Comparison Essay: Topic Sentences
Background Information:
In comparison essays, you may write an incomplete topic sentence—one that identifies only a
portion of the main idea of a body paragraph. For the purpose of this discussion, assume that
you write an essay about three stereotypes often associated with stepmothers and that the thesis
statement reads:
While some individuals stereotype stepmothers as misunderstood, uncaring, and wicked, many
of these women are the exact opposite.
Topic Sentences and Subject-by-Subject Organization:
With subject-by-subject organization, you may write an essay with only two body paragraphs,
though you may have more. In the first one, you discuss some stereotypes commonly associated
with the group (stepmothers, in this instance), and in the second one, you discuss the fact that
some stepmothers do not promote these stereotypes.
For the first body paragraph, you would write a topic sentence such as this one:
Some individuals stereotype stepmothers as misunderstood, uncaring, and wicked. (Incidentally,
in the body paragraph, you would discuss the three stereotypes in this order.)
For the second body paragraph, you would write a topic sentence such as this one:
However, many stepmothers do not promote these stereotypes. (A transitional word or phrase
indicating contrast is recommended somewhere in this topic sentence.)
Topic Sentences and Point-by-Point Organization:
With point-by-point organization, you write body paragraphs dealing with two subjects and must
write a topic sentence that identifies both subjects. For example, in the first body paragraph, you
discuss the first stereotype (the first subject) and the fact that many stepmothers do not promote
it (the second subject).
For this topic sentence, you would write a topic sentence such as this one:
Even though some stepmothers are stereotyped as misunderstood, some of them are not.
Concluding Comments:
You are recommended to write your thesis statements and (as appropriate) topic sentences as
compound or as complex sentences. These two types of sentences will enable you to combine
ideas effectively within one sentence.
Finally, how would you like this woman as your stepmother?