Topic%20Sentences

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Topic Sentences

• What? Why?
• How?

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What? A topic sentence is

• A sentence that starts a body paragraph and tells
  the audience what that body paragraph will be
  about.
• The most important sentence in that paragraph.
• Linked to the Thesis Statement

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Why? A topic sentence is

• Important because it tells what your paragraph
  will be about.
• Important because it links the paragraph to your
  thesis.
• Important because it keeps you organized and
  focused.

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Where? A topic sentence goes

• At the beginning of each body paragraph.

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How to write a topic sentence

• For the first line of every body paragraph, you
  must have a topic sentence.
• Look at the thesis, be sure to include the TOPIC,
  the OPINION, and 1 of the Main Points.
• Create that sentence in a new and interesting way.

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Equation for Topic Sentences

• Topic from Thesis
• Opinion from Thesis
• 1 of the Main Points from Thesis
• Saying it in a new way__________
• Topic Sentence

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Sample Topic Sentences for Pepsi vs. Coke

• Thesis Statement Pepsi is better than Coke
  because it tastes better, it costs less, and it
  has a better logo.

Topic Pepsi
Opinion Is better than coke
Main Point 1 It tastes better

• Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 1Because it
  tastes better than Coke, Pepsi will always be the
  better choice.

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Sample Topic Sentences for Pepsi vs. Coke

• Thesis Statement Pepsi is better than Coke
  because it tastes better, it costs less, and it
  has a better logo.

Topic Pepsi
Opinion Is better than coke
Main Point 2 It costs less

• Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 2 Pepsi is
  better than Coke because it costs less.

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Sample Topic Sentences for Pepsi vs. Coke

• Thesis Statement Pepsi is better than Coke
  because it tastes better, it costs less, and it
  has a better logo.

Topic Pepsi
Opinion Is better than coke
Main Point 3 Its logo is better

• Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 3 The great
  Pepsi logo makes Pepsi the sure winner over Coke.

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Sample Topic Sentences

• Thesis Statement Pepsi is better than Coke
  because it tastes better, it costs less, and it
  has a better logo.
• Topic Sentences
• Body Paragraph 1Because it tastes better than
  Coke, Pepsi will always be the better choice.
• Body Paragraph 2 Pepsi is better than Coke
  because it costs less.
• Body Paragraph 3 The great Pepsi logo makes
  Pepsi the sure winner over Coke.

Topic Pepsi
Opinion Is better than coke
1 Main Point It tastes better
Topic Pepsi
Opinion Is better than coke
1 Main Point It costs less
Topic Pepsi
Opinion Is better than coke
1 Main Point Its logo is better
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Sample Topic Sentences

• Thesis Statement Writing poetry is the best
  hobby because it allows for freedom of
  expression, it is a creative outlet, and it can
  be done anywhere.
• Topic Sentences
• Body Paragraph 1 Freedom of expression is one of
  humans greatest gift, which is one reason why
  writing poetry is the best hobby.
• Body Paragraph 2 Writing poetry is such a
  wonderful hobby because it is a creative outlet
  for all people.
• Body Paragraph 3 Finally, writing poetry is the
  best hobby because it is a hobby that can be done
  anywhere at any time.

Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
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Practice Topic Sentences

• Thesis Statement Dogs are better than cats
  because they can protect their owners, they are
  more active, and they are more fun to play with.
• Topic Sentences
• Body Paragraph 1 Dogs are better than cats
  because _________________________.
• Body Paragraph 2 Because ___________________
• ____________ , they are clearly a better pet than
  cats are.
• Body Paragraph 3 ___________________________ ,
  therefore, dogs are better than cats.

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Thesis Statement The most influential scientist
of the 1800s is George Wells Nelson because his
life was inspirational, his advancements in
medicine were unbelievable, and the Civil War
needed a hero like him.

• Practice Topic Sentences
• Topic Sentence 1
• Topic Sentence 2
• Topic Sentence 3

Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
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Thesis Statement The greatest person ever is my
grandma because she is always loving, she never
gets angry, and she makes the best cookies on the
planet.

• Practice Topic Sentences
• Topic Sentence 1
• Topic Sentence 2
• Topic Sentence 3

Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
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Thesis Statement The Hangover is the worst
movie of our time because it promotes bad
behavior, makes drug use funny, and shows a lack
of respect towards women.

• Practice Topic Sentences
• Topic Sentence 1
• Topic Sentence 2
• Topic Sentence 3

Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
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Thesis Statement Cambodia is a country that
constantly struggles because it doesnt have
enough resources for food, its environment
doesnt help things survive, but its cultural
traditions try to bring happiness to the nation.

• Topic Sentences
• Topic Sentence 1 Cambodia constantly struggles
  because of the lack of resources to produce food.
• Topic Sentence 2 Because Cambodias environment
  does not help things survive, it is a country
  with constant struggles.
• Topic Sentence 3 Despite the constant struggles
  that Cambodia faces, the cultural traditions
  bring happiness to its people..

Topic Cambodia
Opinion Constantly struggles
1 Main Point Not enough resources
Topic Cambodia
Opinion Constantly Struggles
1 Main Point Environment doesnt help things survive
Topic Cambodia
Opinion Constantly struggles
1 Main Point BUT cultural traditions bring happiness
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Now its time to try your own!

1. Write your thesis statement.
2. Color code your thesis statement.
3. Write out each of your topic sentences and color
   code them.
4. Check them with a partner to ensure they are
   correct before giving the sentences to me for a
   grade.