Body Paragraphs

 

 

Unit Overview
In this unit, you will develop the body paragraphs for your Literary Analysis essay.

Click here to download notes for this unit.

Over the next few units, we will construct a Literary Analysis essay based on the following prompt.

·     Read and take notes on two poems about Helen of Troy—" To Helen" by Edgar Allan Poe and "Helen" by H. D. (Hilda Doolittle).

·     Construct a multi-paragraph response in which you analyze how the subject of "Helen" is treated differently across the two texts.

Before we begin, you must read the following two poems:

"To Helen" by Edgar Allan Poe                     "Helen" by H. D.

Remember the outline of the previous unit…

Literary Analysis Essay:  Outline

1.  Introduction

a.  Hook

b.  Background Information

c.   Thesis (Central Idea)

 

2.  Body Paragraph 1

a.  Topic Sentence for Text 1

b.  Textual Evidence

                                                  i.     Explanation

c.   Textual Evidence

                                                  i.     Explanation

d.  Textual Evidence

                                                  i.     Explanation

e.  Wrap-Up Topic 1

 

3.  Body Paragraph 2

a.  Topic Sentence for Text 2

b.  Textual Evidence

                                                  i.     Explanation

c.   Textual Evidence

                                                  i.     Explanation

d.  Textual Evidence

                                                  i.     Explanation

e.  Wrap-Up Topic 2

4.  Conclusion

a.  Restate the thesis in a different way (central idea)

b.  Why does it matter?

c.   Final Thoughts

 

We will work towards building that outline gradually throughout the following units.

 

 

Body Paragraphs

The body is part of an essay, report, or speech that explains and develops the thesis or main idea. Body paragraphs come after the introduction and before the conclusion. The body is usually the longest part of an essay, and each body paragraph may begin with a topic sentence.

Each body paragraph will contain the following:

 

Topic Sentence

A topic sentence is generally at the beginning of a paragraph that states or suggests the main idea (or topic) of a paragraph.

 

Textual Evidence

The textual Evidence is evidence/support used to support an argument/position taken from another text. It is provided in the form of quotation, paraphrase, and summary.

Ø Quotation: A quotation supports your thesis using the exact words from the original text.

Ø Paraphrase: Paraphrasing is putting someone else's words into your own words. It is useful when you need more detail than a summary but less than a direct quote. A paraphrase focuses concisely on a single main idea.

Ø Summary: Summarizing is putting someone else's words into your own words. It's useful when you want to point to a larger section of text but do not need the details of the original text. Summarizing literary fiction usually occurs in the introduction of a literary analysis essay.  It is rarely used in the body of a literary analysis essay other than to provide some context when it is needed.

Most of your textual Evidence should come from the notes you took.

The explanation explains how the textual Evidence relates to the topic sentence. 

 

Wrap-Up Sentence

A wrap-up sentence is a statement that connects the paragraph back to the thesis.  How does this paragraph support the thesis and tie back to the prompt?

 

 

Model Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence: In Carl Sandburg's poem "At the Window," the speaker begs the gods to give him something that he feels is easier to manage than loneliness.

Textual Evidence 1: "Give me hunger, pain, and want" pg. 1

·     Explanation 1: to the speaker, hunger and pain create less agony than feeling lonely

Textual Evidence 2: "Shut me out with shame and failure/ From your doors of gold and fame" pg. 1

·     Explanation 2: He lists terrible circumstances as being preferable to feel lonely, signifying how negatively loneliness affects him

Textual Evidence 3: "A voice to speak to me in the day end,/ A hand to touch me in the dark room/ Breaking the long loneliness" pg. 1

·     Explanation 3: He does not ask for a constant companion, just someone to interrupt the isolation.

Wrap-Up Sentence: Carl Sandburg's poem demonstrates that loneliness causes great despair that a person would be willing to face just about anything to escape it.

https://virtuallearningacademy.net/VLA/LessonDisplay/Lesson21967/AIR_ENG_LAU22Body_Paragraphs_clip_image010.jpg

https://virtuallearningacademy.net/VLA/LessonDisplay/Lesson21967/AIR_ENG_LAU22Body_Paragraphs_clip_image008.png

 

It's Your Turn

Now develop your body outline- you need TWO body paragraphs.

Prompt: Read and take notes on two poems about Helen of Troy—" To Helen" by Edgar Allan Poe and "Helen" by H. D. (Hilda Doolittle). Construct a multi-paragraph response in which you analyze how the subject of "Helen" is treated differently across the two texts.

 

Body Paragraph 1

Topic Sentence: _____________________________________

Textual Evidence 1: __________________________________

·     Explanation 1: __________________________________

Textual Evidence 2: __________________________________

·     Explanation 2: __________________________________

Textual Evidence 3: __________________________________

·     Explanation 3: __________________________________

Wrap-Up Sentence: _________________________________

Body Paragraph 2

Topic Sentence: _____________________________________

Textual Evidence 1: __________________________________

·     Explanation 1: __________________________________

Textual Evidence 2: __________________________________

·     Explanation 2: __________________________________

Textual Evidence 3: __________________________________

·     Explanation 3: __________________________________

Wrap-Up Sentence: _________________________________

 

You can print out this graphic organizer to help you.

Remember to print out two copies (one for each body paragraph).