Topic Sentence 2

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Topic sentences introduce a paragraph and connect to an essay's thesis statement, which is the topic sentence of your entire essay. Every topic sentence has two parts: a topic (what the paragraph is about) and a controlling idea (the direction the paragraph will take). Take a look at these topic sentence examples in which the topic is bold and the controlling idea is in italics.

Cats are very good pets for several reasons.
Our school's dress code policy has many negative consequences for girls.
The world population is strongly impacted by a lack of access to water.

The topic tells your audience what the paragraph will be about and connects to the thesis. The controlling idea tells them how you will explain it in this particular paragraph.

Task 1
What is the topic and the controlling idea in the following topic sentences.
  1. Topic Sentence: There are many reasons why pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world.
  2. Topic Sentence: To be an effective CEO requires certain characteristics.
  3. Topic Sentence: There are many possible contributing factors to global warming.
  4. Topic Sentence: Fortune hunters encounter many difficulties when exploring a shipwreck.
  5. Topic Sentence: Dogs make wonderful pets because they help you to live longer.
  6. Topic Sentence: Crime in poverty-stricken areas occurs as a result of systemic discrimination.
Task 2
Check your answers

  1. The topic is "pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world" and the controlling idea is "many reasons."
  2. The topic is "To be an effective CEO" and the controlling idea is "certain characteristics."
  3. The topic is "global warming" and the controlling idea is "contributing factors."
  4. The topic is "exploring a shipwreck" and the controlling idea is "many difficulties."
  5. The topic is "dogs make wonderful pets" and the controlling idea is "because they help you to live longer."
  6. The topic is "crime in poverty-stricken areas" and the controlling idea is "systemic discrimination."

Task 3 Read

Skillful writers use topic sentences to both introduce their paragraph and to transition from the previous paragraph. Topic sentences as transitions help the essay feel smoother and more cohesive to the reader.

Examples of topic sentences as transitions include:
Another way to reduce teen pregnancy rates is improved education.
In addition to needing the correct tools, cooking requires a number of different skills.
While purchasing real estate can be a good investment, it is important to be ready before buying a house.
Likewise, graduating from high school is important for many different reasons.
Even though having a baby can be a joyful event, having a first child is difficult because of the significant adjustments in your life.
Because there are so many options out there, remodeling a kitchen requires research and a good eye.

Task 4
Try to write topic sentences as transitions for the topic sentences in Task 1

Task 5 Read
Coming up with a strong topic sentence is one thing, but how do you support it? Using your topic sentence as a frame, you can then fill in the reasons or evidence you have outlined in your controlling idea. For example, a paragraph that supports a topic sentence might look like this:

Cats are very good pets for several reasons. They are naturally good caregivers because they take care of their kittens, so they want to take care of their owners as well. Cats are quite clean, and if you train them to use a litter box, they require almost no cleanup in their areas. Finally, cats are independent, so you don't need to worry about them being lonely when you're at school all day. They really are the ideal pet for almost any owner.

Task 6
Try to support one of the topic sentences  in Task 1



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