The document discusses the key characteristics of a strong topic sentence for a paragraph. An effective topic sentence should [1] express the main idea, [2] state a definite opinion or attitude, and [3] give the reader a clear understanding of what the paragraph is about. It should be a complete sentence that introduces both the topic and controlling idea for the paragraph.

2.  Expresses the main idea of the paragraph
 Usually states a definite opinion or attitude
 Gives the reader a clear understanding what
paragraph is
 Often found in the 1st sentence or near the beginning
of a paragraph. However, it can be sometime found at
the end of paragraph or somewhere within the
paragraph.

3.  it is complete sentence; that is, it contains a subject,
a verb and (usually) a complement.
The following are not complete sentences.
3. Driving on freeways
4. The importance of gold
5. How to register for college classes

4.  It contains both a 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.
3. Driving on freeways requires skill and alertness.
4. Gold is prized for two important characteristics.
5. Registering for college classes can be a frustating
experience for new students.

5. (topic)
 Gold, a precious metal, is prized for
two important characteristics.
(controlling idea)
 The weather in March was unpredictable.
 Freddy is very shy.
 Hurricanes, which are also called cyclones, exert
tremendous power.

6.  It gives only the main idea; therefore, it is most
general statement in the paragraph. It does not give
any specific details.
This is an example of a general statement that could serve
as a topic sentence.
 The Arabic origin of many English words is not always
obvious
This sentence is too specific to serve as a topic sent.
 The slang expression “so long” (meaning goodbye) is
probably a corruption of the Arabic “salaam.”

7.  Hurricanes, which are also called cyclones, exert
tremendous power. These violent storms are often a
hundred miles in diameter and their winds can
reach velocities of seventy-five miles per hour or
more. Furthermore, the strong winds and heavy
rainfall that accompany them can completely
destroy a small town in a couple of hours. The
energy, that is released by a hurricane in one day
exceeds the total energy consumed by human kind
throughout the world in one year. *speeds

8. Albert Einstein, one of the world’s geniuses, failed
his university entrance examinations on his first
attempt. William Faulkner, one of America’s noted
writers, never finished college because he could not
pass his English courses. Sir Winston Churchill,
who is considered one of the masters of the English
language, had to have special tutoring in english
during elementary school. These few examples show
that failure in school does not always predict
failure in life.

9.  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.” however,
to call a person stingy is an insult, while the word
frugal has a much more positive connotation.
Similarly, a person wants to be slender but not
skinny, and aggressive, but not pushy. Therefore,
you should be careful in choosing words because
many so-called synonyms are not really
synonymous at all. *implied meaning

10. Some suggestions for writing strong
topic sentence
 A good topic sentence usually states an
opinion or attitude that can be supported
by details and examples.
TS : The weather is miserable today
Support : 105 degree temperature
high humidity
no breeze
bad pollution

11.  A good TS is specific enough to be clear and
interesting
Good TS : Harjum enjoys being in politics.
Weak TS : Harjum works in politics.
Good TS : S college is having financial
problem.
Weak TS : A college in town is having some
problems.

12.  A good TS gives a definite direction to a paragraph.
Weak TS : The students council met for the
first time Monday (no direction).
Better TS : The first student council meeting on
Monday was interesting (direction given describing
the “interesting” meeting).

13. To make a good paragraph consists of three
Important parts:
 A topic sentence
 Supporting sentences
 A concluding sentence
t Two additional elements in a good paragraph :
unity and coherence

14.  make possible topic sentences and develop them into
one paragraph from these topic. Choose one of them:
2. My Favorite food
3. Traveling
4. Growing older
5. My idol
*Believe to yourself*