Theparagraph: Topic Sentence, Supporting Details, and Closing Sentence

The Paragraph
Topic Sentence, Supporting Details, and Closing Sentence

W h a t is a p a r a g r a p h ?
A paragraph is a series of sentences

developing 1 topic
The paragraph
A topic sentence
Supporting details
Closing or transition sentence

We d o n ’ t w a n t a
paragraph t h a t
looks like this...
o r this...
It should have:
A topic sentence
Supporting details

indent
Through the centuries, rats have managed to
survive our efforts to destroy them. Rats are very
resilient. It is really difficult to get rid of them. Some
of them even survived the atomic bomb tests
Entwetok Atoll in the Pacific after World War II. In
addition to nuclear testing, they have been poisoned
and trapped. They have been fumigated, drowned,
and burned. In spite of all of our efforts, the rats
continue to do well.
Topic Sentence
Through the centuries, rats have managed to
survive our efforts to destroy them. Rats are very
resilient. It is really difficult to get rid of them. Some
of them even survived the atomic bomb tests
Entwetok Atoll in the Pacific after World War II. In
addition to nuclear testing, they have been poisoned
and trapped. They have been fumigated, drowned,
and burned. In spite of all of our efforts, the rats
continue to do well.
Supporting
Conclusion Details
New Idea =
New P a r a g r a p h
To p i c S e n t e n c e
This is the controlling idea of the sentence

To p i c S e n t e n c e
=
topic + controlling idea
Topic
=
The subject of your paragraph. It is what you are
writing about.
It is usually a noun or a noun phrase.

W h a t is t h e t o p i c o f
this presentation?
NO!Hamburgers!
Paragraphs
Underline the topic:
1.Bread is an important part of our everyday
food.
2. Potatoes are good for you.
3. The hamburger is a popular food in the
United States.
4. People all around the world drink tea.

5. Bread is the poor man’s food.
F i nt adl kt haeb oTuot pr i cce …
Let’s
Rice plays an important part in some

ceremonies.
Rice is a nutritious part of our diet.
White rice is not healthy for you.

C o n t r o l l i n g Idea
The controlling idea limits or controls your

topic to one aspect, or thing, you want to write
about.
t o p i c + c o n t r o l l i n g idea
topic = rice
What we say about rice will change based on our

controlling idea.
Where a r e t h e
c o n t r o l l i n g ideas?
Rice plays an important part in some ceremonies.
Rice is a nutritious part of our diet.
White rice is not healthy for you.

Underline the controlling idea:
1.Bread is an important part of our diet.
2. Bread plays an important role in our region.
3. Potatoes are easy to grow.
4. Potatoes are a staple food in Ireland.

5. French fries are popular all over the world.
Good T o p i c S e n t e n c e s
Fact vs. Opinion

Good topic sentences are often opinions.
A fact is not a good topic sentence

because there is nothing more you can
say about it.
Fact or Opinion?
In some countries, people eat too much rice.
Opinion
Fact or Opinion?
Rice is a cereal.
Fact
Fact or Opinion?
Potatoes are good for you.
Opinion
Fact or Opinion?
The potato is a vegetable.
Fact
Fact or Opinion?
Alliya is the best teacher in the world.
J uO
s tp
F iKiddi
anci ot n n g
Dividing into Parts

Good To p i c S e n t e n c e s
Another topic sentence divides the topic into parts.

Potatoes are good for you in three ways.
There are 4 basic methods of eating

French fries.
Potato eaters fall into different groups.

Dividing t h e Topic
If you use this type of topic sentence, your
paragraph should explain the parts.
For example…
Supporting Details = 3 ways potatoes are

good for you
Supporting Details = 3 ways potatoes are

good for you
S u p p o r t i n g Details
Tell more about the topic sentence.
Facts Examples
Description Explanation
S t a r t General
(Topic Sentence)
Then add specific details.
Facts Examples
I like American food.
Then add specific details.
I like to eat steak.

I like to eat French Fries.
I like to eat apple pie.

Add adjectives
To make it more interesting
I like to eat thick, juicy steak.
I like to eat cripsy French Fries on

the side.
After dinner, I like to eat delicious

apple pie.
Add explanations
To make it more reflective
I like to eat thick, juicy steak because

we don’t eat a lot of beef in my
country.
All supporting
details s u p p o r t t h e
t o p i c sentence.
Topic Sentence
Choose t h e
sentence t h a t
doesn’t belong
Topic Sentence
(1) To control a nosebleed, sit down and
lean forward. (2) Put pressure on the
lower part of the side that is bleeding for
about five minutes. (3) Consult a doctor if
the bleeding does not stop within 15
minutes. (4) It’s sometimes difficult to see
a doctor without an appointment.
1) Your attitude about your job may affect
your chances of becoming sick. (2) A cold
and a viral infection are common
illnesses. (3) A university study indicated
that employees with good attitudes were
sick less often. (4) On the other hand,
those that were unhappy used their sick
days.
(1) Carpentry is rewarding in many
ways (2) Working with wood can be
relaxing and creative. (3) Carpenters
enjoy working with their hands. (4) My
father, a carpenter, opened a wood-
working shop.
S u p p o r t i n g Details
Tell more about the topic sentence.
Facts Examples
Closing S e n t e n c e
Restates the topic sentence
Summarizes the main points in the paragraph
Tells us ‘so what’

Topic Sentence: Through the centuries, rats have

managed to survive our efforts to destroy them.
Closing Sentence: In spite of all of our efforts,

the rats continue to do well.
Topic Sentence: There is no day without kimchi

on the table in my country Korea.
Closing Sentence: Kimchi is an indispensable

side dish at meals in Korea.
The paragraph
A topic sentence
Supporting details

So r e m e m b e r …
S t a y a w a y from...
o r this...
B u t we d o w a n t
this...
Let’s E a t W r i t e !

Theparagraph: Topic Sentence, Supporting Details, and Closing Sentence

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Theparagraph: Topic Sentence, Supporting Details, and Closing Sentence

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The Paragraph

Topic Sentence, Supporting Details, and Closing Sentence

A paragraph is a series of sentences

Closing or transition sentence

Closing or transition sentence

This is the controlling idea of the sentence

It is usually a noun or a noun phrase.

4. People all around the world drink tea.

Rice plays an important part in some

Rice is a nutritious part of our diet.

White rice is not healthy for you.

The controlling idea limits or controls your

What we say about rice will change based on our

Rice plays an important part in some ceremonies.

Rice is a nutritious part of our diet.

White rice is not healthy for you.

4. Potatoes are a staple food in Ireland.

Fact vs. Opinion

Good topic sentences are often opinions.

A fact is not a good topic sentence

In some countries, people eat too much rice.

Potatoes are good for you.

The potato is a vegetable.

Alliya is the best teacher in the world.

Dividing into Parts

Another topic sentence divides the topic into parts.

Potatoes are good for you in three ways.

There are 4 basic methods of eating

Potato eaters fall into different groups.

Supporting Details = 3 ways potatoes are

Supporting Details = 3 ways potatoes are

Tell more about the topic sentence.

I like to eat steak.

I like to eat apple pie.

I like to eat thick, juicy steak.

I like to eat cripsy French Fries on

After dinner, I like to eat delicious

I like to eat thick, juicy steak because

Tell more about the topic sentence.

Restates the topic sentence

Summarizes the main points in the paragraph

Tells us ‘so what’

Topic Sentence: Through the centuries, rats have

Closing Sentence: In spite of all of our efforts,

Topic Sentence: There is no day without kimchi

Closing Sentence: Kimchi is an indispensable

Closing or transition sentence

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