HOW to write a body paragraph for a DBQ
Body ParagraphsEach body paragraph should have a specific purpose that is revealed in your topic sentence (first sentence of the paragraph). Everything in the paragraph should serve this purpose.
PEA METHOD: Point, Evidence, Analysis
Remember that it is possible to use too much evidence. A paragraph only needs one or two well-developed pieces of evidence in order to help you make your point. Too many pieces of evidence can "crowd out" your analysis, which is the most important part of the paragraph (anyone can find evidence, but it takes critical thinking to interpret evidence and make it serve one's purpose.
The body of your essay should provide evidence that supports your THESIS. The structure of your paragraph is just as important as the structure of your entire essay. It will make reading your essay easier and by extension, give you a higher grade on the rubric.
EVERY body paragraph should begin with a simple sentence that mirrors one of the three ideas presented in your thesis. For instance, let's look at our thesis statement from earlier:
Although there were many problems that were not improved at the local level, Progressives were able to make positive changes at the national level by bringing about women's suffrage, prohibiting child labor, and banning unfair business practices through the Clayton Antitrust Act.
Your first body paragraph should begin with the idea that Progressives were able to make positive changes in regard to Women's Suffrage.
Oh- we just did that, didn't we.
Progressives were able to make positive changes in regard to Women's Suffrage.
Next you need to BRING IN YOUR EVIDENCE by talking about at least two of the documents that are given to you.
When you bring in evidence, you must do three things. DESCRIBE the evidence and label it (Document x), EXPLAIN the evidence and tell your reader what different parts of it mean, and SUPPORT your topic sentence by telling your reader why that evidence is actual proof that your assertion is correct.
INSERT EXAMPLE HERE
Then repeat this process with your SECOND piece of evidence.
Finally, Your paragraph needs to have a closing sentence that CONNECTS what you've said to your THESIS.
PEA METHOD: Point, Evidence, Analysis
Remember that it is possible to use too much evidence. A paragraph only needs one or two well-developed pieces of evidence in order to help you make your point. Too many pieces of evidence can "crowd out" your analysis, which is the most important part of the paragraph (anyone can find evidence, but it takes critical thinking to interpret evidence and make it serve one's purpose.
The body of your essay should provide evidence that supports your THESIS. The structure of your paragraph is just as important as the structure of your entire essay. It will make reading your essay easier and by extension, give you a higher grade on the rubric.
EVERY body paragraph should begin with a simple sentence that mirrors one of the three ideas presented in your thesis. For instance, let's look at our thesis statement from earlier:
Although there were many problems that were not improved at the local level, Progressives were able to make positive changes at the national level by bringing about women's suffrage, prohibiting child labor, and banning unfair business practices through the Clayton Antitrust Act.
Your first body paragraph should begin with the idea that Progressives were able to make positive changes in regard to Women's Suffrage.
Oh- we just did that, didn't we.
Progressives were able to make positive changes in regard to Women's Suffrage.
Next you need to BRING IN YOUR EVIDENCE by talking about at least two of the documents that are given to you.
When you bring in evidence, you must do three things. DESCRIBE the evidence and label it (Document x), EXPLAIN the evidence and tell your reader what different parts of it mean, and SUPPORT your topic sentence by telling your reader why that evidence is actual proof that your assertion is correct.
INSERT EXAMPLE HERE
Then repeat this process with your SECOND piece of evidence.
Finally, Your paragraph needs to have a closing sentence that CONNECTS what you've said to your THESIS.
