25 The Body of the Essay: Building a Persuasive Argument
The body of your essay is where you develop and support your thesis statement, providing the evidence and analysis necessary to persuade your reader. This chapter will guide you through the key elements of constructing a strong and compelling body for your essay.
Structuring the Body: Sections and Paragraphs
The body of your essay should be divided into sections, each exploring a specific aspect of your argument. While essays often utilize approximately three sections, the precise number is not fixed. It could be two, four, or even more, depending on the length and complexity of your topic. For the essays in this course, three sections will generally suffice.
It’s crucial to understand that a “section” is not necessarily synonymous with a “paragraph.” A section can consist of one paragraph or multiple paragraphs. Students often struggle when they rigidly adhere to the five-paragraph essay model, failing to recognize that longer essays require more developed sections, each potentially containing several paragraphs.
The Building Blocks of a Body Paragraph
Each section should begin with a clear topic sentence that directly relates to your thesis statement. This topic sentence acts as a mini-thesis for that section, outlining the specific point you will argue. Every paragraph within that section should then contribute to supporting this central claim.
Body paragraphs should be constructed using the following components:
- Topic Sentence: A clear and concise statement that introduces the main point of the paragraph and connects it to the overall thesis.
- Evidence: Supporting material drawn from credible sources. Evidence should provide reasons to believe your topic sentence and, by extension, your thesis. Avoid using personal experience or first/second-person pronouns in your academic essays. General facts (like dates) are not considered evidence; you need specific information that supports your claim.
- Discussion/Analysis: Explanation of how the evidence supports the topic sentence. This is where you analyze the evidence, demonstrating your critical thinking skills. Don’t just present evidence; explain its significance and how it proves your point. Well-developed paragraphs with thorough explanations strengthen the connection back to the thesis statement, which will be fully synthesized in your conclusion.
Connecting the Body Paragraphs: Cohesion and Transitions
It’s essential for your body paragraphs to be connected, creating a cohesive and unified argument. The subtopics explored in each section should be closely related, all contributing to the central point articulated in your thesis. Avoid creating paragraphs that seem disjointed or like separate mini-essays.
Transitions are crucial for creating a smooth flow between paragraphs and sections. These can be words, phrases, or even entire sentences that signal the relationship between ideas and guide the reader through your argument. Transitions help the reader understand how each part of the essay connects to the overall thesis.
The connections between the subjects addressed in each section should be evident from both your thesis statement and your conclusion. The body paragraphs provide the detailed exploration of these connections.
Analysis and Synthesis in the Body
Remember that analysis involves breaking down a complex subject into smaller parts to understand it better. The body of your essay is where you analyze your thesis, breaking it down into manageable subtopics and exploring each in detail.
As you establish relationships between pieces of evidence and connect your subtopics, you’ll also be demonstrating synthesis. Synthesis involves combining different elements to create a new understanding. By connecting your evidence and explaining how it supports your subtopics and, ultimately, your thesis, you are synthesizing your argument and building a compelling case for your reader.