The body of an essay is where you develop your argument in detail. It’s the longest part of the essay, consisting of multiple paragraphs that build on each other to support your thesis. Crafting a well-organized and compelling body requires a structured approach.
Follow these steps to write an effective body:
- Start with an outline
- Write the first draft
- Write the second draft
Here are some tips for tackling the three main stages of writing the body of an essay:
Start with an outline
Before you begin writing, organize your ideas and create an outline. This will help you structure your essay logically and coherently, ensuring each body paragraph flows smoothly into the next.
Start by jotting down your main ideas and organizing them into paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on a single main point related to the thesis statement. These main points will become the topic sentences for each body paragraph.
Under each main point, list the supporting details, examples, and evidence you’ll use to substantiate your claims. This evidence can come from scholarly sources, such as books and journal articles, as well as from your own analysis and interpretation.
Write the first draft
With your outline as a guide, it’s time to start writing the first draft of your essay body.
Start off anywhere
Don’t feel pressured to start at the beginning. If you have a clear idea for a particular section or paragraph, start there. You can always rearrange your ideas later to create a logical flow. The important thing is to get your thoughts down on paper. You can start with the conclusion, introduction, or body paragraphs.
Tackle one idea at a time
Focus on developing one main idea per paragraph. Begin with a topic sentence that introduces the point you’ll be discussing, then provide supporting evidence and analysis. By tackling one idea at a time, you can ensure that each paragraph is well-developed and contributes to your overall argument.
Keep your argument flexible
As you write, you may discover new ideas or realize that certain points don’t fit as well as you initially thought. Be open to adjusting your argument as needed. If you find that your essay is taking a different direction than planned, consider revising your thesis statement to reflect your new insights.
Don’t delete content
If you find yourself second-guessing a particular section or sentence, don’t delete it entirely. Instead, try moving it to a separate document or highlighting it for later review. You never know when a discarded idea might prove useful later on.
Note your sources
As you incorporate evidence from outside sources, make sure to keep track of where each piece of information comes from. Jot down the author, title, and page number (if applicable) to easily create your citations and reference list later. This will save you time and ensure you give proper credit to your sources.
Avoid perfectionism
Remember, the first draft is not meant to be perfect. Don’t get bogged down trying to find the ideal wording or fretting over minor details. The goal at this stage is simply to get your ideas out of your head and onto the page. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to refine your writing in the revision stage.
Write the second draft
After you’ve completed your first draft, it’s time to revise and refine your essay.
Check your ideas against your thesis
First, read back through your essay and compare your body paragraphs against your thesis statement. Do your arguments support your central claim? Are there any ideas that seem out of place or irrelevant? If so, you may need to rework these sections to ensure they contribute to your overall argument.
Watch out for weak points
Next, look for any weak points in your argument. Are there any counterarguments you haven’t addressed? Any evidence that seems unconvincing or incomplete? If so, take the time to strengthen these areas by adding additional examples, acknowledging opposing viewpoints, or clarifying your position.
Check the organization
You should also check the overall organization of your essay. Do your body paragraphs flow logically from one to the next? Are there clear transitions between your ideas? If not, you may need to rearrange some paragraphs or add transitional phrases to improve the flow of your writing.
Draw clear connections between your ideas
Finally, make sure that the connections between your ideas are clear and explicit. Don’t assume your reader will automatically understand how your arguments fit together. Use transitional phrases and topic sentences to guide them through your argument and show how each piece of evidence supports your central claim.
As you revise, don’t be afraid to make significant changes to your essay. You may find that you need to delete entire paragraphs, add new examples, or rework your thesis statement. This is all part of the writing process and is essential to creating a strong, well-supported argument.
Once you’ve finished revising, ask a friend or classmate to review your essay. A fresh set of eyes can help you identify any remaining weaknesses or areas for improvement. In addition to these structural changes, the second draft is a time to refine your word choice and polish your language. Look for awkward phrases, repetitive language, or unclear expressions, and replace them with more precise, vivid language.
You should also check your essay for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and formatting issues. These small details can make a big difference in the overall quality and clarity of your writing.