Download Topic Sentence Activity

Topic Sentence Activity
Rivkin/1310
You have a thesis statement. Now
What? Topic Sentences!
• Why do we need topic sentences?
-Clarity
-Preview of Paragraph
-Relation to Thesis/Central Argument
Building Effective Topic Sentences
A strong topic sentence:
-Is found at the beginning of each body paragraph
-Directly and specifically supports the thesis statement
-Captures the entire argument that the paragraph
should make
Let’s Apply This:
Thesis: “In the year 2050, humans will look back
on today’s society and disapprove of the
Guantanamo Bay Prison system, discrimination
against women and homosexuals, and the
depletion of the environment.”
1.) When the
society
of 2050society’s
2.)Fifty-years
from
now,
today’s
What could the topic sentences be?
looks back atagainst
our treatment
of
discrimination
women and
homosexuals,
in Guantanamo
both the workplace
individuals at
Bay, and in
every
will deem
be viewed
as an
injustice.
they day
willlife,
surely
these
acts
as inhumane.
Now Break Into Your New(er) Groups!
• Assign each group member 1 thesis statement that your group developed
last class.
• On a separate sheet of paper, each group member should develop three
topic sentences to support the assigned thesis statement.
• Use your peers for support in this process!
• Once everyone has written their topic sentences, discuss them with each
other and as a group.
•
Improve eachother’s topic sentences as much as possible!
• Remember: Their grade is your grade.