topic sentences

    Topic sentences...
  • are to paragraphs what thesis statements are to papers
  • control what belongs and what does not belong in the paragraph
  • most likely come at the beginning of the paragraph
It is important to inform the reader what you are going to discuss before you discuss it. The topic sentence (like a thesis statement) should be broad enough to encompass the information coming after it, but it should also be narrow enough to be specific.


Examples of flawed topic sentences:

Introduces multiple topics: Teens often take drugs because they are depressed, and there are many health risks associated with drugs.

Too broad: Drugs have bad things linked to them.

Too specific, what will come next?: John Belushi is a famous actor who died from drugs.


Examples of good topic sentences:

--Depression triggers many teens to take drugs.

--Hard drugs such as Meth, Cocaine, or Heroin carry serious health risks.

-- Even some of America's brightest stars have fallen victim to drug addiction.





written by Luke Rolfes 		    what would you like help in?
+ prewriting
+ thesis
+ paragraphing
+ organization
+ grammar & mechanics
+ argument
+ citation & sources
+ sample essays

 

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