A strong set of topic sentences will work together to support a thesis. A finding of investigation reveals that the food sector has a significant effect on the environment. 4.7 (1,403) More Writing Courses. A paragraph is composed of multiple sentences focused on a single, clearly-defined topic. Sentence #2 is not appropriate as a topic sentence because it mentions two topics, not just one. Drafting effective, well-organized body paragraphs takes a great amount of thought and revision. A topic sentence identifies the paragraph’s main idea, which should be clearly related to or reflect the thesis statement. It introduces the main idea of a paragraph and supports the details that follow. Concluding sentences. Support sentences give more information through the use of examples, description or explanation. Topic Sentence at the Beginning and the End of the Paragraph Traditionally the topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph. The topic sentence is usually (but not always) the first sentence in a paragraph. Experienced writers sometimes put topic sentences in other locations, but the best spot is usually right at the beginning. Most of the time, it is the 1st sentence of a paragraph. Based on Amber Foster’s class exercise, “Writing Clinic: Topic Sentences” Body Paragraph Revision, Part I: Topic Sentences Examples Example #1: The poem contains many thought-provoking references to love and death. Supporting sentences should focus on the following: - They should provide the main supporting points for the paragraph's main idea (topic sentence) - There are usually 2 - 4 supporting sentences in a paragraph. Or perhaps it will explain a concept introduced in the topic sentence. Read on to learn more about creating an effective topic sentence. A topic sentence will inform the reader what to expect in the next paragraph. The function of a topic sentence is to describe what the paragraph will be about, such that the reader has clear expectations about what will follow. Topic sentences and thesis statements reveal the reason for writing and tell the reader what will be proven or explained: • Topic sentences are used for paragraph and report writing when the writer is explaining facts. By stating the main idea in the topic sentence, you clarify what the paragraph is about for both yourself and your reader. Topic sentences reveal the main point of a paragraph.They show the relationship of each paragraph to the essay's thesis, telegraph the point of a paragraph, and tell your reader what to expect in the paragraph … You'll also read another student's paragraph to see how all of the parts came together. Usually, a paragraph has at least five sentences, with the first sentence as the topic sentence, the following three sentences are the supporting sentences, and the finals sentence as the concluding sentence. In each paragraph, underline the one sentence that does not belong because it is not connected closely with the supporting ideas in the topic sentence. Writing the Topic Sentence Your narrative paragraph should begin with a topic sentence. Place the topic sentence near the beginning of the paragraph. While the topic sentence doesn't need to be the first sentence of the paragraph in every instance, it should appear early in the paragraph to convey the subject matter as quickly as possible. A topic sentence is a sentence that captures the core meaning of your paragraph. Each topic sentence in a paragraph must have a topic and a controlling idea to show where the information is heading. • It is followed by explanations, reasons and examples which support the topic. Introduce the main topic of the paragraph. Thus, each one of the resources that are implied in the statement becomes a central point to b… A better topic sentence would be like the one mentioned above, My hometown is famous for several amazing geographical features. A topic sentence is the first statement in the paragraph of an essay or any other academic paper. A topic sentence, usually the first sentence in a paragraph, introduces the main idea of that paragraph and sets its tone. Example: If a paragraph was written about the closing of the Family Tree Store in town, a good supporting sentence of this topic would be: The Family Tree Store that has been opened since 1901 is closing tomorrow. Thesis statements and topic sentences are similar in some ways: − They are Examples: 1. Your essay can have multiple paragraphs. DLA OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE: Student will be able to recognize and write effective topic sentences. beginning of a paragraph. These writing activities will help you create a topic sentence, body sentences, and an ending sentence. A topic sentence is the most important sentence in a paragraph. This sentence tells the reader what the paragraph will be about, and then the rest of the paragraph is built around this topic. A topic sentence is the sentence that tells the main idea of a paragraph. Topic sentences and signposts make an essay's claims clear to a reader. READ: How long is the winter solstice and spring equinox? The sentences that explain this main point are called supporting details. Now you have a topic, which is not just dogs, but talking about what makes dogs a great pet. IMPORTANCE OF TOPIC SENTENCE Helps you stay focused on the topic of your paragraph Helps readers to know what your paragraph will be about State the topic Include or summarize ideas. A topic sentence has two parts: Topic and Controlling Idea. In some cases, however, it’s more effective to place another sentence before the topic sentence—for example, a sentence linking the current paragraph to the previous one, or one providing background information. • It consists of the topic and the directing words. The function of a topic sentence is to describe what the paragraph will be about, such that the reader has clear expectations about what will follow. The sentence introduces the reader to the topic or key point set in the paragraph and sets the tone for the whole paragraph. Activity 7 identifying the Unrelated sentence Read the paragraphs on pages 79–81. Every topic sentence raises questions that you expect the paragraph to answer. Notice that in the examples above, the topic sentence reflects back to the overall thesis (A regular exercise regime creates multiple benefits, both physical and emotional.) Topic sentences are usually provided at the beginning of each new paragraph in your