Be sure to choose a manageable topic—one that is neither too general nor too specific.

Make sure your topic sentence is a complete thought. Be sure your topic sentence is not a fragment or run-on sentence.

Place your topic sentence first in the paragraph. For now, it will be easiest for you to put yours at the beginning.

Avoid announcing your topic. Sentences that sound like announcements are usually unnecessary.

Your topic sentence should state the main point of your paragraph. It should identify your topic and express a view toward it.

Evaluate the following topic sentence as effective, announcement, too specific, too general, not complete thought.

This paper will discuss the life and politics of Simón Bolívar.

Evaluate the following topic sentence as effective, announcement, too specific, too general, not complete thought.

Japanese culture is fascinating to study because its family traditions are so different from American traditions.

Evaluate the following topic sentence as effective, announcement, too specific, too general, not complete thought.

The admission test for the police academy includes vocabulary questions.

Evaluate the following topic sentence as effective, announcement, too specific, too general, not complete thought.

The discovery of penicillin was a great step in the advancement of modern medicine.

Evaluate the following topic sentence as effective, announcement, too specific, too general, not complete thought.

I will talk about the reasons for the popularity of reality television shows.

Evaluate the following topic sentence as effective, announcement, too specific, too general, not complete thought.

A habit leading to weight gain.

Evaluate the following topic sentence as effective, announcement, too specific, too general, not complete thought.

Each year Americans are the victims of more than 1 million auto thefts.

Evaluate the following topic sentence as effective, announcement, too specific, too general, not complete thought.

The White House has many famous rooms and an exciting history.

Evaluate the following topic sentence as effective, announcement, too specific, too general, not complete thought.

There are three factors to consider when buying a flat-screen TV.