Topic

sentences, body
paragraphs, and
supporting
details
 01
Topic
sentences
 What is a topic sentence?
● A good paragraph requires writers to express their ideas effectively in coherent,
unified and well-developed essays.
● The topic sentence identifies the main point of a paragraph.
● Most often, a paragraph will only have one topic sentence to avoid confusing the
readers.
● The topic sentence determines what needs to be included and excluded from each
paragraphs:
● Only information that is relevant to the topic sentence can be included in the
paragraph
● Meanwhile, the irrelevant information or ideas that have no relationship to the
topic sentence should be excluded
● Unlike the thesis statement which is more general, a topic sentence attempts to explain
only one specific aspect of the thesis.
 A good topic sentence
● Is a complete sentence.
● Is clearly related to the thesis statement.
● Is often the first sentence of a paragraph but sometimes can be located anywhere.
● Accurately summarizes the main point of the paragraph in one sentence and reflects
the paragraph’s main purpose.
● Promises that the writer will stick to the idea it expresses throughout the paragraph.
● Is not too narrow and broad enough to require further explanation or evidence.
Examples of
topic
sentences:
 Example 1:
Topic: Reading is a good habit

Topic sentences:
• Reading books will improve our memorizing skills.
• Reading expands your horizon of information.
• Reading can also help us escape from a stressful day.
 Example 2:
Topic: language can be learnt without a teacher

Topic sentences:
• A person does not need to enter a formal classroom.
• Language skills can be acquired through adequate exposure
and practice.
• Language can be learnt by communicating in the target
language.
 Example 3:
Topic: The effects of genetically modified food

Topic sentences:
• Genetically modified food risks peoples’ lives.
• Genetically modified food affects the environment.
• Genetically modified food affects the economy negatively.
 Exercise 1:
Identify the topic sentence in the paragraph below:
 Exercise 2:
Identify the topic sentence in the paragraph below:
 Exercise 3:
Topic: Vaccination should be mandatory

Topic sentences:
• Vaccine is safe and effective.
• Vaccine is not only about oneself but also a
mechanism to protect others.
• Immunisation is essential to protect future
generations.
 02
Body paragraphs
and supporting
 What are body paragraphs?
● Body paragraphs are the main part of your essay or paper.
● Body paragraphs – all paragraphs that come between introduction and
conclusion.
● Generally, body paragraphs support the writer’s thesis and shed new light on the
main topic, whether through empirical data, logical deduction, deliberate
persuasion, or anecdotal evidence.
 Structure of body paragraphs
● Each body paragraph contains:

● A topic sentence that tells the readers what is the paragraph going to be about.
● supporting sentences that discuss the idea or ideas in the topic sentence, using
examples and/or evidence to support that discussion.
● A concluding sentence that is your paragraph’s conclusion to sum up or reassert
your original point in the light of the supporting evidence.
 What are supporting details?
● Supporting details consist of additional information the writer provides so that
the reader can understand the main idea completely.
● Details consist of examples, explanations, description, proof, statistics, and other
bits of specific information.
● Ask yourself the supporting detail question:
“what additional information is required to assist the reader to understand the
main idea”
Examples of
body
paragraphs
Example 1:
 Example 1: Vaccination should be mandatory
Body paragraph
Topic sentence 1:
Vaccination is safe and effective
 
Supporting Details 1:
Vaccines are only distributed for the public’s use after having a long and careful review by
scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals 
Supporting Details 2:
The chances of getting an allergic reaction is estimated to be very low. In any medical
treatment, there will always be side effects and risks. However, the benefits would
significantly outweigh the risks.
Concluding sentence:
Parents should trust the health professionals and vaccinate their children, especially infants,
according to the guidelines without delay because vaccines are clinically proven safe
and effective.
 
Example 2:
Example 2: Sex education is as important as calculus
Body paragraph
Topic sentence 1:
First and foremost, students should learn about sex education because it helps
them to gain a positive view of sexuality
 
Supporting Details 1:
Sex education provides a perfect medium for the students to develop proper
knowledge and the appropriate skills about their sex lives.
Supporting Details 2:
The students should also learn about sex education as they can learn how to
develop self-worth and respect for others' worth.
 
Concluding sentence:
So, students should learn about sex education if they want to develop a positive
view of their sexuality.
Example 3:
 Example 3: Sex education is as important as calculus
Topic sentences 2:
Second, the reason why sex education is essential to the students is that it does
not support students to have sex

Supporting Details 1:
According to rage.com, it is estimated that 18000 girls in Malaysia get pregnant
out of wedlock every year.

Supporting Details 2:
Students also should learn about sex education because they can nurture positive
values about relationships
 
Concluding Sentence:
Hence, it is true that sex education is as important as calculus because
comprehensive sex education does not promote sex to the students.
 Exercises:
Write three supporting details for each of the topic sentences given
Modern life has affected the relationship within family
 
• Less conversation between family members.
• Parents are too busy with their work.
• Having meals together at home is rare.

Justin Bieber should win Grammy because his album was a hit.

• Bieber has sold more than 150 millions records worldwide.

• His latest album ‘justice’ reached no. 1 on Billboard chart.
• All thirteen songs from the album debuted on Billboard top 100.
“if you want to change the world, pick up your pen
and write”

—Martin Luther
Thank
you