Organizing Body Paragraphs CCECHS ENGLISH DEPARTMENT 4 Parts

Organizing Body Paragraphs CCECHS ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

4 Parts of a Body Paragraph What are the key elements of a college-ready body paragraph? Topic Sentence 2. Context 3. Evidence 4. Analysis 1.

Topic Sentences • The function of a topic sentence is to… – – – Focus your paragraph around a single controlling idea that comes from a part of your broader thesis statement Function as a mini-thesis statement Should be 1 -2 sentences • The elements of a topic sentence include… – Transitional phrases + • • – Strong Verbs + • • – Ex: To begin with, consequently, moreover, although, additionally, etc. Avoid first, second, third, etc. Ex: Demonstrates, analyzes, explores, examines, discusses, etc. DO NOT use shows or tells Ideas from thesis in fresh, new language

Example of Topic Sentence Thesis Topic Sentence Although technology provides immediate access to information and numerous daily conveniences, an overdependence on it may be detrimental to our cognitive and social development. To begin with, technology damages society when it threatens people with addiction and interferes with their ability to have healthy relationships.

Context • The function of the context is to… – – – Provide relevant background information that has not already been included in the introduction Help transition into the quoted or summarized evidence Should be 1 -2 sentences • The elements of the context include… – In non-fiction texts, it should explain source summary to lead into a quote • – FATT Sentence (Focus, Author, Title, Text Type) In fiction texts, it should explain scene summary to lead into a quote • Can include relevant plot elements from the scene that is going to be quoted

Example of Context (with FATT) Topic Sentence + Context To begin with, technology damages society when it threatens people with addiction and interferes with their ability to have healthy relationships. According to her article in the New York Times, “An Ugly Toll of Technology: Impatience and Forgetfulness, ” Tara Parker-Pope argues that our society has become addicted to technology and it has the danger to alter the nature of who we are. **FATT = Focus, Author, Text Type, Title

Evidence • The function of the evidence is to… – – – Provide concrete and relevant support for proving your thesis Connect to your body paragraph Should be limited to 1 -2 sentences • Evidence may be summarized, paraphrased, or directly quoted depending on the demands of the prompt • The elements of quoted evidence should include… – – Carefully blending quotes with your own words and thoughts so it reads as your own sentence Acknowledges the speaker and/or the writer • • – – The speaker isn’t necessarily the writer The character is never the writer Uses the best part of the quote Properly citing the quote in MLA format

Example of Evidence Topic Sentence + Context + Evidence To begin with, technology damages society when it threatens people with addiction and interferes with their ability to have healthy relationships. According to her article in the New York Times, “An Ugly Toll of Technology: Impatience and Forgetfulness, ” Tara Parker -Pope argues that our society has become addicted to technology and it has the danger to alter the nature of who we are. Parker-Pope references a study conducted by the International Center for Media and the Public Agenda where 200 students were challenged to give up their electronic media for a day. According to one of the participants who was socially impacted by the experiment, “texting and I. M. ’ing my friends gives me a constant feeling of comfort…Although I go to a school with thousands of students, the fact that I was not able to communicate with anyone via technology was almost unbearable” (Pope 3).

Analysis • The function of the analysis is to… – – Explain how the evidence proves your thesis Should be at least 3 -7 sentences • The elements of the analysis include… – – Demonstrating your own original thoughts rather than providing simple plot summary or repetition of information Extending your thinking about the topic on a deeper level Should not begin with “This quote shows…” and explain what “this” refers to Answer HOW does the particular quotation or example supports, proves, or demonstrates your point

Example of Complete Body Paragraph Topic Sentence + Context + Evidence + Analysis To begin with, technology damages society when it threatens people with addiction and interferes with their ability to have healthy relationships. According to her article in the New York Times, “An Ugly Toll of Technology: Impatience and Forgetfulness, ” Tara Parker-Pope argues that our society has become addicted to technology and it has the danger to alter the nature of who we are. Parker-Pope references a study conducted by the International Center for Media and the Public Agenda where 200 students were challenged to give up their electronic media for a day. According to one of the participants who was socially impacted by the experiment, “texting and I. M. ’ing my friends gives me a constant feeling of comfort…Although I go to a school with thousands of students, the fact that I was not able to communicate with anyone via technology was almost unbearable” (Pope 3). Technology gives a false sense of security that comes from being able to connect instantly and frequently, and without that, this particular student found himself at an emotional loss. Even though this student was surrounded by people all day, he was unable to really feel connected to them in the absence of electronic media. This resulted in a feeling of true isolation because there was no technological device at his immediate disposal and an inability to socially connect in any other way. This heavy dependence on electronic media forces society to question whether or not people are able to have healthy relationships with others without cell phones and computers to help them communicate. Electronic media has become a crutch and through Parker-Pope’s assertion that an addiction to technology leads to greater impatience and narcissism one can see how our society will continue to be negatively impacted by this crutch.