Topic sentences worksheets writing skills k12reader. The sentences that explain this main point are called supporting details. Lowfat diets are an excellent way to stay healthy and trim. A topic sentence is a statement that expresses the main idea of a paragraph or other section of writing. This esl writing exercise gives presents students with several paragraphs, each of which is missing a topic sentence. When writing a text, we organize our writing into paragraphs, which are sections writing of focused on particular themes, or topics. The topic sentence states the main, or controlling, idea. Topic sentences are a vital part of paragraph writing. Write a topic sentence for the group of sentences provided. Explore words to fit the sentence type and formula. Possible topic sentence evaluation my family arrived in yosemite on july 14, 2011. The students must read the paragraphs, then come up with a suitable topic sentence for each one. If you want to write a paragraph about tea, make your topic sentence.
Think of each topic sentence as a mini thesis, organizing and enabling the development of each paragraph in a paper. The topic sentence is the most important sentence of a paragraph. Choosing topic sentences choose the best topic sentence for each group of supporting sentences. To view a worksheet or download a printable pdf, simply click on the title.
It should be a clear, specific, focused, and arguable claim. The topic sentence should identify the main idea and point of the paragraph. The worksheets are find the topic sentence, write the topi. As if that werent enough, the writer must make sure the topic sentence is well written and free of errors. Commonly appearing at or near the beginning of a paragraph, a topic sentence expresses the main idea of a paragraph. In the morning, we sit and discuss what we are thankful for. Match each supporting sentence with the corresponding topic sentence by writing the correct topic sentence number on the line beside the supporting sentences. A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph. Topic sentence and controlling idea exercises with answers generally, a paragraph has 3 parts. In academic writing, many paragraphs or groups of paragraphs start with topic sentences, which are like minithesis statements. Often, journal writing is a very personal and private activity. Write whats good or bad about the possible topic sentences below each example.
To choose an appropriate topic sentence, read the paragraph and think about its main idea and point. Unrelated ideas do not explain or support the topic sentence. Topic sentences are usually provided at the beginning of each new paragraph in your essay. Reading as a support technician, you need to read an email. As students read the supporting details and concluding sentence for a specific topic, they will learn how to write an appropriate topic sentence. The topic sentence and paragraph organization when you read directions, your texts, and the articles you research, when you read your own writing in order to revise and edit, you will increase your comprehension. Topic sentences are usually at the beginning of the paragraph and in the first sentence. I love that family members we havent seen for ages come over to stay. Adjusting to canadian winters has been a real challenge for me topic. In order to write a topic sentence, you will first need to know what ideas you are going to write. In most cases, readers look into the first few sentences of a paragraph to find out what it is about. Write a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of each paragraph. For the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration.
Worksheets are topic sentences work 1 what is a topic sentence, topic sentence, writing topic sentences, topic sentences practice, topic sentences and controlling ideas, part two topics main ideas and topic sentences, topic sentences work, unit supporting and concluding 4 sentences. Mar 19, 2019 commonly appearing at or near the beginning of a paragraph, a topic sentence expresses the main idea of a paragraph. It is important to write a clear topic sentence so the reader knows what to expect in the paragraph. One of the best ways to write a topic sentence is to start with the idea. Writing topic sentences help your students get focused. This exercise offers practice in creating topic sentences that will attract the interest of your readers. The english course writing book 1 23 the concluding sentence is the last sentence in the paragraph. Paragraph topic list my favorite sport the problems of old age the life of a teenager the perfect job. Topic sentence and controlling idea exercises with answers. Now choose one of your topic sentences about movies or computers and write a short paragraph. Writing different kinds of essay support sentences pdf. Here are some tips to keep in mind while writing topic sentences. Middle school a paragraph is a group of related sentences revolving around one central idea as set forth by the topic sentence.
It is sometimes called a paragraph leader or an controlling idea. Thesis statements are used for essay writing when the writer expresses an opinion, takes a position, or makes an argument. A good topic sentence of a paragraph contains two elements. The reader will struggle to understand the purpose of the supporting ideas and may find them confusing. The topic sentence tells the topic of the paragraph and the general idea regarding the topic that is going to be discussed. The topic sentence of a paragraph should convey that paragraphs content. A topic could be a person, place, concept or group of people.
You might think of it as a signpost for your readersor a headline something that alerts them to the most important, interpretive points in your essay. Then, write the best topic sentence on the line above the paragraph. These details may be facts, reasons, or examples that provide further information about the topic sentence. It is designed to be an intensive onesemester course. Notice that each sentence is labeled in parentheses with the kind of supporting sentence that it is. Materials copies of the main idea group activityattached, cut apart, and placed into envelopes. The topic sentence answers one or more questions like why, how, or where. The topic sentence helps the writer to focus on what shehe needs to include in the paragraph and what should be left out of the paragraph.
