Review: Writing a Body Paragraph using PEALS

On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about your ability to write effective body paragraphs in essays?

• 5: Very confident

• 4: Almost Confident

• 3: Kind of Confident

• 2: Somewhat Confident

• 1: Not Confident

What is the structure of a body paragraph?

• Thesis statement with a point, supporting sentences with evidence, analysis of language, and a concluding sentence or summary statement

• Introduction, body, conclusion

• Main idea, examples, and a concluding sentence or summary statement

• Topic sentence with a point, supporting sentences with evidence, analysis of language, and a concluding sentence or summary statement

What is the purpose of a topic sentence in a body paragraph?

• To provide supporting evidence for the main idea based on the thesis statement

• To conclude the paragraph based on the thesis statement

• To summarize the previous paragraph.

• To introduce the main idea or point of the paragraph that appears in the thesis statement

What is supporting evidence in a body paragraph?

• Specific examples, facts, or details from the text (speech, essay, novel, poem)

• Irrelevant information from the text (speech, essay, novel, poem)

• Opinions from the text (speech, essay, novel, poem)

• General statements from the text (speech, essay, novel, poem)

Why is analysis and explanation important in a body paragraph?

• Analysis and explanation are only important in the conclusion of a body paragraph.

• Analysis and explanation provide evidence and support for the main idea or argument in a body paragraph.

• Analysis and explanation distract from the main idea or argument in a body paragraph.

• Analysis and explanation are unnecessary in a body paragraph.

What is the role of a concluding sentence in a body paragraph?

• The role of a concluding sentence in a body paragraph is to ask a question.

• The role of a concluding sentence in a body paragraph is to provide evidence to support the main point.

• The role of a concluding sentence in a body paragraph is to summarize the main point and provide closure.

• The role of a concluding sentence in a body paragraph is to introduce a new idea.

How many main points should be included in EACH body paragraph?

• 1

• 3

• 2

• 4

What is the recommended length of a body paragraph?

• 8-12 sentences

• 20-25 sentences

• 10-12 sentences

• 1-2 sentences

What are some effective ways to provide supporting evidence in a body paragraph?

• Providing vague or general statements, using unrelated quotes or paraphrases, relying on personal opinions or beliefs

• Using relevant examples, citing credible sources, using statistics or data, providing expert opinions or testimonies, and using direct quotes or paraphrases from authoritative texts.

• Using outdated or irrelevant examples, citing unreliable sources, using biased statistics or data

• Including personal anecdotes, using emotional language, relying on hearsay or rumors

Why is it important to transition smoothly between paragraphs?

• To confuse the reader.

• To make the writing more disjointed.

• To create a jarring reading experience.

• To maintain flow and coherence of the writing.