How to… Write your Topic Sentences and your Thesis Statement.

Topic Sentence What is a Topic Sentence? –A Topic Sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. All the other sentences are related to this topic sentence.

Topic Sentence A Topic Sentence makes a general statement that is wider in its scope than the rest of the sentences in the paragraph. A good Topic Sentence is broad enough to be developed by specific details.

Topic Sentence A Topic Sentence has several important functions. A Topic Sentence has several important functions. It supports an essay’s thesis statement. It supports an essay’s thesis statement. It unifies the content of a paragraph. It unifies the content of a paragraph. It directs the order of the sentences, It directs the order of the sentences, A Topic Sentence controls the content of the paragraph. A Topic Sentence controls the content of the paragraph.

Topic Sentence  Three questions you should ask yourself when determining if you have a good topic sentence.  Does the Topic Sentence present one and only one topic?  Is the Topic Sentence an over generalization?  Does the sentence give a strong direction for the whole paragraph?

Topic Sentence It is difficult to say if a Topic Sentence is good or bad, but it is possible to say that one topic sentence is better than another.

Topic Sentence Here is an example of a good Topic Sentence. There is a lot of work involved in fixing bicycles. First, it is necessary for one to become familiar with the structure and parts of the vehicle. Second, one must have the correct tools to make the necessary repairs. Third, the person making the repairs must prepare him or herself to put a lot of time and effort into the job and only expect minimal results at the end.

Thesis Statement What is a Thesis Statement? What is a Thesis Statement? A Thesis Statement should be specific, focused and interesting. It should come at the very end of your thesis paragraph, and should tell your reader exactly what your essay is about. A Thesis Statement should be specific, focused and interesting. It should come at the very end of your thesis paragraph, and should tell your reader exactly what your essay is about.

Thesis Statement  Tips for having a good Thesis Statement Try to have a creative thesis statement to capture your reader, to make the reader want to continue on and finish reading your essay. Avoid beginning with a definition because this is overused and uncreative. Try to begin with referring to a historical event, or to another book, or personal story that fits the focus of your essay.

Thesis Statement Three reasons why your essay should contain a thesis statement are: Three reasons why your essay should contain a thesis statement are: –To test your ideas by breaking them down into a sentence. –To better organize and develop your argument. –To provide your reader a guide to your argument.

Thesis Statement  How to tell a strong Thesis Statement from a weak one. A strong Thesis takes some sort of stand.  There are some negative and positive aspects to the Banana Herb Tea Supplement.  Strong Thesis- Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss that results in the loss of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger to customers.

Thesis Statement Strong v Weak Cont. –A strong Thesis justifies discussion. My family is an extended family.My family is an extended family. Strong Thesis- While most American families would view consanguineal marriage as a threat to the nuclear family structure, many Iranian families, like my own, believe that these marriages help reinforce kinship ties in an extended family.Strong Thesis- While most American families would view consanguineal marriage as a threat to the nuclear family structure, many Iranian families, like my own, believe that these marriages help reinforce kinship ties in an extended family.

Thesis Statement Strong v Weak Cont. A strong Thesis expresses one main idea. A strong Thesis expresses one main idea. Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and web pages can provide both advertising and customer support. Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and web pages can provide both advertising and customer support. Strong Thesis- Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should exploit this potential by using web pages that offer both advertising and customer support. Strong Thesis- Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should exploit this potential by using web pages that offer both advertising and customer support.

Thesis Statement Strong v Weak Cont. A strong Thesis statement is specific. World hunger has many causes and effects. Strong Thesis- Hunger persists in Appalachia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.

Conclusion  Your Topic Sentences and Thesis Statement define what your paper is about and what you have in store for the reader. Having A good Thesis Statement and Topic Sentences is a prelude to having an outstanding paper.

Reviewing the Main Ideas  In your own words what would make a well written Thesis Statement?  In your own words, what would make a well written Topic Sentence?  Your Topic Sentence should be the _______ of the paragraph.

Reviewing the Main Ideas Cont. It is difficult to say if a Topic Sentence is ____ or ____, but it is possible to say that one topic sentence is ____ than another. Three reasons why your essay should contain a thesis statement are:

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