Improving a Topic Sentence

How do you write good topic sentences? A good topic sentence should present a single idea that is broad enough to invite discussion.

Single Idea Because a paragraph is focused on one idea, the topic sentence also should be limited to a single idea. The sentence should have only one subject and one verb.

Incorrect Incorrect: Baseball players and lawyers get paid too much for the work they do. This sentence has two subjects: baseball players and lawyers. The support needed for this sentence requires more than one paragraph. Choose one subject for one paragraph.

Correct Professional baseball players get paid too much for the work they do. Lawyers get paid too much for the work they do.

Incorrect The Internet provides computer users with a vast resource of information and creates worldwide marketing opportunities for businesses. The Internet is a single subject, but the sentence describes two services provided by the Internet. Either service provides the basis for a good paragraph.

Correct The Internet provides computer users with a vast resource of information. The Internet creates worldwide marketing opportunities for businesses.

Incorrect Young children bring parents great joy as well as tremendous responsibility. This sentence introduces two ideas. One idea is that young children bring parents great joy. The other is that young children are a big responsibility for parents. Both ideas should not be in the same topic sentence.

Correct Young children bring great joy to parents. Young children bring parents tremendous responsibility.

Is it broad enough? The topic sentence must be broad enough so that it can be supported by details. A topic sentence that is really just a detail has no place to go.

Details vs. Topics Detail: Baking soda absorbs household odors in carpets and kitchens. Detail: Lemon juice lightens stains and cuts grease. Topic: Natural household products can be used for effective cleaning.

Details vs. Topics Detail: Genetic engineers have succeeded in cloning farm animals. Detail: Lawyers use DNA tests in criminal court cases. Topic: In recent years, genetic research has produced astounding, yet practical, results.

Invites Discussion A good topic sentence makes the reader want to continue reading. It usually begins the paragraph and should invite the reader to consider the writer’s topic.

Weak vs. Strong Weak: I went to Florida last year. Strong: Florida is the ideal place to go for a winter vacation. The weak topic sentence doesn’t have any energy or movement. There’s no clear direction to go in writing, and the reader may not want to follow anyway. A good topic sentence makes the reader ask questions and want to read more.

Weak vs. Strong Weak: My uncle drives a black Nissan 300 ZX. Strong: People often choose a particular car as a reflection of their personality. Weak: Autumn leaves are often multicolored. Strong: I love how the leaves on the trees explode into color each fall.