TOPIC SENTENCE TOPIC SENTENCE AND AND

CONTROLLING IDEACONTROLLING IDEA

Topic SentenceTopic Sentence

informs the reader what the paragraph is informs the reader what the paragraph is about.about.

is a complete sentence; contains a subject, is a complete sentence; contains a subject, a verb, (usually) a complement.a verb, (usually) a complement.

following are not complete sentencesfollowing are not complete sentences Driving on freewaysDriving on freeways The importance of educationThe importance of education How to register for college classesHow to register for college classes

Topic SentenceTopic Sentence

Most general statement in paragraph bec it Most general statement in paragraph bec it gives only the main idea. It does not give gives only the main idea. It does not give any specific details so it should be any specific details so it should be narrowed.narrowed.

Contains both a topic and controlling ideaContains both a topic and controlling idea (key words)(key words)

Controlling IdeaControlling Idea

It is very It is very difficultdifficult to be to be alone alone in a in a foreign foreign countrycountry..

Most people have the Most people have the wrong ideawrong idea about the about the definition of statisticsdefinition of statistics..

There are several There are several unusual superstitionsunusual superstitions in in my my countrycountry about about death.death.

TopicTopic

( General Statement)( General Statement)

Convenience foodsConvenience foods

Controlling IdeasControlling Ideas

(Specific Parts)(Specific Parts)

are are easy to prepareeasy to prepare

Controlling IdeaControlling Idea

(specific part)(specific part)

The native foods of The native foods of America’s immigrant America’s immigrant population are population are reflected toreflected to

TopicTopic

(general statement)(general statement)

American cookingAmerican cooking

TopicTopic

(general statement)(general statement)

The American teenagerThe American teenager

Controlling IdeaControlling Idea

(specific statement)(specific statement)

consumes enormous consumes enormous quantities of junk foodquantities of junk food..

Weak topic sentencesWeak topic sentences I I can’t help liking this can’t help liking this

book.book. I like cats better than I like cats better than

dogs.dogs. I feel that spanking a I feel that spanking a

child is physically child is physically abusiveabusive..

Better topic sentencesBetter topic sentences This book is exciting This book is exciting

and reader- friendly.and reader- friendly. Cats make better Cats make better

house pets than dogs.house pets than dogs. Spanking a child is Spanking a child is

physically abusivephysically abusive..

Succesfull topic sentence Succesfull topic sentence

A statement of intentA statement of intent A statement of opinionA statement of opinion

These topics sentences have a statement of intent or These topics sentences have a statement of intent or opinion?opinion?

This paper demonstrates the advantages and This paper demonstrates the advantages and disadvantages of living off-campus.disadvantages of living off-campus.

Smoking by a pregnant woman is evil because it Smoking by a pregnant woman is evil because it will cause genetic defects in the unborn child.will cause genetic defects in the unborn child.

To see Europe on a 55$ a day, try hiking.To see Europe on a 55$ a day, try hiking.

Revision of Topic SentencesRevision of Topic Sentences

Before writing any essay or even a Before writing any essay or even a paragraph, it is important to think, first about paragraph, it is important to think, first about the the topictopic and then what you want to say and then what you want to say about about the topic. the topic.

Most often, the topic is easy, but the Most often, the topic is easy, but the question then turns to question then turns to what you want to say what you want to say about the topicabout the topic which is the controlling idea. which is the controlling idea.

Topic sentences should always contain both Topic sentences should always contain both (1) (1) a topica topic and (2) a and (2) a controlling ideacontrolling idea. .

Read the following topic sentences. They Read the following topic sentences. They all contain a topic (all contain a topic (underlinedunderlined) and a ) and a controlling idea (controlling idea (boldbold). When your ). When your introduction contains a clearly stated topic introduction contains a clearly stated topic sentence such as one of the following, your sentence such as one of the following, your reader will know what to expect and, reader will know what to expect and, therefore, understand your ideas better. therefore, understand your ideas better.

1. People can 1. People can avoid burglariesavoid burglaries by taking by taking certain precautionscertain precautions. .

2. There are 2. There are several advantages several advantages to to growing up in a small town. growing up in a small town.

3. 3. Most US universities require a 550 point Most US universities require a 550 point TOEFL scoreTOEFL score for for a number of reasonsa number of reasons. .

4. 4. Air pollution in Mexico City is the worst in Air pollution in Mexico City is the worst in the worldthe world for for a number of reasonsa number of reasons. .

5. 5. Fixing a flat tire on a bicycleFixing a flat tire on a bicycle is easy is easy if if you you follow these stepsfollow these steps. .

6. There are 6. There are several enjoyable waysseveral enjoyable ways to to travel between the US and Queretarotravel between the US and Queretaro. .

7. 7. Animals in danger of becoming extinctAnimals in danger of becoming extinct come from a wide range of countriescome from a wide range of countries. .

8. 8. Effective leadershipEffective leadership requires requires specific qualities specific qualities that anyone can developthat anyone can develop. .

9. 9. Industrial waste poured into Lake MichiganIndustrial waste poured into Lake Michigan has has led to led to dramatic changes in its ability to support dramatic changes in its ability to support marine lifemarine life. .

10. In order to10. In order to fully explore the wreck of the fully explore the wreck of the TitanicTitanic, scientists must address , scientists must address several several problemsproblems. .

SummarySummary

A carefully thought out topic sentence will A carefully thought out topic sentence will serve two important functions. serve two important functions.

First, it will provide you, the author, the First, it will provide you, the author, the means to stay focused on your objective. means to stay focused on your objective. It's a lot easier to write if you know what you It's a lot easier to write if you know what you are going to write about! are going to write about!

Second, a clearly stated topic sentence will Second, a clearly stated topic sentence will provide readers with the tools they need to provide readers with the tools they need to clearly understand what you have to say. clearly understand what you have to say.

These are important reasons to carefully These are important reasons to carefully consider topic sentences before beginning consider topic sentences before beginning writingwriting