Read each paragraph and then click on the sentence or sentences that you think is the topic sentence of that paragraph. Write whats good or bad about the possible topic sentences below each example. Your topic sentence should directly state the problem. For further practice with the sentences and paragraphs in this part of the unit, go to practice 7 on pages 288289 in appendix 1. Its important for students to learn to write clear and concise topic sentences.
Recognizing perfect topic sentences practice worksheet 2 the following paragraph is missing a topic sentence. Identifying topic sentences worksheets lesson worksheets. Creating topic sentences is foundational to the overwhelming majority of academic writing applications. Paragraphs can stand alone or function as part of an essay, but each paragraph covers only one main idea. Topics and stated main ideas practice read the following paragraphs, and underline any clues that help you determine the topics. This unit introduces your students to the process of identifying and writing a well structured paragraph. In this case, the topic sentence is the third sentence. Topic sentences are used for paragraph and report writing when the writer is explaining facts. Main idea practice paragraphs 16 read and think about the following sample paragraphs, in which the main idea sentences are underlined. It also provides example paragraphs and practice choosing the best topic sentence for each one. Topic sentences and supporting details worksheets tpt. Topic sentence definition, examples, and guidelines. Activity 5 brainstorming topic sentences for each of the general topics in the left column, brainstorm some ideas in the space provided.
Pass the paragraph write the topic sentence of a paragraph. Identifying topic each of the paragraphs below contains three underlined sentences. Strong paragraphs are the building blocks of academic writing, and wellwritten topic sentences are key to developing effective paragraphs. It answers the question, who or what is the paragraph or article about. Every paragraph should include a topic sentence that identifies the main idea of the paragraph. Then, write the best topic sentence on the line above the paragraph. Students read the paragraphs and then identify the topic sentence. A paragraph is a group of related sentences that develop a main thought, or idea, about a single topic. Summary topic sentences are made up of identifying the item storyarticle, a summary verb, and finishing your thought. Topic sentences provide an essay with structure and organization by breaking break down the thesis argument into a series of smaller claims.
This worksheet provides students with practice identifying the topic, topic sentence, and supporting details in five highinterest. Lowfat diets are an excellent way to stay healthy and trim. The exact location where they flew their first airplane is known as the kill devil hills. Topic sentences and thesis statements reveal the reason for writing and tell the. All the sentences in the paragraph are about that topic. Select print activity to print or save your responses. The topic sentence states the main, or controlling, idea.
The topic sentence is a sentence that gives the readers an idea of what the paragraph is about. View samples, practice identifying topic and controlling ideas, then apply skills with an engaging. This esl writing exercise gives presents students with several paragraphs, each of which is missing a topic sentence. Keep in mind that the main idea is often the first or last sentence of a paragraph.
Writing better concluding sentences the two paragraphs have weak concluding sentences. Topic sentences and conclusion sentences are highlighted in green, star ideas are yellow and details are red. That makes your entire paragraph about five to eight sentences questions. Your topic can have some evidence or examples to support it, but these should all be related to each other. Topic sentences are sentences that writers use to focus their ideas and express the main point of their paragraphs. A topic sentence should not contain supporting details. Notice that each sentence is labeled in parentheses with the kind of supporting sentence that it is. Exercises on paragraph writing a topic sentences the topic sentence is the most important sentence of a paragraph.
For example, a paragraph on the best seafood restaurants in town may have a catchy title that does not state the topic plainly, like fishing for great. So about five empty spaces come before the first word in the paragraph. This worksheet asks that students read five different paragraphs and locate the topic sentences in each one by circling it. The topic sentence tells the topic of the paragraph and the general idea regarding the topic that is going to be discussed. This video and worksheet explain what a topic sentence is and what it does in a paragraph. They state the central focus of the paragraph and provide cohesion for the paragraph. It is often helpful to reflect back to your topic sentences as you complete the entire paragraph. Your responses will not save or report to a gradebook. For a formal definition, a topic sentence is the very first one of a paragraph that provides an overview of the sentences to follow whereas, supporting sentences are the ones that come after the topic sentence to help form the main idea. The worksheets below are aimed to help your student become a master at recognizing and writing topic sentences. It is the central point that an author is trying to get across to the reader.
Displaying all worksheets related to topic sentence. Expository paragraphs step up to writing secondary topic sentences and thesis statements topic sentences and thesis statements reveal the reason for writing and tell the reader what will be proven or explained. Topicsentences statethemainidea, includeorsummarizereasonsthatsupportmainidea,and makeaclaimaboutthemainideaoftheparagraph. The topic sentence in a paragraph states the main idea of the paragraph. If you teach a course where writing is a focus, then youll probably be covering this topic at some point. Write the topic sentence of each of the following paragraphs in the box below. There are several ways to make the best use of the study time available. Supporting sentences give information that explains and expands the topic of the paragraph.
These worksheets will help you develop topic sentence that serve as a foundation of any paragraph that you are. Topic sentences are sentences that writers use to focus their ideas and. Identifying topic sea supporting english acquisition. Write a topic sentence for the group of sentences provided. The most important sentence in your paragraph is the. Read the following paragraphs and find the topic sentences, the supporting sentences, and the concluding sentences. The topic sentence gives a paragraph direction and purpose. Being able to identify these key ideas in a topic sentence will help you read with more. Here, for instance, is the topic sentence which opens a paragraph about the collapse of the stock market in 1929. Which sentence would be best to put at the start of the paragraph below.
