Paragraph Structure
What sentence usually tells the main idea of a paragraph and often appears at the beginning?
Topic sentence.
Choose the topic sentence: "Dogs need exercise to stay healthy." or "Many breeds of dogs have different coat colors."
"Dogs need exercise to stay healthy."
What type of sentence gives facts, examples, or explanations that prove the topic sentence?
Supporting detail (or supporting sentence).
What is a vague topic sentence? Give an example (one sentence).
Example vague: "Things are changing quickly."
True or False: A topic sentence must always be the first sentence of every paragraph.
False.
Name two purposes a topic sentence can serve in a paragraph.
States main idea; previews/supports details; establishes focus/ direction.
Why is this sentence below a weak topic sentence? "This paragraph will tell you about ecosystems."
Weak because it states intention, not main idea.
Provide one specific supporting detail for the topic sentence: "Reading every day improves vocabulary."
Example: "Students who read 20 minutes daily learn 1,000 new words per year."
Identify the error in this topic sentence: "In my opinion, I like coffee in the morning."
"In my opinion" and "I like" are redundant/weak; better: "I like coffee" or "Coffee energizes me each morning."
Revise this weak topic sentence to be more specific: "Technology is good."
Example revision: "Advances in technology improve communication and learning opportunities."
What are the typical parts of a paragraph (list in order)?
Identify the topic sentence in this short set: "Recycling reduces waste. People can recycle paper, plastic, and metal. Many towns offer curbside pickup."
"Recycling reduces waste."
Identify which of the following is NOT a supporting detail for "Sports improve teamwork": "Players learn to cooperate", "Games are fun", "Coaches decide who plays".
Coaches decide who plays" is not a direct supporting detail about teamwork.
Which problem is present here: topic sentence is too narrow, too broad, or off-topic? "The Industrial Revolution started in the 18th century, and I like dogs."
Off-topic.
Given this paragraph with a missing topic sentence, write one that fits: "Students who practice study skills get better grades. They organize notes, review nightly, and ask questions in class."
Topic sentence: "Using study skills helps students earn better grades."
Explain the difference between a topic sentence and a thesis statement.
From this paragraph, pick the best topic sentence: "Solar panels save money over time because they lower electricity bills. They also help the environment by using renewable energy. Homeowners who install panels may receive tax credits." (Give the sentence you would use and justify it.)
"Solar panels save money over time because they lower electricity bills." Justification: states main idea and previews reason.
Given topic sentence "Bicycling is an effective way to commute," list three supporting details (one statistic, one example, one explanation).
Examples: statistic: "Cycling reduces commute costs by X%"; example: "Riding 5 miles to work"; explanation: "It avoids traffic and builds fitness."
Rewrite this misplaced topic sentence so it belongs at the paragraph's start: "The park closes at sunset. Families enjoy the playground. There are picnic tables nearby. Many people walk their dogs." (Make a clear topic sentence.)
Possible topic sentence: "The park offers many attractions for families, such as a playground, picnic tables, and walking paths." (then supporting details)
Combine these two short paragraphs into one coherent paragraph with a single topic sentence: (1) "Eating breakfast is important. It gives energy for the day." (2) "Studies show students who eat breakfast focus better in class."
Combined paragraph topic sentence: "Eating breakfast improves students' focus and academic performance." (then supporting sentences
Describe how transition words help paragraph coherence and give two examples.
Transition words link ideas (e.g., however, moreover, consequently).
Rewrite this run-on idea as a clear topic sentence: "There are many reasons to visit the national park like hiking, wildlife watching, camping, and learning about history."
"Hiking, wildlife watching, camping, and history exhibits make the national park worth visiting."
Change these general supporting details into specific ones for topic sentence "Fast food affects health": "It is unhealthy", "People eat too much", "Calories are high."
"Fast food often contains over 1,000 calories per meal", "Large portions cause overeating", "High saturated fat raises cholesterol."
A paragraph has two competing topic sentences. Explain how to choose the stronger one and revise the paragraph so supporting details align.
Choose the topic sentence that best matches majority of details; revise other details or remove conflicting ones.
Edit the following paragraph to fix cohesion problems and produce a clear topic sentence, then list two edits you made: "Many people like pizza. It has cheese. Pepperoni is popular. You can order it quickly. Some prefer thin crust. Parties often serve pizza."
Edited paragraph example: Topic sentence: "Pizza is a popular, convenient food served at many gatherings." Edits: combined cheese/pepperoni into one sentence about toppings; added coherence transitions; removed choppy fragments.