Crafting A Topic Sentence

Hey there awesome students!

As we take a deep dive into the realm of writing, one of the essential elements often overlooked by students is using ‘Topic Sentences”. After reviewing your diagnostic papers, it is apparent that many of you are in need of a little refreshing. Don’t worry it not that hard as it sounds.

So, what exactly is a topic sentence? Well, you can think of it as the captain of the paragraph you are writing.  Just like a captain it sets the course, guiding both you and your readers on a clear path with your ideas. With the absence of “Topic Sentence” your paragraph would feel like it lacks direction or purpose, drifting aimlessly like a lost ship at sea.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Be clear and concise: the topic sentence expresses the main idea of a paragraph in a clear and concise manner.

2. Provide Direction: Just like a signpost the topic sentence give a clear idea of what to expect in the paragraph and the arguments/ discussions you are headed towards.

3. Topic + controlling idea: The topic sentence includes both the topic + the controlling idea of the paragraph

4. Controlling idea: The controlling idea is the main idea that the writer is developing in a composition

5. Revise and refine: Experiment with different phrasing and structures to find the perfect fit.

Find a copy of the presentation we discussed in class below: