Topic SentencesUsing topic sentences effectively to provide organization and direction in your paper
Topic Sentences
•What is a topic sentence?
It is the first sentence of a paragraph.
It makes a general statement.
It makes a claim.It relates to your thesis.
It holds the paragraph together on one topic.
So, a topic sentence . . .• makes a general statement:
▫Ford mass produced about two million of the Model-T in the 192os.
• in the form of a claim:
▫Ford’s mass production of the Model-T in the 1920s allowed many more people to drive who could not afford to before.
• that holds the paragraph together on that sole topic.
Check for understanding Look at your notes and decide what is
wrong with this topic sentence?
The St. Valentine’s Day massacre killed seven of Al Capone’s rivals.
Check for understanding Look at your notes and decide what is
wrong with this topic sentence?
The St. Valentine’s Day massacre killed seven of Al Capone’s rivals.
• It is not a general statement.
Check for understanding
• Needs to be a general statement:
Check for understanding
• Needs to be a general statement:
Al Capone was linked to the brutal St. Valentine’s Day massacre.
Check for understanding
• Needs to be a general statement:
Al Capone was linked to the brutal St. Valentine’s Day massacre.
• Okay, but what is it still missing?
Check for understanding
• Needs to be a general statement:
Al Capone was linked to the brutal St. Valentine’s Day massacre.
• Okay, but what is it still missing? Needs to be a claim.
Here’s what it should look like
• A general statement and a claim:
Here’s what it should look like
• A general statement and a claim:
Al Capone’s involvement in the brutal St. Valentine’s Day massacre is an example of his ruthlessness towards rival gang members.
Transition words
• You may want to include a transition word to help your paper flow smoothly:
Furthermore, Ford’s new mass production assembly line changed how quickly and inexpensively products can be produced.
Remember . . .
• Make your topic sentences:
A general idea. One that makes a claim (argument). One that relates to your thesis. One that holds your paragraph
together around one topic.
