English Language Writing Skills

By Danso Kwasi Nti Samuel (DAS). Study the complete course source, examine every model and practise alongside Professor Jarvis.

Course printed page 329 PDF page 335 of 505

For tables, matching columns, IPA and original formatting, open the course PDF above.

2. Body Paragraphs

Topic Sentence: Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main

idea of that paragraph.

Claim: Make a claim that supports your stance. A claim is an assertion or point that you will

argue in support of your stance.

Evidence: Provide evidence to support your claim. This can include facts, statistics, expert

opinions, examples, and research findings. Make sure your evidence is credible and directly

related to your claim.

Examples of claims and evidence

Mobile phones are more relevant than televisions in today's society because they offer

greater access to information and communication. According to a 2023 report by the Das

Research Centre, 85% of adults globally own a smartphone, and 70% of them use it as their

primary source for news and information. In contrast, only 40% rely on television as their

main source of information. Additionally, the International Telecommunication Union

(ITU) found that mobile internet usage increased by 50% over the past five years, while

traditional television viewership has declined by 15%. These statistics highlight the growing

reliance on mobile phones for immediate and diverse access to information, underscoring

their relevance in modern society.

Explanation: Explain how the evidence supports your claim. Connect the dots for the

reader, showing how the evidence backs up your argument.

Counterargument: Address a counterargument or an opposing viewpoint. Acknowledge

its validity, but then refute it by showing why your argument is stronger.

 Conclusion Sentence: Wrap up the paragraph by reinforcing how the claim supports

the stance.