Thank you so much for writing this. I stumbled across it from another site that reposted it, and had to come find the source.
This really clarifies everything that I've been told by English teachers for the past few years, but never really 'got'. In reading the body paragraph section, I came to the realization that I don't think I've ever written a proper linkage sentence in my life. (Oops).
I think some aspects have changed over time, like how you only suggest using one piece of evidence per paragraph, when I've been told to use at least four per paragraph (Though that might just be me misunderstanding, or a quirk of my school?).
In short, you've given me hope that I can win English. Thanks