Moving From “Ideas” to Topic Sentences and Assertions
Review = What is a Topic Sentence?
 A Topic Sentence is a reason or way the thesis statement is true.

A well-written Topic Sentence clearly states a PROVABLE claim.

A well-written Topic Sentence is ARGUMENTATIVE – you’re arguing to prove your ideas are right!
o A Topic Sentence should NOT be a plot event.

There is 1 Topic Sentence in each body paragraph.
Review = What is an Assertion?
 An Assertion is a reason or way the topic sentence of the paragraph is true.

A well-written Assertion clearly states a PROVABLE claim.

A well-written Assertion is ARGUMENTATIVE – you’re arguing to prove your ideas are right!
o An Assertion should NOT be a plot event.

There are at least 2 Assertions in EACH body paragraph.
When writing a paragraph, we start with our ideas, and then we formulate them into a
focused, persuasive argument.
Mrs. Musick’s Example:
 Notice = in my “formal arguments,” I’ve underlined the ties to my thesis (overall argument) and
highlighted the new reason I’m presenting.
My “reason”
My “formal argument”
Topic Sentence
Banquo doesn’t help Macbeth make
the right decisions even though
they’re supposed to be best friends.
Banquo is most responsible for the
tragic outcome of Macbeth because he
irresponsibly turned his back on his
close friend when Macbeth was in
need of moral guidance, which left his
friend victim to evil influences.
1st Assertion
Banquo knows the witches are evil,
but doesn’t try very hard to explain
it to Macbeth. He just mentions it
once and then moves on.
Early in the play Banquo leaves his
friend vulnerable to the witches’
temptations, and this leads to
Macbeth’s tragic decisions as he falls
victim to the weird sisters.
2nd Assertion
Banquo doesn’t try to talk to
Macbeth about the prophecies and
help him deal with this mysterious
situation. He almost turns his back
on Macbeth.
Another reason Banquo is most
responsible for the tragic outcome of
the play is that he abandons his friend
during a difficult time and makes it
easy for Macbeth to eventually give in
to his wife’s evil pressure.
Now you try it!
Body Paragraph #1:
 In your “formal arguments” please underline the ties to your thesis (overall argument) and highlight
the new reason you’re presenting.
My “reason”
My “formal argument”
My “reason”
My “formal argument”
Topic Sentence
1st Assertion
2nd Assertion
Body Paragraph #2:
Topic Sentence
1st Assertion
2nd Assertion