The document discusses topic sentences and body paragraphs. It defines topic sentences as sentences that introduce the subject of a paragraph and convey its organization and content. Effective topic sentences unify the paragraph and support the thesis statement. Topic sentences should be placed at the beginning of the paragraph, though sometimes a transitional sentence may precede it. Topic sentences act as "mini-theses" and contain a topic and controlling idea. Using clear topic sentences allows writers to stay focused and helps readers understand the paragraph.

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Topic Sentences &
Body Paragraphs

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Purposes of a Topic Sentence:
1. To substantiate or support an essay’s thesis statement
2. To unify the content of a paragraph and establish a general
sense of organization
3. To present to the audience the subject to be discussed and
how the paragraph will treat that subject
4. Readers generally look to the first few sentences in a
paragraph to determine the subject and the writer’s
perspective. Therefore, it is usually best to place the topic
sentence at the very beginning of the paragraph. In some
cases, however, it may be more effective to place another
sentence before the topic sentence—for example, a sentence
linking the current paragraph to the previous one, or a
sentence providing critical background information .

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Topic Sentences
If a thesis is a road map to a paper, then a topic
sentence is a guide to a paragraph. Therefore, you
should think of topic sentences as kinds of mini-
theses, organizing and enabling the development
of each paragraph in a paper. The topic sentence
of a paragraph should convey that paragraph’s
content and organization. It gives a preview of
the paragraph’s subject and the treatment of that
main idea (your view of the subject). Therefore,
use specific language in your topic sentences and
avoid making broad, sweeping generalizations.
Each paragraph should have its own topic
sentence and should focus on only one main idea
or point, which is referred to as paragraph unity.
When your writing shifts to a new idea, you need
to begin a new paragraph and write a new topic
sentence.

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Topic statements should contain:
1. A topic and
2. a controlling idea

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Examples:
People can avoid burglaries by taking
certain precautions.
Air pollution in Mexico City is the worst in
the world for a number of reasons.
In order to fully explore the wreck of the
Titanic, scientists must address
several problems.

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Reasons to use topic sentences:
1. It allows you to stay focused
on what you want to say.
2. It provides readers the tools they
need to understand what you have to
say.

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6. Writing the Body
• Use your outline and prospectus as
flexible guides
• Build your essay around points you
want to make (i.e., don't let your
sources organize your paper)
• Integrate your sources into your
discussion
• Summarize, analyze, explain, and
evaluate published work rather than
merely reporting it

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Analyzing
Separate a whole into component parts.
What are the parts or feature of______?
Classify_____ according to __________.
Outline/diagram/map_______________.

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Evaluating
developing opinions,
judgements or decisions
What do you think about?
What is most important?
What criteria would you use
to assess?

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King 1
The opening page to your essay should use the format shown below:
Only the first page should include the whole heading and title. All margins--top, bottom, and sides--should be
set to one inch (1") throughout the whole paper. Don't add extra spaces between the heading and the title, nor
should there be extra spaces between the title and the body of the paragraph.
Use a 12 point font. And choose a font that is easy to read rather one that is decorative: "Arial," "Lucida,"
"Modern," "Palermo" or "Times New Roman" are some good choices.

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