Advanced Composition for non-native speakers of English
Examples of Topic Sentences by Jeenn Lee Hsieh 谢振礼
ielts360toefl@hotmail.com 举例中体段落的第一句话
What is a Topic Sentence? (Signposting)
>Also called a Signpost Sentence or a Sub-focus Sentence, a Topic Sentence summarizes the main idea of argument of a Body Paragraph. It acts as a control by ensuring that the supporting examples and details within the same paragraph are centered on the same Signpost or Sub-focus (originating from the Introduction and leading to the Conclusion).
Usually a Topic Sentence is an abstract idea (an opinion), not a fact. An opinion requires evidence (examples and details) for support, whereas a fact is a fact and does not need proof.
A Topic Sentence helps the Reader (Examiner) know what to expect, and what to look for, when reading the paragraph. Good Topic Sentences can improve an essay's readability and unity. They usually meet the following criteria:
First sentence
Link to Thesis
Introduce the subject of the paragraph
Link to the previous paragraph
Indicate the progression of the essay
Review: Almost always appearing at the beginning of a Body Paragraph, , a Topic Sentence must be related to the Introduction (Thesis>Focus>Signposts), as well as to the Conclusion (Signposts>Focus>Thesis).
Tips: Avoid solid facts in your Topic Sentence. Instead, give a provable Opinion and, when necessary, use facts as part of evidence to support your Opinion.
A 4-paragraph "Opinion" Essay
Introduction: 起 Say what you are going to say about the essay topic.
Thesis>An essay topic is usually broad, stimulating Opinions in response to the essay question. (Your answer to the question is your Thesis)
Focus>A limited topic, or focus, is narrow, connecting only a few selected ideas or points of view. (Your Thesis is well-focused.)
Signposts>A topic sentence, or a sub-focus sentence, is one of the few (probably only two) selected ideas. (These selected ideas are signposts that show the directions or areas of discussion.)
Body Paragraphs A and B: 承 + 转 Say something to support your Opinion.
Topic Sentence (Opinion A) + Supporting Sentences (examples and details
or explanations to support Signpost A)
Topic Sentence (Opinion B) + Supporting Sentences (examples and details
or explanations to support Signpost B)
Conclusion: 合 Say what you have said.
Signposts A + B>Focus>Thesis
>Writing a Topic Sentence at the beginning of your Body Paragraph. Topic Sentence A is for Body Paragraph A; and Topic Sentence B is for Body Paragraph B.
>Here are examples of Topic Sentences (Signpost Sentences or Sub-focus Sentences) for body paragraphs A 承 + B 转.
There are many contributing factors to global warming that causes climate to change.
Dogs make wonderful pets because they help you to live longer.
Crime in poverty-stricken areas occurs as a result of systemic discrimination.
Teen pregnancy may be prevented by improved education.
Graduating from high school is important for many different reasons.
There are several advantages to growing up in the countryside.
On the one hand, school is a place to learn and grow up as an individual, but school uniforms may affect a student's growth by restricting individuality.
On the other hand, most students need a structured environment to learn classroom materials, and school uniforms are one of the best ways of keeping the classroom organized and eliminating unnecessary distraction.
City life has several drawbacks.
Effective leadership requires specific qualities that anyone can develop.
Online learning has its problems.
Fruits contain many nutrients and offer a variety of health benefits.
Technological advances have made life easier for most of us for a number of reasons.
Researches in the cosmetic industry often make animals suffer in unnecessary experiments designed to text their products.
Fast food is not only fast but also cheap and tasty.
To stop the alarming rise in the number of violent crimes committed every year, our courts must hand out tougher sentences.
If parents want better education for their children, they must be willing to commit their time to working closely with schools.
Dangerous sports appeal to the basic human desire for thrills.
There are many factors for the amount of global contamination.
Eating healthy can change your life.
Advances in technology have made the world seem smaller.
The computer was probably the greatest invention of the past 100 years.
Playing sports is beneficial for the body and the mind.
>Write your Body Paragraphs at the just ideal length. Jeenn Lee Hsieh prefers to keep the paragraph within 5 to 7 sentences. Believe it, 6 is a magic number.
>Follow the Topic Sentence.
>Maintain transitions within the paragraph.
>Have a logical flow of sentences within the paragraph.
>Adopt the PEE model:
P=Point (signpost point, sub-focus point)
E=Examples (supporting sentences)
E=Explanations (supporting sentences)
>Paragraph Example>School Uniforms: the advantages
Topic Sentence
Supporting Sentence
Supporting Sentence
Supporting Sentence
Supporting Sentence
Supporting Sentence
School uniforms provide many benefits to students, parents and educators.
First, students will always know what they have to wear, and they will not feel pressured to find a 'cool' outfit in the morning.
In this case, they can spend their allowance on fun clothes for their free time
Second, aside from saving money, parents will have the advantage of knowing that at least, while in school, their children are not putting on 'objectionable' styles.
Third, educators are less likely to encounter those types of arguments, competition, or 'bullying' that are often related to style choices.
Therefore, for all concerned, school uniforms are an invaluable addition to the academic learning environment.
>Paragraph Example>The punishment of criminals: debate
Topic Sentence
Supporting Sentence
Supporting Sentence
Supporting Sentence
Supporting Sentence
Supporting Sentence
The punishment of criminals has always been a controversial issue for society.
Citizens have had to decide whether offenders such as first-degree murderers should be killed in a gas chamber, imprisoned for life, or rehabilitated and given a second chance in society.
Many citizens argue that serious criminals should be executed.
They believe that killing dangerous criminals will set an example for others and rid society of a financial burden.
Other citizens, however, say that no one has the right to take a life and that capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime.
They claim that society as well as the criminal may be responsible for the crimes and that killing the criminals does not solve the problem of either society or the criminal.
