Writing Topic Sentences

A topic sentence (also known as a focus sentence) encapsulates or organises an entire paragraph, and you should be careful to include one in most of your major paragraphs. Although topic sentences may appear anywhere in a paragraph, in academic essays they often appear at the beginning. It might be helpful to think of a topic sentence as working in two directions simultaneously. It relates the paragraph to the essay's thesis, and thereby acts as a signpost for the argument of the paper as a whole, but it also defines the scope of the paragraph itself. For example, consider the following topic sentence: Many fast-food chains make their profits from adding a special ingredient called "forget sauce" to their foods. If this sentence controls the paragraph that follows, then all sentences in the paragraph must relate in some way to fast food, profit, and "forget sauce": Made largely from edible oil products, this condiment is never listed on the menu. This sentence fits in with the topic sentence because it is a description of the composition of "forget sauce." In addition, this well-kept industry secret is the reason why ingredients are never listed on the packaging of victuals sold by these restaurants. The transitional phrase "In addition" relates the composition of "forget sauce" to secret fast-food industry practices.

"Forget sauce" has a chemical property which causes temporary amnesia in consumers. Now the paragraph moves on to the short-term effect on consumers: After spending too much money on barely edible food bereft of any nutritional value, most consumers swear they will never repeat such a disagreeable experience. This sentence describes its longer-term effects: Within a short period, however, the chemical in "forget sauce" takes effect, and they can be depended upon to return and spend, older but no wiser. Finally, I finish the paragraph by "proving" the claim contained in the topic sentence, that many fast-food chains make their profits from adding a special ingredient called "forget sauce" to their foods.

Analysing a Topic Sentence

Topic sentences often act like tiny thesis statements. Like a thesis statement, a topic sentence makes a claim of some sort. As the thesis statement is the unifying force in the essay, so the topic sentence must be the unifying force in the paragraph. Further, as is the case with the thesis statement, when the topic sentence makes a claim, the paragraph which follows must expand, describe, or prove it in some way. Topic sentences make a point and give reasons or examples to support it. Consider the last paragraph about topic sentences, beginning with the topic sentence itself: Topic sentences often act like tiny thesis statements. This is the writers claim, or the point he will prove in the following paragraph. All the sentences that follow this topic sentence must relate to it in some way.

Like a thesis statement, a topic sentence makes a claim of some sort. As the thesis statement is the unifying force in the essay, so the topic sentence must be the unifying force in the paragraph. These two sentences show how the reader can compare thesis statements and topic sentences: they both make a claim and they both provide a focus for the writing which follows. Further, as is the case with the thesis statement, when the topic sentence makes a claim, the paragraph which follows must expand, describe, or prove it in some way. Using the transitional word "further" to relate this sentence to those preceding it, The writer expand on his topic sentence by suggesting ways a topic sentence is related to the sentences that follow it. Topic sentences make a point and give reasons or examples to support it. Finally, he wrap up the paragraph by stating exactly how topic sentences act rather like tiny thesis statements.

REMEMBER

"A good topic sentence is concise and emphatic. It is no longer than the idea requires, and it stresses the important word or phrase. Here, for instance, is the topic sentence which opens a paragraph about the collapse of the stock market in 1929:

The Bull Market was dead. (Frederick Lewis Allen) Notice several things. (1) Allen's sentence is brief. Not all topics can be explained in six words, but whether they take six or sixty, they should be phrased in no more words than are absolutely necessary. (2) The sentence is clear and strong: you understand exactly what Allen means. (3) It places the key word--'dead'--at the end, where it gets heavy stress and leads naturally into what will follow. . . .

(4) The sentence stands first in the paragraph. This is where topic sentences generally belong: at or near the beginning."

