Writing Composition: Topic Sentences and Thesis Statements

Contributed by:

Ivan Mon, Feb 28, 2022 12:18 PM UTC

This printout lesson will teach students how to create appropriate topic sentences/thesis statements depending on the nature of their writings.

1. Topic Sentences and Thesis Statements

Topic sentences and thesis statements:
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© Can be written in any tone: serious, humorous, encouraging, inspiring, etc.
« Can change tone depending on the purpose of the paragraph and the
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Paragraph assignments in all subject areas require strong, clear topic
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© Math: My classmate and I found four examples of isosceles triangles in
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* Science: Today in science we learned how scientists use adult herring
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* Literature: Maya Angelou’s poem “Caged Bird” reminds us all of the
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2. Occasion and Position
Analyzing Your Topic Sentence

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« areason for writing (occasion/topic/subject)
© statement about what the writer plans to prove or explain
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Peele caters
Example: Although Prohibition during the 1920s and 30s banned
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(emer t 1)
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All topic sentence styles, however, can be analyzed by applying the terms
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Examples: 1, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt showed great concern for the
suffering of our nation’s poor. (Action Topic Sentence)
{occasion) - Eleanor Roosevelt
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2, Eleanor Roosevelt found several ways to promote the rights
of women in our country. (Number/Power Statement)
{occasion) - Eleanor Roosevelt
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3. During her years in the White House, Eleanor Roosevelt
traveled to many parts of the country to support the New
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{occasion) - Eleanor Roosevelt
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3.
Action Verb Topic Sentences

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Our science group H identified H two important
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* Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and

third president of the United States, designed several buildings.

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Wildfires in Indonesia forced many orangutans from the jungle onto

palm oil plantations, where they were not welcome by people.

At last night’s city council meeting, our mayor encouraged everyone
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Hurricane Katrina destroyed parts of the Louisiana and Mississippi

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4. Where or When Plus What’s Happening

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ia aoa acne citizens conserve energy in

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taught me to love poetry.

¢ Each year our family vacations at Blue Bell Lodge in the Black Hills of

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part of Afri

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. choices about what to eat.

Before each vocabulary test in science, I use two strategies to learn

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5. s with two parts. The occasion
you plan to prov
words called
So that
Though # While
@ When

6. PNY Pe SU ee ee Le

iireteter em eit
[em ites nm tom tae i
pint onensreeyioed ‘and ___we learned how to use a
Pini lencaey Ree ets eA

PES eames m iT ibut _jazz. is my favorite.

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art students offered some
i helpful advice.

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ifice the industrial arts electives offered in most high schools.

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7. © Power statements, us’
or explain.
¢ The number word lets a
word he’
# A couple of
void starting with “Th
Statements with:
- Who
ces, contain number words. The number word
is the focus point of the sentence. It points out your position—what you plan to prove
know that a list of information will follow.
ps you, as the organize your thoughts. The number word
@ Various
Anumber of

8. nts, used as topi
contain numbe
is the focus point of the sentence. It points out your position—what you plan to prove
¢ The numbe
* The numbe
also helps the reader.
@ Four
# A couple
void starting
ts with:
rd lets a reader know that a list of information will follow.
helps you, as the wri
- What
your thoughts. The number word
@ Various
Anumber of
". Instead, start your Pow

9. # Despite In spite of
Due to @ Inste
@ In addition to
to another word in a
din a phrase: Without
@ Outside
@ Through
@ Throughout
@ Without
With the
eption of

10. ords that show the relationship of one word to another word in a
sentence. Prepositions do not stand alone. They are always used in a phrase: Without
funding, Throughout the coun
© The prepositional phrase in a topic sentence introduces your occasion—your reason for
writing. The rest of the sentence shares your position—what you plan to prove or explain.
° ording to = Beyond in of # Outside @ Within
@ Along with Despite @In spite of Over @ Without
@ Afte Due to Inste Since With the
Among During Through
Because of For i Throughout
By From r Under
Before in Until
Besides @ In addition to With

11. For a compare or contrast writing assignme as must be organized to show how
concepts or items are alike or different.
Use any of the topic sentence strategies for these writing tasks. Just add one or two of the
following compare/contrast words to your
# Identical The same
In common Twins
® Compar @ Like Unlike
® Contrast ® Opposite Variations
Resemble @ Varied
Similar @ Vary
Similaritic ® Worse

12. Rhetorical Question Plus a Statement

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Is peace in the Middle East | Many Americans believe itis.
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Bence M te coke Wire tce MPL \_Try associating them with
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of vocabulary words? Pesan)

¢ How are community centers meeting the needs of teenagers? In
cur city, they provide places to gather, help with homework, and
scholarships for summer camp.

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a * Should high school students be required to participate in

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13. ever is a part of a group of words call
to divid dent clause
first clause as your o¢
your position—what you p
© However and other conjunctiv are easy to use
Therefore @ In fact Nex
Consequently # Instead
@ Likewis
# Neverthel
* When you use
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1 a semicolon

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FUE CULE etn it also has its disadvantages.

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be dangerous.

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how you use it,

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15. Infinitives in Topic Sentences
To +a Verb
BUrreern SOM ster)
BUS ceteris
our New Year's dinner,
To prepare for college,
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a person must establish clear
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incredible culinary surprises.
high school students should
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the best materials.
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CM CeS cee Meee Ce Aled Gere OR eB EOE rmU eT BOL e sued
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manufacturer suggests.
* To win state championships, athletes must work hard and practice

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16. gO Temi MRM ey
Topic Sentences

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the highest quality materials.

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BiJulrem Wom Diste te Nos mes mite Cosnecnt Conte

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EMRE ER UN Ree UN eRe mR COM Se Ce ORL e ee NTA

© Soccer, a popular sport in other countries, has become a favorite

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17. Using a Quotation in Topic Sentences

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© When Mark Twain said, “Wrinkles should indicate where the smiles
have been,” it really reminded me of my grandmother.

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of the proverb that says, “Never give advice in a crowd.”

Action Verb Topic Sentence/Side hy Side Topic Sentence

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fetes se MAD VOR ATO CH ete eT ae elm trols sem ec A

© Some say “there is no ] in TEAM.’ I believe that to be true.

A Rhetorical Question Plus a Statement

we your parents ever told you that “only boring people get bored”?
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Mem Oe UR Ber yong

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boys are not cruel [to animals].”

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18.
Lists in Topic Sentences

A list of words

¢ Computers offer convenience, speed, and tools for accuracy.

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PW ened

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fo Essen MEU Ae EM ans ARCOM LAN et TENE

¢ My grandparents prefer to vacation in Mexico, in the Northwest, and

Pen eRe on

A list of dauses

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