The

paragraph
Topic
 • Everyone can benefit from exercise.

• Doing aerobics for thirty minutes a day will

strengthen a person´s cardio-muscular
system by twenty five percent.

• There are three reasons why I exercise

everyday.
Controlling idea
This limits the topic of the
paragraph to one
definite idea or one
aspect of the topic that
represents a particular
idea, feeling or opinion.
The controlling idea must
not be too broad; it must
be specific enough for the
subject to be discussed
within one paragraph.
• Topic
The Grand Canyon is a favorite vacation spot for
travelers worldwide.
(Controlling idea: vacation spot)
The Grand Canyon is noted for it awe inspiring
panorama.
(Controlling idea: panorama)
The Grand Canyon is an ideal area to view the
geologic history of the earth.
(Controlling idea: geologic history)
 The television is a major source of home
entertainment.
(Controlling idea: home entertainment)
The television is an effective educational tool.
(Controlling idea: educational tool)
The television has become smaller since its initial
invention.
(Controlling idea: become smaller)
 Identify the topic and controlling idea of
the following topic sentences:
1. Children´s educational programs on TV are
superior to cartoons for young minds.
2. The exploration of space needlessly expends
resources that could be put to better use
elsewhere.
3. Hobbies provide people with many benefits.
4. Learning a foreing language is also about
learning the culture of that country.
Topics are important to both readers and
writers. Identifying the topic of a
paragraph helps readers to understand
what it is about. Choosing focused topics
helps writers focus their thoughts and
organize their ideas.

Identifying and
Selecting Topics
Reading: Locating the Topic of a Paragraph You already know that the
topic is the general subject of an entire paragraph. Every sentence in a
paragraph in some way discusses or explains this topic. To find the
topic of a paragraph, ask yourself: What is the one idea the author is
discussing throughout the paragraph? Read the following paragraph
with that question in mind:

In this example, the writer is discussing one topic—the mistreatment of chickens in

KFC slaughterhouses—throughout the paragraph. Notice that words related to
mistreatment—stomping, kicking, slamming, twisting, spitting, and squeezing—
provide clues to the topic. Writers often repeat key words or use related words to
discuss and emphasize their main point
Directions: After reading each of the following paragraphs,
select the choice that best represents the topic of the
paragraph.
Location of the topic
sentences
Page 103
 Point of view

Attitude Opinion

Digital cameras make photography easy and fun.

Steven King has written many books.

Choose G (general), S (Specific), or C (lacking a
controlling idea) for the following sentences.

1. The greatest boxer of all times was Mohammed Ali.

2. Jogging is a good exercise.
3. Computers have changed the world.
4. Bananas are the best fruit because they contain all
these essential vitamins needed for a healthy body.
5. Using cellphones while driving car can be a hazard.
6. Religion is a crutch.
7. The most challenging board game ever invented is
chess.
8. AIDS kills people everyday.
9. Lawyers are too plentiful in the United States.
Types of Topic
sentences
List Statements: A list statement tells the
reader exactly what the paragraph will be
about by listing the three star ideas. For
example: My favorite sports include soccer,
football, and basketball.
Power Number Statements: Power
Number Statements do not tell the readers each
of the star ideas but use number words (many,
few, a number of, four…) to present the general
topic. For example: There are several things you
can do to become a better writer.
Two Nouns and Two Commas:
Two Nouns and Two Commas always starts with a
noun (a person, place, or thing), describes it, and
then makes a statement about it (an appositive).
The description part of the sentence is surrounded
by commas (one before the description, and one
after it). For example: Roald Amundsen, an
explorer, was the first to find the Northwest
Passage.
Occasion Position: Occasion Position
topic sentences start with an occasion (a
dependent clause) and use words like when,
whenever, although, even though, and they end
with the writer’s position on the topic (an
independent clause).
For example: Whenever we celebrate the
holidays, we always include some special
traditions.
Get Their Attention: These topic
sentences try to grab the reader’s attention by
making a statement that is thought provoking,
controversial, or interesting.

For example: The Italian Deli serves the best

pastrami sandwiches in the country.
Write topic sentences with one of
the following topics
• Tattoos
• Travelling abroad
• Benefits of reading
• Speaking English
• Religion
• Abortion
• LGTB
 Exercise: Read the following topic sentences. You will see that
each has a weak topic or controlling idea or both. Rewrite each to make it
more specific. The first one has been done for you.

• Washington, D.C., is a beautiful city.

– Washington, D.C., has some of the most beautiful
monuments in the country.
• A school field trip is fun.
• The movie was interesting.
• Swimming is good for you.
• Cats make good pets.
• Thanksgiving is a holiday.
• My friend Beth should run for school office.
• Skateboarding is dangerous.
• Many adults do not approve of skateboarding.
• Some school rules seem unnecessary.
 Details, facts,
These should be more specific statistics, examples,
and develop the idea opinions, research,
expressed in the topic personal
sentence. experience, or
anecdotes.
• Seoul is a big city (no statistics, just a broad
statement).

• Seoul, South Korea has a population of over

10 million people.
Another method of adding specificity is by using
exact names of things rather than writing about
them in general terms. Ex:
• He is a doctor
• He is a pediatrician who has worked at City
Hospital for the last 15 years.
A final method is to use concrete words that allow
the reader to imagine the topic being written
about in greater detail, and not just in general or
abstract terms.
• Mr. Thompson enjoys life.
• Mr. Thompson is almost always in a good mood,
most often has a smile on his face, is quick to
laugh, and always sees the positive, even in
terrible situations.
• Mathematics, a meal you ate at a restaurant,
a (specific) sport, a best friend
 3. Concluding sentence
Last sentence of the pharagraph.

HOW
Restating the topic sentence

Summarizing the supporting sentences

It can contain a final comment about the topic.

• Transitional Words to conclude

Finally, Therefore, Indeed, Thus,

In conclusion, In brief, In summary, As a result,

• Phrases to conclude
– We can see that
– It is clear that…
– The examples show that…
– There can be no doubt that…
– The evidences suggest that…
 Example of a paragraph
A Great Tourist Destination
New York and Boston attract millions of tourists, but I think one of the
best cities to visit on the east coast of the United States is Washington,
D.C. It has some of the most interesting landmarks and tourist spots in
the country. There are many monuments to visit, such as the Lincoln
Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Washington Monument,
which is the tallest building in Washington. For more excitement, the
area called Georgetown in northwest Washington is famous for its
shopping and restaurants. Finally, there is the White House tour. On this
tour, the guide leads visitors as they walk through many of the rooms in
the White House and view the home of the president of the United
States. Although Washington, D.C., does not have the large number of
visitors that New York or Boston does, I think this city is one of the best
destinations for tourists.