Titles vs. Topic Sentences
A topic sentence must have a topic + a claim about the topic.
This almost always means a SUBJECT (noun or noun phrase) plus
a VERB (or verb phrase). If it lacks a verb or verb phrase, it
might be a good title, but certainly will not be a good topic
sentence, or even a full sentence! (Remember S + V?)
Good Title: The reason cats love to eat melon. (Only a
subject– a noun phrase)
Good Topic Sentence: The reason cats love to eat melon
surprise you.
may
(Subject — noun phrase– plus a verbal phrase)
Which one is a better title and which a better topic sentence?
Underline the topics and the claims.
1. The most delicious sushi in Kochi.
2. Kochi offers some of the freshest and cheapest sushi in
Japan.
*
1. Typhoons can cause terrible damage.
2. The terrible damage of typhoons.
*
1. How I met your mother.
2. I can never forget meeting your mother.
*
1. A fool and his money are soon parted.
2. Why fools and money don’t mix.
*
1. Happiness is overrated.
2. The proper way to think about happiness.
*
1. Obama’s use of drone missiles.
2. Obama’s use of drone missiles raises many questions.
Create a title and topic sentence for the following supporting
sentences:
(Title:)
(Topic Sentence:)
First, look in a guidebook or search the internet and find a
hot spring that looks good. Next, call a friend and invite
him or her to go with you . After that, call the hot spring
for a reservation or make one online. The night before you
leave, prepare a towel, some soap, some shampoo and a
hairbrush. Finally, pack up your car, check your gas, pick up
your friend and head for the hot spring. Drive carefully!
(Title:)
(Topic Sentence:)
It is without a doubt one of the easiest foods to eat. You
don’t need any special utensils, and it does not have to be
served piping hot like some foods do. In addition, with only
20 calories per cup and almost no fat, it is both a filling a
heart-friendly snack. Furthermore, it can be an important
source of fiber, a substance that has been shown to be
important in limiting certain types of cancer. Based on this
information, can anyone be surprised that sales of popcorn
are soaring in many countries?