TDA ESSAY Part Two Body Paragraphs BODY PARAGRAPHS

TDA ESSAY Part Two: Body Paragraphs

BODY PARAGRAPHS Goal: 3 Body Paragraphs, each developing its own main idea. Each acting as its own evidence-based claim. What does this look like? FIRST: • TOPIC SENTENCE • THE SET-UP • THE DELIVERY • THE PAY-OFF • THE CLINCHER

BODY PARAGRAPH – TOPIC SENTENCE • In a TDA, the topic sentence: • States a point or idea that you intend to use to support thesis statement • presents the main point of the paragraph that you intend to prove or support with evidence from the text. STEP 1) Present the main idea (a claim or point previously stated in thesis map) in a complete sentence. Use a transition word or phrase + one point or example stated in your thesis map.

NEXT: The Set-Up Always prepare your reader for the evidence STEP 2) The Set-Up: Before you present textual evidence, you want to set up your evidence by providing a clear context in your own words first. Think of “The Set-Up” as the “exposition” of the body paragraph. Include 1 -2 sentences to set up your evidence by presenting background information (facts, details), context (summarizing a portion of the text from which the evidence is being drawn), or your own thoughts (insights into the topic and supporting logic). This acts as a bridge between the topic sentence and the evidence and helps the reader to better understand what your topic and your ideas.

THEN: The Delivery STEP 3) Present your evidence • Add a Direct Quote or a Paraphrase of the Text as evidence. • Evidence should always: • be introduced with a sentence starter • Cite the source (include a page number and reference to the text-- maybe the title or name of the author, speaker or narrator). This is called “in-text citation”.

The Payoff • Explain what the evidence means and why it is important to your argument. HOW? Add at least 2 sentences of logic/reasoning showing the importance of the evidence and the connection between the evidence and the claim. Sentence 1) your interpretation of the evidence • in your own words, clarify what this piece of evidence means to you (what is it saying? What is it showing? ) • Begin with a sentence stem like: • “This shows me …” or “This tells me. . . ” or “This means…” Sentence 2) your explanation • clarifying how the evidence supports or proves the claim. • Begin with a sentence stem like: • “This proves. . . ” or “This is important because…”

Finally: The Clincher CONCLUDE THE PARAGRAPH STEP 5) Clincher Statement What does it do? • The clincher statement re-states the topic sentence of a paragraph, but treats the claim as confirmed rather than hypothesis. • Provides “closure” to the paragraph without the finality of a formal conclusion. • Adds an authoritative, confident tone to your writing. Where does it go? • The final sentence is the clincher statement. Each body paragraph should end with a clincher statement.

Body Paragraph TOPIC SENTENCE • States a point or idea that you intend to use to support thesis statement • The main point of this paragraph that you intend to prove or support with evidence from the text. THE SET-UP • The “exposition” of the body paragraph. 1 -2 sentences to set up your evidence by presenting background information (facts, details), context (summarizing a portion of the text from which the evidence is being drawn), or your own thoughts (insights into the topic and supporting logic). • THE DELIVERY • Introduce, Cite and Present your evidence • Always introduce evidence with a sentence starter. • Cite the source (include a page number and reference to the text--maybe the title or name of the author or speaker, narrator or a character, etc. ). This is called “in-text citation”. • THE PAY-OFF • Analyze and explain the evidence • In at least 2 sentences, explain the importance of the evidence and show the connection between the evidence and the claim. • Sentence 1) your interpretation of the evidence (in your own words, clarify what this piece of evidence means to you. • • Begin with a sentence stem like “In other words …” or “This tells me. . . ” or “This means…” Sentence 2) your explanation (clarifying how the evidence supports or proves the claim. • Begin with a sentence stem like: “This proves. . . ” or “This shows. . . ”, or “This is important because…” • THE CLINCHER • Conclude the paragraph • The clincher statement re-states the topic sentence of a paragraph