Middle school to write a good paragraph, you need to follow your topic sentence with supporting details. Use this lesson plan to teach your students how to write engaging topic sentences. Identify and correct sentences which are too broad or too narrow tbtn. Below is a list of possible topic sentences for the paragraph. Identify the topic sentence topic sentences, writing. In many countries today americans are cordially disliked. The topic sentence identifies the topic as animal welfare and states that. Look beyond the first sentence to identify the topic sentence. The topic is stated as a single word or phrasenot a complete sentence. See if you can pick the best topic sentence and identify good supporting sentences in the paragraphs below. The topic the topic is the subject of the paragraph.
The topic sentence is the sentence in which the main idea of the paragraph is stated. Practice identifying the topic sentences in paragraphs. Carefully read each paragraph and identify the narrowed topic. Then select the authors sentence containing the main idea.
If you apply for a credit card or a loan and youre turned down, it may be because of your credit history. Intro paragraph worksheets long branch public schools. Practice using topic sentences to keep your ideas focused. The following activities begin with teaching students to identify a topic sentencemain idea in reading. The topic sentence generally is composed of two parts.
Part one focuses on what topics are and how to write a topic sentence. In a multiparagraph essay, that point is expressed in a thesis statement. Kitty hawk was made famous on december 17, 1903, when the wright brothers made the first airplane flights. These paragraphs are written at the students writing levels. Displaying all worksheets related to identifying topic sentences. Students look at examples and nonexamples of paragraphs with topic sentences. Identifying the topic is key to monitoring your comprehension, getting the full meaning of the text, and answering. The supporting sentences provide the information that backs up and proves the claim you made in the topic. Being able to identify these key ideas in a topic sentence will help you read with more understanding because you better know the papers focus.
Rangers who spend their summers as firefighters will tell you that. Identify and correct sentences which are too broad or too narrow tb tn. This is a good practice to improve your reading and prepare. Topic sentences worksheets writing skills k12 reader. A strong set of topic sentenceswill work together to support a thesis. The topic sentence is the most important sentence of a paragraph. These details are specific in nature and not generalized like your topic sentence. It shows what the paragraph is about while the controlling idea indicates how the writer will develop that topic idea. Irrelevant sentences worksheets 5 in these exercises, identify the irrelevant sentences for each passage. Identifying topic sentence due no due date points 5. Generally, the main idea of a paragraph is stated in the topic sentence.
It is unquestionably the most important sentence in the paragraph. It is the sentence that tells exactly what your paper will be about. Choose the best topic sentence for each group of supporting sentences and circle the answer. Worksheets are topic sentences work 1 what is a topic sentence, topic sentence, writing topic sentences, topic sentences practice, topic sentences and controlling ideas, part two topics main ideas and topic sentences, topic sentences work, unit supporting and concluding 4 sentences. Paragraphs may have the topic as a title but not always. A paragraph is made of a few sentences that talk about one single topic. While it is true that in published writing youll sometimes find topic sentences in the middle or even at the end of a paragraph, placing your topic sentences at the beginning of each of your paragraphs is useful because.
Reading, topic sentences, supporting details, worksheet. Worksheets are topic sentences work 1 what is a topic sentence, writing topic sentences, topic sentences practice, unit supporting and concluding 4 sentences, mini1lesson, part two topics main ideas and topic sentences, identifying the topic, identifying main idea and supporting details. Identifying topic sentences paragraph 1 though the united states has spent billions of dollars on foreign aid programs, it has captured neither the affection nor esteem of the rest of the world. The organization of paragraphs is very important in order to have effective and clear expression of ideas. Support students as they learned to write organized paragraphs with topic sentences, supporting details, and closing sentences while. Choosing topic sentences choose the best topic sentence for each group of supporting sentences. You will need to have a magazine handy for this one. To view a worksheet or download a printable pdf, simply click on the title. Reading as a support technician, you need to read an email.
The topic sentence sea supporting english acquisition. The supporting sentences that follow all try to provide some form of evidence to validate the thoughts offered by the topic sentences. It is no longer than the idea requires, and it stresses the important word or phrase. Pdf free model of sentence classifier for automatic. Students underline the topic sentence in each activity. The bridge is when you bring up the topic of your essay.
The students must read the paragraphs, then come up with a suitable topic sentence for each one. A topic sentence states the main idea of a paragraph. Topic sentences are a vital part of paragraph writing. There are a several changes that average americans can make to lower their carbon footprints. Topic sentences whereas a thesis statement expresses the central argument or claim of a paper, a topic sentence begins each body paragraph with a point in support of this larger thesis. Each of the paragraphs below contains three underlined sentences. The main idea in a paragraph is the most important idea. It states the main idea and introduces the reader to the topic. You should have at least five to seven sentences in your paragraph. While it is usually at the beginning of the paragraph, it also can be in the middle or end of it. Sentences that are grouped together that relate to one main idea are called paragraphs. The thesis is the last sentence in your introductory paragraph. To highlight sentences, i let kids use markers, colored pencils, or crayons, but really, i prefer markers as they work the best to highlight papers. Compare what you wrote in activity 1 to the information in each paragraph.