Topic Sentences
Topic sentences are sort of like thesis statements for your body paragraphs. A clear
topic sentence will establish the main idea of the paragraph so that the reader
understands what each body paragraph is about.
When writing the topic sentence for a body paragraph, consider the main idea of the
paragraph. In creating your thesis, you have already chosen the sub-points for your
essay. Each body paragraph will be an in-depth exploration of a different sub-point.
Our sample essay’s topic sentences may sound something like the sentence below:



Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 1: First, the lack of self-esteem Junior
experiences on the reservation profoundly impacts his transfer to Reardan as it
contributes to his belief that he is not good enough to attend the school or
tryout for its basketball team.
Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 2: Second, the tragic loss of many family
and community members to substance abuse leaves Junior with a bleak
outlook on life.
Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 3: Finally, the poverty Junior experiences on
the rez leaves him feeling overwhelmed and stuck.
You will notice that each of these sentences uses key words—“first, second, and
finally”—to transition between each paragraph. This is a very smart thing to do when
writing your topic sentences, because words like these help your reader follow your
points and connect them to one another. For more examples of transition words and
phrases, see the note on word choice at the end of this document.
Now you try! Write three topic sentences that correspond to the three sub-points you
have chosen in response to your thesis statement. Remember to keep the sentences
clear and focused on the main idea of each body paragraph.
Topic Sentence #1 (paragraph 1): ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Topic Sentence #2 (paragraph 2): ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Topic Sentence #3 (paragraph 3): ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Writing Developed and Detailed Body Paragraphs
Previously it was acknowledged that your three body paragraphs support the main
idea of your essay. In each body paragraph, you also have a main idea that needs to
be supported. The development and details (quotation and explanation) you provide
in each body paragraph support each paragraph’s main idea.
The importance of having a clear topic sentence for each of your body paragraphs
was also discussed. The topic sentence, which is located at the beginning of your
paragraph, serves as the thesis statement for the paragraph. Aside from a clear topic
sentence, what else can you put in each body paragraph? The answer: quotations
and sentences that provide supporting details for your paragraph’s main idea.
The diagram below illustrates the relationship between your essay’s main idea and
thesis statement, your paragraphs’ main ideas and topic sentences, and the
supporting details you provide in each paragraph.
Consider the three example topic sentences explored in the note titled Topic
Sentences. These three topic sentences represent the three sub-points.
Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 1: First, the lack of self-esteem Junior experiences
on the reservation profoundly impacts his transfer to Reardan as it contributes to his
belief that he is not good enough to attend the school or tryout for its basketball team.
Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 2: Second, the tragic loss of many family and
community members to substance abuse leaves Junior with a bleak outlook on life.
Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 3: Finally, the poverty Junior experiences on the rez
leaves him feeling overwhelmed and stuck.
For each sub-point, what are some details and quotations that would add
development and support? Some ideas are listed below.
Main Idea of
Body Paragraph
Supporting Details
Lack of selfesteem
“I knew I wouldn’t make those teams. I was C-squad material, for
sure” (138).
“You want to take him on again? Or do you need a break?”. Junior
wanted to quit, but he persevered and told Coach that “I’ll take
him on again” (140).
Death
Enter quotation(s) here
Enter quotation(s) here
Poverty
Now you try! Complete the following chat to help build your paragraphs.
Main Idea of Body
Paragraph
Supporting Details
In a literary essay, your supporting details are examples and quotations from the text
that serve to help prove your thesis. The common structure used looks like this:
Topic sentence: States ARGUMENT for paragraph, linked to thesis:
First, the lack of self-esteem Junior experiences on the reservation profoundly impacts
his transfer to Reardan as it contributes to his belief that he is not good enough to
attend the school or tryout for its basketball team.
Example point 1:
Despite playing basketball on the reservation, after years of bullying, Junior is
convinced he will not be good enough to play at Reardon.
Proof from text:
“I knew I wouldn’t make those teams. I was C-squad material, for sure” (138).
“You want to take him on again? Or do you need a break?”. Junior wanted to quit, but
he persevered and told Coach that “I’ll take him on again” (140).
Explanation relating to thesis (significance of the quotations):
Quotation 1:
This belittling statement illustrates that he lacks the confidence to believe he will make
the basketball team.
Quotation 2:
This helps him overcome his low self-esteem as even though he plays against Roger,
the best basketball player at Reardan, he still wants to prove that he is not going to
give up. This makes him feel very proud.
Concluding Sentence: Conclude your argument by stating how it proves your thesis.
Therefore, though Junior approaches the basketball tryouts with great hesitancy, he
tackles his low self-esteem head on when facing Roger. The surprising outcome
makes him hopeful and optimistic than he first anticipated.
The paragraph below is an example body paragraph using the above outline.
First, the lack of self-esteem Junior experiences on the reservation profoundly
impacts his transfer to Reardan as it contributes to his belief that he is not good enough
to attend the school or tryout for its basketball team. Despite playing basketball on
the reservation, after years of bullying, Junior is convinced he will not be good enough
to play at Reardon. This can be illustrated by how Junior is immediately intimidated by
all the other basketball players at the Reardon tryouts. “I knew I wouldn’t make those
teams. I was C-squad material, for sure” (138). This belittling statement highlights the
fact that Junior lacks the confidence to believe he will make the basketball team. A
pivotal change takes place; however, when Junior is paired up against Roger, the best
player in the school. At first Roger dominates Junior, and makes Junior want to quit,
but Coach asks him “You want to take him on again? Or do you need a break?”.
Junior wanted to quit, but he persevered and told Coach that “I’ll take him on again”
(140). This unlikely match up helps Junior overcome his low self-esteem as, even
though he must play against Roger, he digs deep to harness the determination not to
give up. The end result is that Junior is proud of himself for accepting the challenge of
facing off against Roger. Therefore, though Junior approaches the basketball tryouts
with great hesitancy, he tackles his low self-esteem head on when facing Roger. The
surprising outcome makes him hopeful and optimistic that he is capable of far more
than he first
Your turn! Outline your body paragraphs using the table below. You must complete
one outline per paragraph.
Paragraph 1:
Topic sentence: States ARGUMENT for paragraph, linked to thesis:
Example point 1:
Proof from text:
Explanation relating to thesis (significance of the quotations):
Concluding Sentence: Conclude your argument by stating how it proves your thesis.
Paragraph 2:
Topic sentence: States ARGUMENT for paragraph, linked to thesis:
Example point 2:
Proof from text:
Explanation relating to thesis (significance of the quotations):
Concluding Sentence: Conclude your argument by stating how it proves your thesis.
Paragraph 3:
Topic sentence: States ARGUMENT for paragraph, linked to thesis:
Example point 3:
Proof from text:
Explanation relating to thesis (significance of the quotations):
Concluding Sentence: Conclude your argument by stating how it proves your thesis.