Topic Sentences and Supporting Details

DEFINITION

Supporting Sentences in

Main Body Paragraphs

A topic sentence states or suggests the main idea (or topic) of a paragraph.

Topic sentences are like miniature thesis statements for individual paragraphs.

They are the main idea of the paragraph.

They provide focus for both the writer and the reader.

All the information found in the paragraph must relate in some way to the claim made in the topic sentence.

It can be located at the beginning, middle or end of a paragraph.

A good topic sentence is concise and emphatic, or full of energy. It is no longer than the idea requires, and it stresses the important word, phrase,or reason.

For our essay each topic sentence should reference one of the reasons in your thesis statement.

In your persuasive essay for our class, you will have somewhere between two and three main body paragraphs, one for each of your reasons stated in your thesis.

Each main body paragraph should contain a topic sentence.

Supporting sentence(s) In a persuasive paragraph provide the readers different reasons why they should go along with the writers point of view. These sentence should support the topic sentence and sell the overall idea.

Topic Sentence: Dogs are the best pets to have. Supporting Sentences: Dogs are loyal. They are intelligent. Dogs protect your house and family. They keep company.

For our essay, the topic sentence will be the first sentence, followed by several sentences that help support and provide examples for your topic sentence

IN CONCLUSION

Helpful Language

EXAMPLES

Here is a 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) the 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."

(Thomas S. Kane, The New Oxford Guide to Writing. Oxford Univ. Press, 1988)

Often when writing the supporting sentences, the following transitional words will be used to add variety to the writing.

Example:

What is more, exercising leads to having better health.

In addition to better health, exercising can lead to a longer life.

Furthermore , your body will be in great shape.

Not only will you feel better, but you will also act better.

Also For example For instance Additionally What is more In addition Moreover Along with Furthermore Another Next Besides Again In addition to ... Not only will ..., but ... will also ...

MAIN BODY

PARAGRAPHS

TOPIC

SENTENCES

Your main body paragraphs should BEGIN with a TOPIC SENTENCE, followed by sentences that explain, or provide examples, or support your topic sentence in general.

Make sure that ALL of the sentences relate back to the topic sentence and your main thesis.

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. 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 the specific information in the paragraph."

(Philip C. Kolin, Successful Writing at Work, 9th ed. Wadsworth, 2010)

EXAMPLES

Ways to support your Topic Sentence

Statistics - These can provide excellent support. Be sure your statistics come from responsible sources. Always cite your sources.

Quotes - Direct quotes from leading experts that support your position are invaluable.

Examples - Examples enhance your meaning and make your ideas concrete. They are the proof.

"You discover what it is like to be hungry. With bread and margarine in your belly, you go out and look into the shop windows. Everywhere there is food insulting you in huge, wasteful piles; whole dead pigs, baskets of hot loaves, great yellow blocks of butter, strings of sausages, mountains of potatoes, vast Gruyère cheeses like grindstones. A snivelling self-pity comes over you at the sight of so much food. You plan to grab a loaf and run, swallowing it before they catch you; and you refrain, from pure funk."

(George Orwell, Down and Out in Paris and London. Victor Gollancz, 1933)

Example

Owning a pet from the pound or Animal Rescue League has many advantages. First of all, a child feels good about rescuing an abandoned or abused animal and giving it a whole new life. Besides, if the animals from the pound aren’t adopted right away, they might be put to sleep. Having a pet also means lots of responsibilities. A child has to feed, clean up after, brush, and exercise the pet.

Another great advantage of having a pet from the pound is the price of these cute and cuddly animals. Pets from the pound cost only a few dollars while pets at a fancy pet store can cost hundreds of dollars.

Once you adopt a pet from the Animal Rescue League, it will quickly become a part of your family. If you are thinking of adopting a pet, you might consider choosing a dog or a cat. Dogs and cats can bring lots of happy times to a family, and they can be excellent companions for a person who lives alone or someone who has lost a loved one. Dogs are also a wonderful source of protection. Cats are funny, and they may help to calm people down when they are sad or mad.

Please consider adopting an animal. If you remember all of the advantages of adopting a pet from the pound, you might find the bird, mouse, hamster, dog, or cat of your choice.

"Momma bought two bolts of cloth each year for winter and summer clothes. She made my school dresses, underslips, bloomers, handkerchiefs, Bailey's shirts, shorts, her aprons, house dresses and waists from the rolls shipped to Stamps by Sears and Roebuck. . . ."

(Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Random House, 1969)

Topic Sentences and Supporting Details

GOOD LUCK!