4. Writing body paragraphs
Below is a sample paragraph for an academic essay on climate change.
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Climate change has a serious impact on human health. The changing of temperature and rainfall creates the effect of climate change on epidemic diseases very considerably across regions. Chau et al. (2010) indicate that climate change has caused an increase in extreme weather events, including extreme heat and unusual rainfall, which are closely linked to the incidence of diarrheal diseases. Mellor, Kumpel, Ercumen, and Zimmerman (2016) believe that anthropogenic climate change may also increase the rate of diarrhea in communities with inadequate water supply, sanitation or hygienic facilities. They predict that the prevalence of diarrhea will be increased by 4.9 in 2011-2030. Climate change increases the risk of diarrhea significantly. |
Topic sentence
Sub-points supporting the topic sentence, with citations and elaboration of ideas.
Concluding sentence |
Body paragraphs may follow this structure:
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Topic sentence |
An idea about the topic which supports your final conclusion or answer. This is the focus of the paragraph |
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Evidence |
Information supporting the idea in the topic sentence |
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Explanation |
Your explanation or interpretation of the evidence |
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Concluding sentence |
A link back to your topic sentence or to your overall conclusion (your argument or answer to the question), or a link to the next body paragraph |
Notice the use of citation in this body paragraph.
Ø Sentences
which are the author’s own original ideas do not have a citation, e.g.:
The changing of temperature and rainfall creates the effect of climate
change on epidemic diseases very considerably across regions.
Ø Sentences which have information and ideas from other sources include a citation:
Chau et al. (2010) indicate that climate change has caused an increase in extreme weather events, including extreme heat and unusual rainfall, which are closely linked to the incidence of diarrheal diseases.
In this example, the ideas come from a group of authors, the first one having the surname of Chau; full details about the article or book written by this group of authors would be listed in the References at the end of the essay.
About this website
EWRite is an open access online literacy platform for PolyU community that has two major objectives:
- to support PolyU students’ literacy development within and across the disciplines
- to support subject and language teachers to implement system-level measures for integrating literacy-sensitive pedagogies across the university
This platform provides access to generic genre guides representing typical university assignments as well as links to subjects offered by faculties with specific disciplinary genres and relevant support materials.
The materials can be retrieved by students by choosing the genres that interest them on the landing page. Each set of materials includes a genre guide, genre video, and a genre checklist. The genre guide and video are to summarize the genres in two different ways (i.e. textual and dynamic) to fit different learning styles. The genre checklist is for students to self-regulate their writing process. The genre guide and checklist include links to various ELC resources that can provide further explanation to language items (e.g. hedging and academic vocabulary).
The platform also acts as a one-stop-shop for writing resources for students, language teachers and subject leaders. Information about the English Writing Requirement policy can also be found on this platform. There are training materials for new colleagues joining the EWR Liaison Team.
