Topic Sentence

Topic Sentences Definition Every paragraph should have a topic sentence. This is the most important sentence because it expresses the main idea of the paragraph.

Example 1 Topic Sentence: states the main idea of the paragraph. Topic Sentence The most important problem in our city is its inadequate public transportation system. Thousands of residents rely on the city’s buses and streetcars to travel throughout this large city, but Metro Transportation System’s daily schedules are totally unreliable. A bus or streetcar that should arrive at 7:45 may not arrive until 8:00 or later. Moreover, it is not unusual for a bus driver to pass up groups of people waiting for the bus, because he wants to make up for lost time. Unfortunately, people often end up going to work late or missing important appointments. In order for people to get to their destinations on time, people must allow for waiting time at the bus and streetcar stops. Concluding Sentence Supporting Sentences

Example 2 Topic Sentence Topic Sentence: states the main idea of the paragraph. Motivation There are several possible reasons why my father is in excellent health, even though he is over seventy years of age. First, he is in excellent condition because he has stopped smoking cigarettes. He quit smoking cigarettes since whenever he climbed stairs, he would quickly stop several times and cough loudly. He also has good health as a result of stopping eating the wrong kinds of foods. For example, whereas before he would eat fatty red meat and deep-fried dishes several times a week. Nowadays he seldom does so. He is also in good physical shape, for he exercises a lot. He swims three times a week at the local gym, and on sunny days he prefers to walk home rather than take the bus. In conclusion, my father is in better shape than some of his children are! Concluding Sentence Supporting Sentences

Topic Sentence Essentials Complete Sentence There are several things you need to remember when writing topic sentences. The first is that topic sentences are always complete sentences.

Example 1 Main Idea in a Complete Sentence It is not a complete sentence; It is a title Strategies of learning English. There are three strategies that you can use to help you learn a new language.

Main Idea in a Complete Sentence Example 2 The sport of cycling. This is not a complete sentence. The sport of cycling has allowed me to get in better shape and meet some interesting people. Topic sentence This is a question, not a statement. Why do I want to be a teacher? Being a teacher is a great profession because it allows me to work with students and be creative. Topic sentence

Main Idea in a Complete Sentence Example 3 This is an announcement I want to talk about the benefits of learning a foreign language. Topic sentence Learning a foreign language has several benefits.

Main Idea in a Complete Sentence Example 4 It only expresses a specific fact I learned to play many musical instruments when I was young. Topic sentence Playing many musical instruments has helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Topic Sentence Essentials Two Parts A topic sentence contains the topic of the paragraph and a controlling idea. The controlling idea limits the topic to something very specific. It tells the reader what the paragraph will specifically discuss.

Topic and Controlling Idea Example 1 Topic and Controlling Idea Topic: names the main idea or general subject of the paragraph Topic Sentence One of the most serious problems in today’s public schools is overcrowded classrooms. Controlling Idea: makes a specific comment about the subject. Tells the reader what the paragraph will say about the main topic.

Topic and Controlling Idea Example 2 Topic and Controlling Idea Topic: names the main idea or general subject of the paragraph Topic Sentence One of the most serious problems in today’s public schools is the low percentage of trained teachers. Controlling Idea: makes a specific comment about the subject. Tells the reader what the paragraph will say about the main topic.

Example 3 Egyptian films are getting more expensive to produce. The Quality of Egyptian films has decreased over the last 20 years. Egyptian films can be classified into comedies, action films and romances.

Activity 1: Write a topic sentence for each of the following: The benefits of reading in a foreign language Facebook University tests Living in the countryside The life of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) PP 15-13a