Body-paragraphs in an argument serves two purposes:
1. To logically argue the thesis in bite-sized chunks (sub-points stemming from the thesis).
2. To logically refute the opposition to the thesis topic.
To accomplish these tasks, you must first understand the flow of a body-paragraph. A body-paragraph’s entire reason for being is to argue—with scholarly support—the author’s argument. To do this, some logical rules need to be adhered to when presenting the argument:
1. A body-paragraph must be at least 5-sentences in length based on the standard Hamburger Method for development.
Topic sentence—that clearly asserts the argument (thesis) sub-point for the body-paragraph.
Topic detail—that provides definition and clarity to the overall sub-point from the thesis.
Scholarly source that provides clearly supportive content for the sub-point asserted in the topic sentence.
Scholarly source analysis and evaluation as support for the topic sentence
Closing sentence—that reflects back to the topic sentence of the body-paragraph.
2. A body-paragraph must contain at least one source properly embedded and assessed—
Preferably paraphrased—since you will only include a direct quote when the source content is so technical that you cannot reword it and keep the strength and meaning behind it. Paraphrasing shows a reader that you know the subject, understand the source, and can think for yourself about the issue as you integrate scholarly source content.
Must be integrated into a sentence of your own—using your own words and ideas as you transition to the content learned by a source.
Must be properly cited using parenthetical citations (in-text citations)—even if you paraphrase or summarize source materials, you must properly cite the source content with an in-text citation at the end of the sentence but prior to the end punctuation.
The source must be used to further develop support for a detail provided in the body-paragraph. The source is not there to ‘be’ your argument. Sources will be used to support the development of your argument as they follow your writing—not lead your writing.
The sentence with source material must be followed by at least one sentence—but typically 2-3 sentences—that analyze the source’s statement, assess the sources’ defense of the body-paragraph’s sub-topic of the thesis, and evaluate the claim through the source’s scholarly credibility.
3. A body-paragraph will have no questions written within it.
4. A body-paragraph will remain in 3rd-person voice.
5. A body-paragraph will contain no contractions.
6. A body-paragraph’s last sentence (closing sentence) will reflect back to the overall topic asserted in the topic sentence; however, it will not be a reposting of the topic sentence word-for-word.
Some logical rules need to be adhered to when presenting the oppositions’ argument:
1. A counter-argument, body-paragraph must focus on aspects that go against what was asserted in the earlier, argument presentation paragraphs.
2. If you cannot find counter-arguments to your 3 sub-points that stem from your thesis, you may want to consider how strong your sub-points are and whether you might want to review a strong counter-argument’s point and make the opposite view one of your sub-points in the argument presentation paragraphs.
3. Make sure that if your opposition’s argument is stronger than yours that you quickly stop and begin reorganizing your argument thesis.
4. You will write a minimum of 1 counter-argument body-paragraph, but you could have up to 3 counter-argument body-paragraphs if you can logically argue each aspect of your thesis argument in contrast to the oppositions’ argument.
5. The counter-argument body-paragraph must be at least 5-sentences in length based on the standard Hamburger Method for development.
Topic sentence—that clearly asserts the opposition’s argument for the body-paragraph.
Topic detail—that provides definition and clarity to the overall argument from the opposition.
A scholarly source that provides clearly refutational content for the counter-argument’s point being asserted in the topic sentence.
Scholarly source analysis and evaluation as support for your argument and against the counter-argument.
Closing sentence—that reflects back to the topic sentence of the body-paragraph and asserts that this viewpoint (the counter-argument) is not logical nor valid.
6. A counter-argument body-paragraph must contain at least one source properly embedded and assessed—
Preferably paraphrased—since you will only include a direct quote when the source content is so technical that you cannot reword it and keep the strength and meaning behind it. Paraphrasing shows a reader that you know the subject, understand the source, and can think for yourself about the issue as you integrate scholarly source content.
Must be integrated into a sentence of your own—using your own words and ideas as you transition to the content presented by a source.
Must be properly cited using parenthetical citations (in-text citations)—even if you paraphrase or summarize source materials, you must properly cite the source content with an in-text citation.
LINKS for BODY-PARAGRAPH CONSTRUCTION
BASICS of BODY-PARAGRAPHS
Body-Paragraphs Step 1: Topic Sentence
Body-Paragraphs Step 2a: Topic Development
Body-Paragraphs Step 2b: Integrating Sources
Body-Paragraph Step 2c: Counter-Argument
Body-Paragraphs Step 3: Closing
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