4.1: Paragraph Basics and Topic Sentences

Topic Sentences

The foundation of a good paragraph is the topic sentence, which expresses the main idea of the paragraph. Do not let the name fool you, as the topic sentence does not just identify a topic!  The topic sentence has two parts: It states the topic of the paragraph, and it also states the point being made about that topic.   

Notice how each of the following topic sentences contains both a topic and a point about that topic:  

Topic                             Point  

Any habit                        can be broken.  

Topic                             Point  

Environmental factors       are causing a sharp increase in asthma.  

Topic                             Point  

All day-care employees     should be required to have a two-year degree.  

In a cohesive, academic paragraph, the topic sentence will be apparent. It will be the most general statement in the paragraph, and all the other sentences will clearly develop the point that it makes. Topic sentences are often the first sentence of the paragraph, but they do not have to be. They can appear anywhere in the paragraph: at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end.  

Here are more examples of topic sentences, all focused on the same main idea:  

• Marijuana has a destructive influence on teens and causes long-term brain damage.  

• The anti-nausea properties in marijuana are a lifeline for many cancer patients.   

• Legalizing marijuana would create a higher demand for Class A and Class B drugs.  

Although the main idea—marijuana—is the same in all three topic sentences, the point that is being made differs.   

When you develop a full essay, the topic sentences of your body paragraphs should relate to and support the thesis statement, which will be discussed in the “Writing Essays” chapter of this book.  

An Example Paragraph  

The topic sentence for this paragraph is in bold.  

Most people strongly dislike giving speeches. The mere thought of standing up in front of an audience to speak makes their hearts begin to beat faster and their stomachs begin to fill with butterflies. In fact, according to Gallup polls, fear of public speaking has for years been at or near the top of people’s list of situations that provoke the most anxiety. Many have admitted that the thought of speaking in public terrifies them more than the fear of anything else, including heights, snakes, needles, flying, and even dying! I myself would become numb and almost paralyzed right before giving a speech. My hands would shake, my mouth would go dry, and my heart would race. I was sure that I would do or say something that would make everyone think that I was stupid, boring, or ridiculous. My discomfort with giving a speech is not unusual, as most people find giving speeches intimating.   

The topic sentence of this paragraph indicates to the reader that the paragraph will be about the topic of giving speeches and the point that most people dislike giving them. Most academic writing contains the topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph. Each of the following sentences in the paragraph supports the topic sentence by providing descriptive details, facts gathered from polls, and an example (the writer’s experience with public speaking). The final sentence is the concluding sentence. It wraps up the paragraph by restating the topic sentence in different words.    

Please note that use of personal example, as used in the example paragraph, is not always appropriate in academic writing.  It depends on the purpose and audience for your essay.    

Exercise 4.1a: Analyzing Topic Sentence Parts  

Identify the topic and point in each of the following topic sentences.  

1. Exercising is one of the most important activities a person can do for their health.  

2. Sexism and racism are still rampant in today’s workplace.   

3. Raising the legal driving age to twenty-one would decrease road traffic accidents.   

4. Owning a business is the only way to achieve financial success.   

5. Dog owners should be prohibited from taking their pets to public beaches.  

Characteristics of a Good Topic Sentence  

1. A good topic sentence contains both the topic and the point being made about the topic, also known as the controlling point.  

Weak example: In this paragraph, I am going to discuss the rising suicide rate among young professionals.   

This topic sentence provides a main idea, but it does not present a controlling point. Also, it is problematic and ineffective how the writer “announces” her topic by saying, “I am going to discuss. . .”; this actually prevents the sentence from having a point. Work to develop your topic sentences (and also your thesis statements) without announcing.  

Stronger example: The rising suicide rate among young professionals is a cause for immediate concern.   

This topic sentence presents the main idea—the rising suicide rate among young professionals—and a controlling point about that topic—that it is a cause for immediate concern.  You can see how much more effective and clear this topic sentence is without the use of announcing.   

2. A good topic sentence does not include supporting details.   

Weak example: Salaries should be capped in baseball for many reasons, most importantly so we don’t allow the same team to win year after year.   

This topic sentence includes a supporting detail that should be included later in the paragraph to back up the main point (“so we don’t allow the same team to win year after year”).  

Stronger example: Introducing a salary cap would improve the game of baseball for many reasons.  

This topic sentence omits the additional supporting detail so that it can be expanded upon later in the paragraph.  

3. A good topic sentence is not a question.  

Weak example: How is overuse of social media harmful?  

Stronger example: Overuse of social media is harmful to teens’ self-esteem.  

The second example states the controlling point about overuse of social media, while the weak example, which is a question, does not.  

Exercise 4.1b: Evaluating Topic Sentences  

In each of the following sentence pairs, choose the more effective topic sentence.  

1. a. This paper will discuss the likelihood of the Democrats winning the next election.  

2. To boost their chances of winning the next election, the Democrats need to listen to   public opinion.  

2. a. The unrealistic demands of union workers are crippling the economy for three main   reasons.  

2. How are the demands of union workers affecting the economy?   

3. a. Authors are losing money as a result of artificial intelligence, Amazon exclusivity   contracts, and piracy.   

2. The introduction of new technology will devastate the literary world.  

4. a. Rap music is produced by untalented individuals with oversized egos.  

2. This essay will consider whether talent is required in the rap music industry.  

Exercise 4.1c: Topic Sentence Practice  

Create a topic sentence for each of the following subjects.   

1. An endangered species  

2. The cost of groceries  

3. Childcare options  

4. Climate change