Workout 1 of 0

2.1 In-class: Dissecting topic sentences for topic & controlling idea

Review: Topic Sentence – Key Points

Function of a topic sentence:
– defines main topic and controlling idea of the paragraph;
– controlling idea allows to make predictions about the paragraph’s content;
– defines the organizational structure of supporting sentences.

Example:
Convenience foods (topic) are easy to prepare (controlling idea).
Immigrants have contributed (controlling idea) many delicious food to the U.S. cuisine (topic).

Controlling idea: Limits the topic to a specific area to be discussed in the space of a single paragraph.

Function of a topic sentence:

defines main topic and controlling idea of the paragraph;
controlling idea allows to make predictions about the paragraph’s content;
defines the organizational structure of supporting sentences.

Structure: topic & controlling idea (focus of the topic)

Examples:

Convenience foods (topic) are easy to prepare (controlling idea).
Immigrants have contributed (controlling idea) many delicious food to the U.S. cuisine (topic).

Controlling idea: Limits the topic to a specific area to be discussed in the space of a single paragraph.

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Question 1 of 12

1.Question
Task 1: Identify the topic and controlling idea of the topic sentence. Copy your answers from the sentence and paste them below separating the topic from the controlling idea with the comma. Predict the content of the paragraph based on these two parts. Compare in pairs.

1. In my opinion, school should focus on developing critical thinking skills.
Correct

Incorrect
Question 2 of 12

2.Question
Task 1: Identify the topic and controlling idea of the topic sentence. Copy your answers from the sentence and paste them below separating the topic from the controlling idea with the comma. Predict the content of the paragraph based on these two parts. Compare in pairs.

2. A major problem for many students is the high cost of tuition and books.
Correct

Incorrect
Question 3 of 12

3.Question
Task 1: Identify the topic and controlling idea of the topic sentence. Copy your answers from the sentence and paste them below separating the topic from the controlling idea with the comma. Predict the content of the paragraph based on these two parts. Compare in pairs.

3. Many religious rules arose from the health needs of ancient times.
Correct

Incorrect
Question 4 of 12

4.Question
Task 1: Identify the topic and controlling idea of the topic sentence. Copy your answers from the sentence and paste them below separating the topic from the controlling idea with the comma. Predict the content of the paragraph based on these two parts. Compare in pairs.

4. Effective decision-making usually requires five key steps.
Correct

Incorrect
Question 5 of 12

5.Question
Task 1: Identify the topic and controlling idea of the topic sentence. Copy your answers from the sentence and paste them below separating the topic from the controlling idea with the comma. Predict the content of the paragraph based on these two parts. Compare in pairs.

5. Participating in class discussions is a problem for several different groups of students.
Correct

Incorrect
Question 6 of 12

6.Question
Task 1: Identify the topic and controlling idea of the topic sentence. Copy your answers from the sentence and paste them below separating the topic from the controlling idea with the comma. Predict the content of the paragraph based on these two parts. Compare in pairs.

6. It is an expensive luxury to own an automobile in a large city.
Correct

Incorrect

Question 7 of 12

7.Question

Topic sentence checklist:

Make sure that your topic sentence is a complete sentence with a subject and a verb.
It is neither too general nor too specific. If it is too general the reader cannot tell exactly what the paragraph will discuss. If it is too specific, the writer will have nothing to write about in the following paragraphs.

A topic sentence should not have unrelated controlling ideas.

Task 2: Are these good topic sentences? Identify what is wrong: too specific, too general, incomplete, best TS.

1. A lunar eclipse is an omen of a coming disaster.

too specific
too general
incomplete
good topic sentence

Correct

Incorrect

Question 8 of 12

8.Question

Topic sentence checklist:

Make sure that your topic sentence is a complete sentence with a subject and a verb.
It is neither too general nor too specific. If it is too general the reader cannot tell exactly what the paragraph will discuss. If it is too specific, the writer will have nothing to write about in the following paragraphs.

A topic sentence should not have unrelated controlling ideas.

Task 2: Are these good topic sentences? Identify what is wrong: too specific, too general, incomplete, best TS.

2. Superstitions have been around forever.

too specific
too general
incomplete
good topic sentence

Correct

Incorrect

Question 9 of 12

9.Question

Topic sentence checklist:

Make sure that your topic sentence is a complete sentence with a subject and a verb.
It is neither too general nor too specific. If it is too general the reader cannot tell exactly what the paragraph will discuss. If it is too specific, the writer will have nothing to write about in the following paragraphs.

A topic sentence should not have unrelated controlling ideas.

Task 2: Are these good topic sentences? Identify what is wrong: too specific, too general, incomplete, best TS.

3. People hold many superstitious beliefs about the moon.

too specific
too general
incomplete
good topic sentence

Correct

Incorrect

Question 10 of 12

10.Question

Topic sentence checklist:

Make sure that your topic sentence is a complete sentence with a subject and a verb.
It is neither too general nor too specific. If it is too general the reader cannot tell exactly what the paragraph will discuss. If it is too specific, the writer will have nothing to write about in the following paragraphs.

A topic sentence should not have unrelated controlling ideas.

Task 2: Are these good topic sentences? Identify what is wrong: too specific, too general, incomplete, best TS.

4. s made of green cheese.

too specific
too general
incomplete
good topic sentence

Correct

Incorrect

Question 11 of 12

11.Question
Task 3: Remember that the topic sentence is the most general statement in a paragraph Read the following scrambled paragraphs and decide which sentence is the topic sentence. Write TS on the line next to that sentence.
- a. A notes/memo function lets you make quick notes to yourself.
- b. Other capabilities include word processing, spreadsheets, and e-mail.
- c. A voice recorder that uses a built-on microphone and speaker works like a tape recorder.
- d. Basic tools include a calendar to keep track of your appointments, and address and phone number book, to-do lists, and a calculator.
- e. MP3 playback lets you listen to digital music files, and a picture viewer lets you look at digital photos.
- f. Most personal digital assistants (PDAs) have tools for basic tasks as well as for multimedia f functions.
- g. A few models also include a built-in digital camera and keyboard.
Correct

Incorrect
Question 12 of 12

12.Question
Task 4: Write good topic sentences for the following paragraph. Remember to include both a topic and a controlling idea.

English speakers relaxing at home, for example, may put on kimonos, which is a Japanese word. English speakers who live in a warm climate may take an afternoon siesta on an outdoor patio without realizing that these are Spanish words. In their gardens, they may enjoy the fragrance of jasmine flowers, a word that came into English from Persian. They may even relax on a chaise while snacking on yogurt, words of French and Turkish origin, respectively. At night, they may shampoo their hair and put on pajamas, words from the Hindi language of India.
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2.1 In-class: Dissecting topic sentences for topic & controlling idea

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