Part 5WritingSection 3 of 8
5.3The structure
| Paragraph | Job | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Rephrase the topic, then state what your essay will do or what you think | 40 to 50 |
| Body 1 | First main idea: state it, explain it, give an example | 80 to 90 |
| Body 2 | Second main idea: state it, explain it, give an example | 80 to 90 |
| Conclusion | Restate your position in different words. No new ideas. | 35 to 45 |
The body paragraph formula
- Topic sentence: the main idea in one sentence, with no example in it.
- Explanation: why this is true, in two or three sentences.
- Example: something concrete. It may be from research, from a country, or from ordinary life.
- Link back: one short sentence connecting the idea to the question asked.
Your examples do not have to be famous
You will not be penalised for an example from your own experience or from your own country. A specific, believable example is worth far more than a vague reference to studies that have shown. If you invent a statistic, keep it plausible and general.