Introduction
What is a topic sentence?
A topic sentence is a sentence in a paragraph that is placed any where within the paragraph
mostly at the beginning to gives the general idea (topic) of what the writing will be about. It
needs to give broad enough information to allow for multiple subtopics and examples without
being so general that it makes the purpose of the writing unclear.
Topic sentences help guide the reader by introducing the subject of the rest of the paragraph.
They relate to the main idea of the entire piece of writing and present the specific topic that is
the focus of a paragraph. Topic sentences provide structure to a paragraph and piece of writing
as a whole.
It start by identifying the main idea or argument you want to convey in your paragraph. Then,
craft a concise sentence that introduces and summarizes that main idea. Remember to keep it
specific and engaging!
When developing a topic sentence, you want to make sure it captures the main point of your
paragraph. It should be clear, concise, and give your reader a preview of what's to come. Think
of it as a mini-summary that sets the tone for the rest of your paragraph. Take your time to
brainstorm and choose the best words to convey your message effectively.
When it comes to developing a topic sentence, it's all about setting the stage for what you're
going to discuss in your paragraph. It's like the opening act of a play, grabbing your reader's
attention and giving them a sneak peek of what's to come. You want to make it engaging and
informative, so they know exactly what they're about to dive into. Remember, a strong topic
sentence can make all the difference in keeping your reader hooked, enjoying the style of the
write that is applied in the writings.
Steps to develop a good topic sentence
1) Write an essay outline: Every paragraph of your essay should have a main idea, point, or
goal that you’re trying to get across. The topic sentence will identify that main idea. For
you to write good topic sentences, you need to know what your paragraphs are going to
be about. An outline will help you do that.
You don’t have to write a formal outline using Roman numerals and the likes. idea-based
outline can help you know what you want to discuss.
2) Understand the connection between thesis statements and topic sentences: A thesis
statement presents the main idea, goal, or argument of your essay. It may be an analytical
thesis, such as “In King Lear, William Shakespeare uses the theme of fate to critique the
religious beliefs of his era.” Or, it may be a thesis that attempts to persuade the reader of
something, such as “Public funding for education should be expanded.” Topic sentences
are like the mini-thesis statements of each paragraph.
A topic sentence, unlike a thesis statement, doesn’t have to present an argument. It can
present a “preview” of what the paragraph will argue or discuss.
Look at some examples. If you are new to writing topic sentences, it can help to look at
some examples. The Purdue OWL has several pages with sample topic sentences. UNC
Chapel Hill has a helpful online handout on paragraph development that includes a
“model” paragraph and explains how to develop your own, from topic sentence to
conclusion.
For example, a topic sentence could look like this: “In addition, increasing funding for
public roads in Jackson County will improve local residents’ quality of life.” The rest of the
sentences in this paragraph would relate to the main idea of public roads and how they
will help benefit local residents.
This is not as successful a topic sentence: “Increased funding for public roads in Jackson
County has decreased traffic by 20%.” While this is probably an interesting fact for your
argument, it’s too narrow for a topic sentence. The topic sentence has to direct the whole
paragraph.
3) Use active voice: Active voice sentences are usually clearer and more direct than passive
voice constructions.
4) Clarity and Conciseness: they go hand in hand, Clear writing often leads to conciseness
because it focuses on conveying information directly. Concise writing helps maintain
clarity by preventing information overload. Incorporating these principles into your
writing will make your content more accessible and engaging for your audience, whether
you’re crafting essays, reports, emails, or any other form of written communication.
Conciseness Eliminate unnecessary words: Remove filler words and phrases that don’t
add value to your writing.
5) Use strong verbs and nouns: Choose strong, descriptive words that convey your meaning
without the need for excessive modifiers.
6) SPECIFIC AND FOCUS: Being specific and focused in your writing is essential for effectively
communication, your ideas and massage engage in your readers mind. Here’s a note on
how to achieve specificity and focus in your writing.
Make sure your topic sentence is specific and directly related to the main idea you want
to discuss, for successful understanding.
7) Use straightforward language: Avoid using overly complex or jargon-filled sentences that
might confuse your readers. Incorporating these principles into your writing will make
your content more accessible and engaging for your audience, whether you’re crafting
essays, reports, emails, or any other form of written communication.
8) Choice of word: Choose words and phrases that convey your message clearly and
accurately. Avoid vague or ambiguous language that can lead to misinterpretation.
Organize your writing logically, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Each
paragraph should have a clear purpose and contribute to the overall focus of your piece.
