Topic Sentences,Topic Sentences,Supporting Supporting Sentences,Sentences,

Irrelevant Sentences,Irrelevant Sentences,Concluding Concluding Sentences,Sentences,

Oh My!Oh My!

Topic SentencesTopic Sentences

Are the first sentences of single paragraphs OR Are the first sentences of single paragraphs OR body paragraphs of an essay.body paragraphs of an essay.

Complete sentences with a subject and verb and Complete sentences with a subject and verb and a complete thoughta complete thought

The length of a topic sentence is determined by The length of a topic sentence is determined by the topic and the controlling ideathe topic and the controlling idea

HAS to HAVE a topic and a controlling ideaHAS to HAVE a topic and a controlling idea

Sentences that Sentences that CAN NOTCAN NOT be Topic be Topic SentencesSentences

Incomplete sentences (missing subject or verb Incomplete sentences (missing subject or verb or is an incomplete thought)or is an incomplete thought)

Sentences that show an exampleSentences that show an example Sentences that show evidenceSentences that show evidence Sentences that analyze evidenceSentences that analyze evidence Sentences that are too generalSentences that are too general Sentences that are about something different Sentences that are about something different

from the other sentences in the paragraph from the other sentences in the paragraph off off topic or random opinions/statementstopic or random opinions/statements

Supporting SentencesSupporting Sentences

Are complete sentences with subject and verb Are complete sentences with subject and verb and a complete thoughtand a complete thought

Are sentences that are ideas connected to the Are sentences that are ideas connected to the topic topic

Are sentences/evidence that prove the Are sentences/evidence that prove the controlling ideacontrolling idea

Are examples of the topic and controlling ideaAre examples of the topic and controlling idea Are written in the middle of the paragraph; Are written in the middle of the paragraph;

between the topic sentence and the concluding between the topic sentence and the concluding sentence.sentence.

Supporting SentencesSupporting Sentences

Analyze (or summarize) the controlling Analyze (or summarize) the controlling ideaidea

The first sentence AFTER the topic The first sentence AFTER the topic sentence typically is an example or sentence typically is an example or evidence.evidence.

Must be placed in a logical orderMust be placed in a logical order

Irrelevant SentencesIrrelevant Sentences

Try to “Look Like” a supporting sentenceTry to “Look Like” a supporting sentenceAre off topicAre off topicAre random opinions or statementsAre random opinions or statementsDo not prove the controlling idea – they Do not prove the controlling idea – they

might actually disprove itmight actually disprove it Incomplete sentences (missing subject or Incomplete sentences (missing subject or

verb or incomplete thoughts)verb or incomplete thoughts)

Concluding SentencesConcluding Sentences

Are complete sentences and complete Are complete sentences and complete thoughtsthoughts

Are at the end of the paragraphAre at the end of the paragraphUsually restate/tie back to the topicUsually restate/tie back to the topicUsually restate/tie back to the controlling Usually restate/tie back to the controlling

idea in other wordsidea in other words

Directions: Copy the paragraph. Label all Directions: Copy the paragraph. Label all its parts. Omit any irrelevant sentences. its parts. Omit any irrelevant sentences.

Add any parts that are missingAdd any parts that are missing..

Jackie Robinson was one of the cleverest Jackie Robinson was one of the cleverest base runners in modern baseball. He made the base runners in modern baseball. He made the pitcher nervous. He danced back and forth on the pitcher nervous. He danced back and forth on the base path. He was such a great athlete. He broke base path. He was such a great athlete. He broke the pitcher’s concentration. He went from standing the pitcher’s concentration. He went from standing still to full speed in one step. When Jackie still to full speed in one step. When Jackie Robinson was at third base, he usually scored. In Robinson was at third base, he usually scored. In 1949, he stole 37 bases. This was the most of any 1949, he stole 37 bases. This was the most of any National League player between 1930 and 1956. National League player between 1930 and 1956.

Omitted Sentence(s):___________________Why?Omitted Sentence(s):___________________Why?Underline any sentences you added.Underline any sentences you added.