Topic Sentences
A topic sentence is…
 A sentence that starts a body paragraph and tells the
audience what that body paragraph will be about.
 The most important sentence in that paragraph.
 Linked to the Thesis Statement
Why? A topic sentence is…
 Important because it tells what your paragraph will be about.
 Important because it links the paragraph to your thesis.
 Important because it keeps you organized and focused.
Where? A topic sentence goes…
 At the beginning of each body paragraph.
How to write a topic sentence
 For the first line of every body paragraph, you must have a
topic sentence.
 Look at the thesis, be sure to include the GENERAL TOPIC,
the COMMENTARY, and 1 of the SUBTOPICS.
 Create that sentence in a new and interesting way.
Equation for Topic Sentences
General Topic from Thesis
+
Commentary from Thesis
+
1 of the Subtopics from Thesis
+
Saying it in a new way
= Topic Sentence
Sample Topic Sentences for Pepsi
vs. Coke
Thesis
Statement: Pepsi
is better than
Coke because it
tastes better, it
costs less, and it
has a better logo.
Topic
Pepsi
Opinion
Is better than coke
Main Point
#1
It tastes better
Topic Sentence for Body
Paragraph 1:Because it
tastes better than Coke,
Pepsi will always be the
better choice.
Sample Topic Sentences for Pepsi
vs. Coke
Thesis
Statement: Pepsi
is better than
Coke because it
tastes better, it
costs less, and it
has a better logo.
Topic
Pepsi
Opinion
Is better than coke
Main Point
#2
It costs less
Topic Sentence for Body
Paragraph 2: Pepsi is
better than Coke because
it costs less.
Sample Topic Sentences for Pepsi
vs. Coke
Thesis
Statement: Pepsi
is better than
Coke because it
tastes better, it
costs less, and it
has a better logo.
Topic
Pepsi
Opinion
Is better than coke
Main Point
#3
Its logo is better
Topic Sentence for Body
Paragraph 3: The great
Pepsi logo makes Pepsi
the sure winner over
Coke.
Sample Topic Sentences
Thesis Statement: Pepsi is
better than Coke because it
tastes better, it costs less, and
it has a better logo.
Topic Sentences
Body Paragraph 1:Because it
tastes better than Coke, Pepsi
will always be the better
choice.
Body Paragraph 2: Pepsi is
better than Coke because it
costs less.
Body Paragraph 3: The great
Pepsi logo makes Pepsi the
sure winner over Coke.
Topic
Pepsi
Opinion
Is better than coke
1 Main Point It tastes better
Topic
Pepsi
Opinion
Is better than coke
1 Main Point
It costs less
Topic
Pepsi
Opinion
Is better than coke
1 Main Point
Its logo is better
Sample Topic Sentences
Thesis Statement: Writing poetry is
the best hobby because it allows for
freedom of expression, it is a creative
outlet, and it can be done anywhere.
Topic Sentences:
Body Paragraph 1: Freedom of expression
is one of human’s greatest gift, which is
one reason why writing poetry is the best
hobby.
Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
Body Paragraph 2: Writing poetry is such a
wonderful hobby because it is a creative
outlet for all people.
Topic
Opinion
Body Paragraph 3: Finally, writing poetry is
the best hobby because it is a hobby that 1 Main Point
can be done anywhere at any time.
Practice Topic Sentences
Thesis Statement: Dogs are better than cats
because they can protect their owners, they are
more active, and they are more fun to play with.
Topic Sentences
Body Paragraph 1: Dogs are better than cats
because _________________________.
Body Paragraph 2: Because ___________________
____________ , they are clearly a better pet than
cats are.
Body Paragraph 3:
___________________________ , therefore, dogs
are better than cats.
Thesis Statement: The most influential scientist of the 1800s is George Wells
Nelson because his life was inspirational, his advancements in medicine were
unbelievable, and the Civil War needed a hero like him.
Topic
Opinion
Practice Topic Sentences
Topic Sentence 1:
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
Topic Sentence 2:
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
Topic Sentence 3:
Thesis Statement: The greatest person ever is my grandma
because she is always loving, she never gets angry, and she
makes the best cookies on the planet.
Topic
Opinion
Practice Topic Sentences
Topic Sentence 1:
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
Topic Sentence 2:
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
Topic Sentence 3:
Thesis Statement: The Hangover is the worst movie of our
time because it promotes bad behavior, makes drug use funny,
and shows a lack of respect towards women.
Topic
Opinion
Practice Topic Sentences
Topic Sentence 1:
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
Topic Sentence 2:
1 Main Point
Topic
Opinion
1 Main Point
Topic Sentence 3:
Thesis Statement: Elias Howe changed the world through his invention
and lead a successful life because he succeeded even through a tough
childhood, invented the sewing machine, and lived through the time of
the Emancipation Proclamation.
Topic
Elias Howe
Opinion
Successful
1 Main Point
Rough childhood
Topic
Elias Howe
Opinion
Changed the world
1 Main Point
Invention of the
sewing machine
Topic
Elias Howe
Opinion
Alive
1 Main Point
During Emancipation
Proclamation
Topic Sentences
Topic Sentence 1: Elias Howe
was successful even though
he had a very rough
childhood.
Topic Sentence 2: With the
invention of the sewing
machine, Elias Howe
changed the world.
Topic Sentence 3: Howe was
alive when the Emancipation
Proclamation was declared.
Now it’s time to try your own!
1.
2.
3.
4.
Write your thesis statement.
Color code your thesis statement.
Write out each of your topic sentences and color code
them.
Check them with a partner to ensure they are correct
before putting them into your outline.
Works Cited
 Content created by the talented Mrs. Jill Schlenker 