1. 1 “Readiness is all." (William Shakespeare)William Shakespeare

2.  Of the three paragraphs--introductory, body and concluding-- the body is probably the most difficult to write. WHY? 2

3.  This is where you actually have to use reason and logic.  In other words, if you don’t think before writing, you will more than likely repeat yourself, go off topic, or not write enough. 3

4. Writing body paragraphs takes more planning and time than the introductory or concluding paragraph. 4

5. 5  Topic sentence  Detail(s)/Evidence  At least 2 commentary sentences  Transition sentence

6. 6  Topic Sentence ◦ MUST support the claim ◦ States the main idea of the paragraph  Detail/Evidence ◦ Quote from research or a text about a hero  Commentary Sentences ◦ Two sentences (per concrete detail) ◦ Explains the relation between the concrete detail and the claim ◦ Can be an “If…then…” statement (i.e. If heroes are selfless, then Harriet Tubman certainly fits the definition.)  Transition sentence ◦ Completes paragraph while previewing the topic of the next paragraph ◦ Connects the previous paragraph to the next one ◦ May be at the beginning of the next paragraph instead – try to mix it up.

7.  All of these terms amount to the same thing. You are gathering and organizing your ideas, so once you begin writing, you will do so with confidence.  Use an outline, a web, or another organization structure 7

8. For this example, let’s write a paragraph using the function strategy, and one of our functions from the thesis is support. a. Children are supported financially until they can support themselves b. Members are supported emotionally When you are thinking about what to write, you don’t want to use a lot of words. You just want to jot down ideas. Let’s write a function paragraph using function a. 8

9. 9 All are supported Principals Emotionally Financially

10. 10 Supported Principals Emotionally Financially But how are they supported in each way? Children are supported until they can support themselves Any member may be temporarily supported in times of need Children are supported through painful experiences that are part of growing up All members are supported whenever they are faced with struggle.

11. [Topic sentence]. [Concrete detail #1]. [Commentary 1]. [Commentary 2]. [Transition sentence]. Families provide financial support to their members, often throughout life. “To raise a child born in 2013 to the age of 18, it will cost a middle-income couple just over $245,000, according to newly released estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.” (CNN Money). That’s a pretty hefty price tag, and it doesn’t even include the cost of college, which many families also provide for their children. Additionally, this figure only includes raising a child to the age of 18, though many families continue to support adult children during times of crisis such as job loss or injury. Financial assistance may be the most obvious way that families support each other, but emotional support may be even more important.

12.  Transition words and phrases should be a natural part of the flow  Transitions may be at the end or the beginning of paragraphs. A mixture of the two provides more interest for the reader.  Transitions are NOT only at the beginning of sentences, but can often be effectively woven into the middle of sentences, where they flow more smoothly. Created by José J. Gonzalez, Jr. Spring 200212

13. 13 [Topic sentence]. [Concrete detail #1]. [Commentary 1]. [Commentary 2]. [Summary sentence]. [Transition sentence]. Families provide financial support to their members, often throughout life. “To raise a child born in 2013 to the age of 18, it will cost a middle-income couple just over $245,000, according to newly released estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.” (CNN Money). That’s a pretty hefty price tag, and it doesn’t even include the cost of college, which many families also provide for their children. Additionally, this figure only includes raising a child to the age of 18, though many families continue to support adult children during times of crisis such as job loss or injury. Financial assistance is only one type of support provided by families. Another important way that families work together is providing each other with emotional support.

14. [Topic sentence]. [Concrete detail #1]. [Commentary 1]. [Commentary 2]. [Concrete detail #2]. [Commentary 1]. [Commentary2]. [Transition sentence]. Families provide financial support to their members, often throughout life. “To raise a child born in 2013 to the age of 18, it will cost a middle-income couple just over $245,000, according to newly released estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.” (CNN Money). That’s a pretty hefty price tag, and it doesn’t even include the cost of college, which many families also provide for their children. Additionally, this figure only includes raising a child to the age of 18, though many families continue to support adult children during times of crisis such as job loss or injury. “According to a new survey, 59% of parents provide financial support to their adult children who are no longer in school.” This is a much higher percentage than in previous generations, but families support each other whenever and however support is needed, no matter the financial burden. Financial assistance may be the most obvious way that families support each other, but emotional support may be even more important.

15. Get into assigned groups. Your teacher will hand you an envelope containing sentence strips. As a group, arrange the sentences in a body paragraph. The sentences are NOT labeled! – It is your responsibility to label them! – Identify the topic sentences, the concrete details, the commentary, and the transition sentences. – There isn’t necessarily one correct way to arrange them, so there will be several possible answers!

16. Try to write a body paragraph using the example strategy and the texts we read about Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. You can use the text to draw your evidence. Be sure to plan first with an outline, web, or some other organization system. 16