What a body paragraph has to do
Each body paragraph defends ONE idea — one of the two reasons you signposted in your introduction. It does this by building a chain of five elements, each one supporting the next. Skip any link in the chain and the paragraph collapses.
1
Topic sentence
States the main idea of the paragraph in a single, clear sentence. The examiner should be able to read this one sentence and know what the whole paragraph will argue.
2
Explanation
Explains why the main idea is true. Don't just rephrase the topic sentence — give the underlying reason or mechanism.
3
Example
A specific, concrete instance — a country, a study, a real situation. This is the evidence that grounds your claim in reality.
4
Comment on the example
One sentence that shows what the example proves. Without this, the example floats — the examiner has to guess why you included it.
5
Link back
Closes the paragraph by connecting back to your overall position, or by signposting the next paragraph. One sentence is enough.
Why five and not four or six?
Most students stop at four — topic, explain, example, link — and drop the comment. Without it, the example is just a fact floating in the paragraph. The comment is what shows the examiner that you understand why the example matters. It is often the single sentence that lifts a competent paragraph into a strong one.
Discuss:
Which of the five elements do you think is hardest to write under exam pressure? Which do you skip most often when you are running out of time?
Topic sentences — short, clear, committed
A weak topic sentence sets the whole paragraph up to fail. The two killers are vagueness ("There are many things that are important...") and burying the point in a sub-clause ("Although some people disagree, mostly speaking, in some ways..."). Aim for one short, committed sentence that names the idea directly.
The topic sentence formula:
[Signposting word] + [the main idea, named directly] + [a hint at why it matters].
Example: "Firstly, well-funded public transport directly reduces traffic congestion in ways that fuel taxes never can."
Signposting phrases for topic sentences
These phrases mark the start of a body paragraph and help the examiner follow the structure of your argument.
Firstly, …
The simplest and clearest opener for the first body paragraph. Honest and direct — examiners like it.
"Firstly, regular exercise has measurable effects on mental health."
The most compelling argument is…
Slightly more sophisticated than "Firstly". Marks this as your strongest point.
"The most compelling argument in favour of public funding is its effect on equality of access."
A second consideration is…
Use as the opener for body paragraph 2. More elegant than "Secondly".
"A second consideration is the long-term economic return on early-years education."
Beyond this, …
Connects body paragraph 2 to body paragraph 1, suggesting your argument is building.
"Beyond this, there is the question of how such a policy would affect rural communities."
Equally important is…
Use when both reasons carry the same weight. Avoids implying one is more important than the other.
"Equally important is the role of family support in early childhood development."
From a [practical / economic / social] perspective…
Frames the paragraph through a specific lens. Useful when one paragraph is about effects and the other is about principles.
"From an economic perspective, this policy carries significant hidden costs."
Sharpen these topic sentences
Each weak topic sentence below needs to be rewritten using the formula. Draft your own first, then reveal the model.
Discuss:
Why is "There are many things that..." such a tempting opener? What does it actually communicate to the examiner?
The middle of the paragraph — where claims become arguments
The explanation tells the examiner why your topic sentence is true. The example shows it in action. The comment closes the loop. These three sentences are where most marks are won or lost — get them right and the paragraph almost writes itself.
The middle three sentences:
Explain: Why is the topic sentence true? What is the underlying mechanism?
Example: Where can we see this happening — a country, a person, a study, a situation?
Comment: What does this example prove about the topic sentence?
Phrases for introducing examples
These are the safest, most natural ways to bring an example into a paragraph. Click each card.
For example, / For instance,
The most common opener. Clear and safe.
"For example, in countries such as Finland, schools start formal education at age seven, with no measurable disadvantage."
A clear illustration of this is…
Slightly more formal. Signals that the example will directly demonstrate the explanation.
"A clear illustration of this is the rapid drop in smoking rates after the introduction of indoor smoking bans."
This can be seen in…
Useful when the example is a country, a city, or a system rather than an event.
"This can be seen in the Scandinavian welfare model, where high taxation funds extensive public services."
Research consistently shows that…
Use for general findings. You don't need to cite a specific study — but the claim should be widely accepted.
"Research consistently shows that children who eat breakfast perform better in morning lessons."
A case in point is…
Sharp, slightly journalistic. Use when the example is striking or recent.
"A case in point is the closure of large parts of central Madrid to private cars, which produced an immediate drop in air pollution."
Consider the case of…
Invites the reader into the example. Good for extended examples that span more than one sentence.
"Consider the case of Singapore, where strict laws against littering have created some of the cleanest streets in any major city."
Phrases for the comment sentence
This is the sentence that turns an example into evidence. These openers help you write it without thinking too hard.
This demonstrates that…
Direct and confident. The example proves the claim.
"This demonstrates that policy can change behaviour quickly when properly enforced."
What this shows is…
Slightly softer, more conversational, but still effective.
"What this shows is that the link between traffic policy and air quality is direct and measurable."
The lesson here is…
Pulls a wider conclusion from the example. Good when the example points to a general principle.
"The lesson here is that incentives, properly designed, can shift even deep-rooted habits."
This is no coincidence — …
Strong move that names the causal link explicitly.
"This is no coincidence — early intervention in the first three years has been shown to shape outcomes for decades afterwards."
Discuss:
What is the difference between an example and a comment? Why does the examiner need both?
Strong body paragraph — labelled
Below is a single body paragraph from a strong essay. Each sentence does one of the five jobs. Click each sentence to see which element it is.
Question:
Some people think that governments should invest more in public transport. Others believe the focus should be on building better roads. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Body paragraph (in support of public transport)
The most compelling argument in favour of public transport is its capacity to address congestion at the source.
Building more roads, after all, simply attracts more cars onto them, a phenomenon traffic engineers refer to as induced demand; high-quality public transport, by contrast, removes vehicles from the network entirely.
A clear illustration of this is the city of Vienna, where decades of investment in trams, buses, and metro lines have given residents an affordable annual travel pass for around one euro per day, with the result that car ownership in the city has actually fallen.
What this demonstrates is that, when the alternative is genuinely convenient and cheap, drivers will choose it without needing to be punished by higher fuel taxes or parking fines.
For this reason, public transport investment offers a more durable solution to urban congestion than any amount of road expansion ever could.
Notice what's happening here
Look at the paragraph as a whole. The topic sentence introduces "addressing congestion at the source". The explanation defines why roads fail and transport works (induced demand). The example (Vienna) is specific — a city, a price, an outcome. The comment turns the example into a general principle. The link closes by repeating the headline claim. Five sentences, one argument, no wasted words.
Discuss:
Which sentence is doing the most work in this paragraph? Which sentence could be removed without much damage?
Write a complete body paragraph
Pick one of the topic sentences below and develop it into a full body paragraph using all five elements. Aim for 90–120 words. The timer gives you twelve minutes — that is the realistic budget for one body paragraph in the exam.
Choose one topic sentence:
▸ "Firstly, banning mobile phones in schools directly improves students' ability to concentrate."
▸ "The most compelling argument for free university education is its long-term economic return."
▸ "A second consideration is the impact of remote working on family life."