Page 143 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

Topic sentence 1: At day-care centers, children benefit from
interaction with peers.

Topic sentence 2: Children who attend day-care centers learn

rules of behavior and basic skills.

Topic sentence 3: Perhaps most important, day care helps a child

become self-reliant.

Analysis: Point 2 is the weakest point because skills and knowledge

children will need in school could also be acquired at home. Point 1 is

strong because exposure to many other children is more likely to

occur at a day-care center than at home. Point 3 is strong because at

a day-care center, without parents to cling to, children are more likely
to become independent.

Exercise 3-9 Using Sandwich Order

Develop a thesis and topic sentences for one of the following topics.

Determine which point is the weakest, and sandwich it in the middle of

your thesis. Be prepared to explain the logic you used to your
instructor and classmates.

1. What can parents do to prepare their children for school?

2. What do people reveal about themselves by the way they

speak?

3. Is there any college course you would refuse to take? Why?

Your Answer