In formal writing, the topic sentence is
usually the first sentence in a paragraph
(although it doesn’t have to be).
Is the topic sentence always the first sentence?
The topic sentence is
usually the first sentence of the paragraph
because it gives an overview of the sentences to follow. The supporting sentences after the topic sentence help to develop the main idea. These sentences give specific details related to the topic sentence.
Can a topic sentence not be the first sentence?
It is usually
the first sentence
in a paragraph. Also known as a focus sentence, it encapsulates or organizes an entire paragraph. Although topic sentences may appear anywhere in a paragraph, in academic essays they often appear at the beginning.
Can the topic sentence be the second sentence?
Sometimes topic sentences are actually two or even three sentences long. If the first makes a
claim, the second might reflect on that claim, explaining it further
. Think of these sentences as asking and answering two critical questions: How does the phenomenon you’re discussing operate?
Can the topic sentence be at the end?
Although a topic sentence often appears at the beginning of a paragraph, it
may also be placed in the middle or at the end
.
What are 3 examples of a topic sentence?
- In a paragraph about a summer vacation: My summer vacation at my grandparents’ farm was filled with hard work and fun.
- In a paragraph about school uniforms: School uniforms would help us to feel more unity as a student body.
- In a paragraph about how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich:
What is a topic example?
Note that each example includes both
a topic and a controlling idea
. Topic Sentence: There are many reasons why pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world. The topic is “pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world” and the controlling idea is “many reasons.”
What is a good topic sentence?
A good topic sentence is
specific enough to give a clear sense of what to expect from the paragraph
, but general enough that it doesn’t give everything away. You can think of it like a signpost: it should tell the reader which direction your argument is going in.
How do you identify a topic sentence?
A topic sentence is the most important sentence in a paragraph. Sometimes referred to as a focus sentence, the topic sentence helps
organize the paragraph by summarizing the information in the paragraph
. In formal writing, the topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph (although it doesn’t have to be).
What is the topic sentence in the first paragraph?
The topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph. It is introductory, meaning it should not include details, rather, it
should introduce the main idea
which will be supported by the rest of your paragraph.
What are supporting sentences?
The supporting sentences, also called the body of the paragraph, are
used to support, explain, illustrate, or provide evidence for the idea expressed in the topic sentence
.
What is a clear topic sentence?
A good topic sentence is
specific enough to give a clear sense of what to expect from the paragraph
, but general enough that it doesn’t give everything away. You can think of it like a signpost: it should tell the reader which direction your argument is going in.
What is topic sentence in English?
Topic Sentence Examples
Note that each example
includes both a topic and a controlling idea
. Topic Sentence: There are many reasons why pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world. The topic is “pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world” and the controlling idea is “many reasons.”
What are key sentences?
In academic writing, readers expect each paragraph to have a sentence or two that captures its main point. … Calling it a “key sentence” reminds us
that it expresses the central idea of the paragraph
. And sometimes a question or a two-sentence construction functions as the key.
How do you introduce a topic sentence?
- Identify the main point in your piece of writing.
- Write a sentence that connects to your main idea with a what and a why.
- Use the sentence you created as an opening statement.
- Create the first sentence in each supporting paragraph.
- Use new information.
What are some good topic sentence starters?
Below is a list of possible sentence starters, transitional and other words that may be useful. This essay discusses … … is explored … … is defined …
The definition of … will be given … is briefly outlined
… … is explored … The issue focused on …. … is demonstrated … … is included …