Recap
A body paragraph develops one claim with evidence and commentary. Writers embed quoted, paraphrased or summarised source material in their own sentences so that it reads as part of their argument. A dropped quotation (sitting alone) is a weakness; a quotation that is part of your grammar and followed by commentary is a strength.
The paragraph pattern
- Claim in your own words.
- Lead-in naming the source or context.
- Evidence (quotation, paraphrase or summary), embedded.
- Commentary explaining how the evidence supports the claim.
- Link to the larger argument.
In a timed essay, spend most of your space on step 4.
Three methods
| Method | What it is | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| Quotation | Exact words in quotation marks | The wording itself matters |
| Paraphrase | Same idea, new words and new structure, about the same length | The idea matters more than the wording |
| Summary | A short statement of the main point of a longer passage | You need the gist |
All three need credit to the source and a link to your claim.
Embedding techniques
- Use a phrase as part of your own grammar: “his call for ‘malice toward none’”.
- Use a signal phrase with a comma or colon: “As Lincoln urges, ‘let us strive on…’”.
- Make the quotation the object of a verb: “He asks the nation to act ‘with firmness in the right’”.
- Use brackets or ellipses to adapt grammar or omit words, but never change the meaning.
Worked mini-example
Claim: Lincoln’s Second Inaugural (4 March 1865) turns the audience from war to rebuilding. Embedded evidence: By asking the nation to proceed “with malice toward none, with charity for all,” Lincoln removes revenge from the agenda. Commentary: the verb “strive” and the noun “work” make peace a demanding task.
Weak version: “Lincoln wants to heal the nation. ‘With malice toward none, with charity for all.’ This shows his tone.” The quotation is dropped in and the comment is too thin.
Signal verbs
| Verb | Suggests |
|---|---|
| states, notes | neutral report |
| urges, appeals | the writer wants action |
| warns | risk or threat |
| concedes | a point granted to an opponent |
| insists | a strongly held claim |
Choose a verb that matches what the writer does. Do not say “proves” when the source only suggests.
Checks before you move on
- Can I cover the quotations and still read a paragraph of my own?
- Is each quotation short and chosen for its wording?
- Does my commentary say how the evidence supports the claim, rather than repeat it?
- Have I credited the source for quotations, paraphrases and summaries?
Mistakes to avoid
- Dropping a quotation in as its own sentence.
- Using a long quotation when a phrase will do.
- Paraphrasing by swapping a few words.
- Summarising with your own opinion added.
- Leaving a source uncredited when paraphrasing.
- Writing commentary that only repeats the evidence (“This shows that Lincoln wants peace”).
Quick self-check
- What is a dropped quotation? A quotation placed as its own sentence with nothing joining it to the writer’s argument.
- When is a quotation better than a paraphrase? When the wording itself matters.
- What must a paraphrase change? The words and the sentence structure, not just a few words.
- Which verb best suggests the writer wants action: “notes” or “urges”? “Urges”.
- Name the part of a paragraph that explains how the evidence supports the claim. The commentary.
For the full explanation and worked examples, return to the study guide.