Structure

Body Paragraph

Body paragraphs are the building blocks of your essay where you develop your argument. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea and provide evidence with analysis.

The PIE Structure

  • P — Point (Topic Sentence): State your main claim
  • I — Information (Evidence): Support with facts, quotes, or examples
  • E — Explanation (Analysis): Explain how evidence supports your argument

Example

Topic Sentence: "Social media algorithms exploit psychological vulnerabilities to maximize engagement."

Evidence: "Research shows platforms use 'variable ratio reinforcement'—the same mechanism found in gambling—to keep users scrolling (Lembke, 2021)."

Analysis: "This deliberate design choice shows platforms prioritize profit over user well-being, supporting the need for regulation."

Essential Components

  1. Topic sentence — introduces the paragraph's main idea
  2. Context — provides background for evidence
  3. Evidence — supports your claim
  4. Analysis — explains significance
  5. Transition — connects to next paragraph

A strong body paragraph is like a mini-essay with its own claim, evidence, and analysis.

Quick Tips

  • Start with a clear topic sentence
  • Include multiple types of evidence
  • Always explain why evidence matters
  • Link back to your thesis