Recognizing Strong Topic Sentences

Recognizing Strong Topic Sentences

Essay Body Paragraphs

Topic Sentences

Strong Topic Sentences make a claim

Topic sentences are claims

• A claim is an argument that expresses a writer's viewpoint.

• Strong topic sentences should always be claims. These claims are big ideas a writer uses to support the thesis

Topic Sentences

Thesis: Statement: Families with young children are better off adopting dogs than cats.

Claim: Dogs are loyal creatures that can help care for a young child.

Not a claim: Some families choose to adopt dogs, while others select cats.

(This sentence is not a claim because it simply states a fact)

Topic Sentences

Thesis: Statement: Schools should require students to wear a uniform.

Claim: Uniforms conveniently save students from having to select an outfit.

Not a claim: Next, I will tell you about how uniforms save students time.

(This sentence is not a claim because it simply states what the author is going to talk about next instead of sharing the author's viewpoint)

Topic Sentences

Let's take a look at some sentences and evaluate whether these sentences are strong or weak claims.

Multiple Choice

Computer Programing classes teach skills that are useful in all academic areas.

• Strong: claim

• Weak: not a claim

Multiple Choice

This next paragraph explains how many American households have at least one pet.

• Strong: claim

• Weak: not a claim

Multiple Choice

Scar pushes his brother, Mufasa, into a stampede.

• Strong: Claim

• Weak: Not a claim.

Multiple Choice

All high schools should teach students how to manage and invest money.

• Strong: Claim

• Weak: not a claim

Multiple Choice

The violence in the Lion King makes the film inappropriate for young children.

• Strong: Claim

• Weak: not a claim