Page 212 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

Topic 3: Discuss the values you have learned by observing members
of your family.

Topic 4: Discuss your methods of coping with stress.

The Topic Sentence: Tips for

Direction

Make sure that each topic sentence mentions the subject of the

paragraph and that each topic sentence links back clearly to the

thesis with key words. For example, if you chose Topic 1, “Discuss

three obstacles to your education,” the key words education and

obstacles (or a synonym such as barriers) should appear in each
topic sentence. A typical topic sentence might read “One of the

obstacles to my education is my financial situation.”

Transitions: Tips for Coherence

Use a transitional word such as also or another in the topic

sentences of body paragraphs 2 and 3. (Another of my long-term
goals is to start my own business.)

Make one of the topic sentences a transitional topic sentence.

(After I start my accounting business, my next long-term goal is to

start a family.)