Writing Topic Sentences in History Class

Writing Topic Sentences in History Class

by Mr. PRATT

Open Ended

WHAT IS A TOPIC SENTENCE? In your own words.

​Today's Objectives

​Learning Objective: Students will identify the components understand the requirements for writing topic sentences to Compelling questions.

​

​Language Objective: Students will practice by reading, writing, and observe a short video.

​I've been going over the topic sentence that have been turned in on such assignments as the Christopher Columbus Inquiry, and the Primary Sources of the French and Indian War, and am noticing a trend in the writing. It is VERY important you understand how to write a topic sentence from a compelling question so we will work on that at this today.

​After this activity, you may want to take what you learned and re-submit any inquires where you may have lost points from an incorrectly written topic sentence.

What is a topic sentence?

A topic sentence is the most important sentence in a paragraph. 

A topic sentence essentially tells readers what the rest of the paragraph is about

Some steps for writing a well-organized paragraph... (focus on the Topic sentence)

1- Writing meaningful sentences

2- correct spelling

3- a topic sentence

4- supporting sentences

5- put ideas in order

Topic sentences

A topic sentence from a compelling question should:

• State your topic

• Be clear

• Engage your reader

• Give or provide a reason

• ​Provide enough specific information the question is asking (could be who, what, when, where, and or why).

Multiple Choice

Select the picture with the highlighted topic sentence.

Multiple Choice

Which is the best example of a topic sentence?

Compelling question: Is Ice cream is better than cake?

• One reason that ice cream is better than cake is because it's refreshing on a hot day.

• The fact that ice cream is cold makes it nice for a summer day.

• Marlee ran to the ice cream truck to grab her delicious treat after swimming at the pool all day.

Multiple Choice

Which is the best example of a topic sentence?

Compelling Question: Is basketball is better than baseball.

• Playing a faster paced sport is more entertaining for the players playing.

• Baseball is not fun at all because it is boring and slow.

• Basketball is better than baseball because it is faster paced.

Multiple Choice

What does the topic sentence of a paragraph tell you?

• How many sentences the paragraph has

• A supporting detail about the topic

• The main idea of a paragraph

• A summary of the supporting details

Multiple Select

What are TWO things that a strong topic sentence should have? (Choose 2!)

• A specific answer to the question, that flips (restates) the question!

• A relevant reason why you chose your answer, that makes sense!

• Children's Tears

• Background Information

​Does this topic sentence give a specific reason?

​Topic Sentence: Pizza, because it can come with so many delicious toppings.

​No it is not specific! What about pizza? is it what you're having for dinner? Is it your favorite thing to flush down the toilet? This example of the topic sentence was not specific enough.

What's wrong with this topic sentence? Is it specific? Does it make sense?

​Topic sentence: The best food in the world is pizza, because I can tie my shoes.

​It is specific, because it makes a point, but it does NOT have reason that makes sense.

Is there anything wrong with this topic sentence? The best food in the world is pizza, because it can come with so many delicious toppings

​Nope, it is specific and it makes sense, it's an opinion based answer and this is totally fine!

Multiple Select

What are TWO things that a strong topic sentence should have? (Choose 2!)

• A specific answer to the question, that flips (restates) the question!

• A relevant reason why you chose your answer, that makes sense!

• Children's Tears

• Background Information

Multiple Choice

Which is the best topic sentence to answer the Compelling Question:

What is the best kind of candy?

• A. Take 5 because I’m going to be Batman for Halloween.

• B. Take 5 because it has peanut butter, pretzels and chocolate in one piece of candy.

• C. Take 5 is the best because it has peanut butter, pretzels and chocolate in one piece of candy.

• D. Take 5 is the best kind of candy because it has peanut butter, pretzels and chocolate in one piece of candy.

​Answer D was correct because it was specific and it gave a reason that was clear and made sense.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a strong topic sentence that answers the Compelling question: What is the best video game system available right now?

• Nintendo Switch.

• Nintendo Switch because it is handheld and portable, but it can also be played on a TV.

• Nintendo Switch is the best video game system available right now because it is handheld and portable, but it can also be played on a TV.

• Nintendo Switch is the best video game system available right now.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a strong topic sentence that answers the Compelling question: Would you rather live in Ancient Greece or Ancient Egypt?

• I would rather live in Ancient Greece than Ancient Egypt.

• Ancient Greece.

• I would rather live in Ancient Greece than Ancient Egypt because my back is itchy.

• I would rather live in Ancient Greece than Ancient Egypt because it had more things to entertain people.

​Look at the compelling question for clues on what you need to write in YOUR topic sentence...

​Consider this Compelling Question...

​How should Christopher Columbus be remembered in the 21st century?

​

​-Can you tell what the subject is about?

​

​-Can you tell what the time period is?

​

​-Can you tell who the topic is about?

​Consider this Compelling Question...

​How should Christopher Columbus be remembered in the 21st century?

​

​-Can you tell what the subject is about? ...how he should be remembered.

​

​-Can you tell what the time period is? ...in the 21st century.

​

​-Can you tell who the topic is about? ...Christopher Columbus.

​

​In the 21st century Christopher Columbus should be remembered as (your opinion with a reason).

​Consider this Compelling Question... (No good)

​Compelling Question: How should Christopher Columbus be remembered in the 21st century?

​

​What's wrong with the options below?

​

I think he should he remembered because he did a lot of good.

​Christopher Columbus should be remembered as an idiot who got lucky.

​In the 21st century Christopher Columbus did good and bad things.

Multiple Choice

Compelling Question: How should Christopher Columbus be remembered in the 21st century?

What's wrong with the topic sentence:

I think he should he remembered in the 21st century because he did a lot of good.

• It is missing the "who"

• It is missing the "what"

• Nothing it's totally fine.

• It is missing the "when"

Multiple Choice

Compelling Question: How should Christopher Columbus be remembered in the 21st century?

What's wrong with the topic sentence:

Christopher Columbus should be remembered as an idiot who got lucky.

• It is missing the "who"

• It is missing the "what"

• Nothing it's totally fine.

• It is missing the "when"

Multiple Choice

Compelling Question: How should Christopher Columbus be remembered in the 21st century?

What's wrong with the topic sentence:

​In the 21st century Christopher Columbus did good and bad things.

• It is missing the "who"

• It is missing the "what"

• Nothing it's totally fine.

• It is missing the "when"

​Consider this Compelling Question... (No good)

​Compelling Question: How should Christopher Columbus be remembered in the 21st century?

​

​What's wrong with the options below?

​

I think he should he remembered because he did a lot of good. Who?

​Christopher Columbus should be remembered as an idiot who got lucky. When?

​In the 21st century Christopher Columbus did good and bad thing What / Subject?

​PLEASE....

​Never answer the compelling question by writing a topic sentence that is informative. You are never to try and "teach" me about a topic, always tell me your opinion, but do not use the word "I" ( ... I think Christopher Columbus...) I know YOU wrote this, I know it's your opinion.

Poll

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

• Yes

• Maybe

• No

Open Ended

Answer the Compelling Question in a topic sentence:

Do you think in the 2021 students should have school year round?