A paragraph is a group of sentences dealing with a single topic or idea. Usually, one sentence, called the topic sentence, states the main idea of the paragraph. All the other sentences are related to this topic sentence. They further explain or support the main idea.
The Topic Sentence's Function
The topic sentence of a paragraph is like a contract between writer and reader. The writer is saying, in effect, "I have an idea I want to explain to you." The reader is answering, "All right, explain it to me." For the writer to hold to the contract, he or she must explain the idea stated in the topic sentence. Therefore, the topic sentence controls the content of the paragraph.
Structure
The Topic Senence consists of three parts: Topic , Direction and /or subpoints. The topic tells reader what problem you will tell. Direction tells which way you will tell, and subpoints tells the specific stuffs you will write.
Subpoints order
Good subpoints satisfy two qualities: subordinate and coordinate. Subordinate means that the subpoint is more specific than topic . At the same time there are should be in the same level with few exception that some are more specific than others.
Judging Topic Sentences
A topic sentence makes a general statement that is wider in its scope than the rest of the sentences in the paragraph. A good topic sentence is broad enough to be developed by specific details. However, if a topic sentence is too general, the remainder of the paragraph will have to be either extremely long in order to give an adequate explanation of the idea, or it will have to contain nothing but more general statements.
- A topic sentence can be evaluated by asking a few questions.
- Does the topic sentence present one--and only one--topic?
- Is the topic sentence an overgeneralization?
- Does the sentence give strong direction to the whole paragraph?
Usually, it is difficult to say that a topic sentence is "good" or "bad." It is possible, however, to say that one topic sentence is better than another.
Placement of the Topic Sentence
In general, a sensible plan is to tell readers what the paragraph is intended to discuss before it is discussed. Thus, the common practice in writing a paragraph is to begin with the topic sentence and to follow it with supporting sentences. The topic sentence serves the special purpose of announcing the paragraph's topic. Using this approach to placement of the topic sentence, the reader can more easily identify the central point that the writer is making.
