LESSON 5
WRITING THE TOPIC SENTENCES
Each paragraph often contains one key sentence- usually but always, at or near the beginning of the paragraph_ that presents the main point and suggests how the remaining sentences will develop that point. This is called the topic sentence.
GENERAL AND SPECIFIC STATEMENTS
A topic sentence is usually the most general statement in the paragraph, and each of the other sentences develops it specifically. For example. which of these two sentences is probably the topic sentences
:
1- Stan Harris, the drummer in the rock group The Moving Violation, is incredibly talented.
2- He plays the cymbals well.
The first sentences leads logically into explanations and examples of the drummer's talent . The second _ a more specific sentence _ is not a good topic sentence because it is too difficult to develop.
MAKING A POINT
The topic of the paragraph is different from its topic sentence. The topic is what the paragraph is "about". But the topic sentence, make a point about the topic. The topic sentence, and the whole paragraph that develops it, should answer the question, "So what? ". Compare these sentences
No point:
A- Mr. Williams teaches chemistry. ( So what?)
Point:
B- Mr Williams is an excellent chemistry teacher. ( The paragraph can explain why he is excellent)
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TIPS FOR TESTING TOPIC SENTENCES
Test your topic sentence by disagreeing whit it. If you can not easily disagree whit the topic, revise the sentence to express an attitude.
