Writing Body Paragraphs for Advanced Placement English ...



Writing Persuasive Body Paragraphs Now that you’ve developed the framework for your essay (or set the table), you need to fill it out into a complete, functional structure (or serve the meal). The body paragraphs should reflect your ideas- don’t try to force your ideas into a “3-body paragraph” format. Before you begin to write, plan. You don’t build a house or prepare a fancy meal without some sort of planning.What arguments or lines of reasoning will you use to argue your position?What will you use as evidence (facts/statistics (don’t make them up), details, quotations, anecdotes, cause and effect, appeal to authority, etc.)? Remember readings, entertainment/arts, history, universal truths, government, and observations.How will you assemble your argument? Will you move from the least convincing evidence to the most compelling evidence? Will you group your arguments? How/where will you address counter argument (beginning, throughout, end)?As you write:Use concrete Illustrations of Abstract Ideas. Every paragraph should present concrete examples. Every single one. Ideas that exist only in the mind are rarely convincing because your audience cannot see how they apply in the real world. Explain How and Why. Spend time explaining how and why your ideas are correct. You cannot simply assume that the reader will agree with you. Talk to your audience. Show the why they should think as you do. Explain your reasoning. Engage your audience. Fully develop your points. Examples and explanations take time. A detailed example should run 2-3 sentences. Commentary and explanation should be at least 2-5 sentences. Don’t state that “Gandhi faced obstacles,” show them!Every paragraph should have a clearly stated claim (sometimes a major and minor claim), evidence, and commentaryProvide and explain a range of evidence and examples that clearly support your position (logos)Be aware of pathos (examples/diction) and ethos (voice/use of language/relationship to the issue being argued if it applies- a woman writing about a “women’s” issue, for example)Pay special attention to introducing and transitioning between paragraphsTry using:Analogies, metaphors, similesPersonal anecdotes (careful with these- keep them short and relevant)Connections to current eventsConnections to historical eventsStrong dictionCommon ProblemsNot taking a clear position or wavering between positionsMissing the nuances of the issue (absolutes) Weakening position by using “I think” or “I believe”Slipping off topic Trying to argue about the wrong thingLacking clear connections between claims and evidence ................
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