Topic Sentences

1. Topic Sentences Where they are found and what they do.

2. A topic sentence is the central idea of a paragraph. It is an overview of what readers should see in a single paragraph. • Think of a topic sentence as the umbrella for the paragraph: it the information contained in the paragraph covers

4. Why do we use topic sentences? • To help readers • by allowing a reader to know exactly what they are going to find in a paragraph

5. Why do we use topic sentences? • To help writers • by providing writers with a way to organize their • thoughts and ideas

6. Look at this paragraph and think about the main idea: • The rain forest is home to many creatures. Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest. Blue Morpho butterflies and anteaters also live in the rain forest. • The animals described in the above paragraph are examples of the different creatures that can be found in the rain forest. The topic of this paragraph comes in the first sentence which explains that a variety of animals can be found in the rain forest. Sample Paragraph No. 1

7. Now think about the next paragraph and once again consider the topic: • There are many fun things to do at the beach. Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe.  • The first sentence is the topic. It explains that there are many things that we can do at the beach. The other sentences describe what these things are. Sample Paragraph No. 2

8. swimming snorkeling Things to do at the beach volleyball Looking for shells Sample Paragraph No. 2 sunbathing

9. Now consider the following paragraph: • Talk about bad days: today is a classic. First, I woke up to hear my parents yelling in my ear because I didn’t clean my room. Then I went to school to find out I had failed my science project. At lunch, while walking out of the cafeteria I tripped over somebody’s bag and made myself look like a fool. Finally, I came home to learn that I might have my I-Pod taken away, and it wasn’t even my fault! And it’s only two in the afternoon! Sample Paragraph No. 3

10. Parents screaming Failed science project Today is a classic bad day Having I-Pod taken away. Tripped Sample Paragraph No. 3

11. My life is full of risks. As a stair builder who works with heavy machinery, I risk cutting off a finger or a limb every day. Each Monday and Thursday, I risk four or five dollars on the state lottery. Every time I take my beat-up, 1981 Chevy Caprice Classic for a drive, I risk a break down. However, the biggest risk I’ve ever taken was my decision to attend DeVry Institute this year. Sample Paragraph No. 4

12. What are the supporting ideas? What is the central idea? ? ? ? ? ? Sample Paragraph No. 4

13. No, not always. Sometimes there is no one sentence that summarises the main idea. In this case you should read the whole paragraph and think about what the general idea is. Are topic sentences always the first sentence of a paragraph?

14. In 1951 Henrietta Lacks died of cancer. Her cells, however, are still alive today. They are studied in cancer-research laboratories all over the world. Rarely do cells continue to grow once they are separated from a living body. But the cancer cells which killed Henrietta Lacks only eight months after the disease was detected were so potent, they survive today. HeLa cells- the name is derived from the first two letters of Henrietta’s name- were instrumental in the development of a vaccine against polio. Ultimately researchers hope that the HeLa cells will lead them to a cure for cancer. • Is this paragraph about: • a. Henrietta Lacks • b. cancer cure • c. HeLa cells Sample Paragraph No. 6

15. Sometimes the topic sentence is the last sentence of a paragraph.

16. I can’t help but marvel in awe. The students at Odyssey are truly a cut above the rest when it comes to character. Not only do they accept all people, but they strongly support them. When one student struggles in a subject, other students jump in to help. Often, when someone is having a bad day, students steer clear, but not at Odyssey. These students do what they can to uplift others spirits. A low rumble of teamwork is the noise you will hear at Odyssey. Students work together to promote learning and their noise levels are respectful to others concentration. The superior quality of character at Odyssey makes it a wonderful place to learn. Sample Paragraph No. 5

17. What are the supporting ideas? What is the central idea? ? ? ? Sample Paragraph No. 5

18. One early theory likened human memory to a muscle that had to be regularly exercised in order to function properly. This theory was eventually replaced by the notion that remembering was like writing, with experience the pen and the mind a blank page. But eventually this theory was also rejected. In its place came another hypothesis- that human memory functioned with a complex and well-stocked library catalogue. With access to a key word you could look up any piece of stored or catalogued information. But over time that theory has also been discarded. Human memory may in fact be too sophisticated and too complex to be explained through any one single simile or metaphore. Sample Paragraph No. 7