Where is the Topic Sentence Located?
A Topic Sentence can usually be found in one of
four locations:
A topic sentence can be the first sentence in the paragraph.
When this occurs, the first sentence will be a general
statement that will introduce a subject and will
then be followed by sentences that will support that
statement in some important way, as in the following example:
Sleep
problems can be avoided if you follow a few simple guidelines.
First, don’t drink alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine
before bedtime. Next, do
not exercise within three hours of bedtime.
Finally, plan a sleep routine.
Every day, go to bed at the same time and get up at the same
time.
A topic sentence can be in the middle of a paragraph.
This will occur in two circumstances:
1. Sometimes, a paragraph begins with an
introductory sentence that is meant to grab your
attention. It may be a very general statement that
looks like a topic sentence, but then is followed by a
sentence that changes direction.
This sentence is the one that is explained
in the rest of the paragraph, and it becomes the topic
sentence. See example:
Some people fall asleep easily. They drop off as as soon as their
heads hit the pillows. Others aren't so lucky. They toss and
turn well into the night. Fortunately, there are solutions to
sleeplessness.
In many cases, one can avoid sleep problems by following a few
simple guidelines. First sleepless people should refrain from
drinking alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before bedtime.
Next, they should not exercise within three hours of bedtime.
Finally, they need plan a sleep routine.
Every day, they should go to bed at the same time and get up at
the same time.
2. You will also find a topic sentence in
the middle of a paragraph when the paragraph starts with a
question.
A question will never
be a topic sentence. Look for the answer
to the question -this will be the topic sentence of the
paragraph. Of course, if the answer to a question is
"Yes," or "No," this will not be your
topic sentence. See the following example:
Do you know what to do if you have trouble sleeping?
In many cases, one can avoid sleep problems by following a few
simple guidelines. First, don’t drink alcoholic beverages or
drinks with caffeine before bedtime.
Next, do not exercise within three hours of bedtime.
Finally, plan a sleep routine.
Every day, go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time.
The explanation that follows this one-word
answer will be the topic sentence.
A
topic sentence can appear at the end of a paragraph. In this case,
the supports will be given first, and the topic sentence will end the
paragraph either as a summary or a
conclusion. See the following example:
To avoid sleep problems, you should not drink
alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before bedtime.
Another way to avoid sleep problems is to not exercise within three
hours of bedtime.
A final way to prevent sleep problems is to plan a sleep routine.
Every day, go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time.
As
can be seen, sleep problems can be avoided by following the above simple
guidelines
A summary
will bring together all of the points made in
the paragraph. A conclusion
is where all of the points lead up to a final, important
point.
Finally, a topic sentence can
sometimes be found as the first and the last
sentences in a paragraph, as in the following example:
One
can avoid sleep
problems by following a few simple guidelines.
First, don’t drink alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine
before bedtime.
Next, do not exercise within three hours of bedtime.
Finally, plan a sleep routine.
Every day, go to bed at the same time and get up at the same
time. If
you follow these guidelines, you will be able to avoid problems with
sleeping.
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Last update:
05/26/07 |
