The Topic Sentence2

 State

the topic and the controlling idea of the paragraph  A complete sentence  Usually

(not always) the first sentence in the paragraph

A

clear and direct statement, not a question.

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A

complete sentence

A

subject, a verb and (usually) a complement Not complete sentences  Driving on freeways  The importance of gold  How to register for college classes

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 Contain

both a topic and a controlling

idea  Limit

the topic to a specific area to be discussed  Examples  Driving on freeways requires skill and alertness.  Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important characteristics.  Registering for college classes can be a frustrating experience for new students. 03/12/09

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 Give

only the main idea, not specific details.  Examples

The Arabic origin of many English words is not always obvious.  The slang expression ‘so long’ is probably a corruption of the Arabic salaam. too specific  English is a difficult language to learn. too general 

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Position The

first sentence The last sentence The first and last sentence of the paragraph  Sandwich-style

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 Step

1

 Decide

which of the following sentences is the topic sentence of the paragraph

 Step

2

 Decide

the order of the supporting sentences and number them SS1, SS2, SS3, and so on

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a.

b.

c. d.

It enables customers to do several banking transactions twenty-four hours a day. In addition, a customer can transfer funds between accounts or get a cash advance on a credit card. An automated teller machine (ATM) is a convenient miniature bank. For example, a customer can use an ATM to deposit money and withdraw a limited amount of cash. 03/12/09

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a. b. c. d. e. f. g.

After an attack by a great white, 462 stitches were required to sew up an Australian scuba diver. With their razor-sharp teeth and strong jaws, great white sharks are very dangerous. Nevertheless, one did just that near a public beach in Australia in 1985. Even when they attack humans, however, great whites do not usually eat them. In 1997, a great white shark bit a man surfing at a beach in California and left three shark teeth in his legs. It bit in half and totally devoured a young female swimmer. Great whites do not usually attack humans, but when they do, they always cause serious injury and even death. 03/12/09

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Clueing Topic Sentence • Names the main idea of the paragraph, and gives a clue about the details.

• Specific Topic Sentence Names the main idea of the paragraph, and names specific details to be covered in order.

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Area 51, also known as Groom Lake, is a secret military facility that supposedly houses secret alien space craft and hides government conspiracies from US citizens.

Note: The two specific details of the paragraph are in blue.

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A variety of sources claimed to see bright lights in the sky in Lubbock, Texas. The unusual lights over Lubbock, Texas confounded numerous UFO experts. Note: A clue, highlighted in blue, is given to the main idea of the paragraph. 03/12/09

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A number of Assortment Advantages

Effects Elements Examples

Number Parts Pieces Products

Types Uses

Causes Categories Characteristics Classes Components

Features Functions Groups Jobs

Reasons Roles

Variety Various

Differences Different Disadvantages Divisions

Kinds Many Members

Several Similarities Sources Stages Steps

Ways

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 Neither

too general or too specific

 Too

general  American food is terrible.  Too specific  American food is tasteless and greasy because Americans use to many canned, frozen, and prepackaged foods and because everything is fried in oil or butter.  Good  American food is tasteless and greasy.

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 Do

not include too many unrelated ideas (not be unified)  Too

many ideas  San Francisco is famous for its temperate climate, its many tourist attractions, and its cosmopolitan atmosphere.  Good  San Francisco is famous for its cosmopolitan atmosphere.

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The most beautiful flower is the rose because it comes in so many different colors. Another beautiful flower is the daisy which sometimes grows wild. Spring flowers like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses are also very pretty.  Don’t

you just love spring?  The rose is the most loved flower the world over.  There are many lovely flowers to consider for your garden.

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He collects books that were written over a hundred years ago. He is also interested in the best sellers of today. If I ever need to get him a present, I know I can always make him happy by buying him a book.

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