The document discusses topic sentences and their role and structure in paragraphs. A topic sentence is the most important sentence that clearly states the main idea or topic that will be discussed in the paragraph. It contains a topic and controlling idea to limit the scope. A good topic sentence is specific enough to guide the paragraph but not so specific that there is nothing left to discuss. It should be the first sentence of a paragraph but can sometimes come at the end. A topic sentence has two essential parts - a topic and controlling idea to focus the discussion.

1. By: Mr.Chomrong
THE TOPIC SENTENCE

2. THE WRITING PROCESS

3. THE WRITING PROCESS

4.  Every good paragraph has a topic sentence,
which clearly states the topic and the
controlling idea.
 A topic sentence is the most important
sentence in a paragraph.
 It briefly indicates what the paragraph is going
to discuss.
WHAT IS THE TOPIC SENTENCE?

5. Paragraph structure
Topic sentence
Supporting sentences
Concluding sentence

6. 1. A topic sentence is a complete sentence; it
contains at least one subject and one verb.
The following are not complete sentences
because they don’t have verbs:
-Driving on freeways.
-How to register for college classes.
-The rise of indie films.
POINTS TO REMEMBER

7. 2. A topic sentence contains both topic and a
controlling idea. It names the topic and then
limits the topic to a specific area to be discussed
in the space of a single paragraph.
- Driving on freeways requires skill and alertness.
POINTS TO REMEMBER

8. 3. A topic sentence is the most general statement
in the paragraph because it gives only the main
idea.
-It doesn’t give any specific details.
-A topic sentence is like the name of a particular
course on a restaurant menu because when you
order food in a restaurant, you want to know
more about a particular course than just “meat”
or “soup” or “salad”.
POINTS TO REMEMBER

9. The topic sentence is usually (but not always) the first
sentence in a paragraph.
Example: (the beginning)
Synonyms
Synonyms, words that have the same basic
meaning, do not always have the same emotional
meaning. For example, the words stingy and frugal
both mean “careful with money”. …..etc.
POSITION OF TOPIC SENTENCES

10. The topic sentence is usually (but not always) the first sentence in
a paragraph.
Example: (the end)
Medical Miracles to come
By the year 2009, a vaccine against the common cold will
have been developed. ………………………….. These are just
a few examples of the medical miracles that are expected in
the next few decades.
POSITION OF TOPIC SENTENCES

11. A good topic sentence has the following features:
 It controls or guides the whole paragraph:
When you read the topic sentence, you know
what to expect in the paragraph.
A good topic sentence is not a general fact
that everyone accepts as true.
Example: “Libraries have books.” This is not a
good topic sentence.
FEATURES OF A GOOD TOPIC
SENTENCE

12. A good topic sentence is specific.
Example: “Tea is delicious.” This is also not a
good topic sentence because the information in
the sentence is too general. But:
Example: “Green tea has many health benefits.”
This topic sentence becomes more specific.
FEATURES OF A GOOD TOPIC
SENTENCE

13.  However, a good topic sentence is not too
specific.
Example:
“This monolingual dictionary contains
more than 42,000 words”
(Limit this topic too much, so there is
nothing else for the writer to say.
FEATURES OF A GOOD TOPIC
SENTENCE

14.  A good topic sentence has controlling
ideas: Words or phrases that help guide the
flow of ideas in the paragraph.
Example:
“Soccer is popular for many reasons.”
“French perfumes are expensive for a
number of reasons.”
FEATURES OF A GOOD TOPIC
SENTENCE

15. A topic sentence has two essential parts:
- A topic
- A controlling idea
 The topic names the subject of the paragraph.
 The controlling idea limits or controls the
topic to a specific area that you can discuss in
the space of a single paragraph.
THE TWO PARTS OF A TOPIC
SENTENCE

16. Topic sentences
Examples of:
Topic + controlling idea
• Pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world.
• Dogs can help you to live longer.
• Teen pregnancy may be prevented by improved
education.
• It is important to be ready before buying a house
• Swimming is the most effective and most injury-
free aerobic exercise you can do.