Two fundamental
questions:
What is a topic sentence?
How to recognize it?
The Topic Sentence presents:
a general overview
or outline of the topic and purpose of
the paragraph.
should answer the question 'What's the
paragraph about?'
is usually, but not always, the first
sentence of a paragraph and is short.
always contains more general
information than the following Body
stage.
The Topic sentence Example
Read the topic sentence of the paragraph
below. See how it contains more general
information than each body
Topic: The computers that we use today are
much more portable and less expensive
than ever before.
Body: These advantages were made possible
by the development of the microprocessor
and microchip in the [Link] tiny silicone
chip-less than 2 centimeters across but able
to store millions of bits of information-led to
the proliferation of smaller and more
portable terminals. This has resulted in
popular laptops of today which are used by
more and more people in all kinds of
activities both at work and leisure.
Look at the following sentences from a
paragraph about the therapeutic uses of
garlic. Unfortunately the sentences are
not in the correct order. Given what you
know about well written paragraphs, can
you reorder the sentences to produce a
good paragraph?
Activity 2
Try to identify the topic sentence.
(1)Garlic has been shown to reduce the risk
of cardiovascular disease (Aboul-Enein and
Aboul-Enein, 2005), and possess anti-microbial
(Sivam, 2001) and antioxidant properties (Imai et
al., 1994).(2) This essay will explore research into
garlic's potential roles in reducing cancer risk and
in treating cancer.(3) Garlic (Allium sativum L.)
has been used for centuries for medicinal
purposes.(4) Its use for healing purposes can be
traced back as far as 1550BC when
documentations of its therapeutic use first appear
in Egypt (Hassan, 2003; Rivlin, 2001).(5) In
modern times belief in the beneficial effects of
garlic on health has led to it being used for a
number of conditions.
Check your version against this sample answer. Notice
that the first sentence is the topic sentence.
(3)Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has been used for centuries
for medicinal purposes. (4)Its use for healing purposes can
be traced back as far as 1550BC when documentations of its
therapeutic use first appear in Egypt (Hassan, 2003; Rivlin,
2001).(5) In modern times belief in the beneficial effects of
garlic on health has led to it being used for a number of
conditions.(1) Garlic has been shown to reduce the risk of
cardiovascular disease (Aboul-Enein and Aboul-Enein,
2005), and possess anti-microbial (Sivam, 2001) and
antioxidant properties (Imai et al., 1994).(2) This essay will
explore research into garlic's potential roles in reducing
cancer risk and in treating cancer.
Look at the following extract from an essay on
computer game addiction.
Choose one of the three sentences below that you think
is the most suitable topic sentence for the incomplete
paragraph. (THERE MAY BE MORE THAN ONE
CORRECT ANSWER)
1. Recent studies into computer game
addiction have examined ways in which
young people could be helped to overcome
their dependence.
2. Addiction to computer games has emerged
from major research studies as one of the
biggest problems facing youth today.
3. More research studies on the effect of
young childrens addiction to computer
games are being funded by major
universities.
Some studies focus on the consequences and some
on the causes of addiction which has been identified
as beginning as early as six years of age. By far the
most compelling results to emerge are those from
studies looking at the consequences of addiction
which develops during school years. These focus on
both short- term and long- term effects of a serious
addiction defined as an addiction consuming most of
non-school hours of a school childs waking life. The
most alarming consequences are the long-term ones
of an almost certain unemployment and an impaired
ability to establish a family of their own.
Sentence 2 or 3
1. Recent studies into computer game addiction
have examined ways in which young people
could be helped to overcome their dependence.
2. Addiction to computer games has emerged from
major research studies as one of the biggest
problems facing youth today.
3. More research studies on the effect of young
childrens addiction to computer games are being
funded by major universities.