In a topic sentence, the topic tells readers

what the paragraph is going to be about

what the facts are that support the writer's position

In a topic sentence, the controlling idea tells readers

what you want to say about your topic

what points you hope to make in your essay

what you want readers to believe or do

The topic sentence will have:

both a topic and a controlling idea

Pick out the thesis in the paragraph that follows: Van Gogh, Edgar Allen Poe, and Oscar Wilde were all great artists who died penniless. They are far from the only ones. In fact, to compile a list of all of the artists now considered classics who never made much money from their work would take ages. Given this, we should perhaps assume that the path to making great art requires you to be penniless. But this is a human flaw of romanticism triumphing over reasoning. Success in art requires the same as success in life - good business sense and luck. It's mere coincidence that many artists rarely have either.

Success in art requires the same as success in life - good business sense and luck.

In fact, to compile a list of all of the artists now considered classics who never made much money from their work would take ages.

But this is a human flaw of romanticism triumphing over reasoning.

Van Gogh, Edgar Allen Poe, and Oscar Wilde were all great artists who died penniless.

How does a thesis statement help the reader?

It informs the reader what to expect in the essay.

It shows the reader the author's writing ability.

It lets the reader know how long the essay will be.

It introduces a story to the reader.

Which of the following would NOT make a good thesis?

In internet idiom, a unicorn chaser is a light or funny video or image that helps soothe a displeasing experience.

Unicorns may be fictional creatures, but they still inspire many people.

Unicorn myths and dragon myths share a common history and symbolism.

Unicorns are vicious animals that must be destroyed.

I dentify the thesis in the paragraph that follows: There are many who believe that healthcare is a basic human right. I strongly disagree. Life, food, shelter, and the right to pursue happiness (whatever that means) may be human rights, but little else. But when we talk about whether this country should have universal healthcare for its citizens, we are not discussing basic human rights. No, access to universal healthcare is instead the moral obligation of any society that dares to call itself 'civilized.'

No, access to universal healthcare is instead the moral obligation of any society that dares to call itself 'civilized.'

There are many who believe that healthcare is a basic human right.

But when we talk about whether this country should have universal healthcare for its citizens, we are not discussing basic human rights.

Life, food, shelter, and the right to pursue happiness (whatever that means) may be human rights, but little else.

Which essays do not necessarily need a thesis, and why?

Narrative essays, because the stories make the point.

Expository essays, because they tend to be shorter essays.

Analytical essays, because issues are broken down into parts and therefore, doesn't require a unifying thesis.

Argumentative essays, because the writer's position becomes clear through the arguments.

You can make use of ideas that you generated during prewriting/brainstorming _____.

to draft the because clause in your thesis statement

to write your concluding paragraph

to decide how to order your body paragraphs

to interpret the writing prompt

Why is a thesis statement the most important component of an essay?

It tells the main point of the essay as well as the writer's position.

It introduces the topic to be covered in the essay.

It effectively explains both sides of a particular issue.

It summarizes the issues raised in the essay.

What is a similarity between an overly detailed thesis statement and a vague thesis statement?

In both cases, the thesis statement would make it more difficult for the reader to follow your arguments.

There is no similarity, they are two completely different types of thesis statements.

In both cases, you will need more than the required one sentence.

In both cases, it will make constructing your arguments more difficult.

A should ... because format for thesis statements in persuasive essays _____.

allows you to state your position clearly as well as your reasoning for that position

allows you to explore both sides of a given topic

allows you to place your thesis statement later in your essay without causing confusion

allows you to reach a conclusion on your position

How does a well written thesis statement help the reader?

It introduces the points to be made in the essay.

It articulates both sides of the issue being discussed.

It helps to introduce the sources to be used in the essay.

It succinctly summarizes the points made in the essay.

Thesis or Topic

Authored by Margaret Anderson

English

9th - 10th Grade

CCSS covered

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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

Choose an alternative topic sentence for this paragraph (the topic sentence in bolded):

Fixing cars with Dad is awesome! He lets me pass him tools and clean car parts. When we are finished, I help tidy up the workshop. We make sure to wash our hands real good before dinner.

We wash our hands before dinner.

I like passing tools to Dad.

Helping my Dad fix cars is one of my favorite things to do

I get to clean up after Dad

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

Identify the best topic sentence for the following paragraph:

I love that family members we haven't seen for ages come over to stay. In the morning, we sit and discuss what we are thankful for. We all help prepare the family meal. Then our family and people from our community sit and have a big dinner together. I love Thanksgiving with my family.

We all help prepare the family meal.

Then our family and people from our community sit and have a big dinner together.

In the morning, we sit and discuss what we are thankful for. We all help prepare the family meal.

I love Thanksgiving with my family

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

What is the purpose of a topic sentence?

To tell the reader the general theme.

To tell the reader the topic and the main idea.

To confuse the reader about the topic of the sentence.

To conclude an argument.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

A paragraph is made up of a topic sentence and _____

topic statements

other ideas

main ideas

supporting statements

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

Where can topic sentences be found in paragraphs?

At the very beginning

At the end

In the middle

All options are correct.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

The topic sentence is:

the details that make complicated ideas easier to understand

the purpose of the essay

the main idea of the paragraph

none of the answer choices

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

If your topic sentence is: 'Students get sick frequently because of stress and other pressures of academic life,' your topic is _ and your controlling idea is _.

because of stress and other pressures of academic life; students get sick frequently

none of the answer choices

students get sick frequently; because of stress and other pressures of academic life

either option; they're both part of your topic sentence

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

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Thesis or Topic

Choose an alternative topic sentence for this paragraph (the topic sentence in bolded): Fixing cars with Dad is awesome! He lets me pass him tools and clean car parts. When we are finished, I help tidy up the workshop. We make sure to wash our hands real good before dinner.

What is the purpose of a topic sentence?

A paragraph is made up of a topic sentence and _____

Where can topic sentences be found in paragraphs?

The topic sentence is:

If your topic sentence is: 'Students get sick frequently because of stress and other pressures of academic life,' your topic is _______ and your controlling idea is _______.

In a topic sentence, the topic tells readers

In a topic sentence, the controlling idea tells readers

The topic sentence will have:

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Popular Resources on Wayground

Discover more resources for English

Choose an alternative topic sentence for this paragraph (the topic sentence in bolded):

Fixing cars with Dad is awesome! He lets me pass him tools and clean car parts. When we are finished, I help tidy up the workshop. We make sure to wash our hands real good before dinner.

If your topic sentence is: 'Students get sick frequently because of stress and other pressures of academic life,' your topic is _ and your controlling idea is _.