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Body Paragraphs

These paragraphs serve two purposes: they give you a chance to compose your thoughts on a work, and help you practice writing concise body paragraphs -- the basic component of the essays you'll be writing later this semester. The paragraph should work as an independent body paragraph: think of it as part of a larger essay on a particular aspect of the literary work.

Remember that you will not be able to "say" all you want about the literary work in one paragraph: it is meant to provide practice in the art of narrowing down and discussing a single aspect of a work in detail.

When writing your paragraph, the most important things to remember is planning, drafting, revision, and proofreading; in other words, the things you learned in your introductory writing course. Writing a good body paragraph will take more than one draft, but since it's short, you should have the time to complete several drafts on the journey towards good.

Specific instructions
This assignment will consist of four distinct parts

1. Choosing, planning and drafting a paragraph topic
2. Getting feedback on your draft
3. Revising and proofreading draft
4. Submitting paragraph

See below for specific breakdown of each part.

1. Choosing, planning and drafting a paragraph topic
   1. Select one topic sentence from list below.
   2. Even if you're comfortable with your composition skills, review the Body Paragraph Suggestions page for an idea of the level of writing expected in this class.
   3. Write out a works cited entry for your paragraph.
2. Getting feedback on your draft
   1. Make an appointment with me at least one day before the final draft of the Body Paragraph is due to get ideas on revision.
   2. Make an appointment in the Writing Center at least one day before the final draft of the Body Paragraph is due to get additional ideas on revision.
3. Revising and proofreading draft
   1. Using the feedback and suggestions from the course site, revise your paragraph.
4. Submitting paragraph
   1. Copy and paste paragraph (including works cited entry/ies) into an email to me noting the paragraph number in the subject line. I will comment, grade, and send it back to you.

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Topic Sentences for Body Paragraph

Below you'll find a listing of the body paragraphs. Due dates are listed in the syllabus

General Instructions
Copy and use one of the suggested sentences below as the first sentence (topic sentence) of a paragraph. Of course you'll be using quotes from the readings explaining in detail how they prove the argument you are making. Follow the links for suggestions on planning, drafting, and revising body paragraphs.

Body Paragraph #1 (choose one)
Hint: the narrower the term you use in the blank the more focused your paragraph will be. And focus is good..

1. ______ is one connection between Destiny and The System.
2. The words in The System contribute to its theme of ______.
3. McCloud's idea of ______ is reflected by ___ in (choose either Destiny or The System).
4. Destiny's or The System's (choose one) _____ illustrates its emphasis on ______.

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Body Paragraph #2 (choose one)

1. ____ is another way that Vladek's beliefs are questioned by Speigelman.
2. Speigalman's self-deprecation is also illustrated by _______.
3. _____ is another reason why the second volume is subtitled "Here My Troubles Begin."
4. _____ in the images also reveals Art's and Valdek's tortured relationship.
5. The theme of isolation is also shown by the images of _______.
6. The self referential elements also add to the work's _______. or The self referential elements also add ____ to the work's _______. or ____ is another reason for self referential images and comments.

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