Topic Sentences

The Do’s and Don’ts of

TOPIC SENTENCES

A topic sentence introduces a paragraph’s main idea or purpose.  In the meat of a paragraph, the writer attempts to support and/or prove the claim of the topic sentence with specific details and examples.  The topic sentence focuses the paragraph’s content, meaning all details must relate directly to the topic sentence.

D

The topic sentence should…

• Introduce a small idea
• Tip: Watch out for the conjunctions and, but and or.  
• These may indicate  you’ve introduced more than one claim.

• Contain a powerful action verb
• Tip: Weak verbs lessen the effectiveness of your writing

• Make a statement, not ask a question
• Tip: This is your opinion, not your  reader’s.

DON

The topic sentence should NOT…

• Contain the pronoun you.
• Tip: Stick to third person point of view. “You” is informal and often  inaccurate.

• Contain the word because.
• Tip: “because” suggests a reason, and reasons appear within the supporting details.

• Begin with there.
• Tip: Starting with “there’” is a weak sentence beginning and require a weak linking verb like is or was to follow it.