Topic Sentences

The topic sentence is the ____________ sentence of a paragraph.

• first

• second

• third

• last

Which question would be most helpful when writing a topic sentence?

• What is the most interesting detail about this topic?

• How do I want this paragraph to end?

• What is the main thing I want to say about the topic?

• How does this sentence give evidence to support the main idea?

What does the topic sentence of a paragraph tell you?

• How many sentences the paragraph has

• A supporting detail about the topic

• The main idea of a paragraph

• A summary of the supporting details

Which of these is most likely a topic sentence?

• Out of all the pizza toppings, pepperoni is the best.

• First, pepperoni is salty, crispy, and chewy.

• I usually order pepperoni on my pizza, today I got olives.

• In conclusion, pepperoni is a perfect pizza topping.

The supporting details of a paragraph include "We have lots of energy in the morning," and "Breakfast foods --like eggs, pancakes, and granola ---are delicious."

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

• It is hard to wake up in the morning.

• Evenings are more fun than mornings.

• Morning is the best time of day.

• I wake up at 7:30am everyday.

The supporting details of a paragraph include "Fossilized footprints help us understand an animal's size and weight," and "Fossilized teeth can give us hints about an animal's diet."

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

• Fossils help us learn more about animals and plants that lived on Earth many years ago.

• You can find fossils at natural history museums, like the one in New York City.

• Paleontologists are scientists who study fossils.

• When a species is extinct, it no longer exists on Earth.

Many cultures have their own versions of the same or similar fairy tales. For example, there are Cinderella stories from all over the world! They aren’t exactly the same, though. For instance, the fairy tale “How the Raja’s Son Won the Princess Labam” is from India. “Raja” is a title for king in India. In a Scottish version, the main character is named Rushen Coatie. Even though the details and words might be different, the basic story is similar.

What is the main idea of the passage?

• In Scotland, Cinderella is called Rushen Coatie.

• Cultures all around the world tell similar fairy tales.

• “Raja” is a title for king in India.

• There is only one version of the Cinderella story that people tell.

Choose the best topic sentence for the paragraph.

For example, a person can have breakfast in New York, board an airplane, and have dinner in Paris. A businesswoman in London can instantly place an order with a factory in Hong Kong by sending a fax. Furthermore, a schoolboy in Tokyo can turn on a TV and watch a baseball game being played in Los Angeles.

• Airplanes have changed our lives.

• Advances in technology have made the world seem smaller.

• The fax machine was an important invention.

• Global lifestyles are evolving.

Choose the best topic sentence for each paragraph.

I usually go skiing every weekend in the winter even though it is expensive. I love the feeling of flying down a mountain. The views are beautiful from the top of a mountain and along the trails. Even the danger of falling and getting hurt can’t keep me away from the slopes on a winter day.

• Skiing is expensive.

• Skiing is my favorite winter sport.

• Skiing is dangerous and potentially deadly.

• There are incredible views on the skiing trail.

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

The rides at the fair are awesome! Everyone can find something they enjoy doing. Many people gather to watch the bull riding. Others like to watch the dogs herding the sheep. Everyone comes for the food and dessert. The county fair is a great place for entertainment and fun.

• The rides at the fair are awesome!

• Everyone can find something they enjoy doing.

• Everyone comes for the food and dessert.

• The county fair is a great place for entertainment and fun.