A Method for Writing a Topic Sentence
Occasion/Position Statements
An occasion is the first part of the topic sentence. The occasion
introduces your reason for writing. An occasion can he any event.
problem, idea, solution, or circumstance that gives you a reason to write.
The position states what you plan to prove or explain in your
paragraph.
An occasion/position statement is a complex sentence and begins
with one of these words.
Start With:
After
Even if
Though
Although
Unless
As
Even though
If
Until
As long as
As soon as
In order that
Once
Whenever
Because
Before
Since
Wherever
So that
While
When
Examples:
Although my family and I have taken many wonderful vacations,
none was more fun and exciting than our camping trip to the Grand
Canyon
Before you make the decision to light up a cigarette, consider the
problems caused by smoking
Even though bike heimets are sometimes unfashionable and
uncomfortable, all cyclists should vear them.
If students use chs.micals to do science experiments, it is important
that they learn the proper way to dispose of theric
More Ways to Write a Topic Sentence
Power/Number Statements:
• Use a number word to help you focus your topic.
• Some number words that you may want to use include:
two
three
four
some
many
several
a few
a couple
various
numerous
a number of
plenty
Examples
The telephone representative gave four reasons why consumers should
buy his company’s product.
• Middle school students should learn a number of strategies for
reading
textbooks.
*
However Statements:
• Use the conjunction adverb, however, to write the topic sentence,
• Other conjunctive adverbs:
therefore
as a result
consequently
meamvhile
nevertheless
instead
otherwise
likewise
in fact
still
furthermore
next
Examples
The new rules for the school cafeteria seemed unfair to the students;
however, the rules have made the cafeteria a better place to eat lunch.
• Most Americans want to eliminate crime; however, it will take a great
deal
of money, time, and effort to reach this goal.
*
Statements With And, But, Or, Nor, Yet, For, and So:
• Use these conjunctions to help you write your topic sentence.
Examples
• Wilma Rudolph wore kg braces as a child, yet she overcame
her disability,
challenged herself, and won three gold medals in the 1960 Olymp
ics.
• The men u-ho attended the Constitutional Convention did not want
any branch of the government to he too powerful, so they created
the
system of “checks and balances:”
A,td, u
8
, and Or S+al-emenfs
Use these conuncfions to
heip /00
wrte Your ropc sentence.
Conjuncfions:
• arc
1
‘
• nor
but
so
for
yet
0 mp es:
E
To stay neabhv, we need to eat the right foods, so we shouid
make smart
decisions about the snachs we choose.
2. The qiris were determined o win the game, bu+ they bnew it wouid
not be easy.
3. The cthdrer, made areat olans car the oarf aod everyone had
a
wonder1hh hme.
Compare/Conl-rasF Sfafemenfs
Use one 0
f the topic sentence methods (Occasion/Posifion, Power, And,
B, and Or. Indude a compare/contrast word.
Compare/Confrasf WorcIs
• difFerent
• the
• n common
. better
• diFFerences
• similar
same
t.xamoes:
be two boo.es chc•ut ian.aoroos ore imilor.
V. cc owns
cot
dike. bo’ fhe nare :ary differences,
opposite
• alibe
worse
Topic Senfences
Occosion/Posil-jon Sfal-emenfs
Reason or w+na
Occasion
Position
=
What you olan to Drove or expiai
Starfer Words:
Even fhouk
• A1er
S
• Although
• FF
• VVhen
• A
5
• Since
• Nhenever
• Before
• Unless
• \Nhile
• Until
Examples:
• When students wrde oaraaraphs,
sentences.
they must start with sfrona tocic
2. If you want to write a 9
ood, clear paragraph, try usinq the accordion
paragraph method.
Power (Number) Sfal-emeni-s
• two
N umber Words:
several
some
• three
• anumberof
• afew
• four
a couple
Exomoles:
0
JJ
C
1. Everyone Esew several t}n.n s aboU writing por-agrophs.
many
Transitional Expressions
• In an Accordion Paragraph you will need a transition each time
you introduce a new reason/ detail/fact.
• Use the transition sets below when you write a paragraph.
Words in these sets may be mixed.
• Read your paragraph aloud. This way you will know if you
have selected a transition that fits and makes sense.
Some Common Transition Sets:
first • second • third
one • another • next
first of all • also
first • then
at first
after
one
equally important
the first • the second
one • another • last
‘
first • in addition • finally
first
also • besides
one • the other
the first • a second
one example • another example
a good example
a better example
an important • an equally important
first of all • next • the final
More Advanced Transition Sets:
a good • a better • the best
to begin a then • consequently
started when • as a result • then • therefore
at the beginning • then • following this • finally
one way • another way • a final method
one • one other a along with a last
in the first place
after that • later on • at last
initially a then
after that
a bad • a worse • the worst
as soon as • next
later • in the end
to begin
at the same time
finally
first of all • besides
in addition
to start • furthermore a additionally • last
first
alon with • likewise
one important • another ithportant
the most important
it
*
*
Examples, Evidence, Explanation
Ratios
E’s
(the Reds)
Explanation
Elaboration
Evidence
Expert Opinion
Everyday Life
Effective Illustration
Examples
by 1em Arend (Seventh Grade Math)
Even though ratios are mostly used in
math, they are commonly found in every day
activities. Such activities could be
homemaking, recreation, and business, One
example of a ratio for homemakin could be a
recipe. This could mean that for event three cups of
flour that a person adds, he would add one cup of
sugar. This ratio would be “flour to sugar” and it
would be written as 3:1. If you were baking cookies
and the recipe called for 3 c. of flour and 1 c. of
sugar, and i/ou wanted to double the batch, then
you would double both measurements. ft would be 6
c. flour and 2 c. sugar. However, this is still a 3:1
ratio, Another example of a ratio could be in
recreation, or more specifica liv, in a sport such
as football, The ratio could be in the number of
wins to losses. Let’s take the Broncos who have u’on
13 games and lost 4 so far, This ratio would he
called “wins to losses” and would be written 13:4.
