Or How to Write a Body Paragraph in Social Studies

T.E.A.

Or How to Write a Body Paragraph in Social Studies

E. Napp

In Honor of the Best Beverage Ever!

T – Topic Sentence

E – Evidence [Facts, Details, and Examples]

A – Analysis [Effects or Impact]

Topic Sentence

The topic sentence is the roadmap to the paragraph.

It tells the reader the purpose of the paragraph.

If the topic sentence is the significance of spaghetti in a person’s diet, then do not write about fish tacos!

Example:

Social stratification in classical China differed from social stratification in classical India in that in China, there was a modest measure of social mobility.

The topic sentence is specific and it focuses the entire paragraph.

Every sentence in the paragraph must connect to the topic sentence.

That is the T in TEA.

Evidence

These sentences are the facts to prove and/or support the topic sentence.

Of course, facts must be explained.

Details and examples must be provided.

Example Continued:

During the Han Dynasty, many Chinese were landless peasants. Their lives were very difficult and they often lived on the edge of starvation. High taxes, military conscription, and floods or droughts increased the uncertainties of their lives. Although generally unable to escape dire poverty, there was one avenue of advancement. Government service was determined by success on the examination. Having the world’s first civil service system, any Chinese man could theoretically take the examination for government service. In general, the sons of wealthy landowners were more likely to succeed on the exam given their wealth ensured capable tutors. A peasant, however, could take the exam and in the event of a particularly bright peasant, the village might support the boy’s education. This allowed a small number of sons of the oppressed peasantry to rise out of their low positions in society. In classical India, however, this was not possible as the caste system was a fixed social class system. A person was born into his caste and could not rise out of his caste during his lifetime. As karma and dharma of past lives determinedanindividual’s current incarnation, social status was fixed during this lifetime.

That is the E in TEA.

Analysis

These concluding sentences of the paragraph ensure that deep thinking has occurred.

In these sentences, the student reflects on the significance of the facts.

The student examines why and how these facts changed or impacted a society or why and how these facts prove the topic sentence.

Example continued:

Thus, by providing a measure of social mobility, classical Chinese society was more flexible than classical Indian society. As a result of the examination system, men in classical China were not destined to remain in one class until death occurred. In classical China, there was a slim possibility of advancement whereas in classical India, class was determined before birth even occurred and an individual’s status could not change in the course of a lifetime.

That is the A in TEA.

Now, let’s look at the paragraph in its entirety:

Social stratification in classical China differed from social stratification in classical India in that in China, there was a modest measure of social mobility. During the Han Dynasty, many Chinese were landless peasants. Their lives were very difficult and they often lived on the edge of starvation. High taxes, military conscription, and floods or droughts increased the uncertainties of their lives. Although generally unable to escape dire poverty, there was one avenue of advancement. Government service was determined by success on the examination. Having the world’s first civil service system, any Chinese man could theoretically take the examination for government service. In general, the sons of wealthy landowners were more likely to succeed on the exam given their wealth ensured capable tutors. A peasant, however, could take the exam and in the event of a particularly bright peasant, the village might support the boy’s education. This allowed a small number of sons of the oppressed peasantry to rise out of their low positions in society. In classical India, however, this was not possible as the caste system was a fixed social class system. A person was born into his caste and could not rise out of his caste during his lifetime. As karma and dharma of past lives determined an individual’s current incarnation, social status was fixed during this lifetime.

Thus, by providing a measure of social mobility, classical Chinese society was more flexible than classical Indian society. As a result of the examination system, men in classical China were not destined to remain in one class until death occurred. In classical China, there was a slim possibility of advancement whereas in classical India, class was determined before birth even occurred and an individual’s status could not change in the course of a lifetime.

T – Topic Sentence

E – Evidence [Facts, Details, and Examples]

A – Analysis [The Effects or Impact]