This document provides guidance on different types of topic sentences for writing paragraphs. It discusses power statements using number words to introduce a list. It also covers occasion/position statements using dependent and independent clauses. Additional types covered include however statements using conjunctive adverbs, and/but/or statements using coordinating conjunctions, and list statements parallelizing items. The goal is to help writers craft effective topic sentences that engage and guide readers.

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2. #1 Power (Number
Statements)
• A Power (Number) statement is a
sentence that contains a number
word. The number word is the focus
of the sentence. It tells your reader
that a list of information will follow.

3. • Helpful number words:
A couple of a number of
Numerous some
Various a myriad
Many four
Several two

4. • Examples
• Three cities have serious pollution
problems.
• In winter I enjoy watching several high
school sports.
• I enjoy four kinds of music.
• The parade was wonderful; two exciting
things happened.

5. Avoiding “There are”
• When writing power statements,
there are, these are or here are can
become a trap. Instead try starting
with a who, what, where, or when.

6. Topic = Friends
Who: Tamara and Eva are my two best friends.
What: The word friendship means two things.
Where: At school I have several good friends.
When: Last summer my best friend Sam traveled to
three unusual places.
Topic = School Lunches
What: Pizza is the most popular item at lunch for two
reasons.
Where: At Woodland Elementary, students have many
choices at lunchtime.

7. Topic=Immigration
research
• Scotland has a special place in my heart for
several reasons.
• Russia is interesting for three reasons.
• Korea is a wonderful country for a myriad of
reasons.
• Italy is a very special country for three reasons.
• Norway is a unique country for numerous reasons.
• Several features of Scotland have peeked my
interest.

8. #2 Occasion/Position
Statements
• An Occasion/Position statement is usually
a complex sentence.
• The Occasion:
– is the first part of the topic sentence
– Introduces your reason for writing
– Is the dependent clause
– Can be any event, problem, idea, solution, or
circumstance that gives you a reason to write.

9. Occasion/Position
Beginnings
After As soon as Even though So that Whenever
Although Because If Though Where
As Before In order that Unless Wherever
As if Even In order to Until Whether
As long as Even if Since When While

10. • The Position:
– Is the second part of the topic sentence
– States what you plan to prove or explain
in your paragraph
– Is the independent clause in the complex
sentence.

11. Examples
• Even though bike helmets are sometimes
unfashionable and uncomfortable, all cyclists
should wear them.
• If students use chemicals to do science
experiments, it is important that they learn the
proper way to dispose of them.
• When I want to relax, I listen to the music of
George Gershwin.
• Although baseball cards are just pieces of
cardboard with pictures on them, some of them are
worth a lot of money.

12. Coming to America
Examples
• Although Japan is located on the other side of the Pacific
Ocean, many Japanese people have crossed it to become
American citizens.
• Although I have never seen Italy, my ancestors were Italian.
• Unless pictures of my grandparents were shown, you would
never know that I am actually French.
• Since I have never seen Poland, I am fascinated by the
pictures.
• Since Italian food is my favorite food to eat, I am excited
to learn more about Italy from which my ancestors came.
• Even if I never understand the Finnish my family speaks, my
ancestors have passed on more than just their language.

13. Creating an Introductory
Paragraph
• Begin with a thesis statement or topic
sentence:
Although Charles Lindbergh was sometimes
called “Lucky Lindy,” no one would dare
refer to his 1927 flight across the
Atlantic as a feat of luck.

14. Introductory Paragraph
cont….
• Once you have a topic sentence add
a plan:
Although Charles Lindbergh was sometimes called “Lucky Lindy,”
no one would dare refer to his 1927 flight across the Atlantic as a
feat of luck.
His successful flight was clearly due
to extensive planning, talent as a
pilot, and raw courage.

15. Introductory Paragraph
formula
Topic sentence + Plan = Introduction

16. Introductory Paragraphs
examples
• There are many things I like to do in the summer.
Two are my favorite.
• There are three people in the world for me to
admire. In this paper I have listed the people I
admire and why I admire them.
• Although I have taken many wonderful vacations,
my trip with my two best friends to New York
City is one I’ll always remember. This was a
fantastic trip because of the sights we saw, the
people we met, and the laughs we shared.

17. Introductory Paragraph
Practice
• After I heard The Lion, The Witch
and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, I
recommended the book to my
friends. This book was great because
____________ and ____________.

18. #3 However Statements
• Create a compound sentence using however
in the middle of the sentence. Place a
semi-colon (;) before the word however
and a comma (,) after the word however.
• Usually the first part will be the occasion
(reason for writing); the second part will
state the position (what you plan or
explain).

19. Examples
• The new rules for the school cafeteria
seemed unfair to the students; however,
the rules have made the cafeteria a better
place to eat.
• My father is very strict; however, he has
good reasons for all of his rules
• Ants are very small creatures and may
seem insignificant; however, scientists
around the world study these insects.

20. Other conjunctive
adverbs to try
As a result in fact meanwhile
Otherwise consequently instead
therefore still next
Furthermore nevertheless likewise

21. Examples
• The new Little League coaches were not
happy with the old practice schedule;
instead, they presented a plan that gave
each team equal access to the practice
field
• The teacher was upset the number of late
assignments; consequently, late
assignments received a ten percent
reduction on the score.

22. #4 And, But, and Or
Statements
• Use a compound sentence with one of
the following conjunctions:
– but, or, yet,
– for, and, nor, so
Remember to use a comma before the
conjunction.

23. Examples
• Some people find it difficult to program a VCR,
but most will succeed if the just remember to
follow these guidelines.
• Reptiles are all alike because they have
backbones, breathe with lungs, and have scales,
yet reptiles come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
• Anne Frank, a Jewish girl, spent two years hiding
from the Nazis during World War II, and her
bravery and courage is retold in the book Anne
Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl.

24. Example
• Birthday parties are full fun
activities and they are time for many
surprises.
• Friends and family arrive with gifts
yet birthday parties need delicious
delectable treats.

25. #5 The List Statements
• A common method for writing a topic
sentence is to list the categories
that you will talk about in your paper.
• There are several types of lists you
can use.

26. • List of words:
– All college students need money,
encouragement, friends, and courage.
– The corner store offers the best in candy
selection, prices and service.
– When I set out to buy a new car, I looked
for a vehicle that was reliable, safe, and
economical.

27. • List of phrases:
– My grandparents prefer to vacation in
Mexico, in the Pacific Northwest, and in
the tropics.
– The Mattson’s love their new home but
are having trouble with the dishwasher
mounting and the front sidewalk.

28. • List of dependent (can’t stand on their
own) clauses:
– When I received my kitten, when I
graduated with a master’s degree and
when I got married, I realized life is
worth living.

29. • List of independent (can stand alone)
clauses:
– High school graduates can attend
community college, they can enroll in state
universities, or they can study at private
schools throughout the United States.
Do not mix words, phrases or clauses. If you
start with a phrase, all parts of the list
should be a phrases. If you start with a
noun, all parts of the list should be nouns.
This is known as keeping the list parallel.

30. #6 Get Their Attention
• A Declarative Statement uses a strong
verb (action word).
• Examples
– Children will love the new flavored cereals
– Aunt Susan’s foolproof holiday recipes saved
me and impressed my family.
– Fourth grade test scores at Woodland
Elementary soared.