Types of Lead-Ins
One of every eight women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer....
statistic or shocking statement
Numbers from research or surveys conducted
statistical/ numbers
Catches the readers attention, announces, the subject matter, and leads into thesis
Lead-in
FOCUSED OR UNFOCUSED - Too many people treat animals badly in experiments.
UNFOCUSED
My professor was informative, lively, and an inspiration. FAULTY or CORRECT
FAULTY
Confucious wisely noted that " our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. "
Quotation
Concrete illustration of a concept
Example
a word, phrase, or expression that serves to link sentences or paragraphs, establishing a relationship between ideas and improving the essay's logical structure and clarity
Connector
Name a function of a topic sentence
support, announce, or control subject matter
How to make a sentence parallel ?
ensure all elements within a series or comparison have the same grammatical structure, such as using a list of only nouns, a series of gerunds, or parallel verb forms
The Romans kept geese on their Capitol Hill to cackle alarm in the event of attack by night. Modern Americans, despite their technology, have hardly improved.......
Analogy/comparison
Statements that can be proved
Facts
Declare the main point or controlling idea of your essay
Thesis
Which sentence supports the thesis: The recent tuition hike may discourage students from attending LSU.
1. Student pay more here than other schools.
2. Out-of-state students will have to pay a penalty.
3. Tuition funds should be used for scholarships.
#3
"She likes hiking, attending the rodeo, and taking afternoon naps."-FAULTY OR CORRECT
CORRECT
Writer and witty critic Dorthy Parker was once assigned a remote, out-of-the-way office. According to the story, she became so lonely, so desperate for company, that she ultimately painted "Gentleman" on the door.
relevant story or anecdote
Comparisons used to make a point
Analogies
A brief statement in the introductory paragraph that introduces the major points to be discussed in the essay.
Essay map
Why is this a weak topic sentence -"Public parks are a good idea?"
VAGUE
FIX THIS SENTENCE-However, dogs make the best pets because they are a man's best friend and are good for hunting.
However, dogs make the best pets because they are a man's best friend and because they are good for hunting.
"One falsehoods spoils a thousand truth," says the African proverb.
proverb
Direct quotations from a book or other text source
Text based evidence
A statement of your main point in its trial or rough draft form
Working thesis
The topic sentence should contain what in the sentence?
MAIN IDEA
FIX THE SENTENCE -In many movies and shows there are tons of dogs that care for people and prove to others why they are a lovable pet.
In many movies and shows, there are tons of dogs that care for people and THAT prove to others why they are a lovable pet.