Research Paper -- Body Paragraphs

1. INSERT A TOPIC SENTENCE:

The main idea of your paragraph. When creating a topic sentence, ask yourself what’s going on in your paragraph. Why you chose to include the information you have? Why is the paragraph important in the context of your argument or thesis statement? What point are you trying to make?

2. EXPLAIN YOUR TOPIC SENTENCE:

Does your topic sentence require further explanation? If so, add another 1-2 sentences

explaining your topic sentence here.

3. INTRODUCE YOUR EVIDENCE:

Most academic papers require students to integrate evidence (often quotes, but it can

also include statistics, figures, common sense examples, etc.) to support the claim(s)

made in the paragraph and/or the paper as a whole. When including evidence, make

sure it is integrated smoothly into the text of the paper. Readers should be able to

move from your words to your evidence without feeling a logical or mechanical jolt.

4. INSERT YOUR EVIDENCE:

Insert/drop-in your supporting evidence (often quotes but again, evidence can also be in

the form of personal examples, facts, statistics, etc.).

5. UNPACK YOUR EVIDENCE:

Explain what the quote means and why it’s important to your argument. The author

should agree with how you sum up the quotation—this will help you establish credibility,

by demonstrating that you do know what the author is saying even if you don’t agree.

Often 1-2 sentences tops (unless you evidence is particularly long or complicated that

is).

6. EXPLAIN YOUR EVIDENCE:

No matter how good your evidence is, it won’t help your argument much if your reader doesn't know why it’s important. Ask yourself: how does this evidence prove the point

you are trying to make in this paragraph and/or your paper as a whole? Can be opinion

based and is often at least 1-3 sentences.

7. INSERT A CONCLUDING SENTENCE:

End your paragraph with a concluding sentence or sentences that reasserts how your paragraph contributes to the development of your argument as a whole.