Its important for students to learn to write clear and concise topic sentences. Tips for writing topic sentences construct a mini thesis statement. Bccc tutoring center 1 topic sentences if a thesis is a road map to a paper, then a topic sentence is a guide to a paragraph. Practice selecting workable topic sentences in an online exercise at. When writing a paragraph, the writer should begin by creating a topic sentence that states a controlling idea. First, you need to start your essay with a good topic sentence. Topic sentences are used for paragraph and report writing when the writer is explaining facts. Oct 11, 2017 for the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration. Topic sentence practice topic sentences, topic sentences. It is often similar to the topic sentence and reminds the reader of the topic and focus of the paragraph, but it should use different words, if possible.
Introductory academic essay and paragraph writing exercises and worksheets. Topic sentences are idea indicators, or signs that help guide a reader along from idea to idea. What usually follows a topic sentence are a number of supporting sentences that develop the main idea with specific details. Download lesson as pdf introduction to topic sentences when you write a formal essay in english, you need to follow some rules. Therefore, you should think of topic sentences as kinds of minitheses, organizing and enabling the development of each paragraph in a paper. Topic sentences have a topic and an angle, just like thesis sentences. A topic sentence states the main point of a paragraph.
English enhanced scope and sequence 1 lesson skill. Some people who write journals never share a single word of their writing. The topic sentence is used to let the readers know what the entire content is going to be based on. Recognizing perfect topic sentences practice worksheet 2 the following paragraph is missing a topic sentence. It is best to give a clear cut view of your idea in the topic sentence. Draw a line from each possible topic sentence on the left to the description on the right that best describes it. The worksheets below are aimed to help your student become a master at recognizing and writing topic sentences. A topic sentence should not contain supporting details. Without a topic sentence, the paragraph will lack focus. Four worksheetsactivities for practicing how to identify and write strong topic sentences. Materials copies of the main idea group activityattached, cut apart, and placed into envelopes copies of an interesting recent informational article copies of the topic sentence writing gameattached and envelopes. I usually go skiing every weekend in the winter even. Displaying all worksheets related to topic sentence. They state the central focus of the paragraph and provide cohesion for the paragraph.
Writing a topic sentence strand writing, reading nonfiction sol 3. This esl writing exercise tries to get students writing creatively by identifying which topic sentences are interesting and which topic sentences are boring. The supporting details in the paragraph the sentences other than the topic sentence will develop or explain the topic sentence. The example below shows how adding a topic sentence at the end of a paragraph in bold can give the reader a better context for understanding the paragraphs overarching point. Below is a list of possible topic sentences for the paragraph. Students who complete this text will then have the skills needed for a more advanced english composition and essay writing course. If a thesis is a road map to a paper, then a topic sentence is a guidepost for a paragraph. A transition is a link or a connection between sentences. Writing paragraphs paragraph organisation sentence order. The topic sentence should also give readers an idea of whats to come. Topic sentences a topic sentence expresses the main idea of the paragraph. Generally, the main idea of a paragraph is stated in the topic sentence. In published writing youll sometimes find topic sentences in the middle or even at the end of a paragraph, but placing your topic sentences at the beginning of each of your.
See if you can pick the best topic sentence and identify good supporting sentences in the paragraphs below. Steps for writing a topic sentence pick a sentence type and a formula. Your topic sentence should directly state the problem. Sentence and paragraph writing takes students from basic sentence writing skills at the beginning to sound and competent paragraph writing at the end. For a formal definition, a topic sentence is the very first one of a paragraph that provides an overview of the sentences to follow whereas, supporting sentences are the ones that come after the topic sentence to help form the main idea. They are free for you to use at home or in the classroom. A good topic sentence introduces the main idea in a general rather than specific way and then controls the rest of the paragraph by developing that single idea. The controlling idea limits the topic, shows the reader how the writer will limit the topic. Writers often repeat key words or use related words to discuss and emphasize their main point.
How to write a good topic sentence in academic writing. Using writing exercises can also help you develop an effective writing process and practice writing in a relatively stressfree and productive way. How to write a topic sentence practice packet contains the follow. Writing your responses to different kinds of writing prompts and exercises can provide your group with material to discuss in your meetings, even when no one has brought a draft for the group to read. It states the main idea and introduces the reader to the topic. What are three reasons that people do not exercise regularly. Exercises on paragraph writing a topic sentences the topic sentence is the most important sentence of a paragraph. Sentence andd paragraph writing 1892734 tefl educator. Academic essay and paragraph writing exercises and worksheets. Feb 07, 2020 for a formal definition, a topic sentence is the very first one of a paragraph that provides an overview of the sentences to follow whereas, supporting sentences are the ones that come after the topic sentence to help form the main idea. Writing a perfect paragraph general a paragraph is a series of sentences that are about one topic.
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