Writing Topic and Concluding Sentences

What is a topic sentence?

• It is the ending of a paragraph.

• It is a complete sentence that expresses the main idea of a paragraph and it is mostly found at the beginning.

• It is not important.

What do you call the last sentence in a paragraph that summarizes your ideas?

• topic sentence

• supporting detail sentence

• transition sentence

• closing sentence

What is the topic sentence in the following paragraph?

My family went to the supermarket together. Mom let us sample a free cookie. It was delicious. Then we were able to choose our own lunch snacks. I chose Goldfish. When checking out, my dad gave us each a quarter for the bubble gum machine. It was fun going to the supermarket.

• I chose a goldfish.

• It was delicious.

• My family went to the supermarket together.

• It was fun going to the supermarket.

What is the topic sentence in the following paragraph?

I think recycling is very important. It saves trees from being cut down. We need trees for oxygen. It also produces less trash which helps the landfills from being over filled. Recycling will also prevent pollution. Maybe people won’t get as sick with less pollution. Don’t forget to recycle and save the earth!

• It saves trees from being cut down.

• We need trees for oxygen.

• I think recycling is very important.

• Don’t forget to recycle and save the earth!

What is the topic sentence in the following paragraph?

Going to camp was the best part of my summer. I learned how to paddle in a canoe. It was fun! We stayed in cabins with other kids my age. They were so funny. My favorite part was the camp fires at night and singing songs. I can’t wait to go back again next year.

• I can't wait to go back again next year.

• It was fun!

• They were so funny.

• Going to camp was the best part of my summer.

Choose the best topic sentence for a paragraph about dogs as pets.

• Dogs are excellent pets and companions.

• Dogs and cats are enemies.

• I love dogs.

• I have two dogs at home.

What is the closing sentence in the following paragraph?

I think recycling is very important. It saves trees from being cut down. We need trees for oxygen. It also produces less trash which helps the landfills from being over filled. Recycling will also prevent pollution. Maybe people won’t get as sick with less pollution.Don’t forget to recycle and save the earth!

• It saves trees from being cut down.

• We need trees for oxygen.

• I think recycling is very important.

• Don’t forget to recycle and save the earth!

What is the closing sentence in the following paragraph?

My family went to the supermarket together. Mom let us sample a free cookie. It was delicious. Then we were able to choose our own lunch snacks. I chose Goldfish. When checking out, my dad gave us each a quarter for the bubble gum machine. It was fun going to the supermarket.

• I chose a goldfish.

• It was delicious.

• My family went to the supermarket together.

• It was fun going to the supermarket.

Which sentence in the paragraph is not related to the topic sentence?

My favorite food is pizza. I like pepperoni and banana peppers on it. I love the crunchy crust and the melted cheese. My sister doesn’t like chicken. I even eat my pizza cold the next morning. Sometimes I dip it in ranch dressing. Yum!

• My favorite food is pizza.

• I even eat my pizza cold the next morning.

• My sister doesn't like chicken.

• Sometimes I dip it in ranch dressing.

Which sentence in the paragraph is not related to the topic sentence?

Baseball has many rules to follow. The batter gets three strikes before they are out. There are three outs in an inning. If the batter hits a fly ball and the fielder catches it, other runners may run after the ball is caught. If the batter hits the ball outside the lines for the field, it is called a foul ball and counted as a strike. Football is a great sport.

• Football is great sport.

• There are three outs in an inning.

• The batter gets three strikes before they are out.

• If the batter hits a fly ball and the fielder catches it, other runners may run after the ball is caught.