ANNOUNCEMENTS (3 MINUTES)
Join Readtheory.
Read to page 45 of Things Fall Apart
There will be a comprehension test on Saturday.
Write your part of the story when it’s your turn
Use speeko as much as you can. It will help you
improve your speech.
WRITING SKILLS
Topic sentence
TODAY’S LESSON OBJECTIVES
Practice creating strong
topic sentences.
Understand the purpose
and structure of a topic
sentence
evaluate the effectiveness
of topic sentences.
INTRODUCTION (7 MINUTES)
What is the first thing you usually look for in a
paragraph to understand what it’s about?
A topic sentence is the main idea of a paragraph. It tells
the reader what the paragraph will be about
Thesis statement: Learning a new language
improves cognitive (reasoning/thinking) abilities
and opens up cultural understanding.
Come up with sample topic sentences from this
thesis statement.
READING AND NOTE TAKING ( 10 MINUTES)
Read the following and take notes according to your understanding.
HOW TO COME UP WITH TOPIC SENTENCES
Use question prompts: Think of a question that the paragraph will answer, example, if the
paragraph is about recycling, ask, “why is recycling important?”. A topic sentence could be
Recycling is important because it helps the environment
Start with a strong opinion or feeling: if the paragraph is about something you like or dislike, start
with how you feel. example, My favourite season is winter because of the holidays
Combine the main idea and reason: Write the main idea and add a reason. example, if the
paragraph is about cats, you could say, “cats make great pets because they are loyal and fun.
Summarize in one simple sentence: think about what the paragraph will say overall. Try to say it in
one sentence without too many details, example, “Exercise is important for staying healthy.”
Identify the main idea: Read the paragraph or thesis and ask what is is mostly about. Look for the
keywords or phrases that are repeated or seem central. The topic sentence should sum up this
main idea in one clear sentence.
Rephrase the Thesis as a general statement: simplify the thesis. example if the thesis is,” social media
affects mental health by influencing self- esteem and sleep patterns,” a possible topic sentence could be,
“Social media has a major impact on mental health.”
TIPS
Identify the main idea: Find the main focus of the paragraph
Summarize broadly: Write a clear sentence that introduces this main idea without getting into details.
Rephrase if needed: Make sure the topic sentence sounds clear and gives the reader a good sense of what’s
coming next.
TOPIC SENTENCES
The purpose of a topic sentence is to state the main idea of a paragraph or thesis.
A topic sentence is usually placed at the beginning of a paragraph, but it can also appear in the middle
or at the end, depending on the writer’s style and what they want to emphasize
A topic sentence is a statement rather than a question. However, starting with a rhetorical
question can be an engaging way to introduce the topic.
A paragraph should have one main topic sentence to maintain clarity and focus.
To make a topic sentence more interesting, try to use vivid language, start with a surprising fact or
statistic.
Each paragraph should have it’s own unique topic sentence that introduces its specific main idea
A good topic sentence is clear, specific and introduces the main idea without giving away all the
details.
PEER SHARING (15 MINUTES)
Share your notes with your peer
Check if there is anything they wrote that
you missed
Discuss your points with each other.
WRITING TOPIC SENTENCES (15 MINUTES)
IN GROUPS OF 3,WRITE THE POSSIBLE TOPIC SENTENCES OF THE
FOLLOWING
1. Integrating technology into the classroom has improved student engagement,
personalized learning, and access to resources.
2. Regular exercise provides multiple benefits for mental, physical and emotional health
3. Learning a second language offers significant cognitive, social and career advantages.
4. Adopting a healthy diet is crucial for maintaining physical health, mental well-being,
and long-term wellness.
5. School uniforms help create a more focused learning environment.
6. Reading books regularly has many benefits.
7. Learning a new hobby can improve personal well- being.
8. Waking up early has several positive effects on daily life.
LET’S REVIEW (5 MINUTES)
What is a topic sentence?
What is the significance of a
topic sentence?