Core 4 Topic Sentences
If you create four different versions of the same main idea, you will have
four topic sentences! One of them can be used in your introduction, and one can
be used in the conclusion. Since you will now have alternatives, “I am going to tell
you about . . .” will not be an acceptable topic sentence, and “. . . that is all I have
to say about . . .” will not be an acceptable conclusion.
#1 Simple Statement
#2 Number Statement
Clearly state the topic.
Write a declarative statement with a number
word.
Dogs make the best pets.
Mom is my favorite person.
Learning to ride a bicycle is fun for most children.
Emperor penguins are the world’s most fascinating
birds.
Dogs make the best pets for several reasons
Three special traits make Mom a special person.
Children learn to ride a bicycle by going through
four specific steps.
Emperor penguins fascinate humans because of
three unique characteristics.
#3 Write a Question
#4 Situation, Stance
Write a question that you will answer in a Part 1: broadly introduces the topic (situation)
as a dependent clause
paragraph.
Part 2: clearly states viewpoint (stance) as an
independent clause
Why do dogs make the best pets?
Why is Mom at the top of my list of favorite
people?
How do children learn to ride bicycles?
What makes emperor penguins such fascinating
birds?
Until I got a dog for my birthday, I didn’t realize
what good pets they are.
Although I have many special people in my life, my
mother is my favorite.
As soon as I received a new bicycle, I was
determined to ride it.
Even though many different kinds of birds exist in
the world, few are as fascinating as the emperor
penguin.
see other side
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Words for Number Statements
Words for Situation, Stance
Topic Sentences
Specific:
5 Key Starters: after, before,
although, if, when
two, three, four, etc.
General:
a couple of
a few
many
a plethora
myriad
numerous
oodles
some
several
various
Starter Words:
after
although
as
as long as
as soon as
because
before
even though
if
in order to
once
in order to
once
since
so that
though
unless
until
when
whenever
while
Pay attention to the cause-and-effect
relationship of your sentence so that it makes
sense. For example: Although my mother’s
name is Cathy, I am fourteen years old.