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    Controlling Idea / Topic Sentences

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    Rodrigo
    The controlling idea is the main idea that ties all paragraphs of a composition together. It gives the composition focus and direction, and lets the reader know what to expect. Without a controlling idea, the composition lacks focus. A topic sentence expresses the main idea of its paragraph. It provides understanding of what the paragraph will be about and gives direction within the paragraph. Other sentences in the paragraph relate to the topic sentence. Good topic sentences state an opinion that can be supported, are specific and clear, and give definite direction to the paragraph.

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    Controlling Idea / Topic Sentences

    Uploaded by

    Rodrigo
    58 views1 page
    The controlling idea is the main idea that ties all paragraphs of a composition together. It gives the composition focus and direction, and lets the reader know what to expect. Without a controlling idea, the composition lacks focus. A topic sentence expresses the main idea of its paragraph. It provides understanding of what the paragraph will be about and gives direction within the paragraph. Other sentences in the paragraph relate to the topic sentence. Good topic sentences state an opinion that can be supported, are specific and clear, and give definite direction to the paragraph.

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    Controlling-Ideas-and-Topic-Sentences

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    The controlling idea is the main idea that ties all paragraphs of a composition together. It gives the composition focus and direction, and lets the reader know what to expect. Without a controlling idea, the composition lacks focus. A topic sentence expresses the main idea of its paragraph. It provides understanding of what the paragraph will be about and gives direction within the paragraph. Other sentences in the paragraph relate to the topic sentence. Good topic sentences state an opinion that can be supported, are specific and clear, and give definite direction to the paragraph.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    58 views1 page

    Controlling Idea / Topic Sentences

    Uploaded by

    Rodrigo
    The controlling idea is the main idea that ties all paragraphs of a composition together. It gives the composition focus and direction, and lets the reader know what to expect. Without a controlling idea, the composition lacks focus. A topic sentence expresses the main idea of its paragraph. It provides understanding of what the paragraph will be about and gives direction within the paragraph. Other sentences in the paragraph relate to the topic sentence. Good topic sentences state an opinion that can be supported, are specific and clear, and give definite direction to the paragraph.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 1

    Controlling Idea / Topic Sentences

    Controlling Idea

    1. The controlling idea is the main idea that the writer is developing in a composition.
    The controlling idea usually expresses a definite opinion or attitude about the topic
    of the composition.
    2. The controlling idea can be supported within the paragraphs of the composition.
    3. The controlling idea gives direction to the composition. It lets the reader know what
    to expect, and it gives a definite focus to the entire composition.
    4. The paragraphs in a composition are related to the controlling idea like the sentences
    in a paragraph are related to the topic sentences. It is the controlling idea that ties all
    the paragraphs together and makes them part of the larger composition concept.
    5. Without a controlling idea, the composition lacks focus. The writer has nothing to
    center the composition on, and the reader may not know the writer’s point.

    Topic Sentences

    1. A topic sentence expresses the main idea of the paragraph.


    2. A topic sentence usually states a definite opinion or idea.
    3. A topic sentence provides the reader with a clear understanding of what a paragraph
    is going to be about.
    4. A topic sentence gives direction to the paragraph that both the reader and writer can
    follow.
    5. A topic sentence often begins a paragraph or is found near the beginning of the
    paragraph.
    6. Other sentences within a paragraph relate to the topic sentence.
    7. The final “wrap-up” sentence within a paragraph often reinforces the topic sentence.

    Some Pointers in Writing Topic Sentences

    1. A good topic sentence usually states an opinion or attitude that can be supported by
    details and examples.
    2. A good topic sentence is specific enough to be clear and interesting.
    3. A good topic sentence gives a definite direction to a paragraph.

    Controlling Idea / Topic Sentences


    Provided by the Academic Center for Excellence 1 Reviewed June 2008

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