Topic Sentences

Topic Sentences

Objectives

Students will understand and be able to write topic sentences.

Students will use transitions and complex sentences to write pieces of their essays.

Topic Sentences

• The first sentence of each body paragraph

• Introduces the main idea of the paragraph

• NOT a thesis statement

• Short, snappy, and to the point

• Should reference the rhetorical strategy you are using

• Details build off of the topic sentence

First, let's figure out the parts of a paragraph.

Remember there is a topic sentence, supporting details, and a conclusion sentence.

Multiple Choice

Fall is my favorite time of year. It's nice outside, so we get to roast marshmallows. I love to watch the leaves turn colors. Fall is the best season.

What is the topic sentence?

• Fall is my favorite time of year

• It's nice outside, so we get to roast marshmallows.

• I love to watch the leaves turn colors

• Fall is the best season.

Multiple Choice

Fall is my favorite time of year. It's nice outside, so we get to roast marshmallows. I love to watch the leaves turn colors. Fall is the best season.

What is the conclusion sentence?

• Fall is my favorite time of year.

• It's nice outside, so we get to roast marshmallows.

• I love to watch the leaves turn colors.

• Fall is the best season.

Multiple Select

Fall is my favorite time of year. It's nice outside, so we get to roast marshmallows. I love to watch the leaves turn colors. Fall is the best season.

What are the supporting details?

• Fall is my favorite time of year.

• It's nice outside, so we get to roast marshmallows.

• I love to watch the leaves turn colors.

• Fall is the best season.

You know the pieces of a paragraph

Now let's focus in on what your topic sentences should look like.

Thesis vs. Topic sentence

• A thesis statement has three reasons. For this essay, your reasons are the three rhetorical strategies that you noticed in both speeches

• Your topic sentence will introduce the rhetorical strategy for each paragraph

• For example, if my thesis statement lists repetition, figurative language, and imagery, my first topic sentence will introduce repetition.

What does a topic sentence look like?

• This is a short intro to your paragraph.

• What are you about to tell us? Zoom in on that.

• Good example: Repetition for emphasis is an effective strategy that speakers use.

• Better example: Repetition for emphasis is an effective strategy used by speakers to draw attention to their main point.

What a topic sentence is NOT

• Malala is a good speaker. (Doesn't talk about the main point of the paragraph.)

• Repetition is a rhetorical strategy. (Doesn't explain why you're talking about it.)

• Activists use rhetorical strategies to make their speeches better. (Too broad, we don't know what you're talking about in that paragraph.)

• You can see how Malala uses repetition effectively when she says, "..." (Doesn't introduce anything, jumps into supporting detail.)

Multiple Choice

Figurative language is a rhetorical strategy where people can compare things.

• Good

• Bad

Open Ended

Why is that example bad?

(Figurative language is a rhetorical strategy where people can compare things.)

Multiple Choice

Which one of these is the best topic sentence for figurative language?

• Figurative language is used to compare two things.

• Malala and Tutu both effectively use figurative language.

• Figurative language is an effective strategy used to show important details.

Open Ended

Pretend you are writing a topic sentence for a paragraph where you are going to talk about "Powerful Imagery." Write a topic sentence for that paragraph.

Poll

Do you feel able to write a topic sentence right now?

• Yes

• Maybe

• No