Question

Read each sentence, then decided whether it seems like a topic sentence or a supporting sentence.

Answer 1

Topic sentences initiate the main idea of a paragraph and support the thesis, while supporting sentences provide detailed evidence. Checking whether the paragraph's structure supports the thesis and the flow requires reviewing topic sentences, supporting evidence, and the analysis concluding each paragraph. If clarity or structure is lacking, revisions to the topic sentence or paragraph organization might be necessary.

Step-by-step explanation:

In essay writing, crafting a topic sentence is crucial because it articulates the main point of a paragraph and supports the thesis statement. To evaluate whether a sentence is a topic or supporting sentence, one should ask: Does the sentence introduce a main idea or point that the paragraph will discuss? A topic sentence should reflect the reasoning strategy and should directly support the thesis. It must make a sensible point and its purpose can be to provide background information, present a claim, illustrate a point, or offer evidence. Supporting sentences, on the other hand, build upon the topic sentence by providing details such as facts, statistics, or examples.

When reviewing a paragraph's development, consider these additional questions: Is each paragraph's main point supported by adequate details and evidence? Does the order of paragraphs enhance the flow and support the thesis? Furthermore, establish whether the analysis or conclusion at the end of the paragraph effectively relates the evidence back to the topic sentence. If difficulties arise in identifying a sentence's role or purpose, revision may be necessary to clarify the intent.

Ultimately, each paragraph should contribute to a clear outline of the essay, revealing a structure that enhances the overall argument. If the outline is not evident upon reading the first sentence of each paragraph, reorganizing the content may improve the essay's flow and coherence.

Answer 2

Topic sentences:

1. Building a birdhouse can be lots of fun.

2. Our PE teacher is really tough sometimes.

Supporting sentences:

1. When you paint it, you can go wild with the colors.

Friends can work together on planning and building the birdhouse.

2. Once we had to run in the rain!

She blows the whistle really loudly.

We have to run lots and lots of laps.

Step-by-step explanation:

The topic sentence is the sentence that summarizes the information in the paragraph. It's usually the first sentence of the paragraph.

Supporting sentences contain details about what is stated in the topic sentence.

We can divide the given sentences into two groups (or paragraphs). One group tells about the process of building a birdhouse, and the other about a strict PE teacher. Both of these paragraphs have to have their topic sentence, so there are two topic sentences:

• Building a birdhouse can be lots of fun.
• Our PE teacher is really tough sometimes.

The rest of the sentences are supporting.