Paragraphs help writers organize their thoughts and ideas into manageable sections to help the reader more easily navigate, break down, and understand information. This handout focuses on the basic parts of body paragraphs, but always write with your audience and assignment guidelines in mind.
Body paragraphs support the main point or thesis of a paper. When a new paragraph begins, it usually signifies a shift in subject or subtopic. Paragraph length is often determined by purpose and scope. Longer paragraphs may be split to improve readability. Each paragraph typically includes a topic sentence, supporting evidence, analysis, and a concluding sentence that can function as a transition.
Topic sentences introduce the main idea of the paragraph and how it relates to the paper’s main focus or thesis. Generally, a topic sentence is located at the beginning of a paragraph.
Within a paragraph, evidence provides specific details to support the topic or focus of the paragraph. Evidence can come from a variety of sources, depending on the genre and assignment parameters, and can be incorporated through quotations, summary, paraphrasing, and synthesis. Types of evidence often include:
The analysis section of a paragraph interprets the supporting evidence. It also explains how and why the evidence and ideas connect to or support the paragraph’s topic or overall thesis or focus of the paper.
Each paragraph should end with a final statement that ties the main idea, evidence, and analysis together, links back to the paper main point, and sometimes functions as a transition to the next paragraph or idea.
Paragraph text:
