Steps to Elaborating Body Paragraphs
1. First, be sure to reread the prompt, the thesis statement, and the topic sentences. Remember that everything you write in a letter is there to persuade the reader to believe the thesis.
2. Then, choose which topic sentence you want to elaborate.
3. Once you've chosen the topic sentence, read it carefully, and ask yourself, "What evidence or logical explanation will make this topic sentence seem obviously true?"
4. Choose an elaboration structure. There are a lot of elaboration structures. Click the blue links to see instructions, examples, and transition words for each of the following:
- An anecdote (a short little story that illustrates the point)
- A cause and effect chain
- A problem and solution pair
- A list of examples
- Two contrasting scenarios
- A vivid description
- A statistic
5. Use the elaboration structure to explain, illustrate, and/or prove your topic sentence. (You can use more than one elaboration structure in one paragraph if you want to be really persuasive.)
6. Do the same for each of the topic sentences. It's best to vary the type of elaboration structure you use throughout your letter. Try to use at least two or three different ones.
Checklist for Completion
- In EACH paragraph:
- Every sentence of elaboration aligns with and supports the topic sentence.
- The entire paragraph stays on the topic stated in the topic sentence.
- The paragraph should be 4-7 sentences long (including the topic sentence).
- There are clear transitions between ideas.
- The connection between the topic sentence and the elaboration should be obvious or very clearly stated.