Topic Sentence

TOPIC SENTENCE

Definitions:

• The topic sentence is a primarily prescriptive grammatical term to describe what is usually, but not always, the first sentence in a paragraph. The topic sentence acts as a kind of summary and offers the reader an insightful view of the writer’s main ideas for the following paragraph. More than just being a mere summary, however, a topic sentence often provides a claim or an insight directly or indirectly related to the thesis. It adds cohesion to a paper and helps organize ideas both within the paragraph and the whole body of work at large.(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

• A well-organized paragraph supports or develops a single controlling idea, which is expressed in a sentence called the topic sentence. A topic sentence has several important functions: it substantiates or supports an essay’s thesis statement; it unifies the content of a paragraph and directs the order of the sentences; and it advises the reader of the subject to be discussed and how the paragraph will discuss it. Readers generally look to the first few sentences in a paragraph to determine the subject and perspective of the paragraph. That’s why it’s often best to put the topic sentence at the very beginning of the paragraph. In some cases, however, it’s more effective to place another sentence before the topic sentence—for example, a sentence linking the current paragraph to the previous one, or one providing background information.(www.indiana.edu)

• Topic sentences are the “thesis statements” of paragraphs; therefore, they are both a part of keeping the promise made by the thesis, as well as a sub-promise that should be kept by the paragraphs. They are usually the first sentence in the paragraph. The reader expects topic sentences to provide proof of one aspect of the thesis sentence as well as to provide an indication of what will follow in the paragraph.(www.merritt.edu)
  

Two Kinds of Topic Sentences:

1. A statement of opinion

A statement of opinion contains some form of judgment and the paragraph will support the opinion in the topic sentence.

Example: The computer is the greatest invention of the twentieth century.

2. A statement of intent

A statement of intent contains no opinion; instead, it informs the reader of what will be objectively explained in the paragraph.

Example: The common seasoning monosodium glutamate (MSG) has negative side effects.

Topic Sentence Functions
An effective topic sentence:

1. Relates to the thesis.

2. Sets up a claim, assertion, argument, evaluation, analysis.

3. Contains controlling ideas about the topic that need to be developed in the sentences that follow.

4. Is the most general sentence in the paragraph.

5. Orients the reader.

6. Provides a context for understanding what follows.

7. Explains the relationships among elements.

8. Summarizes the rest of the paragraph.

9. Promises what will follow.

Guidelines for Topic Sentence

1. A topic sentence must be a complete sentence to perform all the necessary functions.

2. A topic sentence must predict or promise what follows, so it cannot be a question.

3. Phrases such as “I think” or “in my opinion” may muddle or weaken topic sentences. Your writing is always your opinion, so you don’t need these phrases unless they are central to the idea that you are trying to convey.

4. The topic sentence should provide clear relationships among all of its elements so that it can provide a framework for understanding the rest of the paragraph.

5. A topic sentence needs to be clear and specific, so that it can predict and summarize the rest of the paragraph for the reader.

6. A topic sentence must be coherent so that the reader can use it as a key to the rest of the paragraph.

7. Because the topic sentence is a reference for the rest of the paragraph, it needs to be exceptionally clear. If there is figurative language in a topic sentence, the wording should be such that the reader does not need to understand the allusion to understand the sentence.

Other Sentence Functions
The rest of the paragraph must:

1. Fulfill the promise set by the topic sentence.

2. Be on the same topic.

3. Relate to each other and the topic sentence in a manner established by the topic sentence.

Locations of Topic Sentences

1. A topic sentence can be the first sentence in the paragraph.

When this occurs, the first sentence will be a general statement that will introduce a subject and will then be followed by sentences that will support that statement in some important way, as in the following example:

Sleep problems can be avoided if you follow a few simple guidelines. First, don’t drink alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before bedtime. Next, do not exercise within three hours of bedtime. Finally, plan a sleep routine. Every day, go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time.

2. A topic sentence can be in the middle of a paragraph.

This will occur in two circumstances:

1. Sometimes, a paragraph begins with an introductory sentence that is meant to grab your attention. It may be a very general statement that looks like a topic sentence, but then is followed by a sentence that changes direction.

This sentence is the one that is explained in the rest of the paragraph, and it becomes the topic sentence. Example:

Some people fall asleep easily. They drop off as as soon as their heads hit the pillows. Others aren't so lucky. They toss and turn well into the night. Fortunately, there are solutions to sleeplessness. In many cases, one can avoid sleep problems by following a few simple guidelines. First sleepless people should refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before bedtime. Next, they should not exercise within three hours of bedtime. Finally, they need plan a sleep routine. Every day, they should go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time.

2. You will also find a topic sentence in the middle of a paragraph when the paragraph starts with a question.

A question will never be a topic sentence. Look for the answer to the question -this will be the topic sentence of the paragraph. Of course, if the answer to a question is "Yes," or "No," this will not be your topic sentence. Example:

Do you know what to do if you have trouble sleeping? In many cases, one can avoid sleep problems by following a few simple guidelines. First, don’t drink alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before bedtime. Next, do not exercise within three hours of bedtime. Finally, Finally, plan a sleep routine. Every day, go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time.

3. A topic sentence can appear at the end of a paragraph. In this case, the supports will be given first, and the topic sentence will end the paragraph either as a summary or a conclusion.

Example:

To avoid sleep problems, you should not drink alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before bedtime. Another way to avoid sleep problems is to not exercise within three hours of bedtime. A final way to prevent sleep problems is to plan a sleep routine. Every day, go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time. As can be seen, sleep problems can be avoided by following the above simple guidelines

A summary will bring together all of the points made in the paragraph. A conclusion is where all of the points lead up to a final, important point.

4. Finally, a topic sentence can sometimes be found as the first and the last sentences in a paragraph, as in the following example:

One can avoid sleep problems by following a few simple guidelines. First, don’t drink alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before bedtime. Next, do not exercise within three hours of bedtime. Finally, plan a sleep routine. Every day, go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time. If you follow these guidelines, you will be able to avoid problems with sleeping. (www.ceritos.edu)