Creating 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