Name _________________________
Teacher’s Name __________________
Topic Sentences
Strong SHORT ANSWER and PARAGRAPH responses always begin with
a great TOPIC SENTENCE. Below are some great types of TOPIC
SENTENCES to use.
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POWER/NUMBER TOPIC SENTENCE: State the topic and a “number”
word. The number word will signal how many details you will share.
Example: I enjoy playing three sports during the year.
Example: I enjoy several things about middle school.
Helpful Number Words:
A couple of a number of
A few
four
Two
many
numerous
plenty of
a myriad
some various
three several
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AND, BUT, AND OR STATEMENTS: Remember to use a comma before
the conjunction in this type of sentence.
Example: Some people find it difficult to open a locker, but most will be
successful if they follow a few important steps.
Example: Using maps is part of geography, and it is important to know
several key vocabulary terms.
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RESTATE PART OF THE PROMPT/QUESTION: It is always a good idea
to do this!
Prompt/Question: What are three elements of a map that are helpful in
finding the location of a place?
Topic Sentence: Three map elements are helpful in finding the location of a
place.
Short Answer Responses
If you are asked for a SHORT ANSWER/SHORT PARAGRAPH you
should write two to four sentences that answer a basic question. The writing
should begin with a TOPIC SENTENCE (green) that restates the question,
followed by two or three REASONS, DETAILS, or FACTS (yellows). Each
RDF should begin with a transition.
Topic Sentence - (green)
 Transition + Reason/Detail/Fact - (yellow)
 Transition + Reason/Detail/Fact – (yellow)
 Transition + Reason/Detail/Fact – (yellow)
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Prompt: In a short answer, tell three things that are helpful for finding
the location of a place on a map.
Short answer:
(TS) Three things are helpful in finding the location of a place on the map.
(RDF) First, it is helpful to know the latitude of the place. (RDF) In
addition, knowing the longitude helps in locating the place. (RDF) Finally,
having a compass rose helps to show which hemisphere the place is located
in.
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Prompt: Explain three things you like about middle school.
Short Answer:
(TS) Middle school is great for three reasons. (RDF) First, I love having a
locker for my things. (RDF) Next, the lunches at middle school are much
better than in elementary school. (RDF) Finally, it is fun to make new
friends.
Extended Response or Paragraph
If you are asked for an EXTENDED RESPONSE or PARAGRAPH, you
should write a longer and more detailed response than a short answer. In a
paragraph, you need to explain or provide support for your answers. The
extended response begins with a TOPIC SENTENCE (green), followed by
two or three REASONS, DETAILS, or FACTS (yellow). Usually, each
REASON, DETAIL, or FACT will be supported with an EXPLANATION
(red).
Topic Sentence – (green)
 Transition + Reason, detail, fact (yellow)
 Explanation* (red)
 Transition + Reason, detail, fact (yellow)
 Explanation* (red)
 Transition + Reason, detail fact (yellow)
 Explanation* (red)
(* Explanations may require one or more sentences)
Concluding Sentence
Prompt: Explain three things you like about middle school.
Example:
(TS) Middle school is great for three reasons. (RDF) First, I love having a
locker for my things. (E) It is fun to decorate my locker and be able store
things in a locked location. (RDF) Next, the lunches at middle school are
much better than in elementary school. (E) In middle school, we have many
more choices about what we want to eat because there are many different
lines that serve a variety of food. (RDF) Finally, it is fun to make new
friends. (E) There are kids here from many elementary schools and so I am
meeting people that I didn’t know last year. (CS) Being a Sumner Middle
School Bobcat is great!
Transitions
Use transition words to help introduce your important reasons, details, and
facts that support your topic. Transitions also help create sentence fluency
by helping your writing flow from one important idea to the next.
Below are some common transitions you may use in your writing.
One way
Another Way
First
Another
Next
First
Second
Last
One example
Another example
First
In addition
Equally important
For example
In addition
Furthermore,
First
Next
Finally
First of all
Also
First of all
Second
Last
In started when Then
Finally
One
Another
Then
Also see the Transitions chart on the next page.
Multi-Paragraph Essay
If you are asked for a MULTI-PARAGRAPH ESSAY, you should write a an
essay with INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH that should include an attention
grabber, background information, and a THESIS STATEMENT (green).
Each BODY PARAGRAPH should follow the EXTENDED
RESPONSE/PARAGRAGH format. Your CONCLUSION should
summarize your main points and give a final thought about the topic.
INTRO
PARAGRAPH
Background or Attention Grabber
Thesis Statement (green)
BODY PARAGRAPH
Topic Sentence (green)
Transition + R/D/F (yellow)
Explanation* (red)
Transition + R/D/F (yellow)
Explanation* (red)
Transition + R/D/F (yellow)
Explanation* (red)
Concluding Sentence
BODY PARAGRAPH
Topic Sentence (green)
Transition + R/D/F (yellow)
Explanation* (red)
Transition + R/D/F (yellow)
Explanation* (red)
Transition + R/D/F (yellow)
Explanation* (red)
Concluding Sentence
BODY PARAGRAPH
Topic Sentence (green)
Transition + R/D/F (yellow)
Explanation* (red)
Transition + R/D/F (yellow)
Explanation* (red)
Transition + R/D/F (yellow)
Explanation* (red)
Concluding Sentence
CONCLUDING
PARAGRAPH
Summarize main points and give a final thought.
GLOSSARY
Attention Grabber OR Background: Extra information at the beginning
of an introduction that creates reader interest or focuses the reader’s
attention on your topic.
Closing Thought: The final thought in a multi-paragraph essay. The
closing thought gives the reader something to think about or gives a sense of
completeness to the essay. In a persuasive essay, the closing thought should
be a call to action.
Conclusion: The final statements in a paragraph or essay. Conclusions
should include a summary of the R/D/F’s and a restatement of the thesis
statement or topic sentence.
Explanations: Information (reds) used to support or describe the R/D/F’s.
Explanations are also called “the E’s” and include examples, evidence,
events, experiences, expert opinions, everyday life, effective illustrations,
and elaboration.
R/D/Fs: Reasons, details, or facts (yellows) used to support or back-up the
topic sentence or thesis statement. These are the key ideas that help you
prove your point.
Thesis Statement: A topic sentence (green) for an entire multi-paragraph
essay. It states the main point, providing a clear focus or purpose for the
essay. It is the single most important sentence in the essay because it
controls everything that follows.
Topic Sentence: The (green) sentence in a short answer, extended response,
or paragraph that states the main point. It usually repeats or restates the
prompt or question. In a short answer or extended response, the topic
sentence is the first sentence. In a paragraph, it follows attention grabber or
background).
Transition: Used to introduce and link R/D/F’s, transitions usually come in
sets. Transitions help guide the readers and help them follow your thoughts.