(WPPE) Lesson Topic 4: Body Paragraphs

Lesson Topic 4: Body Paragraphs

The body paragraph is the meat of your essay. If you think about the essay in terms of a sandwich, the introduction and conclusion are the pieces of bread. The body paragraphs represent the middle of a sandwich. Just like the middle of the sandwich is what makes it so good to eat, the body paragraphs are what makes the essay so interesting to read.

Your body paragraphs will include three main parts: the topic sentence, concrete detail, and commentary. As you learned earlier, concrete details are facts and examples that help to support your ideas. Commentary is just your opinion about the concrete details.

In order to help you write organized and detailed paragraphs, try to have at least two points of commentary for every point of concrete detail. This will ensure that you write essays that are well-developed and thoughtful.

Example

Sentence #1: (topic sentence) I hate shopping for Christmas.

Sentence #2 (concrete detail) For example, the lines always have five or six people waiting for the cashier.

Sentence #3 (commentary) It takes forever to pay for something.

Sentence #4 (commentary) By the time I'm finished, I'm exhausted from the frantic running around.

Now it is Your Turn to Try!

A topic sentence is given below. Write one concrete detail sentence for #2 and two commentary sentences for #3 and #4.

Sentence #1 (topic sentence): The walls in this classroom are dull and boring.

Sentence #2 (concrete detail): For example, _______________________________________

Sentence #3 (commentary):__________________________________________________________

Sentence #4 (commentary): __________________________________________________________

Writing Commentary

It is important to make sure that your commentary is well-written and thoughtful. Here are a few common mistakes when it comes to writing commentary.

1. Commentary is Generic: Camping is the best vacation. For example, the air is clean and clear. It sure is good being there. I like it a lot.

Better: Camping is the best vacation. For example, the air is clean and clear. It somehow feels lighter than city air and makes my lungs feel better. I like having the chance to be in a healthier place for a while.

2. Commentary drifts from the topic sentence: I like camping more than anything. For example, the air is clean and clear. It feels good to breathe it after the smog of the city. I wonder if the Native Americans appreciated the clean air they had.

Better: I like camping more than anything. For example, the air is clean and clear. It feels good to breathe it after the smog of the city. My lungs always feel healthier after some time in the mountains.

3. Commentary is really concrete detail: I like camping more than anything. For example, the air is clean and clear. There isn't any smog up in the mountains. There isn't the usual brown haze in the sky that I see most days.

Better: I like camping more than anything. For example, the air is clean and clear. It feels good to breathe the mountain air. I always feel healthier after some time in the mountains.

4. Commentary contradicts the topic sentence: Camping is wonderful! For example, I like the fresh air the most. I hated the bug bites I got there. In addition, my family argued the whole weekend.

Better: Camping is terrible! For example, the last time I went, I hated the bites I got there, and my family argued the whole weekend. We went for a relaxed time but got into nothing but trouble. I will think twice about going again.