Body Paragraphs
The bulk of your essay is going to consist of your body paragraphs. Once your introduction is written and your direction established, it is time to actually flesh out that material. Many writers get stuck here. They know what they want to say (at least generally speaking), but have no idea how to go about that. MEAL Plan writing is used by many educational institutions across the world and is probably the most useful template I have ever found for effective body-paragraph writing in expository writing.
Main Idea
Evidence
Analysis
Link back
Main Idea (1 Sentence)
Start by stating your main idea. What will this paragraph be about? Remember, in your thesis, you've already established your points (see introductions). Now you just need to follow them in your body paragraphs.
Keep the following in mind:
1- Follow the thesis order. In my mock-essay on Spider-man, I had the following thesis: Spider-man has been established as a quintessential American hero because he is a humorous and flawed underdog who finds success. Thus, my body paragraphs will follow this order 1- HUMOR, 2-FLAWS, 3-SUCCESSFUL UNDERDOG.
2- Stick with your topic. The point behind having a main idea or topic sentence is to keep you from chasing rabbits. If I'm talking about Spider-man's humor in my first paragraph, I can only talk about things relevant to his humor.
EXAMPLE: The first characteristic that moves Spider-man toward American heroism is humor.
Evidence (2-3 Sentences… approximately)
Follow this with support for the main idea. Why is your main idea valid? In most cases, this will be related to research you have conducted. Consider the following paragraph:
One reason pizza is such a popular food choice is its portability [MAIN IDEA]. Since the invention of the pizza box in 1908 (Fake Statistic), the way people order food has been revolutionized [EVIDENCE]. Unlike traditional carry-out options, Pizza can be transported in slim, easy to store boxes [EVIDENCE]. Furthermore, its triangular slices make for easy transportation even without a box [EVIDENCE]. In a world where lunch breaks are usually limited to a 30 minute period between assignments (Fake Statistic), busy workers across the world grab slices of pizza in these brief intervals and carry them back to their offices [EVIDENCE].
Here, I start with the main idea that pizza is portable. I then follow up with evidence that explains how (boxes and slices).
Two notes on transitions.
1- Use them within your paragraphs. To help ensure all your thoughts stay connected, make sure you use transitions between your sentences within each paragraph. Keeping in mind your organizational strategy (chronological order, spatial, emphatic...etc), use signal words to link your thoughts (First, Likewise, Furthermore, On the contrary...etc).
2- Use them between your paragraphs. Each paragraph should stand alone...and be part of the whole. Make sure you do not simply skip from one thought to the next. Think about how these thoughts are connected. In you main idea use a transition to signify this. For example, if you're simply giving another example consider using additionally, likewise...etc. If your next point is a contrasting one (i.e. your presenting another side) try however, on the contrary...etc.
These two documents might be helpful: Michigan State List of Transitional Phrases, University of California Santa Barbara on Direct and Implied Transitions (<--Good Insights)
Analysis (1-2 sentences… approximately)
After supporting your main idea, give your interpretation of this support. What does it mean? Why is this relevant?
Let's just keep going with that example:
One reason pizza is such a popular food choice is its portability [MAIN IDEA]. Since the invention of the pizza box in 1908 (Fake Statistic), the way people order food has been revolutionized [EVIDENCE]. Unlike traditional carry-out options, Pizza can be transported in slim, easy to store boxes [EVIDENCE]. Furthermore, its triangular slices make for easy transportation even without a box [EVIDENCE]. In a world where lunch breaks are usually limited to a 30 minute period between assignments (Fake Statistic), busy workers across the world grab slices of pizza in these brief intervals and carry them back to their offices [EVIDENCE]. These compact boxes and hand-held slices make pizza easily transported [ANALYSIS]. The easier a food is to access, the more likely it will be chosen [ANALYSIS].
After establishing that pizza is portable and explaining why this would be important, I interpret what makes this 1-portable, and 2-popular (because those are the claims made by my main idea).
Link back to the Main Idea (1 sentence)
Once this has all been done, make sure that you link everything back to the main idea. Do not leave your paragraph hanging! Note: This might be accomplished in the analysis section depending on how you tackled it.
Ok, back to the pizza one more time:
One reason pizza is such a popular food choice is its portability [MAIN IDEA]. Since the invention of the pizza box in 1908 (Fake Statistic), the way people order food has been revolutionized [EVIDENCE]. Unlike traditional carry-out options, Pizza can be transported in slim, easy to store boxes [EVIDENCE]. Furthermore, its triangular slices make for easy transportation even without a box [EVIDENCE]. In a world where lunch breaks are usually limited to a 30 minute period between assignments (Fake Statistic), busy workers across the world grab slices of pizza in these brief intervals and carry them back to their offices [EVIDENCE]. These compact boxes and hand-held slices make pizza easily transported [ANALYSIS]. The easier a food is to access, the more likely it will be chosen [ANALYSIS]. Thus, pizza's portability has enhanced its popularity [LINK].
It can be as simple as that. Remind your reader, and yourself, what you were trying to say. If your paragraph has strayed so far away from the main idea that you can no longer make a restatement like that fit into the general flow, you're off topic.
TO BLEND?
This does not have to be cut and dry. Blending of these elements can occur. Consider the following example:
The first characteristic that moves Spider-man toward American heroism is humor [MAIN IDEA]. A recent survey conducted by The Center for American Culture (TCAC), concluded that “Americans look for humor more than both loyalty and compassion in relationships” (Fakerston) [EVIDENCE]. Consider also modern digital phenomenons like facebook, twitter, and youtube [EVIDENCE]. These sources of media are flooded by the humorous[EVIDENCE]. Memes, funny pictures or videos, appear on the top of nearly any google search [EVIDENCE]. Americans thrive on humor [LINK & ANALYSIS]. Thus, it is not a surprise that Spider-man has resonated with this audience[ANALYSIS]. From the first issue, he has been portrayed as hero that uses humor to cope with his own limitations and taunt villains[EVIDENCE]. For example, in Amazing Fantasy #15, his first appearance, Peter Parker (the actual name of Spider-man) is referred to as "Midtown High's only professional wallflower” (“Amazing Fantasy”) using euphemistic humor to address the sad situation of Peter’s social isolation[EVIDENCE/ANALYSIS BLEND]. Furthermore, once the transformation into Spider-man occurred, he was known for using humor to downplay tense situations[EVIDENCE]. A few examples include: “[to the villian Mysterio] Mysterio? I think I had a bowl of Mysterios for breakfast...[to Rhino] Which team's mascot are you, anyway?... [or while fighting robbers in a convenient store] I think you wanted the Stop and Rob down the street!” (Character Quotes)[EVIDENCE]. Toward himself or others, Spider-man, in classic American manner, always uses humor[ANALYSIS & LINK].
Here I started with the main idea that Spider-man is an American Hero because he is humorous. I followed up with evidence that supports, first, that American's value humor. Then, I moved into evidence that supported Spider-man's position as humorous. Both of my links (one mid-paragraph) are analytical in nature.