GRAMMAR: TOPIC SENTENCES SUPPORTING SENTENCES CONCLUDING SENTENCES.

GRAMMAR: TOPIC SENTENCES SUPPORTING SENTENCES CONCLUDING SENTENCES

Components to cover: Topic sentences Supporting sentences Irrelevant sentences Concluding sentences

WHAT IS A TOPIC SENTENCE A topic sentence is the most important sentence in a paragraph. Sometimes referred to as a focus sentence, the topic sentence helps organize the paragraph by summarizing the information in the paragraph. In formal writing, the topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph.

PURPOSE OF THE TOPIC SENTENCE A topic sentence essentially tells what the rest of the paragraph is about. All sentences after it, have to give more information about the sentence. For example, if the topic sentence concerns the types of endangered species that live in the ocean, then every sentence after that needs to expound on that subject. Topic sentences also need to relate back to the thesis of the essay. The thesis statement is like a road map that will tell the reader or listener where you are going with this information or how you are treating it.

Example Topic sentence: There are many reasons why pollution in Chinatown is the worst in the world. The topic is pollution in Chinatown Town is the worst in the world and the controlling idea is many reasons. TOPIC SENTENCES AND CONTROLLING IDEAS Every topic sentence will have a topic and a controlling idea. The controlling idea shows the direction the paragraph will take.

Example Topic Sentence: Dogs make wonderful pets because they help you to live longer. The topic is "dogs make wonderful pets" and the controlling idea is "because they help you to live longer." TOPIC SENTENCES AND CONTROLLING IDEAS Each topic sentence will surely have a controlling idea that guides the statement or question.

Example During the 1990s, I really enjoyed watching Friends on television every Thursday night. I really wanted Rachels haircutI think every girl wanted Rachels haircut back then! Rachels haircut went really well with the Guess Jeans that were so popular in the 1990s. I remember all the advertisements for Guess and Calvin Klein Jeans that were in each months Sassy magazine. I dont think Sassy magazine exists anymore, but it was one of the most popular magazines for young women in the 1990s. TOPIC SENTENCES The topic sentence should not be too general or too specific. When considering the options, look for a topic sentence that is general enough to show the paragraphs main idea instead of just one of its details.

Answer Thinking about the 1990s brings back a lot of memories for me about fashion and popular culture. TOPIC SENTENCES The bold sentence is one possible topic sentence for the example paragraph. Note: This is just one possible topic sentence. You may have thought of others that are also appropriate.

Example Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Moreover, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live. HOW WRITE A TOPIC SENTENCE? You need to summarize the main idea of your paragraph. And indicate to the reader what your paragraph will be about.

Answer There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. HOW WRITE A TOPIC SENTENCE? After reading the paragraph the student will know what is the central idea of the paragraph.

ACTIVITY 1 Americans relaxing at home, for example, may put on kimonos, which is a Japanese word. Americans who live in a warm climate may take an afternoon siesta on an outdoors patio without even realizing that these are Spanish words. In their gardens, they may enjoy the fragrance of jasmine flowers, a word that came into English from Persian. They may even relax on a chaise longue, while sipping a drink made with vodka, words of French and Russian origin, respectively.

ANSWER TO ACTIVITY 1 Although the majority of Americans may not be aware of it, many features of their culture and their language are in fact imports from other cultures.

ACTIVITY 2 In European universities, students are not required to attend classes. In fact, professors in Germany generally do not know the names of the students enrolled in their courses. In the United States, however, students are required to attend all classes and may be penalized if they do not. Furthermore, in the European system, there is usually just one comprehensive examination at the end of the students' entire four or five years of study. In the American system, on the other hand, there are usually numerous quizzes, texts, and homework assignments, and there is almost always a final examination in each course at the end of the semester.

ANSWER TO ACTIVITY 2 University systems and syllabi can vary considerably from country to country and particularly from continent to continent

SUPPORTING SENTENCES Sequence of episodes Develops ideas and arguments Targets the main point Some background information about the topic

SUPPORTING SENTENCE They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of a paragraph. They give details to develop and support the main idea of the paragraph. You should give supporting facts, details, and examples.

TYPES OF SUPPORTING SENTENCE 1. MAJOR SUPPORTING SENTENCE 2. MINOR SUPPORING SENTENCE

Example: Topic sentence: Golden week in Japan is combined celebration of four holidays Major Supporting Sentence: The first takes place on April 29 th, the birthday of emperor Showa and commemorates the 64 years of his power. Minor supporting sentence: It is a time for the Japanese to remember the important period of their history. TYPES OF SUPPORTING SENTENCE Major supporting sentence tells us about the topic sentence. Minor supporting sentence tells more about the major supporting sentence..

