WRITING THE TOPIC SENTENCE A well-built paragraph often starts with a sentence that sums up the key idea.

We call this key sentence the topic sentence. To write a topic sentence, we look at related material that we have collected and ask: What is the point? What conclusion do these data justify? Look at the following data about an imaginary roommate, and at the conclusion they justify: When I first came to school, he showed me around the campus. He has never complained about lending me his comb, his typewriter, and his tuxedo. When driving, he stops for pedestrians and allows other drivers to pass if they are in a hurry. Every Saturday, he writes a long letter to his invalid aunt, because he knows it makes her feel good to hear from him. Conclusion: My roommate is very considerate. Here is a different set of data, funneling into a different conclusion. When he is asked to help around the house, he always has some important home work to do or a club meeting to go to. When someone states passing him on the highway, he steps on the gas. When someone borrows his typewriter, he complains about the condition in which it is returned. Conclusion: My roommate is very inconsiderate. In the typical all-purpose paragraph, we present the conclusion first, as our topic sentence. The topic sentence tells the reader: This is what I am trying to prove. This is what I am trying to show. Then we present the data that help prove the point. We present the examples that show what we mean. Each of the following sets of data provides the input for a paragraph. In the blank space preceding the data, write a conclusion that could serve as topic sentence for the paragraph. 1. TOPIC SENTENCE: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ In Canada, French-speaking Canadians have been working toward greater recognition of their language and political rights. In Britain, much controversy has been caused by the fight for greater self-determination for Scotland and Wales. In Spain, Basque terrorists have been fighting to preserve their separate language and separate national identity. In France, people in such areas as Corsica and Alsace are protesting against the domination of national affairs by the central government in Paris. THE MAIN THING In reading, you would be confused if the writer didnt use topic sentences to express his or her main idea. After all, getting the main idea is what reading is mostly about. So, as you read, be on the lookout for a topic sentence (it often appears at the beginning of a paragraph, but sometimes is in the middle or at the end). Topic sentences should clearly summarize the main idea of a paragraph. Let them be your guide to better understanding of what you read. The authors of the following paragraphs each forgot to include the all-important topic sentence.

Read each paragraph and see if you can determine the main idea by paying close attention to details and seeing how they fit together to express one basic thought. Then, on the line provided, write a topic sentence that you think would be fitting for each separate paragraph. 1. On Thursday I went to my office earlier than usual, arriving at about 7:00 a.m. Nobody saw me go in because people generally dont start work until almost 10. I didnt make or receive any calls, so when the police arrived I was quite surprised and found their questions very exasperating. The only concrete evidence I could offer them was a sales reports which I wrote between 7 and 10. Topic sentence: ____________________________________________________________________________ 2. At first, you may feel awkward because of the cumbersome equipment. It does take some getting used to. But if you take lessons, and try to overcome yo ur fear of heights, nothing is more exhilarating. Just being in the great outdoors makes it worth it. So what if you fall a few times? Nobodys watching you. Everyones too busy enjoying the snow, the fresh air, and the sheer joy of maneuvering their bodies across the snow. Topic sentence: ____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Her palms were sweaty. In less than an hour, she would be on the road with Miss Brooke. Will Miss Brooke notice how nervous I am? Sheila wondered. Trying to calm herself down, she reviewed the written questions one more time. Then she picked up the keys and shouted to her mother downstairs. Okay, Ma, Im ready! Sheila walked downstairs, smiling and thinking to herself that this might be the last time she would need a ride. Topic sentence: ____________________________________________________________________________ 4. Write an original paragraph on the lines below. Then exchange papers with a classmate who has also written one paragraph. Underline the topic sentence in your classmates paragraph. Then write down your suggestion for another topic sentence that clearly summarizes the main idea in that paragraph. ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________

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