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WRITING THE TOPIC SENTENCE
A well-built paragraph often starts with a sentence that sums up
the key idea. We call this keysentence the topic sentence. To write
a topic sentence, we look at related material that wehave collected
and ask: What is the point? What conclusion do these data
justify?
Look at the following data about an imaginary roommate, and at
the conclusion they justify:When I first came to school, he showed
me around the campus. He has never complainedabout lending me his
comb, his typewriter, and his tuxedo. When driving, he stops
forpedestrians and allows other drivers to pass if they are in a
hurry. EverySaturday, he writes a long letter to his invalid aunt,
because he knows it makes her feel good tohear from him.
Conclusion: My roommate is very considerate.
Here is a different set of data, funneling into a different
conclusion.
When he is asked to help around the house, he always has some
important home work to do or
a club meeting to go to. When someone states passing him on the
highway, he steps on thegas. When someone borrows his typewriter,
he complains about the condition in which it isreturned.
Conclusion: My roommate is very inconsiderate.In the typical
all-purpose paragraph, we present the conclusion first, as our
topic sentence. Thetopic sentence tells the reader: This is what I
am trying to prove. This is what I am trying toshow. Then we
present the data that help prove the point. We present the examples
that showwhat we mean.
Each of the following sets of data provides the input for a
paragraph. In the blank spacepreceding the data, write a conclusion
that could serve as topic sentence for the paragraph.
1. TOPIC
SENTENCE:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In Canada, French-speaking Canadians have been working toward
greater recognition of theirlanguage and political rights. In
Britain, much controversy has been caused by the fight forgreater
self-determination for Scotland and Wales. In Spain, Basque
terrorists have beenfighting to preserve their separate language
and separate national identity. In France, people insuch areas as
Corsica and Alsace are protesting against the domination of
national affairs bythe central government in Paris.
THE MAIN THINGIn reading, you would be confused if the writer
didnt use topic sentences to express his or hermain idea. After
all, getting the main idea is what reading is mostly about. So, as
you read, beon the lookout for a topic sentence (it often appears
at the beginning of a paragraph, butsometimes is in the middle or
at the end). Topic sentences should clearly summarize the mainidea
of a paragraph. Let them be your guide to better understanding of
what you read.
The authors of the following paragraphs each forgot to include
the all-important topic sentence.
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Read each paragraph and see if you can determine the main idea
by paying close attention todetails and seeing how they fit
together to express one basic thought. Then, on the lineprovided,
write a topic sentence that you think would be fitting for each
separate paragraph.
1. On Thursday I went to my office earlier than usual, arriving
at about 7:00 a.m. Nobody saw
me go in because people generally dont start work until almost
10. I didnt make or receive anycalls, so when the police arrived I
was quite surprised and found their questions veryexasperating. The
only concrete evidence I could offer them was a sales reports which
I wrotebetween 7 and 10.
Topic
sentence:____________________________________________________________________________
2. At first, you may feel awkward because of the cumbersome
equipment. It does take somegetting used to. But if you take
lessons, and try to overcome yo ur fear of heights, nothing ismore
exhilarating. Just being in the great outdoors makes it worth it.
So what if you fall a fewtimes? Nobodys watching you. Everyones too
busy enjoying the snow, the fresh air, and the
sheer joy of maneuvering their bodies across the snow.
Topic
sentence:____________________________________________________________________________
3. Her palms were sweaty. In less than an hour, she would be on
the road with Miss Brooke.Will Miss Brooke notice how nervous I am?
Sheila wondered. Trying to calm herself down, shereviewed the
written questions one more time. Then she picked up the keys and
shouted to hermother downstairs. Okay, Ma, Im ready! Sheila walked
downstairs, smiling and thinking toherself that this might be the
last time she would need a ride.
Topic sentence:
____________________________________________________________________________
4. Write an original paragraph on the lines below. Then exchange
papers with a classmate whohas also written one paragraph.
Underline the topic sentence in your classmates paragraph.Then
write down your suggestion for another topic sentence that clearly
summarizes the mainidea in that paragraph.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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University of the Sciences in Philadelphia USP Writing
Center
