Name: ____________________

Date: _____________

Period:_______

Subject: ___________
Argumentative Essay Body Paragraph

1) TOPIC SENTENCE
Transitional Phrase: (To start with, first of all, First and foremost, to begin with) + Your main
argument and your strongest reason to support it.
2) REFERENCE TO THE TEXT
Introduce your quotation by referring to the text
Phrases To Refer to the Text
The author uses this evidence to
This lets us know that.
In the text/article/passage it states,
The author states that
According to the article/text/passage
In addition, the author also writes
The text also cites
On page __/paragraph ___ it states.
This can be supported by the text when it states,
Author, ___, supports this when they say
The text supports this when

3) QUOTATION
Choose the quotation that supports your first reason. When you quote, you are reproducing another
writers words exactly as they appear on the page. Here are some tips to help you decide when to use
quotations:
1. Quote if you cant say it any better and the authors words are particularly brilliant, witty, edgy,
distinctive, a good illustration of a point youre making, or otherwise interesting.
2. Quote if you are using a particularly authoritative source and you need the authors expertise to
back up your point.
3. Quote if you are analyzing diction, tone, or a writers use of a specific word or phrase.
4. Quote if you are taking a position that relies on the readers understanding exactly what another
writer says about the topic.

4) EXPLANATION/ANALYSIS

This is one of the most important parts of your paragraph. Elaborate on the quotation. Never end a
paragraph in a quotation. This is not good writing. Every quotation needs to be explained before and
afterwards.
After you introduce evidence into your writing, you must say why and how this evidence supports
your argument. You have to spell out every connection that you are making in your head because its
not obvious.
Ask yourself the following questions to know if you have elaborated enough:
O.k., Ive just stated this point, but so what? Why is it interesting? Why should anyone care?
What does this information imply?
What are the consequences of thinking this way or looking at a problem this way?
Ive just described what something is like or how I see it, but why is it like that?
Ive just said that something happens-so how does it happen? How does it come to be the
way it is?
6. Why is this information important? Why does it matter?
7. How is this idea related to my thesis? What connections exist between them? Does it support
my thesis? If so, how does it do that?
8. Can I give an example to illustrate this point?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Ways to Say This Shows

This proves.
This demonstrates.
This is evidence of
This exhibits..
This suggests.
This reaffirms.

Paraphrasing
When you paraphrase, you take a specific section of a text and put it into your own words. Putting it
into your own words doesnt mean just changing or rearranging a few of the authors words: to
paraphrase well and avoid plagiarism, try setting your source aside and restating the sentence or
paragraph you have just read, as though you were describing it to another person. Paraphrasing is
different than summary because a paraphrase focuses on a particular, fairly short bit of text (like a
phrase, sentence, or paragraph). Youll need to indicate when you are paraphrasing someone elses
text by citing your source correctly, just as you would with a quotation.
When might you want to paraphrase?
1. Paraphrase when you want to introduce a writers position, but his or her original words arent
special enough to quote.
2. Paraphrase when you are supporting a particular point and need to draw on a certain place in a
text that supports your pointfor example, when one paragraph in a source is especially relevant.

3. Paraphrase when you want to present a writers view on a topic that differs from your position or
that of another writer; you can then refute writers specific points in your own words after you
paraphrase.
4. Paraphrase when you want to comment on a particular example that another writer uses.
5. Paraphrase when you need to present information thats unlikely to be questioned.

MoSL 1st and 2nd Body Paragraph Rubric

Topic Sentence

Reference to Text

Quotation

3
2
Topic sentence
contains an
appropriate
transitional
phrase. The main
argument of your
paper is included
as well as the
strongest
position for your
argument.
Uses a phrase to
reference the
text. Includes the
author and titles
of the texts.
Explains how
authors
idea/words relate
to your strongest
position for your
argument.
Chooses a
quotation that
cannot or should
not be
paraphrased. It is
particularly
important and
moves your
argument
forward. It
supports your
strongest

1
Topic sentence
does not include
a transition al
phrase. The main
argument and
strongest point is
included b

0
No Evidence

No Evidence

No Evidence

argument.
Analysis/Explanation Explains the
importance of
the quotation.
Spells out
everything that
the quotation
implies. Use
transitional
words for it
shows
You accurately
Paraphrasing
paraphrase what
the author said
and you give
credit to the
author.
You include
information that
strengthens your
argument.
You include the
Order
order above.
Paraphrasing can
occur at any
time.

Explains the
importance of
the quotation,
but does not
spell everything
out. Uses a few
transitional
words for it
shows
You accurately
paraphrase what
the author said.
You include
information that
strengthens your
argument, but
you do not
reference the
source/author.
One element of
the order is
incorrect.

Literally writes,
(this is
interesting
becauseyou
should care
because)
Or does not
explain the
importance of
the quotation.
You inaccurately
paraphrase the
author and/or
include info that
doesnt
strengthen your
argument or site
the source.

No Evidence

Two or more
elements listed
above are out of
order.

No Evidence

No Evidence