Body paragraph

A body paragraph is any paragraph between an essay's introduction and conclusion. While the introduction states the thesis and the conclusion wraps up the argument, the body paragraphs do the actual work of proving the thesis — each one developing a single supporting idea in depth.

A strong body paragraph follows a predictable structure. It opens with a topic sentence announcing the paragraph's one main point and connecting it to the thesis. The middle sentences supply evidence — examples, facts, reasoning, or quotations — followed by analysis explaining how that evidence supports the point. The paragraph closes or transitions into the next idea, often with a transition word or phrase that signals the relationship between paragraphs.

The cardinal rule is unity: one paragraph, one idea. If a paragraph drifts into a second major point, it should be split. Order matters too — many writers arrange body paragraphs from strongest argument to weakest, or build toward the strongest, and essays that address counterarguments often devote a body paragraph to acknowledging and rebutting the opposing view.

Timed essays reward this structure because graders can follow it quickly. The ACT writing test scores how well each body paragraph develops one perspective with specific examples, and the GRE's analytical writing section similarly looks for focused, well-supported paragraphs — both Achievable courses walk through building them step by step.