8.0 Body Paragraph

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

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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

Evidence

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.

Example: Olivia Rodrigo's Driver's Liscence

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

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

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

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.