Building a Body Paragraph: Topic Sentences

Building a Body Paragraph

Multiple Choice

What is a paragraph?

• a group of words, usually containing a verb, that expresses a thought and starts with a capital letter when written

• a group of words that is part of, rather than the whole of, a sentence

• a distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme and indicated by a new line, or indentation

• a short piece of writing on a particular subject, often expressing personal views

A Paragraph should be...

• ​Unified - related to a single, controlling idea (topic sentence)

• ​Clear - the sentences should refer to the topic sentence

• ​Coherent - sentences should be arranged in a logical order

• ​Well-developed - discuss the idea by having relevant, supporting ideas

Multiple Choice

What does it mean to be coherent?

• related to one idea

• flowing logically

• having relevant details

Open Ended

What does it mean when something is unified?

How to Write a Basic Paragraph

1. ​Beginning: Introduce what you will be talking about with a topic sentence.

2. Middle: Explain your idea and elaborate with reasons and examples.

3. End​: Conclude with a sentence that restates the topic and helps to transition to the next paragraph.

Beginning: Topic Sentence

​The most important sentence in a paragraph.

• Focus sentence

• ​Organizes the paragraph

• States what the paragraph is going to be about

• Every body paragraph MUST start with a topic sentence​

• It is a general statement and does not show detailed information.​

Multiple Choice

Every body pargaraph MUST start with a topic sentence.

• True

• False

The direction the paragraph will take

Tells how you will explain​ the topic

​Controlling Idea

​Topic

Topic Sentence

​Tells what the paragraph is going to be about

Open Ended

The structure of a topic sentence includes what two things?

​Sample Topic Sentence

There are many reasons why pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world.

Topic: pollution in ABC town is the worst in the world

Controlling Idea: many reasons

​Sample Topic Sentence

To be an effective CEO requires certain characteristics.

Topic: To be an effective CEO

Controlling Idea: certain characteristics

Multiple Choice

What is the topic in the following setence:

There are many possible contributing factors to global warming.

• global warming

• contributing factors

Multiple Choice

What is the controlling idea in the following setence:

There are many possible contributing factors to global warming.

• global warming

• contributing factors

Multiple Choice

What is the topic in the following setence:

Fortune hunters encounter many difficulties when exploring a shipwreck.

• exploring a shipwreck

• many difficulties

Multiple Choice

What is the controlling idea in the following setence:

Fortune hunters encounter many difficulties when exploring a shipwreck.

• exploring a shipwreck

• many difficulties

Topic Sentence Examples

​Living in a big city has advantages such as good public transportation and access to a variety of entertainment.

​

​Values of the Iroquois include sharing labour, maintaining a duty to their family, clan and nation, and being thankful to nature.

Topic Sentence Examples

​As the plot of the story progresses, the author paints a clear picture of the conflicted dynamics in a mother-daughter relationship.

Open Ended

What is the topic in the following sentence:

As the plot of the story progresses, the author paints a clear picture of the conflicted dynamics in a mother-daughter relationship.

Open Ended

What is the controlling idea in the following sentence:

As the plot of the story progresses, the author paints a clear picture of the conflicted dynamics in a mother-daughter relationship.

Multiple Choice

Which topic sentence would best fit on a paragraph that summarizes an article about dogs being the best pets?

• When dogs play with humans they become the best pets in the world says the article "Dogs are the Best Pets."

• The article "Dogs are the Best Pets" explains many reasons why dogs are the best pets a human could have.

• Dogs are the best pets in the world because they like to play every day and you can take them for a walk states the article "Dogs are the Best Pets".

• After reading the article "Dogs are the Best Pets" I think dogs are the best pets for many reasons.

Multiple Choice

Which of the topic sentences bellow is the best for an article summary about Hamburgers being the best American food?

• Hamburgers are one of the best American food because there are many combinations and different ingredients that people can choose from such as tomatoes and lettuce, this and more was discussed on the article "Why Hamburgers are the Best American Food."

• The article "Why Hamburgers are the Best American Food" explains that hamburgers are the best American food because over 50 billion are sold yearly in the US.

• "50% of the people think that hamburgers are the best American food" states the article "Why Hamburgers are the Best American Food" in paragraph 5 line 4.

• The article "Why Hamburgers are the Best American Food" states many points that explain why Hamburgers are the best food in America.

​Transitioning from a previous paragraph

​A topic sentence can:

• Introduce the paragraph

• Transition from the previous paragraph

​

Topic sentences as transitions help the essay feel smoother and more cohesive to the reader.

​Examples of Transition Topic Sentences

​In addition to needing the correct tools, cooking requires a number of different skills.

​

​While purchasing real estate can be a good investment, it is im​portant to be ready before buying a house.

Topic Sentence Examples

​Though the events of the story do a lot to demonstrate the relationship between Waverly and her mother, the interactions between the characters are instrumental in understanding the mother's true influence.

Match

Though the events of the story do a lot to demonstrate the relationship between Waverly and her mother, the interactions between the characters are instrumental in understanding the mother's true influence.

• Topic of Previous Paragraph

• Paragraph Topic

• Controlling Idea

events of the story

the mother's true influence

interactions

• events of the story

• the mother's true influence

• interactions

Multiple Choice

Which is the better topic sentence that helps to transition from the previous paragraph?

• I explained in the previous paragraph one value of the Iroquois, and in this paragraph, I will explain another value.

• While the Iroquois people value sharing labour, they also value being thankful to nature.

Poll

I understand every body paragraph MUST start with a topic sentence that introduces the topic of the paragraph. It is a general statement and does not show details.

• Yes

• No

Poll

I feel more confident about topic sentences.

• Yes

• No

• A little

• I'd like more practice