Body Paragraphs 21. The "Research Sandwich" Your own words (topic sentence with your opinion)

Transcription

1 Body Paragraphs You've got your topic, you've got your research, and you've got a working thesis. Now how do you put it all together? If you learn the basic building block of the body paragraphs of research papers, your job will be a lot easier. Your introduction and conclusion will probably be structured a little differently, and not every paragraph will follow this format, but it's a good place to start. This method also helps you to get the right balance of your own words and research in the paper, which should be about half and half. The "Research Sandwich" As a general rule, each body paragraph will comprise one or more building blocks we'll call "research sandwiches." This is the formula: Your own words (topic sentence with your opinion) Research (direct quote or paraphrase to back up your opinion) Your own words (analysis, summary or transition to the next topic.) 21.

2 Let's say your paper is about how you believe that media images of ultra-thin models contribute to eating disorders in females. This is what a body paragraph might look like, using the research sandwich method: one; study found at liposure to media iniaieg decieases body satiataction in Research girls (Wertheim et al, 47). Researcher James Thomas states:that:this body dissatisfactien occurs when,ifthe individual accepts societal views of ideal Weight and attractiveness and acts in a certain way, to achieve the ideal body" (93) A research sandwich can stand alone as a paragraph, or you can put two or three together if the ideas are closely related to form one longer paragraph. It's important to include smooth transitions from one "sandwich" to the next. Sometimes this can be accomplished in the concluding sentence of the sandwich, or in the next topic sentence, but be sure you think about the transition so your paper doesn't seem to jump from topic to topic. 22

3 Here's an example of a smooth transition from one sandwich to the next: ty,. ark- ineoni ne study found that exposure to media images decreases body,satisfaction in Research girls (Wertheim et al 47). Researcher James Thomas states that this; body dissatisfaction occurs when "the individual accepts societal views of ideal weight and attractiveness and acts in a certain way to achieve the ideal body" statessthat these two factors loge adolescent females being particularly Research Vulnerable to eating 78' 41 of also points out thatthese ris too egin MaitYyeMi beforethea a1; eating di erges ozny 23

4 This section could be one paragraph, or broken into two paragraphs, but either way, you still need a smooth transition between ideas. Sometimes it is helpful to work on research sandwiches individually, decide how to order them in the paper, and then work on transitions Many students, though, find it helpful to outline the order of the ideas before working on the sandwiches. Whichever way you choose to draft your essay, you will find the following worksheets helpful in organizing and writing your ideas. For the outline, you may want to adjust the categories to fit your paper. For examples, you might have four or five topics, and perhaps you will not have more or less than three supporting details for each. For the research sandwich worksheets, start by writing your working thesis in the space on Worksheet #1 (Remember, your thesis might change as you work on the body of the paper.) Fill in the rest of the worksheet, then move to Worksheet #2 and so on. Write an idea for a transition on the top of the worksheets. This will help you keep your ideas organized. 24

5 Writing a Research Paper Body Paragraphs Sandwich Worksheet - Topic 1 Working Thesis: Your Words (Topic sentence with your opinion): Research (Direct quote or paraphrase): Your Words (Analysis, summary or transition): 26

6 Writing a Research Paper Body Paragraphs Sandwich Worksheet Topic 2 Topic transition: Your Words (Topic sentence with your opinion): Research (Direct quote or paraphrase): Your Words (Analysis, summary or transition): 27

7 Writing a Research Paper Body Paragraphs Sandwich Worksheet Topic 3 Topic transition: Your Words (Topic sentence with your opinion): Research (Direct quote or paraphrase): Your Words (Analysis, summary or transition): Laura Torres All rights reserved. One classroom use only. 28

8 Writing a Research Paper Body Paragraphs Sandwich Worksheet Topic 4 Topic transition: Your Words (Topic sentence with your opinion): Research (Direct quote or paraphrase): Your Words (Analysis, summary or transition): 29