1. In Concert: An Integrated Reading and Writing Approach by Kathleen T. McWhorter

2. Chapter 5: Topics, Main Ideas, and Topic Sentences Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. Important Terms Paragraphs are made up of topics, main ideas/topic sentences, and supporting details. 1.Topic 2.Main Idea 3.Topic Sentence 4.Supporting Details Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

4. How do I know the topic of a paragraph? Consider: What is the ONE idea the author discusses throughout the paragraph? Look for repeated words or phrases Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

5. The main idea is the most important sentence in a paragraph. It is also the most general sentence in the entire paragraph. How do I locate the main idea of a paragraph? Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

6. Strategies to locate the main idea: 1.Identify the topic 2.Locate the most general sentence (topic sentence) 3.Study the rest of the paragraph Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

7. How do I think critically about main ideas? Consider: Main ideas can be, but are not always, fact Main ideas can be the author’s opinion Main ideas do not always present all sides of a story Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

8. The Function of Topic Sentences: 1.To make clear what the paragraph is about (the topic) 2.To express a view or make a point (about the topic) Helpful Tip: Make sure topics are not too broad or too narrow Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

9. Strategies for Writing Effective Topic Sentences: 1.The topic sentence should state the main point of the paragraph 2.Choose a manageable topic 3.Make sure the topic sentence is a complete thought 4.Place your topic sentence first in the paragraph to begin 5.Avoid “announcing” your topic Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

10. Goal 1: Structure a Paragraph Review Questions Which of the following does NOT make up a paragraph? A.Topics B.Footnotes C.Supporting Details D.Main ideas/topic sentences Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

11. Goal 1: Structure a Paragraph Review Questions Which of the following does NOT make up a paragraph? A.Topics B.Footnotes C.Supporting Details D.Main ideas/topic sentences Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

12. Goal 2: Identify the Topic of a Paragraph Review Questions True or False: Looking for repeated words and phrases in a paragraph is an effective strategy for identifying its topic. True or False: The author usually has two or three topics per paragraph. Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

13. Goal 2: Identify the Topic of a Paragraph Review Questions True or False: True: Looking for repeated words and phrases in a paragraph is an effective strategy for identifying its topic. True or False: False: The author usually has two or three topics per paragraph. Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

14. Goal 3: Locate Main Ideas Review Questions The main idea or topic sentence of a paragraph can be located: A.At the beginning of the paragraph B.At the end of the paragraph C.Neither A nor B D.Both A and B Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

15. Goal 3: Locate Main Ideas Review Questions The main idea or topic sentence of a paragraph can be located: A.At the beginning of the paragraph B.At the end of the paragraph C.Neither A nor B D.Both A and B Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

16. Goal 4: Think Critically About Main Ideas Review Questions True or False: The main idea of a paragraph is always fact. True or False: The author’s opinion can be the main idea of a paragraph. Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

17. Goal 4: Think Critically About Main Ideas Review Questions True or False: False: The main idea of a paragraph is always fact. True or False: True: The author’s opinion can be the main idea of a paragraph. Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

18. Goal 5: Write Effective Topic Sentences Review Questions Which of the following is NOT an effective strategy for writing topic sentences? A.Start your topic sentence, “This essay will discuss…” B. To start, put your topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph C. The topic sentence should be the main idea of the paragraph D. Don’t choose a topic that is too narrow Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

19. Goal 5: Write Effective Topic Sentences Review Questions Which of the following is NOT an effective strategy for writing topic sentences? A.Start your topic sentence, “This essay will discuss…” B. To start, put your topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph C. The topic sentence should be the main idea of the paragraph D. Don’t choose a topic that is too narrow Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.