essay. Supporting sentences help explain, prove, or enhance the topic sentence by offering facts, reasons, statistics, quotations, or examples. In reality, though, the unity and coherence of ideas among sentences is what constitutes a paragraph. Sometimes referred to as a focus sentence, the topic sentence helps organize the paragraph by summarizing the information in the paragraph. Topic sentences help keep your writing focused and guide the reader through your argument. TOPIC SENTENCES • It informs the reader about the main idea of the paragraph and sets the focus of the Topic paragraph. Examples of Topic Sentence: 1. Beginning a paragraph with a topic sentence is one of the best ways to achieve clarity and unity in one's writing. Original: Often, journal writing is a very personal and private activity.Some people who write journals never share a single word of their writing. Topic Sentences. A topic sentence has several functions in writing: it supports a thesis statement; it summarizes the content of a paragraph; and it gives the reader a glimpse of the subject to be tackled and how it would be discussed in the given paragraph.In most cases, readers look into the first few sentences of a paragraph to find out what it is about. An example of a topic sentence for the characterization paragraph is as follows: In the novel Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan, Jake Semple is a dynamic character. It is the sentence that gives the main idea or summary of the information to be provided in a paragraph. For example, say you wanted to write a paragraph about dogs. The first thing you would do is write a topic sentence, such as, “When it comes to animals, dogs are a great pet.”. It needs to give broad enough information to allow for multiple subtopics and examples without being so general that it makes the purpose of the writing unclear. In formal writing, the topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph (although it doesn’t have to be). A simple, straightforward topic sentence is usually the best way to introduce general background, examples, scenarios, arguments, or even to establish a direct linkage to the preceding paragraph. • It is followed by explanations, reasons and examples which support the topic. end of an introduction. The topic sentence states the main point or controlling idea. An effective topic sentence typically contains only one main idea. The topic sentences are the starting lines of your paragraphs, which may involve some thesis statement keywords. Topic Sentences If a thesis is a road map to a paper, then a topic sentence is a guide to a paragraph. Therefore, you should think of topic sentences as kinds of mini-theses, organizing and enabling the development of each paragraph in a paper. In this lead position, it functions to introduce the examples or details which will explain the controlling idea. Topic sentences, in fact, can be situated as the second or third sentence.Topic sentence is about introducing the main idea of a paragraph, not about chronology.It should discuss an idea only in generic terms without providing too many details. A topic sentence lets the reader know about the context of your paper. Good essays contain both. A . For the characterization paragraph, the students could try this fill-in-the-blank topic sentence to get started. It is what the paragraph is all about. Body Paragraphs: Topic Sentences. The example below shows how adding a topic sentence at the end of a paragraph (in bold) can give the reader a better context for understanding the paragraph’s overarching point. It acts as a roadmap that guides the reader down the paragraph. "A good topic sentence is concise and emphatic. It is no longer than the idea requires, and it stresses the important word or phrase. Here, for instance, is the topic sentence which opens a paragraph about the collapse of the stock market in 1929: The Bull Market was dead. This is my claim, or the point I will prove in the following paragraph. topic sentence. topic sentence at the very beginning of the paragraph. This topic sentence starts with an occassion and use words like whenever, when, although, or even though, and then end with the writers position on the topic. Topic sentence gives a simple definition . TOPIC SENTENCE A sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph in which it occurs. (3) supporting details. Cue Card #34 If you announce a topic clearly and early on in a paragraph, your readers are likely to grasp your idea and to make the connections that you want them to make. Writing a topic sentence. There should be exactly one main idea per paragraph, so whenever you move on to a new idea, you should start a new paragraph. Topic Sentences. • It is followed by explanations, reasons and examples which support the topic. This explanation shows readers why you chose to use this/or these particular examples as evidence to support the major claim, or focus, in your paragraph. The starting point for a definition paragraph is a simple definition* which becomes the topic sentence of the paragraph. A well-organized paragraph supports or develops a single controlling idea, which is expressed in a sentence called the topic sentence. Placement of topic sentences. • The garden was filled with many fragrant and colorful flowers. Supporting sentences can give examples, explanations, details, descriptions, facts, reasons, etc. 2. Each paragraph should have its own topic sentence and should focus on only one main idea or point. The rest of the paragraph might provide reasons to believe whatever the topic sentence claims. A topic sentence has several important functions: it substantiates or supports an essay’s thesis statement; it unifies the content of a paragraph and directs the order of the sentences; and it advises the reader of the subject to be discussed and how the paragraph will discuss it. The sentences that explain your topic sentence are called supporting sentences. Every topic sentence raises questions that you expect the paragraph to answer. The Topic The topic is the subject of the paragraph. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME (SLO): Paragraphs should include a clear topic sentence and provide supporting details. Topic Sentences. Sentence • It is usually the first sentence in the paragraph, but it may come after a transitional sentence. For example, The Topic Sentence. The Topic Sentence. 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