Page 179 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

2. The topic sentence of a body paragraph mentions the specific
thesis point that will be developed within the paragraph.

3. The topic sentence may also provide transitions from one

paragraph to the next.

Look at the following thesis statements and their topic sentences.

Notice that the topic sentences link to the thesis by mentioning the
general subject of the essay. A thesis link is simple to write: All you do

is mention the general subject of the essay in each topic sentence,

and you forge a relationship between the thesis and your topic

sentences. The topic sentences also present each specific thesis

point. Notice that if supporting points are listed in the thesis, topic

sentences follow the same order.

Example: Thesis Statement and Topic

Sentences

general subject (thesis link) point 1
Thesis: A community college, is a good choise for Students with

children,

point 2 point 3

students on a budget, and students with full-time jobs.

point 1 general subject
(thesis link)

Topic sentence 1: Students who have children find that a

community
college allows them to be students and parents, too.