Example Martin Luther King, Jr. was a strong leader. He was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He went to college to become a minister, like his father was. Dr. King became a leader and civil rights advocate. His non- violent leadership and powerful speeches gained him respect from the American people. On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed. Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by celebrating his birthday as a national holiday. HOW TO WRITE A SUPPORTING SENTENCE The supporting sentences need to be about the idea presented in the topic sentence. In a paragraph, every sentence should support the topic sentence. If a sentence does not support the main idea of the paragraph, it does not belong in that paragraph and it should be moved to a new paragraph.

ACTIVITY 1: Fill in the blank with the correct supporting sentence: Harriet Tubman was a runaway slave from Maryland who became known as the "Moses of her people." ____________________. The Underground Railroad was a secret network of safe houses where runaway slaves could stay on their journey north to freedom. She later became a leader in the abolitionist movement, and during the Civil War she was a spy with for the federal forces in South Carolina as well as a nurse.

ACTIVITY 1: Fill in the blank with the correct supporting sentence. Options are: 1.Over the course of 10 years at a great personal risk she led hundred of slaves to freedom along the underground railroad. 2.There should be a national holiday to celebrate her achievements. 3.As a small child, she was a slave and frequently subjected to sever whipping.

ANSWER TO ACTIVITY 1: Option 1 is correct The first sentence is correct because it supports the supports the topic of Harriet Tubman as a person who helped free slaves.

ACTIVITY 2: Fill in the blank with the correct supporting sentence: Born Edward Kennedy Ellington, Duke Ellington was one of the founding fathers of jazz music. __________________________. A pianist, bandleader, arranger, and composer, Ellington and his band played together for 50 years. Some of Ellington's most famous songs include "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "Sophisticated Lady" and "In a Sentimental Mood."

ACTIVITY 2: Fill in the blank with the correct supporting sentence: Options are: 1.While vacationing in Asbury park, Duke heard of a hot pianist named Harvey Brooks. 2.He played for the royalty and common people and by the end of his fifty-year career, he had played over 20,000 performances worldwide. 3.He stated playing piano at the age of seven, and by the time he was fifteen he was composing.

ANSWER TO ACTIVITY 2: Option 3 is correct The third sentence is correct because it adds details to the topic sentence. The first sentence is off topic and the second sentence confuses the reader.

IRRELEVANT SENTENCES Looks like a supporting sentence Are off topic Are random opinions or statements Do not prove the controlling idea they might actually disprove it Repeat facts Incomplete sentences (missing subject or verb or incomplete thoughts)

Example The disappearance of Amelia Earhart remains a mystery. Earhart, who was the first woman pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, crashed into the Pacific Ocean while attempting to fly around the world. She was born in Atchison, Kansas, in 1897. Some researchers believe that she survived the crash into the Pacific, because radio distress calls were received. An intensive search for the source of the signals was made. Searchers were not able to find her, however. Finally, the distress signals ceased. In spite of continued searches by airplane and ship, no clue about what became of Amelia Earhart has yet been found. IRRELEVANT SENTENCES Usually irrelevant sentence will destroy the unity of the paragraph and will sound odd for the topic.

Example Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in a log cabin in Kentucky. When he was a child, he moved to Indiana and as a young man moved to Illinois. While he was living in Illinois, he became a lawyer and served in the state House of Representatives. He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives and eventually ran for president. Abraham Lincoln wore a stovepipe hat. He was elected president in 1860 and led our country through the Civil War. Sadly, he was assassinated in April of 1865. Abraham Lincoln was very tall. IRRELEVANT SENTENCES Sometimes paragraphs contain sentences that have information that do not match its theme or interrupt its flow. These sentences are called irrelevant sentences.

Example Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in a log cabin in Kentucky. When he was a child, he moved to Indiana and as a young man moved to Illinois. While he was living in Illinois, he became a lawyer and served in the state House of Representatives. He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives and eventually ran for president. Abraham Lincoln wore a stovepipe hat. He was elected president in 1860 and led our country through the Civil War. Sadly, he was assassinated in April of 1865. Abraham Lincoln was very tall. IRRELEVANT SENTENCES A careful reading is required before straightaway coming to a conclusion. Sometimes sentences can be confusing.

GRAMMAR: TOPIC SENTENCES SUPPORTING SENTENCES CONCLUDING SENTENCES.

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