Topic Sentences

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Topic Sentences
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Topic Sentence

• A paragraph should be unified around a main
  point.
• The point should be clear to readers, and all
  sentences in the paragraph should relate to that
  point.
• As a rule, you should state the main point of a
  paragraph in a topic sentencea one-sentence
  summary that tells readers what to expect as they
  read on.

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• The topic sentence is the most important sentence
  of a paragraph. It states the main idea and
  introduces the reader to the sub point.
• A strong and focus topic sentence connects how
  this information impacts the thesis statement.

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Main Point of Paragraph

• To choose an appropriate topic sentence, read
  the paragraph and think about its main idea and
  point.
• The topic sentence should not be too general or
  too specific. When considering the options, look
  for a topic sentence that is general enough to
  show the paragraphs main idea instead of just
  one of its details. Give yourself something to
  expand on.

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Supporting Details

• The supporting details in the paragraph (the
  sentences other than the topic sentence) will
  develop or explain the topic sentence.
• Also, it will tie how the information presented
  connects and proves a particular part of the
  argument.

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Supporting Details as Evidence

• Supporting details- EVIDENCE
• source information
• introductions to the source
• summary of the main idea from the source
  (context)
• quotations/paraphrased information.
• Other facts/stories/logical discussions
  evaluating your perspective

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Concluding Sentence

• A concluding sentence can and should follow a
  quote.
• Do not end your paragraph with a quote because it
  forces the reader the make the connections.
• It can clarify how you plan to use the evidence
  to support your argument.
• It can explain how the sub point relates,
  impacts, and proves the thesis statement.