How to Write a Formal Essay: Part 3 - The Body of the Essay

A standard paragraph in the body of an essay must have the following parts:

A. TOPIC SENTENCE – This is usually one of your reasons or main points.

B. EXPLANATIONS – You need to explain your ideas clearly. If possible, give facts or data.

C. EXAMPLES or Supporting Details – Give examples. These may come from your own personal experience, or from someone you know. If you cannot use your own experience, you may use examples from movies, books, or the news. Sometimes, the type of example depends on the paragraph format you choose. See the sample paragraphs below.

You can arrange these three parts in different ways. Just be careful to use transition markers correctly.

Arrangement 1: A-B-C (Most Common Format)

A. TOPIC SENTENCE
The first reason that students should wear uniforms in school is that uniforms promote equality.

B. EXPLANATIONS
Clothes are often signs of class and status. Designer clothes and accessories are expensive, and only rich students can afford to wear them regularly. When schools require all students to wear the same uniforms, social class is removed—at least in appearance. It becomes hard to tell who is rich and who is not. Students and teachers can then focus on skills, talents, intelligence, and attitude.

C. EXAMPLES
For instance, people are usually curious about things they do not have. A rich student wearing the latest Calvin Klein shirt and jeans will get attention in class and may hide his lack of intelligence with clothes. However, a poor but intelligent student who submitted the best project may be ignored. If both students wear the same uniform, the focus will be on the one with the best project. In this way, teachers can teach students that intelligence is more important than looks or material things. Everyone is equal. 

Paragraph form:

The first reason that students should wear uniforms in school is that uniforms promote equality. Clothes are often signs of class and status. Designer clothes and accessories are expensive, and only rich students can afford to wear them regularly. When schools require all students to wear the same uniforms, social class is removed—at least in appearance. It becomes hard to tell who is rich and who is not. Students and teachers can then focus on skills, talents, intelligence, and attitude. For instance, people are usually curious about things they do not have. A rich student wearing the latest Calvin Klein shirt and jeans will get attention in class and may hide his lack of intelligence with clothes. However, a poor but intelligent student who submitted the best project may be ignored. If both students wear the same uniform, the focus will be on the one with the best project. In this way, teachers can teach students that intelligence is more important than looks or material things. Everyone is equal.

 

Arrangement 2: A-C-B

A. TOPIC SENTENCE
The first reason that students should wear uniforms in school is that uniforms promote equality.

C. EXAMPLES
For instance, people are usually curious about things they do not have. A rich student wearing the latest Calvin Klein shirt and jeans will get attention in class and may hide his lack of intelligence with clothes. Meanwhile, a poor but intelligent student who submitted the best project may be ignored. If both students wear the same uniform, the focus will be on the one with the best project. In this way, teachers can teach students that intelligence is more important than looks or material things. Everyone is equal.

B. EXPLANATIONS
Clothes are often signs of class and status. Designer clothes and accessories are expensive, and only rich students can afford to wear them regularly. When schools require uniforms, social class is removed—at least in appearance. It is difficult to tell who is rich and who is not. Students and teachers can then focus on skills, talents, intelligence, and attitude. 

Paragraph form:

The first reason that students should wear uniforms in school is that uniforms promote equality. For instance, people are usually curious about things they do not have. A rich student wearing the latest Calvin Klein shirt and jeans will get attention in class and may hide his lack of intelligence with clothes. Meanwhile, a poor but intelligent student who submitted the best project may be ignored. If both students wear the same uniform, the focus will be on the one with the best project. In this way, teachers can teach students that intelligence is more important than looks or material things. Everyone is equal. Clothes are often signs of class and status. Designer clothes and accessories are expensive, and only rich students can afford to wear them regularly. When schools require uniforms, social class is removed—at least in appearance. It is difficult to tell who is rich and who is not. Students and teachers can then focus on skills, talents, intelligence, and attitude.

 

Arrangement 3: C-B-A

C. EXAMPLES
People are usually curious about things they do not have. A rich student wearing the latest Calvin Klein shirt and jeans will get attention in class and may hide his lack of intelligence with clothes. Meanwhile, a poor but intelligent student who submitted the best project may be ignored. If both students wear the same uniform, the focus will be on the one with the best project. In this way, teachers can teach students that intelligence is more important than looks or material things. Everyone is equal.

B. EXPLANATIONS
Clothes are often signs of class and status. Designer clothes and accessories are expensive, and only rich students can afford them regularly. When schools require uniforms, social class is removed—at least in appearance. It is difficult to tell who is rich and who is not. Students and teachers can then focus on skills, talents, intelligence, and attitude.

A. TOPIC SENTENCE
The first reason that students should wear uniforms in school is that wearing uniforms promotes equality. 

Paragraph form:

People are usually curious about things they do not have. A rich student wearing the latest Calvin Klein shirt and jeans will get attention in class and may hide his lack of intelligence with clothes. Meanwhile, a poor but intelligent student who submitted the best project may be ignored. If both students wear the same uniform, the focus will be on the one with the best project. In this way, teachers can teach students that intelligence is more important than looks or material things. Everyone is equal. Clothes are often signs of class and status. Designer clothes and accessories are expensive, and only rich students can afford them regularly. When schools require uniforms, social class is removed—at least in appearance. It is difficult to tell who is rich and who is not. Students and teachers can then focus on skills, talents, intelligence, and attitude. The first reason that students should wear uniforms in school is that wearing uniforms promotes equality.

 

Arrangement 4: B-C-A

B. EXPLANATIONS
Clothes are often signs of class and status. Designer clothes and accessories are expensive, and only rich students can afford them regularly. When schools require uniforms, social class is removed—at least in appearance. It is difficult to tell who is rich and who is not. Students and teachers can then focus on skills, talents, intelligence, and attitude.

C. EXAMPLES
For instance, people are usually curious about things they do not have. A rich student wearing the latest Calvin Klein shirt and jeans will get attention in class and may hide his lack of intelligence with clothes. Meanwhile, a poor but intelligent student who submitted the best project may be ignored. If both students wear the same uniform, the focus will be on the one with the best project. In this way, teachers can teach students that intelligence is more important than looks or material things. Everyone is equal.

A. TOPIC SENTENCE
The first reason that students should wear uniforms in school is that wearing uniforms promotes equality. 

Paragraph form:

Clothes are often signs of class and status. Designer clothes and accessories are expensive, and only rich students can afford them regularly. When schools require uniforms, social class is removed—at least in appearance. It is difficult to tell who is rich and who is not. Students and teachers can then focus on skills, talents, intelligence, and attitude. For instance, people are usually curious about things they do not have. A rich student wearing the latest Calvin Klein shirt and jeans will get attention in class and may hide his lack of intelligence with clothes. Meanwhile, a poor but intelligent student who submitted the best project may be ignored. If both students wear the same uniform, the focus will be on the one with the best project. In this way, teachers can teach students that intelligence is more important than looks or material things. Everyone is equal. The first reason that students should wear uniforms in school is that wearing uniforms promotes equality.

Notes
Sometimes, you can only give explanations without examples. This is fine as long as your explanations are clear and detailed.
Sometimes, you can just use examples and experiences to explain your topic. This is also acceptable, as long as the examples are strong and directly support your topic.

Next, Part 3: Writing the Conclusion