ENGL099 Week 4 Lecture
Structure of Academic Writing Part 2
Relationships between body paragraphs and thesis statements
A thesis statement sets readers' expectations for what body paragraphs will discuss.
Consider this thesis statement, for example:
Three elements of effective interior design are unity, focal point, and balance.
Based on the thesis statement, body paragraphs should discuss three elements of interior design. For example, the first body paragraph might elaborate on the element of unity in effective interior design, the second body paragraph could explain the concept of a focal point, then the third would address balance.
In a body paragraph, a writer explains and develops a key idea from the thesis statement or introduction. Developing these key ideas requires the writer to use examples, details, and/or research. Body paragraphs must include explanations, examples, or research to support key points.
Consider this thesis statement, for example:
Three elements of effective interior design are unity, focal point, and balance.
Based on the thesis statement, body paragraphs should discuss three elements of interior design. For example, the first body paragraph might elaborate on the element of unity in effective interior design, the second body paragraph could explain the concept of a focal point, then the third would address balance.
In a body paragraph, a writer explains and develops a key idea from the thesis statement or introduction. Developing these key ideas requires the writer to use examples, details, and/or research. Body paragraphs must include explanations, examples, or research to support key points.
Topic Sentences and Unity
Any body paragraph must begin with a topic sentence. Topic sentences help create two kinds of unity in writing:
1) unity of focus within paragraphs and 2) unity of ideas throughout an essay overall.
1. Unity Within Paragraphs
A topic sentence clarifies the theme or idea of the paragraph. All the sentences in the rest of the paragraph must relate to the idea that the topic sentence introduces, which helps to create unified paragraphs.
Consider a topic sentence that would introduce a key point from the example above. The topic sentence might look like this, for example:
An important aspect of interior design is unity.
A following sentence might define the term unity. Another sentence in the same paragraph may describe how to create unity in interior design. In any case, each sentence in the paragraph must relate to the topic of unity in interior design.
2. Unity of ideas overall
Topic sentences also help readers see that a paragraph relates to a key idea in an introduction. In this way, topic sentences create unity throughout a piece of formal or academic writing.
In a well structured piece, a reader should be able to identify the gist of an essay by reading the introduction then scanning the topic sentences.
Applying these ideas helps writers to organize their ideas. It also helps to create clarity for readers.
1) unity of focus within paragraphs and 2) unity of ideas throughout an essay overall.
1. Unity Within Paragraphs
A topic sentence clarifies the theme or idea of the paragraph. All the sentences in the rest of the paragraph must relate to the idea that the topic sentence introduces, which helps to create unified paragraphs.
Consider a topic sentence that would introduce a key point from the example above. The topic sentence might look like this, for example:
An important aspect of interior design is unity.
A following sentence might define the term unity. Another sentence in the same paragraph may describe how to create unity in interior design. In any case, each sentence in the paragraph must relate to the topic of unity in interior design.
2. Unity of ideas overall
Topic sentences also help readers see that a paragraph relates to a key idea in an introduction. In this way, topic sentences create unity throughout a piece of formal or academic writing.
In a well structured piece, a reader should be able to identify the gist of an essay by reading the introduction then scanning the topic sentences.
Applying these ideas helps writers to organize their ideas. It also helps to create clarity for readers.
Conclusion
As an introduction introduces a main topic, a conclusion wraps up (or concludes) discussion on that topic. This paragraph reviews the main ideas that an essay contains; A conclusion should not introduce new ideas.