Topic Sentences

A topic sentence is the first sentence of your paragraph.

The role of the topic sentence is to tell the reader what the upcoming paragraph is about.

Everything in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

Avoid using unnecessary and boring language, such as “My first reason for changing the dress code is . . .”

Instead, just let your writing flow naturally.

Examples of Topic Sentences

By changing the dress code in school to allowing jeans on Friday, it will give students an incentive to do better throughout the week. Now, everything in the paragraph will relate to

students having an incentive to do well throughout the week. You might want to include examples such as students will show good behavior, students will get their work done, students will have something to look forward to, etc., but everything should be on topic to the topic sentence.

Examples of Topic Sentences

By extending the lunch period to 40 minutes, it will encourage students to develop healthier eating habits. Now, everything in the paragraph will relate to

students developing healthier eating habits. You might want to talk about eating your flood more slowly, having more time to socialize with others and enjoy our meal, not feeling rushed and stressed which can lead to overeating or poor eating habits. Again, everything here should relate to students eating more healthfully.

Using Proper Citation for Your Facts

When you include a fact in your essay, you need to tell where you found that fact.

This is called citing your sources.You need to cite your sources so that the

reader does not think you just made up the fact and also to give proper credit to where you found the fact.

Also, you need to make sure you are not copying the sentence exactly from the Internet or book, because this might be plagiarism.

Examples

According to the National Education Association, about 70% of all high school seniors graduate each year.

According to the National Highway Safety Bureau, about 100,000 car accidents occur each year.

About 60% of all schools surveyed have a dress code, according to the National Association of Teachers.