1-1 Topic Sentences

1) With a partner or group, discuss which of the sentences below would make
strong topic sentences and which would make weak topic sentences. If they
are weak, what is the problem? Are they too broad, are they too narrow, are
they incomplete, or are they announcing the topic?

Write: Incomplete Too broad Topic announced Good Too narrow

a.Family is important.

b.One of my most wonderful childhood memories.

c.This paragraph is about the increasing divorce rate.

d.Parents do not need to spend money in order to show they love their
children.

e.Three reasons to study a language abroad.

f.A difficult experience while travelling taught me the importance of family.

g.Technology is changing so fast.

h.My daughter was born in the summer of 2010.

i.I would like to discuss how living alone affects mental health.

j.In some ways, friends can be more important than family.

2) Once you have identified the weak topic sentences, rewrite them and make
them stronger. If the sentence is good, just write "good" and don't write
anything else. Then compare your revised sentences with your partner/group.

a.Family is important.

b.One of my most wonderful childhood memories.

c.This paragraph is about the increasing divorce rate.

d.Parents do not need to spend money in order to show they love their
children.

e.Three reasons to study a language abroad.

f.A difficult experience while travelling taught me the importance of family.

g.Technology is changing so fast.

h.My daughter was born in the summer of 2010.

i.I would like to discuss how living alone affects mental health.

j.In some ways, friends can be more important than family.