The Topic Sentence
What is a topic sentence?
The topic sentence is an important part of the paragraph. The topic sentence is the sentence
that states the main idea of the paragraph. Often the topic sentence is the first sentence of the
paragraph. As mentioned in the last chapter, the topic of a paragraph is usually indicated in the
introduction. Therefore, the topic sentence is often the same as the introduction. There are a
variety of types of topic sentences.
For example, a topic sentence might be a proverb or a
quotation, a statement of an opinion, a statement of fact, or a question. Examples of topic
sentences The following are some sample topic sentences, along with a description of the type of
information that would be in a paragraph with that topic sentence.
1. It is said that "Good fences make good neighbours." (In this paragraph, the writer would
probably go on to relate an experience that illustrated the truth of this proverb.)
2. The Japanese government should offer more opportunities to foreign students. (This is a
paragraph expressing a personal opinion.
The writer would go on to give reasons for this opinion.)
3. There are two types of people--those who plan for the future and those who don't. (This is a
classification paragraph. The writer would discuss the characteristics of people who fit in each
group.)
Exercise 1
Identify the topic sentence in the following paragraphs.
Remember that the topic sentence is not always the first sentence.
Paragraph A
1 Cinnamon bars are easy to make. 2 First, you stir together a cup of butter and a cup of sugar. 3
Then you stir in an egg, and two cups of flour, 1 ½ tablespoons of cinnamon, and a teaspoon of
salt. 4 You press the dough into a square pan and press nuts into the top. 5 Then you bake it at
163 C for 30 minutes.6 After the cookies cool, you cut them into squares. 7 By following these
simple instructions, you can make delicious cookies.
The topic sentence is_____.
Paragraph B
1 The paint on the walls of the kitchen was peeling. 2 The wooden floor was scratched and
worn. 3 The ceilings had large, dark brown water stains. 4 One of the windows was broken. 5 The
room was filthy, as if it had not been cleaned for years, and there were roaches running across the
floor. 6 A lot of work would be necessary before I would agree to cook in that kitchen.
The topic sentence is_____.
Paragraph C
1Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia) was named after two important people in
American history: George Washington and Christopher Columbus.
2 The former was the first
President, and the latter, the discoverer of North America. 3 The Capitol, where Congress meets
and laws are made, is located in Washington. 4 The White House, where the President
lives
and has his office, is the home of the executive branch. 5 The Executive branch carries out laws
made by Congress. 6 The Supreme Court, where the laws are interpreted, is also located in
Washington. 7 In addition, the city has many other federal government buildings. 8 As you can see,
Washington, D.C., is the center of the national political life of the United States.
The topic sentence is_____.
Exercise 2
Each of the paragraphs below is followed by three sentences. Choose the one that makes the
best topic sentence for the paragraph.
Paragraph A
___________ (Topic Sentence) ___________________. She has a good job with a
publisher of children's books. She also belongs to several clubs, and she has made many friends
through her club activities. Last year, she made a trip to Europe with a group of her friends and
had a wonderful time. Her life is evidence that a person in a wheelchair can lead a full and
interesting life.
1. Mary is in a wheelchair.
2. Though she is in a wheelchair, Mary is an active person.
3. Mary has an interesting life.
Paragraph B
For many years, Japan had a reputation in the United States of producing cheap goods of
poor
quality.
However,
that
perception
has
changed
over
the
past
several
years.
_______________ (Topic Sentence) __________. Japanese cameras are considered among the
best. Japanese cars are in great demand. Japanese televisions are considered better and more
reliable than American ones. Now "Made in Japan" has come to mean good quality.
1. This has led to problems in trade between Japan and the United States.
2. In fact, "Made in Japan" came to mean the same as poor quality goods.
3. Now the perception of Japanese goods is that they are well made for a reasonable price.
Paragraph C
Prague is famous as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Its bridges, which cross
the Vltava, are especially famous. __________________________________________ (Topic
Sentence) _______________. It was built of stone in 1357 by King Charles IV. It is one of the
oldest bridges in Europe.
The unusual characteristic of this bridge is that it is lined by thirty black
statues, which were mostly added in the early 1700's.
famous people from the history of Czechoslovakia.
The statues are of saints, kings, and
As you cross the bridge, you can pause and
study each of the statues or have your picture taken in front of one of them.
1. Tourists who come to Prague like to view Prague's bridges from Prague Castle.
2. The Charles Bridge, however, is Prague's most interesting and memorable bridge.
3. One of these bridges is the Charles Bridge.
Exercise 3
Write a topic sentence for each of the following paragraphs. Specify the introduction,
discussion, and conclusion.
Paragraph A
1 ________________________________________________.
2 The Oregon coast has both wide, white, sandy beaches and spectacular rocky cliffs above
crashing waves.
3 If you want to lie out in the sun or swim or collect seashells, these beaches are a good place to
do that.
4 On the other hand, from various viewpoints, you can get a beautiful view of the cliffs, with the
waves rolling in from the Pacific for miles along the coast.
5 This combination of beaches and cliffs makes the Oregon coast one of the loveliest coastlines in
the world.
sentence(s) in introduction:__________
sentence(s) in discussion:__________
sentence(s) in conclusion:__________
Paragraph B
1 _______________________________________________.
2 My roommate never washes his own dishes but leaves them in the sink.
3 If I didn't wash them, they would just pile up there.
4 He doesn't pick up his clothes, either.
5 When he changes clothes, he just drops them on the bedroom floor.
6 His desk is always covered with piles of papers and books.
7 I don't know how he ever finds anything.
8 I wish he would learn to be a little neater.
sentence(s) in introduction:__________
sentence(s) in discussion:__________
sentence(s) in conclusion:__________
Paragraph C
1 Westminster Abbey is an interesting place. (or) Westminster Abbey is a wonderful place to visit.
2 It was built in the 1200's.
3 For over 600 years, English kings and queens have been crowned there.
4 It is also the place where members of the royal family are married.
5 Many English kings and queens are buried there.
6 Other famous people have been buried there, too, including prime ministers, artists, authors, and
soldiers.
7 Many of their tombs are decorated with beautiful carvings and statues.
8 Walking through Westminster Abbey is like walking through English history.
sentence(s) in introduction:__________
sentence(s) in discussion:__________
sentence(s) in conclusion:__________