Topic Sentences and Detail Sentences
What is a topic sentence?
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A topic sentence identifies (and introduces) a topic.
It is the first sentence in the paragraph.
It tells what your paragraph is about.
It is general; it doesn’t give details.
It has key words like "several things," "some important things," "a number of
reasons."
It usually has nouns, not pronouns.
What is a detail sentence?
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A detail sentence gives specific information.
It is usually not the first or last sentence in a paragraph.
It tells about someone or something, what someone did, what happened, where it
happened, when it happened, etc.
It is not a topic sentence.
It is not a summary sentence.
Example Topic Sentences: [from October Sky]
Topic 1: Something happened at the coal mine.
Topic 2: Homer did several things to help his family.
Topic 3: Homer learned some things about working in a mine.
Example Topic Sentences: [from Pollock]
Topic 1: Several things happened in Pollock’s life.
Topic 2: Lee Krasner was important in several ways.
Topic 3: We learned some things about Sande Pollock.
Practice Identifying Topics and Details : [from October Sky]
Practice Identifying Topics and Details : [from Pollock]
Topics vs. Details Practice: [from October Sky]
Tell which are topic sentences and which are detail sentences:
[THINK: Which of these sentences are general and which give very specific information.
Topic = general Information ; Detail = specific information]
1. Homer does something to help his family.
2. His family could not pay their bills.
3. Homer's father was unable to work.
4. Something happened at the mine.
5. The cable snapped and the mine collapsed.
6. People were injured.
7. Homer's father has some different feelings about Homer now.
8. Homer's father respects his son.
9. Homer learned a few things about working in the mine.
10. Work in the mine is dirty and hard.
11. Homer did not enjoy working in the mine.
12. Mrs. Hickam wanted Homer to go back to school.
[Answers]
Topics vs. Details Practice: [from Pollock]
Tell which sentences are topic sentences and which are detail sentences: [THINK:
Which of these sentences are general and which give very specific information? General
= Topic; Specific = Detail]
1. Pollock was depressed for a number of reasons.
2. His family was poor.
3. Something happened at the art gallery.
4. Pollock was very upset and messed up the dinner table.
5. Several dishes were broken.
6. Pollock’s mother wants Pollock to do several things.
7. Reuben respects Pollock.
8. Sande Pollock learned a few things about working during World War II.
9. Sande wanted to have a few children.
10. Lee Krasner was a very creative painter.
[Answers]