University of Phoenix Material
Topic and Concluding Sentences
Topic Sentences
Part I – Defining Topic Sentences
A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph and summarizes what the rest of the paragraph will contain. It must always relate back to your thesis statement. For example:
My favorite hobby is painting. I started painting with my grandmother when I was four years old. She bought me my own set of paints and canvases and showed me the basic skills I would need. I try to find time for painting every week, but it has become difficult as I have gotten older. Painting will always be a very special part of my life.
The underlined sentence is the topic sentence.
Part II – Understanding Topic Sentences
Read the paragraph and highlight the best topic sentence.
Topic sentences:
Paragraph:
A: It is winter and it snowed yesterday.
B: Our nation is one of the largest in the world.
C: I really enjoy the weather in the United States.
D: It can drop well below zero, for example.
__________________________________. I love that we have varying seasons to enjoy. In the summer it can be very hot, especially in the desert or in major cities. Winters can be very cold, bringing snow and ice to most regions. I love experiencing all types of weather throughout the year.
What is wrong with the other topic sentences? Match the letter of the remaining topic sentences to the problems they present.
Problem:
Topic Sentence:
It is a specific example.
It can drop well below zero, for example.
It is not general enough.
I really enjoy the weather in the United States.
It is about something unrelated to this main point.
Our nation is one of the largest in the world.
Part III – Create a topic sentence.
Choose one of your main points for your essay, and create a topic sentence for the body paragraph you are writing for it:
Main Point:
People take drugs because they want to change something about their lives....