Finding Topic Sentences

If a thesis is a road map to a paper, then a topic sentence is a guide to

a paragraph. Therefore, you should think of topic sentences as kinds of minitheses, organizing and enabling the development of each paragraph in a
paper. Each paragraph should have its own topic sentence and should focus
on only one main idea or point. Every time you move into a new idea, you
need a new paragraph and a new topic sentence .
Purposes of a Topic Sentence:
1. To substantiate or support an essays thesis statement
2. To unify the content of a paragraph and establish a general sense of
organization
3. To present to the audience the subject to be discussed and how the
paragraph will treat that subject
A topic sentence has several important functions: it substantiates or
supports an essays thesis statement; it unifies the content of a paragraph
and directs the order of the sentences; and it advises the reader of the
subject to be discussed and how the paragraph will discuss it. Readers
generally look to the first few sentences in a paragraph to determine the
subject and perspective of the paragraph. Thats why its often best to put
the topic sentence at the very beginning of the paragraph. In some cases,
however, its more effective to place another sentence before the topic
sentencefor example, a sentence linking the current paragraph to the
previous one, or one providing background information
There are two types of topic sentences: obvious and implied. You
should probably focus on obvious topic sentences. For most classes, it is
best to be straightforward and to state your point as clearly and early as
possible. Remember: the goal of your essay/paragraph is to get your point

across in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner. You dont want to confuse
your reader or your instructor.

Obvious Topic Sentences

These sentences should come at the beginning of your paragraph,
preferably in the first or second sentence (since you want to leave room to
effectively transition from one paragraph to the next).You may want to check
with your instructor to see if you can use an introductory sentence in the
paragraph (which would be the transition) before the topic sentence. Some
instructors want you to start immediately with a topic sentence. A rule of
thumb: If the topic sentence comes at or towards the end of the paragraph,
you should move it up to the beginning.
Some textbooks give the option to put the topic sentence at the end.
Again, it is generally a good idea to check with your instructor before placing
your topic sentence near the end of the paragraph. Making your reader
figure out what youre trying to say as you go along is generally not a good
tactic (Adapted from
Good Example (of a clear, effective, and obvious topic sentence):
Burnout is a potential problem for hardworking and persevering
students to fight. A preliminary step for preventing student burnout is
for students to work in moderation. Students can concentrate on school
every day, if they dont overtax themselves. One method students can
use is to avoid concentrating on a single project for an extended period.
For example, if students have to read two books for a midterm history
test, they should do other assignments at intervals so that the two
books will not get boring. Another means to moderate a workload is to
regulate how many extracurricular projects to take on. When a workload
is manageable, a students immunity to burnout is strengthened.
Bradley Howard, student

(Troyka and Hesse 86)

This example shows an effective topic sentence because it has both

the subject (burnout) and the treatment (is a potential problem for
hardworking and persevering students to fight). It also uses specific
language (hardworking and persevering students). For example, Howard
didnt simply say students, he said hardworking and persevering students.
The sentence also specifically states that in the paragraph, the author is
going to discuss how to fight burnout.
Bad Example:
Adams implies that Langely is afraid of new technology, and
therefore afraid of the future. for he constantly repated that these
new forces were anarchical, and especially that he was not responsible
for the new rays (318). The dynamo amazes Adams. He calls it a
moral force, and explains that after a while he began to pray to it
(218). This leads him to a discussion of history because Adams is a
historian and for him everything goes back to history. He says there is no
more cause and effect: assuming in silence a relation between cause
and effectAdams himself toiled in vain to find out what he means
(319). The word vain shows that he failed in his attempts to figure out
whats going on and how the dynamo came to be. This is a bad thing
because the word vain has a bad tone. So he discovers the concept of
the virgin.
This example has an ineffective topic sentence because it does not
convey the main idea of the paragraph. The paragraph mainly discusses
Adams views and his thoughts on the dynamo. The author does not discuss
Langleys fear of new technology and the future in the rest of the paragraph.

Also, unless Adams and Langely are introduced earlier in the essay, the
reader does not know who they are.
Some points to remember
1. A topic sentence has a subject and a treatment; [t]he subject is
what you intend to write about. The treatment is what you intend to
do with your subject.
Example:
Glendora High School offers a well-balanced academic program.
subject
treatment
The subject does not necessarily come first. It may come at the end,
the middle, or even interrupt the treatment.
Example:
Four factors establish Elvis Presley as the greatest entertainer of the
treatment
subject
treatment
twentieth century: appearance, singing ability, style, and influence.
(Brandon 40)
2. A topic sentence should not be a quote. It should be your own point in
your own words. Use quotes for support.
Example of a topic sentence that uses a quote:
The narrator in Cathedral shows his jealousy when he thinks, I
waited in vain to hear my name on my wifes sweet lips (Carver 158).
Example of a more appropriate topic sentence:
The narrator in Cathedral seems to be jealous of the relationship
between his wife and Robert. He reveals his jealousy when he thinks,
I waited in vain to hear my name on my wifes sweet lips (Carver
158).

3. Make sure to use specific words in your topic sentence it shouldnt be

vague, too broad, or too narrow (Brandon 40).
Example of a bad topic sentence:
Vague: Public schools are great.
Better: Public schools do as well academically as private schools,
according to statistics.
(Brandon 40)
The first topic sentence uses vague language (great). What is great
about the schools? Is it great academically, socially, etc.? The second
topic sentence is much more specific and the reader knows the author
is going to discuss how public schools compare to private schools
academically.
4. For essays, your topic sentences need to tie into your thesis (the
essays main idea).
References:
Brandon, Lee. Paragraphs and Essays: A Worktext with Readings. 9th ed.
New York: Houghton
Mifflin, 2005.
Carver, Raymond. Cathedral. An Introduction to Literature. 13th ed. Ed.
Sylvan
Barnet, William Burto, and William E. Cain. New York: Longman, 2004. 154163.
Paragraphs and Topic Sentences. Writing Tutorial Services
Universtiy, Bloomington.
<http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/paragraphs.shtml>.

Indiana

Pacheco, Derek. Topic Sentences. HyperTeach Resources: Handouts.

Univeristy of California.
<http://www.english.ucla.edu/TA/hyperteach/PDFs/topic_sent.pdf>.