Write-On to an Essay Topic Sentences and Supporting Evidence

What is a topic sentence? A sentence that communicates the meaning of the paragraph. A topic sentence develops one major point and gives unity to the paragraph. A topic sentence links to the thesis to signify which part of the thesis will be discussed.

What is a topic sentence? An Analogy A thesis unifies an entire essay by providing a controlling idea(s); a topic sentence unifies an entire paragraph around one controlling idea.

So if your thesis is “Families and singles should move to Austin because of the outstanding university, beautiful Lady Bird Lake, and delicious Mexican food.” Topic Sentence 1- Austin is home to the University of Texas which offers many learning and social opportunities to people living in Austin.

So if your thesis is “Families and singles should move to Austin because of the outstanding university, beautiful Lady Bird Lake, and delicious Mexican food.” Topic Sentence 2- People living in Austin can spend many hours enjoying outdoor activities at Beautiful Lady Bird Lake.

So if your thesis is “Families and singles should move to Austin because of the outstanding university, beautiful Lady Bird Lake, and delicious Mexican food.” Topic Sentence 3- Austin has many excellent restaurants that serve delicious Mexican food.

A topic sentence… normally appears as the first sentence of the paragraph. includes keywords or phrases from the thesis sentence. is a single declarative statement, not a question or prediction. signals to the reader the progression of the essay.

Practice with Topic Sentences Each group receives a set of sentences. The group will put the sentences in two stacks- one that represents topic sentences and one stack of non-topic sentences. Groups exchange stacks of topic sentences. With the new group of topic sentences underline what the topic of the paragraph will be.

more practice with Topic Sentences Each group is given three thesis statements. The group creates topic sentences based on the thesis statements. The groups’ topic sentences are posted and shared with the other groups.

Although the deserts of the world have many similarities, they are vastly different in terms of temperature, vegetation, and size. Columbus was the world’s first imperialist as he claimed political, cultural and economic control in the Americas. While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self- government.

What is supporting evidence? Supporting evidence is the proof you need to support your thesis Facts, examples, evidence, reasons, quotations, etc. Could use signal the reader with “for example”

What is supporting evidence? An illustration If you told your parents you need money, they will ask, “Why?” The reasons you give them are your supporting evidence Note: They probably won’t give you money unless you give them factual proof that you need it What reasons would you give your parents to convince them to give you money?

What is supporting evidence? An illustration List A: I need it. It will make me happier. I will help more around the house. List B: School lunches cost 50 cents more this year. My teachers have been very helpful and I would like to buy them each a little gift. I would like to go to a movie with my friends. Which of the following lists of supporting evidence will probably get more money from your parents? Why is that list better?

What is supporting evidence? A metaphor Before lawyers go to court, they have to gather supporting evidence to prove that their client is telling the truth The jury will most likely believe the lawyer with the best supporting evidence As a writer, you have to gather the best supporting evidence so that your readers will believe your thesis

Is Austin a good place to live? Position: Austin rocks! Thesis: Families and singles should move to Austin because of the outstanding University of Texas, beautiful Lady Bird Lake, and delicious Mexican food. Road map: UT, Lady Bird Lake, Chuy’s Position: Austin stinks! Thesis: It is surprising that anyone ever chooses to live in Austin because of its terrible traffic, dying malls, and high summer temperatures. Road map: IH-35 at rush hour, Highland Mall, any large parking lot at noon in August

Question: Is Austin a good place to live? Thesis: Families and singles should move to Austin because of the outstanding university, beautiful Lady Bird Lake, and delicious Mexican food. Topic #1: University of Texas Supporting Evidence: Has $400 million for research every year Library system is one of the top 10 research libraries in the nation In 2002, Sports Illustrated ranked UT #1 of the nation’s athletic programs

Question: Is Austin a good place to live? Thesis: It is surprising that anyone ever chooses to live in Austin because of its terrible traffic, dying malls, and high summer temperatures. Topic #1: terrible traffic Supporting Evidence: 21.9 average commute time – ranked 39 th in the U.S. (U.S. Census Bureau) IH-35 in downtown Austin is the busiest six-lane section of highway in the state

What is supporting evidence? Thesis: Although the deserts of the world have many similarities, they are vastly different in terms of temperature, vegetation, and size. The 3 topics for the body paragraphs will be: –Temperature –Vegetation –Size What kind of supporting evidence would you need for a body paragraph on the difference in temperature in deserts around the world?

What is supporting evidence? Thesis: Columbus was the world’s first imperialist as he claimed political, cultural and economic control in the Americas. The topics for the 3 body paragraphs will be: –Columbus claimed political control –Columbus claimed cultural control –Columbus claimed economic control Where would you find supporting evidence? –Letters between Columbus and the king and queen –Columbus’s journal –Letters from explorers after Columbus

What is supporting evidence? Thesis: While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self-government. Where would you find supporting evidence to support this thesis? –Newspapers in the North, newspapers in the South –Lincoln’s letters and speeches –Davis’s letters and speeches –Other politicians’ letters and speeches –Laws made in the South, laws made in the North –Soldiers’ letters

Practice #1 Each group will receive mixed-up sentences from one body paragraph Identify sentences that include supporting evidence (facts, not opinions) Put the paragraph into the best order: topic sentence, evidence and commentary, clincher sentence Share out as a class and put the paragraphs in the best order

Practice #2 In groups, score each of the 4 paragraphs you have been given using the “Supporting Paragraph Scoring Guidelines” As a class, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each paragraph As individuals, score paragraph #5 according to the rubric

As a class, brainstorms a thesis with 3 topics (body paragraphs) The class divides into 3 groups and gets a sheet of butcher paper Each group writes a topic sentence on top of their sheet of paper Each group lists supporting evidence under the topic sentence Practice #4

Practice #5 As a class, we’re going to brain- storm the thesis, including 3 topics, for an essay In groups of 3-4, you will be assigned one of the 3 topics (a body paragraph) As a group, list factual, supporting evidence for your assigned topic After 10 minutes, groups will trade topics and add more supporting evidence

Practice #6 Using the lists from Practice #6, choose one topic (body paragraph) and 2-3 pieces of supporting evidence Write a paragraph with a topic sentence and supporting evidence