How to Write Topic Sentences(如何写主题句)
A topic sentence is a sentence that tells the reader the central idea of a paragraph. It can appear anywhere in a paragraph. It can be at the beginning of a paragraph or at the end, or at both the beginning and the end. It can also be in the middle of a paragraph. A topic sentence can also be implied, or suggested.
Now identify the topic sentence in the following paragraph.
Passage One
Baby-sitting with my brother is no fun. Just as I settle down to read or watch TV, he demands that I play with him. If I get a telephone call, he screams in the background or knocks something over. I always have to hang up to find out what’s wrong with him. He refuses to let me eat a snack in peace. Usually he wants half of what I have to eat. Then, when he finally grows tired, it takes about an hour for him to fall asleep.
The topic sentence is (1) __________.
What is the difference between the topic sentence and the other sentences? Your answer is (2) __________.
Passage Two
Next is a paragraph with its topic sentence missing, write one to make the paragraph complete.
(3) __________. One example is the word graft. The verb to graft first meant merely “to work.” English people once used the word in such expressions as “where are you grafting?” meaning “where are you working” From this perfectly respectable meaning, the word has gradually changed. Today graft refers to illegal gains won by dishonest politicians.
*Tip: Your topic sentence must be able to govern, or rule over, the other sentences.
Passage Three
Here is a paragraph written by a sophomore in Lanzhou University (he is good at reading and speaking, but not, however, at writing).
During the two years, life in college is both colorful and busy. Of course the first purpose of a university is to study, but the social life is also very important for character development. We are all grown up and learn many things. During the two years we have met difficulties, some students even cried. But we help each other.
The major problem in the paragraph is (4) ________.
*Tip: There is only one topic in one paragraph. Support the topic with convincing details.
As you have found, the major problem is that the paragraph has five topics instead of one. In the first sentence he starts with the topic “life in college is both colorful and busy.” Readers expect to see how busy and how colorful college life is. But the writer switches to another topic: purpose of a university. But in the following sentences he does not support his topic with more details, he goes on with the third topic “social life is also important for character development,” and in the next two sentences he raises two topics “we are grown-ups” and “we met difficulties.