The Ultimate Guide to

Writing Topic Sentences

Academic Writing
 1. What is a sentence?

2. What is a topic sentence?

Outline

3. Why do we use topic sentences?

4. Examples for practice

5. Quiz
 1. What is a sentence?
A sentence is a group of words giving a
complete thought.

Basic Parts:
1. Subject - Doer
2. Verb - Action
3. Object - Receiver of the action:
answers "what/who/where/when"
 Basic Sentence Format

Subject + Verb + Object

(Noun) (Action word) (Noun)
I write (Pronoun)
He/She/It eat (Other details)
I/You/We/They sing
My_/Your _/Their _ (Be-verb)
is/am/are
Examples (Subject-Verb)

Subject + Verb
I am studying.
We are cooking.
New Zealand is succeeding.
My friends are waiting.
 Examples (Subject-Verb-Object)

Subject + Verb + Object

I am studying English.
We are cooking Pad Thai!
New Zealand is succeeding in education.
My friends are waiting for me.
 Checklist: Is it a sentence?
Ask yourself these five questions:
Does my sentence start with a capital letter?

Does my sentence have a subject?

Does my sentence have a verb?

Does my sentence end with punctuation (./?/!) ?

Does my sentence make sense?

 2. What is a topic sentence?
A topic sentence introduces the
main idea of that paragraph and
sets its tone.

Locations:
1. First Sentence
2. Middle of the Paragraph
3. Last Sentence
 3. Why do we use topic sentences?
It acts as a "guide" on what to write.
Example:
 3. Why do we use topic sentences?
It acts as a "guide" on what to write.
Example:
 3. Why do we use topic sentences?
It gives a "preview" of what to expect in the paragraph.
Example:
 3. Why do we use topic sentences?
It gives a "preview" of what to expect in the paragraph.
Example:

Gives: Reasons, advantages or disadvantages, lists, statistical data,

anecdotal evidence, persuasive opinions, a narrative, or something else.
 3. Why do we use topic sentences?
It connects the ideas in a paragraph.
Example:
 3. Why do we use topic sentences?
It connects the ideas in a paragraph.
Example:
3. Why do we use topic sentences?

It acts as a "guide" on what to write.

It gives a "preview" of what to expect in the paragraph.

It connects the ideas in a paragraph.

Examples
Examples
Examples
Examples
Checklist: A topic sentence is...
at or near the start of the paragraph

at the end of a paragraph

the main idea of the paragraph

a complete sentence

starts with a big letter and ends with a

punctuation mark
 Summary
Sentences have a subject, verb, and
an object.
Sentences start with a BIG letter.
Sentences end with a punctuation.

Topic sentences are the main idea

in a paragraph.
Topic sentences connect, guide,
and give a preview.
Quiz Time
 1. Simple statement
Types and Examples
2. Command

3. Question (interrogative)

4. Complex

5. Purely transitional

6. Pivot
 Simple Statement
the most basic type of topic sentence
the author makes a general statement

1 2
Example Example
New research indicates a link Those weeks at the farmhouse
between a person’s cognitive gave me some of the best
style and the type of content memories of my life.
they post on Twitter.
 Command
Direct commands or requests to your readers
To break up the monotony of using the same sentence types
over and over again.

1 2
Example Example

Take a look at the data to Now let’s consider the

see what I mean. alternative.
 Question (interrogative)
A great way to get the reader interested and involved
(as long as you stay on topic)

1 2
Example Example

What would you do if you How many countries are

became a millionaire prepared for a change in
overnight? sea levels?
 Complex
covers multiple ideas
even though these would still qualify as “statements,” they
address more than one main idea.
1 2
Example Example
Although the majority of people As appealing as Ayn Rand’s
still believe in alpha wolf theory, ideas may seem to some, the
the truth is that wolf packs in
logical and evidential
nature don’t necessarily have a
designated leader.
support just isn’t there.
 Purely transitional
work best when the topic changes drastically by drawing
attention to the switch

1 2
Example Example

However, not everyone This was just the way the world
was, and perhaps always would
agrees. have been, if a random apple
had not fallen onto the head of a
young Isaac Newton.
 Pivot
Similar to purely transitional sentences
found within a paragraph—not at the beginning
to show a shift from one topic to another
include conjunctive adverbs such as however, meanwhile,
furthermore, etc.

1 2
Example Example
By contrast, Nikola Tesla saw However, the Bears’ winning
alternating current as a better streak could not last forever.
solution.
 Homework
1. Find an example for each type of
topic sentence (6).
2. Put them all together in a
presentation (Canva/PPT).
3. Make sure to put the source of
each example (i.e.,
link/author/site).
4. Deadline: (25 July-Tuesday)
Google classroom
5. Score: 5 points
 Let's Review

The Writing Process

in Academic Writing
 Stage 1: Prewriting Stage
Stages
 Stage 1: Prewriting Stage

Step 1: Choose a topic.

Step 2: Narrow the topic.
Stages

Step 3: Brainstorm!
 Stage 1: Prewriting Stage

Step 1: Choose a topic.

Step 2: Narrow the topic.
Stages

Step 3: Brainstorm!

Listing

Freewriting

Clustering
 Stage 1: Prewriting Stage

Step 1: Choose a topic.

Step 2: Narrow the topic.
Stages

Step 3: Brainstorm!

Listing Imaging

Freewriting Talking

Clustering Using Technology

 Stage 1: Prewriting Stage

Stage 2: Planning & Making Topic Sentences

Stages
 Stage 1: Prewriting Stage

Stage 2: Planning & Making Topic Sentences

Stages

Step 4: Organize the ideas.

Step 5: Make lists or charts to organize your
thoughts. up
Gro 3

Subgr… Subg…

Group 1

Group 4

Subgroup 1 Subgroup 2
Subgroup 8 Subgrou…

Subgroup 3

Group 2

Subgro… Subgro…

Step 6: Write a Topic Sentence. Start writing.

 Stage 1: Prewriting Stage

Stage 2: Planning & Making Topic Sentences

Stages

Stage 3: Writing and Revising Drafts

 Stage 1: Prewriting Stage

Stage 2: Planning & Making Topic Sentences

Stages

Stage 3: Writing and Revising Drafts

Step 7: Check for unity.

Step 8: Make an outline.
Step 9: Write, revise, and repeat!
 Stage 1: Prewriting Stage

Stage 2: Planning & Making Topic Sentences

Stages

Stage 3: Writing and Revising Drafts

Stage 4: Editing and Asking for Feedback

 Stage 1: Prewriting Stage

Stage 2: Planning & Making Topic Sentences

Stages

Stage 3: Writing and Revising Drafts

Stage 4: Editing and Asking for Feedback

Stage 5: Re-writing and Proofreading

 UNITY
Every good paragraph has unity,
which means that only one main
idea is discussed.

Every supporting sentence must

directly explain or prove the main
idea that is stated in the topic
sentence.
 Irrelevant Sentences

These are sentences that are

“off the topic”.

These shouldn’t be included

in the paragraph.
 Let's practice!
Task 6.1

Practice as a class

Task 6.2

Practice with your groupmates

 Writing Practice

What would life

be like in the year
2030?

This is a homework.
Write your paragraph in your
notebook.
 Writing Practice
Show the process.

Step 1: Choosing a topic.

Step 2: Brainstorming & Organizing.
Step 3: Writing the paragraph.