9) CONTROLLING IDEA: The controlling idea, often referred to as the main idea, is a
fundamental concept in writing. It represents the core message or central point of a piece
of writing, be it an essay, article, paragraph, or even a sentence. The controlling of idea
is the primary thought or theme that the writer wants to convey to the reader. It’s the
“big picture” concept that everything else in the writing piece should support and revolve
around.
10) Clarity and Focus: The controlling idea provides clarity and focus to your writing. It ensures
that your audience understands the main point you’re trying to make and helps you avoid
unnecessary explanations which are not relevant to the topic.
11) Supporting Details: All the supporting information, evidence, examples, and arguments in
your writing should relate directly to and reinforce the controlling idea. If it doesn’t
contribute to the main point, it may be better left out and also a paragraph most contain
a single idea other statement or sentence must affirm to it.
12) Consistency: Throughout your writing, maintain consistency with the controlling idea.
Don’t introduce new, unrelated concepts that might confuse or dilute your main message
or idea in the writing or paragraph it essential to continue with the style applied in the
writing if not necessary or required to be changed.
13) Audience Awareness: Consider your audience when crafting the controlling idea. Ensure
that it’s relevant and meaningful to your readers and addresses their potential questions
or concerns. In summary, the controlling idea acts as the anchor of your writing, guiding
both you as the writer and your readers throughout the piece. It’s a critical element for
maintaining coherence, clarity, and purpose in your writing, regardless of the type or
length of the document. Consider Your Audience Think about who will be reading your
writing and tailor your content to their needs and interests. This can help you maintain
focus by addressing what’s most relevant to your audience.
By incorporating specificity and focus into your writing, you’ll create content that is
engaging, informative, and easy for your readers to follow. Whether you’re writing an
essay, report, article, or any other form of communication, these principles will help you
convey your message effectively.
14) Transition: If your paragraph is part of a larger piece, consider how the topic sentence can
act as a smooth transition from the previous paragraph with a new idea different from
the previous about but coherent and cohesive.
15) CONCLUSION: In conclusion, a well formed topic sentence is a cornerstone of effective
writing. It serves as a beacon, guiding both the writer and the reader through the content
by holding the main idea of a paragraph or section. By being clear, focused, and positioned
strategically, a topic sentence enhances the clarity and organization of written work. It
acts as a roadmap, ensuring that the subsequent sentences in a paragraph are relevant
and cohesive. Ultimately, a strong topic sentence contributes to the overall quality of the
writing, making it more engaging and informative for the audience. Whether you’re
crafting an academic essay, a persuasive argument, or any other type of written
communication, mastering the art of creating effective topic sentences is a valuable skill.
Purposes of a good Topic sentence
The purpose of a topic sentence is to clearly and concisely convey the main point of the
paragraph to the reader.
It helps to guide the reader through the essay, making it easier for them to follow the
overall argument or narrative, The purpose of a topic sentence is to clearly and concisely
convey the main point of the paragraph to the reader.
1) It expresses the main idea of the paragraph or essay clearly and concisely.
2) It is specific and focused, avoiding vague or overly general statements.
3) It Introduces the main point and is typically located mostly at the beginning of the
paragraph or essay.
4) It Presents a claim or position that is arguable or debatable, which the rest of the
paragraph or essay will support.
5) It Can be a complete sentence or a concise phrase that effectively conveys the main idea.
6) It Is relevant to the thesis statement and overall topic of the essay.
7) It Engages the reader by creating interest and highlighting the significance of the topic.
8) It Is well-written and avoids grammar and spelling errors.
9) It Provides a roadmap for the rest of the paragraph or essay by indicating what will be
covered.
10) It Encourages coherence and unity in the writing by linking the paragraph or essay to the
broader topic.
What topic sentence does in a paragraph or essay
Topic sentence does in a paragraph or essay are much but some can be cited at a surface look
of a paragraph or an essay and these are always the pillars of every good writing or written
report, message research and communication. It include the following:
1) Topic sentences as transitions between paragraphs:
As you write each topic sentence, ask yourself how does this point relate to what you wrote
in the preceding paragraph? It’s often helpful to use transition words in your topic
sentences to show the connections between your ideas.
2) Summarize and anticipate:
If the paragraph turns to a different aspect of the same subject, the topic sentence can
briefly sum up the previous paragraph and anticipate the new information that will appear
in the next one. Example:
While beef clearly has the most dramatic footprint, other animal products also have serious
impacts in terms of emissions, water and land use.
3) Compare and contrast
If the paragraph makes a comparison or introduces contrasting information, the topic
sentence can use words that highlight difference or conflict (for example, in contrast,
however, yet, on the other hand). Example:
However, the environmental costs of dietary choices are not always clear-cut; in some
cases, small-scale livestock farming is more sustainable than plant-based food production.
