ENG LANG U3L4

SCREEN TO SCRATCH

OUTLINE OF A BODY PARAGRAPH

• Topic Sentence

  • Clearly state the central idea of the paragraph.

  • Tie it to your thesis and indicate which sources or ideas you’ll synthesize.

• Context/Link to Sources

  • Briefly introduce relevant source(s) that you’ll use (author, date, publication).

  • Set up how they relate to your topic sentence.

• Evidence/Quote

  • Insert a direct quote or specific data from one of your sources.

  • Example: “According to Smith (2023), ‘…’.”

• Commentary/Analysis

  • Explain what the evidence means.

  • How does it support your topic sentence?

  • What rhetorical strategies or ideas from the source are important?

• Synthesis with Another Source

  • Bring in a second source or viewpoint.

  • Show how it reinforces, complicates, or contrasts with the first source.

  • Use a quote or paraphrase.

• Further Analysis

  • Compare/contrast the two sources.

  • Indicate what the difference or similarity reveals about your broader argument.

  • Consider rhetorical context, audience, purpose.

• Link Back to Thesis & Transition

  • Tie this paragraph’s discussion back to your overall thesis.

  • Prepare the reader for the next paragraph (hint at next idea).