The Body Paragraph

When it comes to body paragraphs--as with everything else in your essay--it really is all about the thesis!  That's because you've got to know what you're trying to prove before you can prove it!

So, first start with the thesis and outline.  DO NOT start writing paragraphs until you have an outline.  In fact, if you don't have an outline written right now, stop reading this! 

When you have a solid outline, it's time to write your body paragraphs.  Follow the steps below to ensure that your paragraphs do their part in supporting the thesis.

1. Start with number one on your outline.
2. Write that reason out in a complete sentence.  This becomes your topic sentence.  
3. Then choose one (or more) of the following ways to prove your thesis:
1. Share an anecdote (a little story) that proves the topic sentence.
2. Explain your topic sentence.
3. Provide statistics and other facts that PROVE your topic sentence.  
4. When you finish explaining and proving your topic sentence, tell how your evidence proves the topic sentence, which ultimately proves your thesis.
5. Finally, repeat steps 2-4 for each of your 3 reasons.

Here's an example outline with the first reason filled out:

Teens should limit their time playing videogames.
                   1.  By limiting videogames, teens will improve their performance in school.  In fact, my little brother, Alex, used to play Modern Warfare for four hours every day! When he brought home a report card full of failing grades, my mother decided to limit his time playing games.  Every day, Alex was required to finish his homework before he turned on the Playstation, and he wasn't allowed to play for more than an hour.  I remember how much he struggled when his friend, Shane, called to ask him to get online and he had to say no, because he was writing an essay for his English class,  It was worth it though.  Of course, his grades skyrocketed as a result of limiting his videogames!  
                   2.  So they will be more physically fit
                   3.  So they can spend time with their families


When you have filled in your 3 reasons, it's time to write your introduction!

Outlining Your Thesis

A basic essay outline looks like this:

                Thesis
                    1.
                    2.
                    3.

The numbers will be filled in with ideas that support your thesis.

Sample

              Teens should limit their time playing videogames.
                   1.  So they will do better in school
                   2.  So they will be more physically fit
                   3.  So they can spend time with their families

Once you have written your outline, it's time to fill it in!  Click here to read about writing body paragraphs.

Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the sentence that states the main point of your essay.  It is usually the last sentence in the introduction AND the first sentence in the conclusion.

An effective thesis statement is:

• The main idea of your essay
• Every word, sentence, and paragraph should support your thesis, so make sure that your thesis is complete!
• A statement (not a question)
• Not a thesis:  Should students get paid to go to school?
• Thesis Statement:  Students should not  be paid to go to school.
• A complete sentence
• Not a thesis:  Videogames
• Thesis Statement:  Students should limit their time playing videogames.
• Specific
• Not a thesis:  People should not have to feel bad about themselves.
• Thesis Statement:  Magazine editors should be required to include positive images of a diversity of races and body types in their magazines.
• An opinion
• NOT a thesis:  Drugs are dangerous
• Thesis Statement:  Harper High School should educate students on the dangers of drugs
• Confident
• NEVER say "I think" or "In my opinion" in an essay.  Instead, say your thesis like you mean it!
• NOT a thesis:  I think women should be paid the same as men for equal work.
• Thesis Statement:  Women should be paid the same as men for equal work.

Once you have a solid thesis statement, it's time to outline!

Don't Take That Tone With Me!

Tone is the writer's attitude that shows up in their writing. 

Some possible tones are fun, serious, solemn, sarcastic, objective, enthusiastic, humorous, hostile, disapproving, personal, impersonal.  

Tone in Your Essay

In your writing, try to maintain one tone by choosing words and examples that support your main idea's tone.  For example, if you're writing about how bad the animal abuse problem is, you would probably want a solemn (serious) tone.  In that case, you should probably leave out the funny examples about your dog.  Try instead to keep the same solemn tone by telling a solemn story about the animal that you saw being abused.

Match Your Figurative Language to Your Overall Tone

Remember that your choice of figurative language should also 'match' your tone.  In the example above, you wouldn't want to compare the way the girl was hitting the dog to the way you beat cake batter, because beating a dog is serious, while beating cake batter is fun and light.

The Mighty Thesis!

Imagine a sentence so powerful that it controls every word, every detail, even every anecdote that surrounds it.  Well, my friends, the mighty Thesis is just that awesome. 

Mind you, some sentences will try to disguise themselves as Thesis.  However. I will teach you some strategies for knowing the real thing.

Description of Thesis:
+He is strong and confident
+He has an opinion
+He is a complete sentence. (Don't let Fragment fool you.  He's an impostor.)
+He maintains complete control over everything around him.
+He refuses to share his power

In class, we will practice identifying impostors.  Only Thesis should have control of your essay!