Ekrwever this ratio is different from the first one
involving baking. It is not necessarily the same as
saving that for every 13 wins in the fidure the
Broncos will lose 4. Instead it is only a
cliaracterization f their current record. This ratio
will change as thcq plan more games, whether they
win or lose. A third example of ratio may be in
business, used for systems of measurements.
This ratio man be the amount of inches equal to one
(hot. ‘The ratio would he described as “inches to feet”
and written as 12:1. Th:s ratio is more like tin (hot
example in that it will not charike. Even u.:hen it
locks di,fferent (24:2, 36.3, etcJ it still a ratio ci
12:1.
Conclusions
What to do:
• Restate your position; remind the readers of your topic.
• Identify the key words from your topic sentence.
• Use synonyms.
• Summarize your paragraph, convince the readers of your
position, challenge them to think about the issue, or encourage
them to take action.
What to avoid:
• Introducing a new topic
Phrases such as...
-
—
-
as I have said
as I proved
as you can see
Helpful words and phrases:
in fact
•
truly
• obviously
•
definitely
• clearly
•
surely
• certainly
•
to sum up
• in conclusion
•
all in all
*
The final statement is important!
Note: The Step Lip to Wfittog mar.uai offers several
mote suggestiont. for writing conclu.sions,
Conclusions
When you conclude your paragraph, try one of these
methods.
Summarize the information
By saving money, taking part timeobs, and
apphiin tot student loans Jan and othei tudnts like
her are able to attend community college.
Convince the reader
Two—teai colleges ai certaznlii an excLlknt choice
for many high school guiduates
Encourage the reader to take action
To lea in to use the Internet and to increase youi
confidence with omputel S. consider taking a iOU! se at
your local community college.
Challenge the reader to think
Communitij colleges offer a great education; in foct,
for man i students they are the be t investment of time
arid money,
0
Sample Accordion Essay
Six Sentence Paragraph Example
The Tattered Cover Book Store
title (green)
If you visit Denver, you will want to
topic sentence (green)
make at least one trip to our city’s most
famous bookstore, the Tattered Cover.
key idea plus transition (yellow)
First, you’ll be impressed by the friendly
atmosphere. The displays make books
[< explanation (red)
easy to find, and comfortable chairs,
perfect for reading, are available
everywhere. Next, you’ll appreciate the
:—— key idea plus fransition (yellow)
customer service, Those who choose to
explanation (red)
work at the Tattered Cover are readers
themselves, and they are anxious to help
customers find just the right book. Ask
conclusion (green)
anyone in Denver; they’ll certainly
recommend the Tattered Cover.
——
_
[—
Eight Sentence Paragraph Example
The Tattered Cover Book Store
—
title (green)
If you visit Denver, you will want to
topic sentence (green)
make at least one trip to our city’s most
famous bookstore, the Tattered Cover.
First, you’ll be impressed by the friendly
key idea plus fransifion (yellow)
atmosphere. The displays make books
easy to find, and comfortable chairs,
explanation (red)
perfect for reading, are available
everywhere. A cafe is available for those
who want to sip coffee or enjoy a pastry.
i— key idea plus transition (yellow)
Next, you’ll appreciate the customer
service. Those who choose to work at the
Tattered Cover are readers themselves,
explanation (red)
and they are anxious to help customers
/
find just the right book. In each section of
the store, you’ll find trained employees
who know how and where to find the
book you want. Ask anyone in Denver;
conclusion (green)
they’ll certainly recommend the Tattered
Cover,
--
Sample Accordion Essay
Multi-paragraph Paper (essay)
The Tattered Cover Book Store
Denver is a great choice for tourists who
appreciate beauty and want to stay active.
We have beautiful parks, great shopping.
exciting sports events, and fantastic theater
productions. If they visit Denver, however,
tourists will want to make at least one trip
to our city’s most famous bookstore, the
Tattered Cover. There are two reasons why
people throughout Denver love this store.
First, everyone is impressed by the
friendly atmosphere. The displays make
books easy to find, and comfortable chairs,
perfect for reading, are available
everywhere. It is not unusual to find college
students and senior citizens browsing for
hooks or sharing reactions to the latest best
seller. A cafe is available for those who want
to sip coffee or enjoy a pastry A section
called ‘bargain books’ is just as popular as
the children’s hook area which is always
crowded with moms, dads, and kids.
Next, they appreciate the customer
service. Those who choose to work at the
Tattered Cover are readers themselves, and
they are anxious to help customers find just
the right book. In each section of the store,
trained employees make every effort to help,
When a book is not in stock, they have
immediate access to computers and will
place a special order, If a customer isn’t
quite sure about title or author, the
salesperson knows where to hunt for the
title (green I
—
background information
(blue)
thesis statement green)
plan (reen)
transition topic sentence
(yellow)
explanation (red)
transition topic sentence
(yellow)
explanation (red)
information,
Ask anyone in Denver; they’ll
certainly recommend the Tattered Cover. A
trip to our beautiful city would not he
complete without a stop at this famous
gathering place.
—-
conclusion greeni