Understand the usefulness of topic sentences

Avoid using too many pronounsVary noun phrases

Topic sentences for clarityCan I make my writing clear

and well organised?

Look at the opening of this paragraph. What is it talking about?

Like humans, they are omnivorous, although unlike us, they eat several hundred earthworms every night. They are social creatures and live together in large underground setts, comprised of a series of tunnels with nest chambers, toilets and several entrances. These setts are passed to them from their parents, and they expand and improve them. The resulting huge tunnel systems are, in some cases, centuries old.

What helps us get the sense in this paragraph?

Badgers are nocturnal and hard to find, but remain one of the UK's favourite mammals. Like humans, they are omnivorous, although unlike us, they eat several hundred earthworms every night. Badgers are social creatures and live together in large underground setts, comprised of a series of tunnels with nest chambers, toilets and several entrances. These setts are passed to them from their parents, and these clever animals expand and improve them. The resulting huge tunnel systems are, in some cases, centuries old.

Label: Topic Sentence, noun, noun phrase

Badgers are nocturnal and hard to find, but remain one of the UK's favourite mammals. Like humans, they are omnivorous, although unlike us, they eat several hundred earthworms every night. Badgers are social creatures and live together in large underground setts, comprised of a series of tunnels with nest chambers, toilets and several entrances. These setts are passed to them from their parents, and these clever animals expand and improve them. The resulting huge tunnel systems are, in some cases, centuries old.

Extension: Can you identify the pronouns?

Look at this paragraph. Who or what is it talking about?

After spending much of her childhood in foster homes, she began a career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946. Her early film appearances were minor, but her performances in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve were well received. By 1953, she had progressed to leading roles. Her "dumb blonde" persona was used to comedic effect in such films as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) and The Seven Year Itch (1955).

After adding a topic sentence, the paragraph becomes clear. The second mention of her name avoids using ‘she’ and ‘her’

too often.

Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer and model. After spending much of her childhood in foster homes, Monroe began a career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946. Her early film appearances were minor, but her performances in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve were well received. By 1953, Monroe had progressed to leading roles. Her "dumb blonde" persona was used to comedic effect in such films as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) and The Seven Year Itch (1955).

The Topic Sentence

This is one of the most important parts of a paragraph because it is the first thing that the reader encounters. It creates a guideline for the rest of the paragraph.

If the paragraph is to be part of an essay, the topic sentence should also be directly connected to the essay question and your own argument.

Nouns and noun phrases

Though we have seen how pronouns (he, she, it, they, himself) can avoid repetition, but sometimes it’s good to remind the reader what you’re talking about.

Instead of referring to a writer as ‘he’ or ‘she’, what nouns or noun phrases could you use?

Nouns and noun phrases

Though we have seen how pronouns (he, she, it, they, himself) can avoid repetition, but sometimes it’s good to remind the reader what you’re talking about.

Instead of referring to a writer as ‘he’ or ‘she’, what nouns or noun phrases could you use?Shakespeare / Duffy (their surname)The writerThe poetThe authorThe playwright

Group Activity. Which fact will form your topic sentence?

Born Stratford Upon Avon 1564Married Anne HathawayEnglish playwright and poetFamous plays include Macbeth and King LearDied aged 52 in 1616 Wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets15 million pages for him on google

Think about the order of information, then write the rest of the paragraph. Use a range of correct prepositions, connectives,

pronouns and noun phrases

Born Stratford Upon Avon 1564Married Anne HathawayEnglish playwright and poetFamous plays include Macbeth and King LearDied aged 52 in 1616 Wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets15 million pages for him on google

Look at the opening of this paragraph. What is it talking about? Can you give it a topic sentence?

One of the most beautiful countries in the world, it is full of green rolling hills, as well as one of the biggest mountain ranges in Europe, Snowdonia. Famous people to be born in the Celtic country include the footballer Ryan Giggs and the actress Catherine Zeta Jones. A small country of just under 3 million people, the nation has its own parliament and language. Its main industries were in coal and steel, but now the country relies on tourism.

Task: Now write your own paragraph, minus a topic sentence. Use pronouns and noun phrases instead of the noun. Your partner is going to guess what the paragraph is about and, in a different colour, write a topic sentence. Make it difficult for them!