Body Paragraphs

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

That last sentence is so important it bears repeating: each body paragraph should be able to function as a body paragraph in an essay on the story/topic. Thus, you should think of the assignment as addressing two points – the larger point of the hypothetical essay, and the narrower point of your individual paragraph. If the point of your "essay" is that Sammy from "A&P" is a realistic hero, your paragraph should start with that basic premise, but then narrow it down to one specific aspect of the story – for instance, that he does not get the girls at the end – that proves your point. Example? How about Sammy is a realistic hero because his character is flawed . In this case, the hypothetical "essay" would argue that Sammy is a realistic hero, and the paragraph would prove that he is by showing how his character flaws make him one (a realistic hero, that is).

Your focus for each of these paragraphs will vary. Usually, you'll copy out the topic sentence and use it as the first sentence in an argumentative paragraph. You should base your paragraphs on specific quotes from the text, and explain, in detail (and perhaps by making analogies/comparisons to “real life”) how and why these quotes prove your point. Avoid summarizing the stories or just explaining what the quotes mean: your purpose is to make an argument.

Remember too that you will not be able to "say" all you want about the story in these paragraphs: they are meant to provide practice in the art of narrowing down and discussing a single aspect of a work in detail.

When writing your paragraphs, the most important things to remember are 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 they're short, you should have the time to complete them.

Submission Requirements

You'll be copying and pasting the paragraph, along with the rest of the weekly work, into an email to me. Follow instructions for what to include in the subject line.

Length? About ½ to ¾ of a page. Additionally, since you will be citing from the individual works, you must include a works cited entry.

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 the quote proves the argument you are making on religion. After planning, drafting, revising and proofreading paragraph, send it to me via email with number of the body paragraph in the subject line: ex - Body Paragraph #1.

See instructions on page 2 of syllabus for more information and click 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 better.

1. The narrator’s emotional coldness is also symbolized by the blizzard itself.
2. The narrator's emotional frigidity is shown by his reaction to the birth of Lot's son.
3. The flashbacks and flashforwards show a cold man who lacks emotions.

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Body Paragraph #2 (choose one)

1. _____ helps make an apparently fantastic event seem real and plausible.
2. The treatment of the old man is another way Garcia Marquez criticizes capitalism.
3. The appeal of the Spider woman illustrates ____ about the human condition.

Body Paragraph #3 (choose one)

1. Rat Kiley's anguish over Lemon's death suggests that "How to Tell a True War Story" is really a love story.
2. The emphasis on male friendship suggests that "How to Tell a True War Story" is really a love story.
3. ____ is another way the stories show that reality is based on individual perception.

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Body Paragraph #4 (choose one)

1. The ironic fate of the freed turkeys exposes the dangers of fanaticism.
2. Aleana's treatment of Jim suggests that fanaticism ______.
3. Jim's bruises show that fanaticism can result in bodily harm.

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© David Bordelon 2009