This document discusses topic sentences and paragraphs. It defines a topic sentence as the most important sentence that states the subject of the paragraph. A good topic sentence introduces the topic, asserts a point of view, and intrigues the reader. The document encourages students to identify topic sentences, write their own, and use synonyms to improve topics sentences and make writing more interesting.

1. Topic Sentence and
Powerful Vocabulary in
Paragraphs

2. Learning Intention
 Examine a paragraph to
identify a topic sentence
 Develop an understanding of
what a topic sentence is
 Improve topic sentence
through the use of synonyms
Success Criteria
 I can identify a topic
sentence
 I can write a topic sentence
 I can choose appropriate
synonyms to improve my
writing

3. Key Vocabulary:
• structure
• paragraph
• topic
• details
• idea

4. Brainstorm:
What is a
paragraph?
What is the topic
sentence of a
paragraph?

5. What is a paragraph?
 A paragraph is a group of sentences that convey an
idea.

6. What is a topic sentence
 The most important sentence in your paragraph is the
topic sentence, which clearly states the subject of the
whole paragraph.
 The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of the
paragraph because it gives an overview of the
sentences to follow.

7. The Topic Sentence
Read the handout:
 Which is the topic sentence?
 How can you tell?
 What is the main idea of the paragraph?

8. A good topic sentence:
 informs the reader of the subject that will be discussed
in the paragraph
 asserts the writer’s point of view or attitude,
 intrigues the reader to continue reading,
 creates a sense of action, and
 is not vague, rambling, too narrow or too broad.

9. Your Task
 Using your planner to guide you, create a topic
sentence for the introduction of your autobiography.

10. Synonyms
• Who would like to volunteer
their topic sentence for
everyone to learn from?
Now we are going to:
• Underline interesting words
• Circle words we may be able
to make more interesting
• Now, let’s rewrite the
sentence with the new words
included

11. Your turn …
Now do the same for your topic
sentence
• Underline interesting words
• Circle words you may be able to
make more interesting
• Now, rewrite the sentence with
the new words included

12.  In one sentence, tell me
what you now know about
topic sentences
 In another sentence,
explain how you can
make your writing more
interesting
 What other learning
actions did you use
today?