Identifying Topic Sentence of Paragraphs We are going to learn :

How to identify the topic of a text How to identify topic sentences How to identify supporting details

Topic SentencesTopic Sentences

Every paragraph should have a topicsentence. This is the most important sentencebecause it expresses the main idea of theparagraph.

Definition

Body Paragraph

An important factor in learning a foreign language has to do with the

concept of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. When we do something

for the “fun of it” or because we enjoy it, that is called intrinsic

motivation. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is when we do

something for the purpose of receiving some kind of external reward

such as money, time off from work, etc. Many education experts believe

that intrinsic motivation is more powerful when it comes to helping

students retain what they’ve learned. The question and challenge for

teachers today is, “How can we help our students become intrinsically

motivated in what we are teaching?”

ExampleExampleTopic Sentence

Topic Sentence: states the main idea of the paragraph.

Topic Sentence EssentialsTopic Sentence EssentialsComplete Sentence

There are several things you need toremember when writing topic sentences. Thefirst is that topic sentences are alwayscomplete sentences.

ExampleExample

Strategies of learning English.

There are many strategies

that you can use to help you

learn a new language.

Not a complete sentence

ExampleExample

The Day of the Dead.

The Day of the Dead is a special holiday in Mexico when people can get together to remember deceased loved ones.

Not a complete sentence

Topic Sentence EssentialsTopic Sentence EssentialsTwo Parts

A topic sentence contains the topic of theparagraph and a controlling idea. Thecontrolling idea limits the topic to somethingvery specific.

Topic Sentence Companies should develop more efficient forms of energy such as solar heating panels.

ExampleExampleThis sentence does not contain a controlling idea. This is not a good topic sentence, because it does not limit the topic to make it more specific.

Controlling Idea: limits the ideas in the paragraph and makes the sentence more specific.

Topic Sentence Companies need to develop more efficient forms of energy.

Topic: names the main idea

Example #2Example #2Topic and Controlling Idea

Topic Sentence

One of the most serious problems in today’s inner-city public

schools is overcrowded classrooms.

Topic: names the main idea or general subject of the paragraph

Controlling Idea: makes a specific comment about the subject. Tells the reader what the paragraph will say about the main topic.

Example #2Example #2Topic and Controlling Idea

Topic Sentence

One of the most serious problems in today’s inner-city public

schools is the low percentage of trained teachers.

Topic: names the main idea or general subject of the paragraph

Controlling Idea: makes a specific comment about the subject. Tells the reader what the paragraph will say about the main topic.

Be Careful!Be Careful!

Make sure that your topic sentence does not contain too many controlling ideas.

Topic Sentence The advent of the Internet has benefited society through improved communication.

ExampleExampleThere are too many controlling ideas to be covered in one paragraph. A good topic sentence should be limited to one controlling idea.

Most topic sentences contain only one controlling idea.

Topic Sentence The advent of the Internet has benefited society through improved communication, access to information, and streamlined commerce.

Supporting SentencesSupporting SentencesDefinition

Every paragraph has sentences that relateto the ideas in the topic sentence. Thesesentences are called supporting sentences. Look at the supporting sentences on the nextpage to see how the writer provided moreinformation on the subject in the topicsentence.

Supporting SentencesSupporting SentencesTopic Sentence

An important factor in learning a foreign language has to do with the

concept of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation.

When we do something for the “fun of it” or because we enjoy it, that is called intrinsic motivation.

Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is when we do something for the purpose of receiving some kind of external reward such as money, time off from work, etc.

Many education experts believe that intrinsic motivation is more

powerful when it comes to helping students retain what they’ve learned.

Supporting Sentences