Topic Sentences, Main Ideas, and Paragraph Structure: "To Shift or Not To Shift"

What is the title of the paragraph?

• To Shift or Not to Shift

• Example Paragraph 14

• Manual Transmission Cars

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• to talk about the different kinds of manual transmissions

• to explain what a manual transmission is

• to tell why a manual transmission is better than an automatic transmission

• to describe how a manual transmission interacts with the brakes in the vehicle

Which sentence is the topic sentence in this paragraph?

• First of all, a car with a manual transmission uses less gas than a car with an automatic transmission.

• There are many benefits to driving a car with an automatic transmission.

• While automatic cars are more convenient, manual transmission cars certainly offer many more advantages.

• There are many benefits to driving a car with a manual transmission.

Which sentence(s) is/are supporting points? (More than one answer may be correct!)

• First of all, a car with a manual transmission uses less gas than a car with an automatic transmission.

• In addition to better gas mileage, a manual transmission allows the driver to start a car that has a low battery.

• Finally, people with manual transmissions say that they have much more control of their cars.

• None of these are supporting points

• All of these are supporting points

Which sentence(s) is/are the detail(s) for this supporting point: "In addition to better gas mileage, a manual transmission allows the driver to start a car that has a low battery."

• For example, if the brakes suddenly stop working on this type of car, the driver can shift to a lower gear to slow the car down.

• With a foot on the clutch, the driver just needs to put the car in second gear and have someone push the car until it gains enough speed. Then, the driver releases the clutch quickly, and the car should start.

• A typical economy car can get up to 35 miles per gallon, but an automatic car averages 28.

• In contrast, people who drive automatic transmission cars have to depend on the automatic system. If something malfunctions, drivers have no control of their vehicles.

Which sentence is the concluding sentence in this paragraph?

• First of all, a car with a manual transmission uses less gas than a car with an automatic transmission.

• There are many benefits to driving a car with an automatic transmission.

• While automatic cars are more convenient, manual transmission cars certainly offer many more advantages.

• There are many benefits to driving a car with a manual transmission.

Does this paragraph have unity?

• Yes, all of the sentences are connected. They talk about the same topic, and offer new information for each supporting point.

• No, there is not unity. Some sentences do not connect to the topic and main idea of this paragraph.

EXTRA PRACTICE: Choose the sentence that is the best topic sentence.

• Most of the girls in the class get higher grades in English than the boys.

• Research has shown that girls are better at languages than boys.

• Many students like learning languages very much.

EXTRA PRACTICE: Choose the sentence that is the best topic sentence.

• Cats and goldfish are both animals.

• Cats cannot swim very well, but goldfish can.

• Cats are better pets than goldfish for many reasons.

EXTRA PRACTICE: Choose the sentence that is the best topic sentence.

• Yesterday was the worst day of my life.

• Yesterday I went to work late.

• Yesterday I did not have lunch with my coworkers.