Characteristics of a Good Body Paragraph

1
Characteristics of a Good Body Paragraph

• Direction
• Strong topic sentence that states main idea and
  sets course of paragraph.
• Unity
• Paragraph makes one point and sticks to it
• Coherence
• Ideas in paragraph logically connected
• Support
• Paragraph contains specific details that
  support topic sentences.

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2
What are the functions of a topic sentence in a
body paragraph?

• provides thesis link mentioning topic of the
  essay
• states the specific thesis point developed in the
  paragraph this may be a point in your plan of
  development attached to thesis
• provides transition from previous paragraph to
  this one

3
Finding Thesis links and specific thesis point

• Look at the thesis below and see if you can find
  the thesis link and specific thesis points for
  each topic sentence
• Thesis Lower costs, excellent teachers, and a
  positive environment are the reasons Cuyamaca is
  a great community college.
• Topic Sentence One
• First of all, the lower tuition prices are a
  good reason to attend Cuyamaca College.
• Topic sentence two
• Additionally, the instructors at Cuyamaca
  College are energetic and knowledgeable.
• Topic sentence three
• Finally, the beautiful grounds and comfortable
  classroom make Cuyamaca a great place to learn.

4
Did you find it?

• The thesis links are underlined and the points
  have brackets you dont have to use the exact
  same words to convey similar ideas.
• Thesis Lower costs, excellent teachers, and
  a positive environment are the reasons Cuyamaca
  is a great community college.
• Topic Sentence One
• First of all, the lower tuition prices are a
  good reason to attend Cuyamaca College.
• Topic sentence two
• Additionally, the instructors at Cuyamaca
  College are energetic and knowledgeable.
• Topic sentence three
• Finally, the beautiful grounds and comfortable
  classroom make Cuyamaca a great place to learn.

5
Look at the thesis below and find the thesis
link, point transition

• Thesis The cafeteria at Bonita Vista High
  School has many drawbacks, such as high prices,
  poor staffing, and tasteless food items.
• Topic Sentence One
• One problem with the cafeteria is its expensive
  menu
• Topic sentence Two
• Not only is the cafeteria food expensive, the
  service is also poor.
• Topic sentence Three
• When a student finally does get served, the
  school meal is usually cold and has little
  flavor.

6
Did you find the thesis link, point transition?
Thesis link is underlined, point in brackets and
transition has

• Thesis The cafeteria at Bonita Vista High
  School has many drawbacks, such as high prices,
  poor staffing, and tasteless food items.
• Topic Sentence One
• One problem with the cafeteria is its
  expensive menu.
• Topic sentence Two
• Not only is the cafeteria food expensive, the
  service is also poor.
• Topic sentence Three
• When a student finally does get served, the
  school meal is usually cold and has little
  flavor.