"If you want readers to see your point immediately, open with the topic sentence. This strategy can be particularly useful in letters of application or in argumentative writing. . . . "When specific details lead up to a generalization, putting the topic sentence at the end of the paragraph makes sense. . . . "Occasionally a paragraph's main idea is so obvious that it does not need to be stated explicitly in a topic sentence." (Andrea Lunsford, The St. Martin's Handbook. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008)

"The topic sentence is the most important sentence in your paragraph. Carefully worded and

restricted, it helps you generate and control your information. An effective topic sentence also helps readers grasp your main idea quickly. As you draft your paragraphs, pay close attention to the following three guidelines: 1. Make sure you provide a topic sentence. . . . 2. Put your topic sentence first. . . . 3. Be sure your topic sentence is focused. If restricted, a topic sentence discusses only one central idea. A broad or unrestricted topic sentence leads to a shaky, incomplete paragraph for two reasons: The paragraph will not contain enough information to support the topic sentence. A broad topic sentence will not summarize or forecast specific information in the paragraph."

Here is an effective topic sentence for a descriptive paragraph: My most valuable possession is an old, slightly warped, blond guitar--the first instrument that I ever taught myself how to play. This sentence not only identifies the prized belonging ("an old, slightly warped, blond guitar") but also suggests why the writer values it ("the first instrument that I ever taught myself how to play"). Some of the sentences below support this topic sentence with specific descriptive details. Others, however, offer information that would be inappropriate in a unified descriptive paragraph. Read the sentences carefully, and then pick out only those that support the topic sentence with precise descriptive details. When you're done, compare your responses with the suggested answers at the bottom of this page.

1. It is a Madeira folk guitar, all scuffed and scratched and finger-printed.

2. My grandparents gave it to me on my thirteenth birthday. 3. I think they bought it at the Music Lovers Shop in Rochester where they used to live. 4. At the top is a bramble of copper-wound strings, each one hooked through the eye of a silver tuning key. 5. Although copper strings are much harder on the fingers than nylon strings, they sound much better than the nylon ones. 6. The strings are stretched down a long slim neck. 7. The frets on the neck are tarnished, and the wood has been worn down by years of fingers pressing chords. 8. It was three months before I could even tune the guitar properly, and another few months before I could manage the basic chords. 9. You have to be very patient when first learning how to play the guitar. 10. You should set aside a certain time each day for practice. 11. The body of the Madeira is shaped like an enormous yellow pear, one that has been slightly damaged in shipping.

12. A guitar can be awkward to hold, particularly if it seems bigger than you are, but you need to learn how to hold it properly if you're ever going to play it right. 13. I usually play sitting down because it's more comfortable that way. 14. The blond wood has been chipped and gouged to gray, particularly where the pick guard fell off years ago. 15. I have a Gibson now and hardly ever play the Madeira any more. Suggested Answers: The following sentences support the topic sentence with precise descriptive details: 1, 4, 6, 7, 11, and 14. 2) The Blond Guitar by Jeremy Burden My most valuable possession is an old, slightly warped blond guitar--the first instrument I taught myself how to play. It's nothing fancy, just a Madeira folk guitar, all scuffed and scratched and finger-printed. At the top is a bramble of copperwound strings, each one hooked through the eye of a

silver tuning key. The strings are stretched down a long, slim neck, its frets tarnished, the wood worn by years of fingers pressing chords and picking notes. The body of the Madeira is shaped like an enormous yellow pear, one that was slightly damaged in shipping. The blond wood has been chipped and gouged to gray, particularly where the pick guard fell off years ago. No, it's not a beautiful instrument, but it still lets me make music, and for that I will always treasure it. In the next descriptive paragraph, the student writer focuses less on the physical appearance of her pet than on the cat's habits and actions.

Topic Sentence
What is the topic sentence? The topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph. The topic sentence contains the central idea around which a paragraph is developed. A good one has the following six characteristics: 1. It introduces the topic of a paragraph without announcing it. 2. It hooks the reader. 3. It plants questions in the readers' mind. 4. It uses thought-provoking words. 5. It is usually the first sentence; however, it can occur anywhere in the paragraph or it can be implied. 6. It provides a transition from the previous paragraph. Not all topic sentences will contain every single characteristic. A writer should strive for the ideal; the ideal, however, is not always ideal.

What does it do? It introduces the main idea of the paragraph.

How do I write one? Summarize the main idea of your paragraph. Indicate to the reader what your paragraph will be about. Example: There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.