Matakuliah
Tahun
Versi
: Writing III
: 2006-2007
:3
Pertemuan 7
Effective Topic Sentences
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Learning Outcomes
• By the end of this session the students are
expected to be able to
– Write effective topic sentences
– Use transitions words and phrases
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Outline of Materials
•
•
•
•
Effective topic sentences
Parts of a topic sentence
Specific examples to support your ideas
Words and phrases to signal examples,
sequences
• Subordinate clauses
3
Effective Topic Sentences
• A topic sentence is the most general statement in a
paragraph. It shouldn’t be too narrow or too broad.
• It declares the main idea
• It should capture the interests of the readers
Consider these sentences:
1. My lecturer gives us an assignment every week.
2. My lecturer’s teaching methods help me to
understand
the materials.
 The second sentence is more effective because it
raises the question: “What are the methods that this
lecturer use?”.
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Parts of a topic sentence
• A topic sentence consists of two parts:
– The topic
– The controlling idea(s)
• Example:
My best friend taught me three valuable lessons
topic
controlling idea
At three critical stages of mental development,
musical training helps a child’s mind to
develop.
5
Giving Specific Examples
• Giving specific examples are important to
illustrate your points.
• It also helps to help readers remember
what they read.
• Use sensory details to give examples.
6
tips
• Be specific. Words such as: nice or
thing(s) are not specific.
– Today’s weather is very nice (Cool?
Warm? Bright sunny day?)
– They always do that thing before sunset.
(what thing?)
– The most important thing in life is
honesty.(virtue? character?)
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Useful Words and Phrases
• To introduce sentence-long example:
– For example,…
– For instance, …
• To introduce words or phrases as examples
within sentences:
– such as …
– like …
• To introduce items in a series: first, second, also,
next, in addition, also, finally,…
• To point to items from a group/category:
– One, another, the other, …
– Some, others, the others, …
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Conclusions
• A topic sentence will be effective when it
raises the readers’ interests
• A topic sentence consists of two parts: the
topic and the controlling ideas
• Giving specific examples are important to
illustrate your points/ideas.
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