How to write a good topic sentence

1. TOPIC
SENTENCE
Teacher Kumutha
Chung Hua High School, Seremban

2. Mr. Ranulfo
T.Bacus
WORDS
make up
PHRASES
make up
SENTENCES
make up
PARAGRAPHS

3. A PARAGRAPH
The Introduction
(Topic Sentence)
The Body
(Supporting Details)
The Conclusion
(Concluding Sentence)

4. A GOOD ESSAY
The Introduction
Body Paragraph 1
Body Paragraph 2
Body Paragraph 3
The Conclusion
General idea
Supporting the idea
(statistics/research/quote)
Thesis Statement
(Topic Sentence Body Para 1,
Body Para 2 & Body Para 3
Topic Sentence
Supporting details
Concluding sentence
Restating Thesis
Statement
General idea
(hope, wish, ways,

6. WHAT IS A
TOPIC
SENTENCE?

7. TOPIC SENTENCE
• Usually the first sentence of a paragraph./ comes in the middle
• Contains the main idea of the paragraph.
• Summarizes what the entire paragraph is all about.
Topic (states the topic)
Controlling idea (Controls or limits the topic to a specific area)
Example,
Gold, (topic) a precious metal, is known for two important
characteristics.

9. TOPIC SENTENCE
• Must be a complete sentence
• Should neither be too general nor too specific.
• Should not have unrelated controlling ideas

11. TRANSITION WORDS
(COHERENCE)
• Linking words that improve the flow of the
paragraph
• Each sentence with supporting evidence and the
concluding sentence will begin with the transition
word.

12. EXAMPLE OF TRANSITION WORDS
• First,
• Second,
• Next,
• Also,
• Additionally,
• In addition,
• Similarly,
• Moreover,
• Furthermore,
• Finally,
• Last but not least,
• However,
• As a result,
• Hence,
• Thus,
• Therefore,
• Meanwhile,
• For example
• For instance
• In conclusion,
• As a conclusion,
• To sum up,
• In short,
• In sum,
• In brief,
• Indeed,
• In a nutshell,

15. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING
STRONG TOPIC SENTENCES
1. A topic sentence must predict or promise what follows, so it cannot be a question.
To orient the reader, you may use a question as the first sentence, with the topic
sentence as the answer to that question.
Weak: Should schools provide free computer for their students?
Strong: Schools must provide free computers for their students to assist them
in
their studies and prepare them for their future

16. 2. Avoid phrases such as “I think” or “In my opinion”
Weak: I think it is important for every woman to carry pepper spray.
Strong: As violent criminals take over the city streets, women must carry pepper spray
to protect themselves.
3. The topic sentence should provide clear relationships among all of its elements so that it
can provide a framework for understanding the rest of the paragraph.
Weak: Historians record only dry statistics; we should read novels.
Strong: Accurate historical novels give us a deeper understanding of the past than
the dry collections of facts and statistics.

17. 4. A topic sentence needs to be clear and specific, so that it can predict and summarize the
rest of the paragraph for the reader.
Weak: Public transit is terrible.
Strong: Incapable of providing, comfortable service, the San Francisco Municipal
Transit system is failing its ridership.

20. Topic Sentence:
Topic:
2. Obviously, TV violence has some negative effects.
TV violence

21. Topic Sentence:
Topic:
The first sentence (The rules of conduct during an
examination are clear.)
The conduct rules
The rules of conduct during an examination are clear. No books, calculators or
papers are allowed in the test room. Proctors will not allow anyone with such items
to take the test. Anyone caught cheating will be asked to leave the room. His or her
test sheet will be taken. The incident will be reported to the proper authority. At
the end of the test period, all materials will be returned to the proctor. Failure to
abide by these rules will result in a failing grade for this test.

22. THAT’S ALL