How to Write a Topic Sentence | English Writing Skills | 2020

Summary

In this video, Wendy from Worldwide Speak explains how to write a clear and effective topic sentence for English learners. She highlights the importance of the topic sentence as the key sentence that introduces a paragraph’s subject and focus. Using relatable examples, Wendy shows how a topic sentence consists of two parts: the topic (subject) and the controlling idea (focus). By emphasizing the role of these components, she teaches viewers how to narrow down their paragraph’s focus, providing clarity and coherence for readers. The video also features practical examples to help viewers identify and write strong topic sentences.

Takeaways

• 😀 A topic sentence is the most important sentence of a paragraph, setting the stage for the rest of the paragraph.
• 😀 The topic sentence typically comes first in the paragraph, helping the reader understand what the paragraph is about.
• 😀 A strong topic sentence contains two parts: the topic (subject) and the controlling idea (focus).
• 😀 The topic is the subject of the paragraph, while the controlling idea narrows down the focus to avoid confusion for the reader.
• 😀 The controlling idea helps focus the paragraph on one specific aspect of the topic, ensuring clarity and coherence.
• 😀 The topic sentence should act like the name of a store, telling the reader exactly what the paragraph will be about, just like a store name signals the products inside.
• 😀 Topic sentences guide the flow of the paragraph and help the reader stay focused on one key idea without digressing.
• 😀 Different types of paragraphs (opinion, descriptive, comparison, process) will require different topic sentences tailored to their specific purpose.
• 😀 The order of the topic and controlling idea in a topic sentence doesn’t matter, but both components must be included for clarity.
• 😀 To write a strong topic sentence, first identify the broader topic and then focus on one aspect of it to create the controlling idea.
• 😀 The purpose of a topic sentence is to clarify what the paragraph is going to discuss and ensure that the reader knows exactly what to expect.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

The main purpose of a topic sentence is to clearly state what the paragraph is about and why it is being written. It serves as a guide for the reader, setting the focus of the paragraph.

How does a topic sentence compare to the name of a store?

A topic sentence is like the name of a store because both give you a clear idea of what to expect. Just as the name of a store tells you what products are sold, the topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph will focus on.

What are the two parts of a topic sentence?

The two parts of a topic sentence are the topic (the subject of the paragraph) and the controlling idea (the focus of the paragraph, which narrows down the topic).

Why is it important for a topic sentence to be clear and specific?

A clear and specific topic sentence ensures that the paragraph stays focused on one main idea, helping the reader to easily understand the message without confusion.

How does the example 'Training for a marathon involves a lot of discipline' demonstrate a good topic sentence?

'Training for a marathon' is the broad topic, and 'a lot of discipline' is the controlling idea. This sentence narrows the focus of the paragraph, making it clear that the paragraph will discuss the discipline involved in marathon training.

Why is the sentence 'Running is good' considered a poor topic sentence?

The sentence 'Running is good' is too vague and general. It doesn't narrow down the focus, making it unclear what the paragraph will specifically address about running.

What type of paragraph would the topic sentence 'Cell phones can be useful learning tools in the classroom' be appropriate for?

This topic sentence would be appropriate for an opinion paragraph, where the writer will convince the reader of the usefulness of cell phones in the classroom.

What is the difference between the topics and controlling ideas in the sentences 'My favorite childhood dish was my mom's chicken marbella' and 'There are many health benefits to being a runner'?

In the first sentence, the topic is 'my favorite childhood dish,' and the controlling idea is 'my mom's chicken marbella.' In the second sentence, the topic is 'being a runner,' and the controlling idea is 'the health benefits of being a runner.'

How does the order of the topic and controlling idea in a topic sentence affect its clarity?

The order of the topic and controlling idea doesn't matter as long as both pieces are present. What matters is that the topic is introduced clearly and the controlling idea narrows it down, giving the paragraph a clear focus.

Why is it important to understand the purpose of the paragraph before writing a topic sentence?

Understanding the purpose of the paragraph ensures that the topic sentence effectively conveys the intended focus, whether it’s to describe, compare, persuade, or explain a process. This clarity helps the reader know what to expect in the paragraph.