from the text.

​Evidence

Transition + Evidence + Analysis

Give meaning to the evidence you’ve selected. Consider things like: Why is this interesting? What might this thing mean on a deeper level?
Connection to something else in the story?
Life lesson that goes beyond the story? How does it connect to commentary or criticism of our leaders, institutions, or social groups?

Analysis

This is the MOST IMPORTANT PART

THE MOST IMPORTANT piece of the block because it comes from YOU, the essay writer. It is your unique insight about the work being discussed. This is where you thrill or disappoint your reader.

​ANALYSIS

early in the story, the father makes a weak attempt to hide his daughter’s untamed hair under a red winter cap. Not only is the cap ineffective at hiding Zuri’s messy hair,

​Analysis

but the cap’s red color serves as a warning that shortcuts are useless when it comes to fixing a significant problem. People often attempt to hide a problem or address it with a quick fix, but threats must be faced and battles must be fought. Cowards run and hide, while heroes are willing to attack the root of a problem because they know that their efforts are honorable, especially when victory is uncertain.

Next,

Transition

What does it look like?

Evidence

It’s okay to blend evidence and analysis a bit to improve the flow, but analysis must comprise the bulk of the block.

Finally, notice that the body paragraphs in the sample essays are all slightly different lengths.

Why is this?

Right!

The blocks vary depending on how many sentences of analysis writers need to make their points.

Your paragraphs won't all be the same length, but ANALYSIS needs to be the majority of your essay.

Multiple Choice

What part of the essay needs to be the longest?

• traditional words or phrases

• evidence

• analysis

• the thesis

Multiple Choice

How long does my essay need to be?

• Intro + 1 body paragraph + conclusion

• Intro + 2 body paragraphs + conclusion

• Intro + 3 body paragraph + conclusion

• I can make the essay as long as I want

Drag and Drop

My ​

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to prove my thesis will come from ​

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or ​

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from the movie, song, book, story, or video that I am ​

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.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

analyzing

evidence

direct quotes

summaries

Multiple Select

Select all of the parts of a body paragraph that I need to construct.

• Transition

• Evidence

• Analysis

• Thesis

Example: Olivia Rodrigo's Driver's Liscence

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Topic Sentence: In Olivia Rodrigo’s song “drivers license,” the symbolic use of the driver’s license represents the protagonist’s sense of freedom and the painful reality of lost love.

Example: Olivia Rodrigo's Driver's Liscence

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Transitional Statement: As the protagonist reflects on her emotions, the driver’s license becomes a tangible reminder of her hopes and dreams, which are now shattered.

Example: Olivia Rodrigo's Driver's Liscence

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Evidence from the Text: Rodrigo sings, “I got my driver’s license last week / Just like we always talked about / And you’re probably with that blonde girl / Who always made me doubt.”

Example: Olivia Rodrigo's Driver's Liscence

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Analysis: The driver’s license, a milestone of independence, is imbued with bittersweet meaning as it symbolizes not only the protagonist’s freedom but also her painful realization that the life she imagined with her ex is no longer possible. The license, which should represent a new beginning, instead highlights the emotional weight of the past, symbolizing unfulfilled dreams and the painful recognition that things have changed irreparably. The singer realizes a heartbreaking lesson. Growing up, while exciting and imbued with a new sense of freedom, means leaving behind things that one thought would be a part of that future.

Open Ended

Reading the analysis section, explain why that section is analytical.

Analysis: The driver’s license, a milestone of independence, is imbued with bittersweet meaning as it symbolizes not only the protagonist’s freedom but also her painful realization that the life she imagined with her ex is no longer possible. The license, which should represent a new beginning, instead highlights the emotional weight of the past, symbolizing unfulfilled dreams and the painful recognition that things have changed irreparably. The singer realizes a heartbreaking lesson. Growing up, while exciting and imbued with a new sense of freedom, means leaving behind things that one thought would be a part of that future.

Drag and Drop

Read this passage. Is this a topic sentence, transitional statement, evidence, or analysis



In the song "Let It Go" from Frozen, the lyrics utilize the literary device of personification to highlight the protagonist Elsa's internal struggle and eventual liberation.



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Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Topic Sentence

Transitional Statement

Evidence 

Analysis 

Drag and Drop

Read this passage. Is this a topic sentence, transitional statement, evidence, or analysis



“The cold never bothered me anyway.”



​ ​

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Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Transitional Statement

Evidence 

Analysis 

Evidence

Topic Sentence

Drag and Drop

Read this passage. Is this a topic sentence, transitional statement, evidence, or analysis



By personifying the cold, the song portrays Elsa’s internal transformation, symbolizing her decision to no longer be controlled by fear or societal pressures.



​ ​ ​ ​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Transitional Statement

Evidence 

Topic Sentence

Analysis