Topic Sentences and Body Paragraphs

By Julianne Miles

Thesis Statements/Intros

Multiple Choice

What should the topic sentence of your body paragraphs convey to the reader?

• A summary of the paragraph.

• The main idea of the paragraph

• Every reason why the reader should read the essay.

• There doesn't always need to be a topic sentence.

​Poor or Good Topic Sentence?

​

Multiple Choice

Poor or Good Topic Sentence?

The traffic light is a great invention.

• Poor!

• Good!

Poor or Good Topic Sentence?​

The traffic light is one of society's ​most efficient inventions because it helps manage traffic and conserve fuel.

Multiple Choice

Poor or Good Topic Sentence?

The traffic light is a great invention.

• Poor!

• Good!

Poor or Good Topic Sentence?​

Multiple Choice

Poor or Good Topic Sentence?

In this paragraph, I am going to discuss the reasons why the traffic light is a good invention.

• Poor!

• Good!

Multiple Select

What is missing from the example? Select all that apply.

There are lots of traffic lights everywhere.

• Facts and information

• Relation to the main point

• Support for the topic sentence.

Multiple Select

What is missing from the example? Select all that apply.

In fact, the traffic light helps save lives.

• Facts and information

• Relation to the main point

• Support for the topic sentence.

Multiple Select

Why is this a poor explanation? Select all that apply.

This proves that traffic lights conserve fuel.

• Not related to the paper.

• Does not help make your point or prove your argument.

• Only restates conventional wisdom.

• Doesn't add any significant value to the paper.

Multiple Select

Why is this a poor explanation? Select all that apply.

Why aren't all traffic lights synched?

• Not related to the paper.

• Does not help make your point or prove your argument.

• Only restates conventional wisdom.

• Doesn't add any significant value to the paper.

Multiple Select

Why is this a poor transition? Select all that apply.

Traffic lights also save lives.

• Restates the next body paragraphs' topic sentence.

• Provides the audience with too much or repeated information.