Topic Sentences (concept 2)

Topic sentences:

• Introduce a paragraph, generally contains no details.

*Make your ideas clear without stating them explicitly.

*YES: "Dogs make wonderful pets because they help you live longer."

NO: "Today I'm going to tell you why dogs make wonderful pets."

*Let’s practice!

Now write a simple/declarative sentence on the following prompt:

“What is the most nerve wracking thing about the first day of school?”

Write a number sentence on the following prompt:

“What are some of the most fun things at school?”

Activity time!

• Try to write a topic sentence like this!
• Circle or put an arrow pointing to the comma.

Example:

Most people really look forward to summer vacation, personally after a few weeks I get really bored; I can't see my friends every day, I like to be mentally challenged, and really there is only so much day time TV a person can watch!

Your turn, write a three point topic sentence on the

following prompt:

"Is technology in the classroom a good idea? Why or why not?"

Expert Topic Sentence Type #2

Three point topic sentences have three main points

(hence the name!)

Advanced Sentence type #1:

1. State the topic

2. State your viewpoint (at this point very similar to the sentences you just looked at)

Situation Stance:

These sentences have two parts:

3. List your main ideas you are going to be talking about in the paragraph. (known as the "comma, comma, and" part of the sentence)

Part 1: broadly introduces the topic (situation)

• Gives a general hint of what is to come
• Cannot stand alone (dependent clause, we are building a complex sentence)

Part 2: Clearly states your viewpoint on the topic (stance)

• Narrows the topic
• Can stand alone (independent clause)

Examples:

1. Even though I like all holidays, the fourth of July is my favorite.

2. Although teaching is a challenging profession, it is still very rewarding.

3, Because most people carry cell phones, it is important that they learn basic cell phone etiquette.

Types of Topic Sentences

Keep these tips in mind as you write today's paragraph!

At the end of this lesson you will be able to identify several types of topic sentence and write one of your own!

Topic Sentences Type #2

Number Statement: a declarative sentence like #1 BUT it uses a number word to elevate the sentence.

Examples:

• Dogs make the best pets for several reasons.
• My mom is my favorite person because of three special traits.
• Our family enjoys many activities on Thanksgiving day.

Question Statement Practice

Topic Sentence type #1

*Let’s practice! Complete the following activity)

Write a question sentence on the following prompt:

“What is the best pet for families?"

Simple/Declarative: states the topic

Examples:

• Dogs make the best pets.
• My mom is my favorite person.
• Thanksgiving is an important holiday in our country.

Today we will look at three different types of basic topic sentences:

1. Simple/Declarative sentences

2. Number statement

3. Questions

And two examples of more advanced topic sentences:

1. Situation/Stance

2. Three point topic sentence.

Topic Sentence Type #3

Question statement: a question that you will answer in your paragraph.

*The question must have a more complex answer than yes or no!

*Some teachers hate questions as a topic sentence, so use these sparingly!

Beware of the Deadly Duo!

When you create number statements avoid the following:

• There are
• Here are

Examples:

• Why do dogs make great pets?
• Why is my mom my favorite person?
• How do Americans celebrate Thanksgiving?

Examples:

• There are three great places to camp in the summer in Oregon. NO!!!!
• Campers have three great summertime campsites to choose from in Oregon. YES!!!

*Instead remember to use: who, how, what, where, when.