Understanding Topic Sentences and Paragraphs

What is a topic sentence?

• A sentence that tells the main idea of the paragraph

• A sentence that gives a lot of details

• A question for the reader to answer

• A sentence that is always at the end

What is the job of a topic sentence?

• To make the reader laugh

• To explain the main idea of the paragraph

• To add extra information

• To describe a picture

Which is the best example of a topic sentence?

• "I had so much fun playing basketball yesterday!"

• "Playing basketball is a great way to stay healthy and have fun."

• "Basketball is played with a ball and a hoop."

• "My favorite basketball team is the Lakers."

Where is the topic sentence usually found?

• At the end of the paragraph

• In the middle of the paragraph

• At the beginning of the paragraph

• It can be anywhere

A good topic sentence is:

• Long and confusing

• Short and clear

• A question for the reader

• A sentence full of details

What are supporting details?

• Extra sentences that don’t fit the paragraph

• Sentences that give examples or facts about the main idea

• Sentences that start a new topic

• Sentences that are always at the end

Which sentence could be a supporting detail for the topic sentence "Cats are great pets"?

• "They are very independent and clean."

• "Dogs are also fun to have as pets."

• "My neighbor has a bird that can talk."

• "Fish are very easy to take care of."

Why do we need supporting details in a paragraph?

• To confuse the reader

• To make the paragraph interesting and explain the main idea

• To write as much as possible

• To start a new paragraph

What sentence does NOT belong in the paragraph about dogs?

• "Dogs love to play fetch."

• "They are loyal and can be trained easily."

• "My favorite food is pizza."

• "Some dogs can even help people with disabilities."

Supporting details can include:

• Examples

• Facts

• Descriptions

• All of the above