* A topic sentence: This sentence introduces the main idea of the paragraph and directly relates back to the thesis statement. It acts as a mini-thesis for the paragraph.
* Supporting evidence: This is the core of the paragraph. It provides concrete examples, facts, statistics, quotes, anecdotes, or other forms of evidence to support the topic sentence and the overall argument of the essay. The type of evidence will depend on the essay's purpose and the subject matter.
* Analysis/Explanation: This is crucial. Simply presenting evidence isn't enough. You must *analyze* the evidence, explaining *how* it supports your topic sentence and the thesis. This shows the connection between the evidence and your argument, and prevents the paragraph from being a simple list of facts.
* Transitions: Words or phrases that smoothly connect the ideas within the paragraph and link it to the preceding and following paragraphs. This creates cohesion and improves the flow of the essay.
* Cohesion and coherence: The ideas within the paragraph should be logically organized and flow smoothly from one sentence to the next. The paragraph should be unified around a single main idea.
In short: A well-constructed body paragraph isn't just a collection of information; it's a carefully crafted argument that supports a specific aspect of your overall thesis. Each paragraph should build upon the previous one, moving the reader closer to understanding and accepting your argument.