4) It can also imply contrast or complicate your argument by formulating the topic
sentence as a question. Example:
Is veganism the only solution, or are there more sustainable ways of producing meat and
dairy?
5) Topic sentences that introduce more than one paragraph Or sometimes several
paragraphs: Sometimes you can use a topic sentence to introduce several paragraphs at
once. Example:
All of the examples above address the environmental impact of meat-eating versus
veganism. Together, they make up one coherent part of a larger argument, so the first
paragraph could use a topic sentence to introduce the whole section.
6) Emphasize and expand:
If the paragraph goes into more detail or gives another example to make the same point,
the topic sentence can use words that imply emphasis or similarity (for example,
furthermore, indeed, in fact, also). Example:
Indeed, cattle farming alone is responsible for a large proportion of greenhouse gas
emissions.
7) The topic sentence usually goes at the very start of a paragraph, but sometimes it can
come later to indicate a change of direction in the paragraph’s argument.
Example : Given this evidence of the meat industry’s impact on the planet, veganism
seems like the only environmentally responsible option for consumers. However, the
environmental costs of dietary choices are not always clear-cut; in some cases, small-
scale livestock farming is more sustainable than plant-based food production.
In this example, the first sentence summarizes the main point that has been made so far. Then
the topic sentence indicates that this paragraph will address evidence that complicates or
contradicts that point.
In more advanced or creative forms of academic writing, you can play with the placement of
topic sentences to build suspense and give your arguments more force. But if in doubt, to keep
your research paper clear and focused, the easiest method is to place the topic sentence at the
start of the paragraph.
Common problem that need to be avoided when developing topic sentence
There are many factors that needs to be avoided when developing a topic sentence to avoid
uncertain, repetition, and unclear sentence or ambiguous paragraph that will make the reader
confuse and the writer idea un understandable. The following include these:
1) Avoid vague and over general statement.
2) Eliminate unnecessary words and remove filler word and phrases that does not add value
or meaning to the idea.
3) Avoid redundancy: mention an Idea that as already been stated, it can cause confusion
and tedious.
4) Avoid tangents: discussing unrelated topic or idea in a paragraph, focus on the main point
and idea for the best interest.
5) Avoid rhetorical question: do not formulate a question that the readers too can also think
of formulating why reading instead answer the question.
6) Avoid presenting only facts in your topic sentence. While facts may be interesting, they
do not introduce the reader to your paragraph nor do they draw the reader in. If you wish
to include a fact, also include your own input. For example, instead of writing “All dogs
need food,” try “All dogs need regular care, including healthy food, and children are the
best ones to do it.” Alternatively, save your facts to use as evidence in the body of your
paragraph.
7) Avoid introducing yourself: Topic sentences vary in structure and content from person to
person, at least two things can be assumed about your paper: 1) that you have a title and
entire paper to introduce a topic, and 2) your personal information is present somewhere
on your essay. Therefore, never use statements such as “I am going to tell you…” or “My
paper is about…” or “I studied [this] which is important because of [this]”. The
paragraphs/essay should tell me that information without an awkward topic sentence
presentation. Unless it is an opinion piece, avoid using ‘I’ in your topic sentences.
8) Don’t list off information: Although you want to give your readers a taste of what they
can expect in your upcoming paragraph, you don’t want to show all your cards right at
the beginning. Don’t make a list of what you’re going to talk about, but instead give a
small taste of what is to follow in your paragraph. You don’t need to explain everything
in your topic sentence, just mention it so the reader knows what to expect. Rather than
stating something like “In the story, Amelia did many good things such as help out her
friends, talk to her parents, and support her team at school” say something like “As a
result of the many activities Amelia participated in, she was recognized for her positive
influence on the community.”
9) Avoid starting with a quote. You may have a fantastic quote in mind that perfectly
introduces your topic. The problem is…they’re not your words. The topic sentence should
introduce the paragraph and hopefully include your opinion, not someone else’s. If the
quote is opinion-based, substitute it for your own opinion. If the quote is fact-based, save
it and introduce it later in your paragraph.
10) Don’t mention something you don’t intend to examine further. If you make a statement
in your topic sentence, you should be doing so because your paragraph will explain it.
Whether you give facts, opinions, or both, you should be clearly analyzing them in the
paragraph attached to the topic sentence. Don’t fill up your topic sentence with filler
material that you don’t intend to explain further.
These are the common and majors forces that needed to be avoided when developing a topic
sentence in a paragraph or for a paragraph, all those can make a paragraph unclear or ambiguous
to be understand. When all these are avoided as possible as a writer or author can, it will give
the great successfulness in the work.