Writing SOL Anchor Essays

This link will lead you to a set of essays that have been graded by SOL graders!  They start with level 1 papers (the lowest grade) and finish with level 4 papers (the highest).  Read each essay as well as the grade and commentary that follows it.  It is truly enlightening!

Click here to see the essays AND the scores!

Collecting Ideas for Persuasive Writing--5 Favorite Strategies

When collecting ideas for persuasive writing, you want to think of things in life that you LOVE and that you HATE!  Try these strategies to find issues that make your heart sing or your blood boil.

--By the way, you don't have to use all of these; try using two of these strategies!

Argggg!  

The "Argggg" strategy is my favorite.  No, it does not involve pirates (sorry to disappoint).  Basically, you write a list of things that, well, make you say "Argggg".  Here's my sample:

• When people don't clean up after themselves
• Politicians who make promises that they know they can't keep
• Anyone who makes promises that they know they can't keep
• When people eat unhealthy food and then complain about being unhealthy....
• How the media makes girls and women feel insecure about their bodies
• Standardized tests
• When students refuse to learn
• Gas prices
• When my kids don't choose to take my advice
• Gossip
• When people are grouchy for no reason
• When people move to a new country and don't try to learn the language (Like me in Germany.  Shame on me....)
• Stereotypes
• Racism

The Perfect World

"The Perfect World" is another great strategy.  Visualize your perfect world.  Then list the things that would have to change in order to get to that Utopia.  (Some of the things that you list may look similar to items on the list above.  If they do, that's great!  In fact, if an idea shows up in more than one list, it must be meaningful to you!)

• People would be celebrated for their differences
• I would volunteer more
• People would eat healthier and exercise regularly
• Everyone would be at least bilingual
• Families would live closer to one another
• Teachers would have more freedom to teach how they wanted--and they would do so passionately and effectively!
• Everyone would be at least a part-time vegetarian
• We would drive cars less frequently
• Every child would live in a loving home

Why?

To use the "Why?" strategy, list questions that you have for the people in your life or for the world.

• Why do people adopt pets if they're not going to take care of them?
• Why do some friends stab you in the back?
• Why do parents not trust teens?
• Why do some teachers yell at students?
• Why do people spend money that they don't have?
• Why do kids bully each other?
• Why doesn't our school require uniforms?
• Why do people do drugs when they know the long-term effects?

Love, Love, Love

The title of this strategy speaks for itself.  Just list things you LOVE about life, especially things that you would like to do or see people do more often.  (Remember that, while I love chocolate, chocolate would make a terrible topic for persuasive writing.  Instead, I'm going to list BIG things that I love.)

• I love when people perform random acts of kindness.
• I love when kids and teens are confident enough to stand up to peer pressure.
• I love when kids and teens read books!
• I love when my kids do their chores or cook dinner without my having to ask them
• I love the way I feel when I exercise and eat well
• I love spending time with my family
• I love getting out into nature (which I don't do enough)
• I love having friends who are loyal (and fun!)
• I love pushing myself to learn new things
• I love when the media uses its power to make people happier
• I love when my students take learning seriously
• I love books...(it's a problem...)
• I love when people take responsibility for their mistakes

Changing Minds

If you could change one person's mind, whose mind would it be?  Your mom's or your racist neighbor's?  Your teacher's or your dog's?  Here's your chance to list as many minds as you can that might benefit from a change in perspective!  List the person AND specifically what you would change.

• My mom--the way that she sees me as a baby
• My neighbor--the racist jokes that he tells
• My teacher--she thinks that students have hours every night for homework!
• My dog--he thinks that he owns the sofa
• Obama--his perspective on gun control
• Boxer (from Animal Farm)--his motto of "I will work harder"

So, those are a few of my favorite strategies for collecting ideas for persuasive writing.  As you can see, I only brainstormed a few ideas for each...so far.  Aim for listing as many ideas as possible--can you list thirty???

Writing a Counterargument

Effective writers know that not everyone will agree with their ideas, so they prepare their defense ahead of time.

1.  Make sure that you have a clear thesis statement.
2.  Think of what someone might say against your thesis.  
3.  Think of why that person is wrong OR why your idea is still good.

Here are some examples:

• Some people might think ___________; however,  ________________.
• It has been said that ___________________, but __________________.
• Of course, it is true that a community center would be very expensive, but what is more important, money or the safety of our children?
• Mom and Dad, you probably think that I'm not responsible enough to stay out until ten at night, but you are forgetting how often I babysit Jose and Gina.  Watching two toddlers is certainly more responsibility than staying out two hours later.