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Answered By: Paul Lai
Last Updated: May 02, 2017 Views: 181748
A topic sentence is a sentence that introduces a paragraph by presenting the one topic that will be the focus of that paragraph.
The structure of a paragraph should imitate the organization of a paper. Just like the thesis statement gives the main idea of the paper at the essay level, the topic sentence gives the main idea at the paragraph level. The rest of the paragraph then supports that topic.
Topic sentences should:
- Be specific and have a narrower focus than your thesis statement.
- Appear in or near the first sentence of the paragraph.
- Introduce the topic of the paragraph.
Additional Resources:
- See the Writing Center’s tips on using topic sentences.
- View the Writing Center's paragraphs page for more tips on effective paragraphs.
- Review the recorded webinar "Writing Effective Academic Paragraphs" for further examples of scholarly paragraph construction.
Further Questions?
Would you like a current or future assignment to be reviewed by the Writing Center? If so please visit the Writing Center's Paper Review Website and make an appointment with us!
Do you have other general writing questions? E-mail the Writing Center at .
Other questions about your doctoral capstone or the Form & Style review? E-mail the Dissertation Editors at .
Want to peruse other writing resources? Go to the Writing Center’s homepage.
Related Topics
Continue Learning about English Language Arts
What definition best describes a topic sentence?
The sentence that introduces the paragraph's main idea
What best describes a clincher sentence?
A sentence that restates the topic sentence in new words and wraps up the paragraph
After a topic sentence should the following sentences support it?
Yes
What is the topic sentence of the following paragraph taken from page 36 of your reading skills text book?
the sentence that clearly expresess this main idea is called the topic sentence
For this topic sentence, what is the best, most logical order for the following sentences Topic sentence: Salt is the most important spice in the world.?
III, II, I