WS: 1.2- establish and support a central idea with a topic sentence

Learning Objective: establish a topic sentence

and supporting details

Partner Share

Choose which general words goes with the specific examples

• Fruit• Angry• Vegetables• Happy

•Stomped his foot•Red face•Slammed the door

•Bananas•Grapes•Apples•cherries

•Green beans•Spinach•Peas•carrots

•Smiling•Skipping•Use kind words

The Topic SentenceA topic sentence introduces or tells the reader the subject of

the paragraph. Example: Many people are familiar with the insect

eating Venus flytrap. Some even grow the plant in their homes. Like most plants, Venus flytraps get food from the soil. They could live without eating insects. They are healthier, though, when they have an occasional insect snack.

Topic Sentence: - it is a generalized statement- it is usually located at the beginning of the paragraph- It includes the main idea of the paragraph

In American writing…Each time the reader sees a new paragraph,

he/she learns something new about the topic. Example:

Many people think sundews are beautiful. Their leaves are many small tentacles. The tentacles are covered with a clear, gluey substance that makes them glisten like diamonds in the sun.

Insects also find the sundew attractive. The glue looks like food to a bug. It entices the bug to land. The sundew has its meal. The glue traps the insect right where it lands.

The sundew’s gluey liquid also contains digestive juices. The juices break down the insect’s nutrients. Then the plant absorbs the juices, are now full of food.

Importance

Helps us to become better writers and readers.

Steps to writing the topic sentence 1. Read entire paragraph.

2. Think about the subject of the paragraph3. Read the supporting details in the paragraph4. Choose a general statement that is supported by the details in the paragraph

The California Gold RushMen and women came to California in hopes of finding gold and becoming rich overnight. As one gold miner said in his journal, “My dream is to find gold so that I can make a new life.”

Which sentence would best be used as a topic sentence to introduce the above paragraph.A. Gold was used to cap rotting teeth.

B. The California Gold Rush of 1849 attracted people from countries all over the world.

C. Gold Miners set up camps all over California.

D. Tin cans were used to pan for gold.

Let’s Try it Together

Pipa drew all over Max’s homework with marking pens. While he was at school, she messed up the puzzle he had been working on for days. Then at dinner, she knocked her glass of milk over and it landed in his lap.

1. Read entire paragraph.2. Think about the subject of the paragraph3. Read the supporting details in the paragraph4. Choose a general statement that is supported by the details in the paragraph

Which sentence would best be used as a topic sentence to introduce the above paragraph.A.Pipa hit Max on the head with a shoe.B.Max’s sister, Pipa, is constantly irritating him.C.Pipa is in 1st grade.D.Pipa is an angel.

There are wristwatches, alarm clocks, mantel clocks, and tall grandfather clocks. Clocks can come in just about any shape. Clocks also make different kinds of sounds. The Coo- Coo clock’s bird sings its song when its hour arrives. There are also clocks that buzz, ring, and honk.

• A. Clocks make a buzzing sound.• B. All clocks have numbers on them.• C. Clocks come in many different sizes and forms.• D. The grandfather clock is usually passed down

from generation to generation.

Which sentence would best be used as a topic sentence to introduce the above paragraph.

1. Read entire paragraph.2. Think about the subject of the paragraph3. Read the supporting details in the paragraph4. Choose a general statement that is supported by the details in the paragraph

Guide dogs help people who are not able to see very well or who cannot see at all. The guide dog acts as their eyes. Guide dogs are allowed to go inside

places where other animals are not allowed.

• A. Guide dogs alert their owner by barking.• B. Guide dogs are special dogs that work.• C. Cats are different from dogs.• D. Guide dogs don’t get paid.

Which sentence would best be used as a topic sentence to introduce the above paragraph.

1. Read entire paragraph.2. Think about the subject of the paragraph3. Read the supporting details in the paragraph4. Choose a general statement that is supported by the details in the paragraph

Closure