Topic Sentences

EXPOSITORY WRITING

In the last unit, you learned about narrative writing, which can be based on true incidents or made-up stories. Another form of writing is exposition, or expository writing.

Expository writing is writing that aims to inform its reader. It explains, defines, clarifies, or gives information about a topic.

What is Expository Writing?

Topic Sentences

• ​A topic sentence states the main ideas of a paragraph.

• It is the main point of, or introduction to, your paragraph.

Commentary is the writer's statements about the meaning and importance of the details and examples.

Commentary

Multiple Choice

Choose which of the two options is a better topic sentence

• The French Quarter in New Orleans has a quaint European charm.

• New Orleans is an interesting place to visit.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana. We drove there in two days. I didn't think it would be very interesting, but I was wrong. We saw the Mississippi River, rode a horse carriage in the French Quarter, and visited a cemetery where everyone was buried above the ground. I liked the food best, especially the New Orleans doughnuts called beignets.

• I didn't think it would be very interesting, but I was wrong.

• We drove there in two days.

• The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana.

• I liked the food best, especially the New Orleans doughnuts called beignets.

Multiple Choice

First, I made flyers describing my service and prices. Mom and I delivered them to all the houses in our neighborhood. A few days later my neighbors dog was my first customer. The owner thought I did such a nice job that he told all his friends. I've been in business almost a year and I'm so busy. Every Saturday I have about seven dog washing appointments. I hope to save enough money to buy a pet store some day.

What would be a good topic sentence for this paragraph?

• My own business

• Last summer I started my dog washing business.

• Mom helped me with my business.

• I have lots of dogs to wash on Saturday.

Multiple Choice

Select the best topic sentence for the paragraph.

Johnny has to spend twice as long on his math homework. Sometime he gets the numbers mixed up, and he can't remember the formulas. He has to study and practice a lot to get good grades in math.

• Johnny has a difficult time in school

• Math is Johnny's most difficult class

• Reading is Johnny's favorite subject

• Math is the worst subject ever