Page 50 - English Grammar and Composition-Student Textbook short

Study Section 14: Topic Sentences and Supporting Details

14.1 Connect
Every paragraph should include a topic sentence that identifies the main idea of the paragraph.

It introduces the reader to the paragraph. Therefore, it usually appears at the beginning. This sentence
tells the reader, “This is what I’m going to write about.” It states the purpose of the paragraph. It
prepares the reader’s brain for what that paragraph will be about.

14.2 To construct a topic sentence:
 Decide what the purpose and main idea of the paragraph are.
 Make sure the topic sentence covers the main idea and does not just give one of the
paragraph’s details.
 Make sure each detail in the paragraph is related to the topic sentence. They should
explain or extend the main idea.

Body paragraph topic sentences

A body paragraph is any paragraph which is not the introduction or the conclusion. Each body paragraph should be

related to the thesis statement by its topic sentence (we will discuss thesis statements in study section 17). A clear-
cut topic sentence will lead the reader successfully through the writer’s argument and will give the essay greater

focus and clarity. A topic sentence is the thesis for each individual paragraph and unifies the contents
of the paragraph. Everything that follows in the paragraph needs to flow from and connect to the

topic sentence.

Using the topic sentence as a transition
Topic sentences that also work as transitions can help guide your readers through your argument, which can keep
them from getting lost. Think of this sentence as a logical link between the main idea of the previous paragraph and
the main idea of this next paragraph.
 The first part of the topic sentence should relate to the paragraph which comes before it. Using transitional
phrases or words like “even though,” or “in addition to” will help your reader switch to your new point
while seeing the relationship to the previous point.
 For example: “Although taking the city bus might be less expensive than owning a car, people should be
aware that the bus schedule might not match ones work schedule.” In this topic sentence, the reader can
see that this new paragraph will be about dealing with the bus schedule, while the previous paragraph had
been about the cost effectiveness of using the bus. It leads the reader further down the path of the writer’s
argument without causing the reader to stop and wonder how the main ideas in the two paragraphs are
related.

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