TOPIC SENTENCE

TECHNICAL ENGLISH 2
WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?
• A paragraph is a group of sentences
• A paragraph contains: 1 Topic Sentence (TS) and 1 or more Supporting
Sentences (SS)

• An effective parapraph contains:

• a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph
• supporting sentences with details and specific examples as proof of your
point
• logical, coherent thoughts that are developed in order from one sentence to
the nex
WHAT IS TS?
• TOPIC SENTENCE IS A SENTENCE WHICH CONTAINS A TOPIC OF A
PARAGRAPH AND HAS CONTROLLING IDEA/S
WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
The topic sentence usually comes at the very start of the
paragraph. In other words, TS is located in the beginning of a
paragraph. However, sometimes you might start with a transition
sentence to summarize what was discussed in previous
paragraphs, followed by the topic sentence that expresses the
focus of the current paragraph.
HOW TO WRITE A TOPIC SENTENCE

1.Identify the main point in your piece of writing.

2.Write a sentence that connects to your main idea with a what
and a why.
3.Use the sentence you created as an opening statement.
4.Create the first sentence in each paragraph of an essay
Effective Topic Sentences

• An effective topic sentence:

• informs the reader of the subject that will be discussed in the
paragraph
• asserts the writer’s point of view or attitude
• intrigues the reader to continue reading
• creates a sense of action
• is not vague, too narrow or too broad
Example:
• Topic Sentence: Dogs make wonderful pets because they
help you to live longer.
• The topic is "dogs make wonderful pets" and the controlling
idea is "because they help you to live longer.“
• What is/are controlling ideas? Based on controlling ideas, you
can make SS (Supporting Sentences)
Example
Examples of TS
• Cats are very good pets for several reasons.
• Our school's dress code policy has many negative consequences for
girls.
• The world population is strongly impacted by a lack of access to
water.
EXAMPLES
• Compound sentence: The Victorian Era was a time of invention, but
(coordinating conjunction) it was also ruled by strict social cues.
• Complex sentence: When (subordinating conjunction) birds migrate
for winter, they follow aerial paths that have been used by their flock
for generations.
Examples
• 1. Topic Sentence: Fortune hunters encounter many difficulties when
exploring a shipwreck.
• The topic is “Fortune Hunters” and the controlling idea is “many difficulties”
• 2. Topic Sentence: Dogs make wonderful pets because they help you to live
longer.
• The topic is …… and the controlling idea is …….
• 3. Topic Sentence: Crime in poverty-stricken areas occurs as a result of
systemic discrimination.
• The topic is “crime in poverty stricken” and the controlling idea is “systemic
discrimination”
Make them into good TS
Make good and correct Topic Sentence which contains CONTROLLING
IDEAS!
• 1. My school teacher is Mr. Adam
• 2. TV programs are bad
• 3. I like my study program
What is a topic sentence for this paragraph?
•  My first day of school is disaster. First, I went to the wrong classroom for math. I
was sitting in the class, surrounded by people taking notes and paying attention to
how to do equations, which would have been okay if I was supposed to be in an
algebra class. In reality, I was supposed to be in geometry, and when I discovered my
error, I had already missed the first twenty minutes of a one-hour class. When I got to
the correct class, all twenty-five students turned and looked at me as the teacher said,
"You're late." That would have been bad enough, but in my next class my history
teacher spoke so fast I could not follow most of what they said. The only thing I did
hear was that we were having a quiz tomorrow over today’s lecture. My day seemed
to be going better during botany class, that is, until we visited the lab. I had a
sneezing fit because of one of the plants in the lab and had to leave the room. When I
finally finished my classes for the day, I discovered I had locked my keys in the car
and had to wait for my brother to bring another set. My first day of school was so bad
that I know the rest will have to be better.
• 2nd option TS: My bad luck on my first day of school (Phrase) ==  improve: I was
very unlucky on my first day of school (TS)