2. Topic Sentence
informs the reader what the paragraph is
about.
is a complete sentence; contains a subject,
a verb, (usually) a complement.
following are not complete sentences
Driving on freeways
The importance of education
How to register for college classes
3. Topic Sentence
Most general statement in paragraph bec it
gives only the main idea. It does not give
any specific details so it should be
narrowed.
Contains both a topic and controlling idea
(key words)
4. Controlling Idea
It is very difficult to be alone in a foreign
country.
Most people have the wrong idea about the
definition of statistics.
There are several unusual superstitions in
my country about death.
5. Topic Controlling Ideas
( General Statement) (Specific Parts)
Convenience foods are easy to prepare
6. Controlling Idea Topic
(specific part) (general statement)
The native foods of American cooking
America’s immigrant
population are
reflected to
7. Topic Controlling Idea
(general statement) (specific statement)
The American teenager consumes enormous
quantities of junk food.
8. Weak topic sentences Better topic sentences
I can’t help liking this This book is exciting
book. and reader- friendly.
I like cats better than Cats make better
dogs. house pets than dogs.
I feel that spanking a Spanking a child is
child is physically physically abusive.
abusive.
9. Succesfull topic sentence
A statement of intent
A statement of opinion
These topics sentences have a statement of intent or
opinion?
This paper demonstrates the advantages and
disadvantages of living off-campus.
Smoking by a pregnant woman is evil because it
will cause genetic defects in the unborn child.
To see Europe on a 55$ a day, try hiking.
10. Revision of Topic Sentences
Before writing any essay or even a
paragraph, it is important to think, first about
the topic and then what you want to say
about the topic.
Most often, the topic is easy, but the
question then turns to what you want to say
about the topic which is the controlling idea.
11. Topic sentences should always contain both
(1) a topic and (2) a controlling idea.
12. Read the following topic sentences. They
all contain a topic (underlined) and a
controlling idea (bold). When your
introduction contains a clearly stated topic
sentence such as one of the following, your
reader will know what to expect and,
therefore, understand your ideas better.
13. 1. People can avoid burglaries by taking
certain precautions.
2. There are several advantages to
growing up in a small town.
14. 3. Most US universities require a 550 point
TOEFL score for a number of reasons.
4. Air pollution in Mexico City is the worst in
the world for a number of reasons.
15. 5. Fixing a flat tire on a bicycle is easy if
you follow these steps.
6. There are several enjoyable ways to
travel between the US and Queretaro.
7. Animals in danger of becoming extinct
come from a wide range of countries.
16. 8. Effective leadership requires specific qualities
that anyone can develop.
9. Industrial waste poured into Lake Michigan has
led to dramatic changes in its ability to support
marine life.
10. In order to fully explore the wreck of the
Titanic, scientists must address several
problems.
17. Summary
A carefully thought out topic sentence will
serve two important functions.
First, it will provide you, the author, the
means to stay focused on your objective.
It's a lot easier to write if you know what you
are going to write about!
18. Second, a clearly stated topic sentence will
provide readers with the tools they need to
clearly understand what you have to say.
These are important reasons to carefully
consider topic sentences before beginning
writing
Editor's Notes
Topic sent. İntr. Main idea of the paragraph(serap sy 13-14)
Controlling idea (after the topic sent appears readers expect that the sentences (yazdığım örnekler)
They are words and phrases that give main ideas in the paragragh can be called key words. Controlling ideas should answer the questions such as : who?/what/when/ Where/ in waht ways/why/ how/ ….. What idea is wrong
In this example topic convenience food. A specific comment is made(easy to preapare). From this sentence the reader immeadiately knows supporting sentences will explain to prove how quick and easy it is to prepare conv. Food and give examples (frozen dinners,canned soups)
The reader should expect the paragraph to give examples of popular “foreign” foods such as fried rice(chinese), tacos(mexican), sushi(Italian), spaghetti(Italian)…
The rest of the paragraph should discuss the quantities and types of the junk food that American teenagers eat.(chips,candy,potato chips…
contains/ 1)that tells what the writer will explain in the paragraph (tihs paper explains, the purpose of this essay…)2) that the writer will prove or support in the paragraph. Topic sen of opinion use value words(better, more beautiful,worst)