B2 Lesson 3: Using Topic Sentences and Concluding Sentences Effectively
You know how to build a well-structured paragraph using the P.E.E.L method. Today, we will focus on making the first and last sentences of your body paragraphs—the "frame" of your argument—as strong and effective1 as possible.
Crafting an Effective Topic Sentence
A B2-level topic sentence does more than just state a topic. It also includes a controlling idea2—your specific point or argument about that topic.
Formula: Topic + Controlling Idea = Effective Topic Sentence
| Topic (Too General) | Effective Topic Sentence (with Controlling Idea) |
|---|---|
| Smartphones | While smartphones offer incredible convenience, their impact on social interaction has been largely negative. |
| Tourism in Cambodia | The growth of tourism in Cambodia has led to both economic benefits and environmental concerns. |
The controlling idea tells the reader exactly what you will argue in the paragraph. It acts as a "promise" to your reader.
Writing an Effective Concluding Sentence
The final sentence of your body paragraph should provide a sense of closure. It should not introduce any new ideas. There are two good strategies for this.
Strategy 1: Summarize the Main Point
Briefly restate the topic sentence in different words. This reminds the reader of your main point.
Topic Sentence: In my opinion, living in a big city is very stressful.
Concluding Sentence: Therefore, the constant noise and fast pace of city life can be a major source of stress for its residents.
Strategy 2: Link to the Next Paragraph
This is a more advanced technique. Your sentence can both summarize the current point and introduce the idea of the next paragraph.
Concluding Sentence: While the stress of city life is a significant drawback, the professional opportunities it offers are often too valuable to ignore.
(This perfectly sets up the next paragraph, which will be about professional opportunities).
✍️ B2 Paragraph Framing Checklist
- ✔️ Does my topic sentence have a clear topic and a specific controlling idea?
- ✔️ Does every supporting sentence in the paragraph relate directly to that controlling idea?
- ✔️ Does my concluding sentence summarize the main point of the paragraph?
- ✔️ Does my concluding sentence avoid introducing new information?
🧠 Practice Quiz: Identify the Controlling Idea
Read the topic sentence below. What is the controlling idea?
Topic Sentence: "Although many people enjoy the convenience of online shopping, it has several significant disadvantages for local communities."
- Online shopping.
- The convenience of online shopping.
- It has several significant disadvantages for local communities.
Answer: C. The topic is "online shopping," but the specific argument, or controlling idea, that the paragraph will prove is that it has "several significant disadvantages for local communities."
📝 Homework: Frame Your Paragraphs
Your homework is to practice writing the "frame" for two different body paragraphs. You do not need to write the supporting details.
Choose ONE topic sentence from the list below and write it in your notebook.
- The most effective way to learn a new language is through daily practice.
- The development of new infrastructure in Phnom Penh has greatly improved daily life.
- Social media has fundamentally changed how we communicate with friends and family.
Your Task: For the topic sentence you chose, write one strong concluding sentence that summarizes the main point in different words.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Effective: (Adjective) - មានប្រសិទ្ធភាព - Successful in producing a desired or intended result. ↩
- Controlling Idea: (Noun Phrase) - គំនិតគ្រប់គ្រង - The specific point or argument about a topic that a paragraph or essay will prove. ↩
- Topic Sentence: (Noun Phrase) - ប្រយោគប្រធានបទ - The sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph. ↩
- Concluding Sentence: (Noun Phrase) - ប្រយោគបញ្ចប់ - The last sentence of a paragraph, which provides a sense of closure. ↩
- To frame: (Verb) - ដាក់ក្នុងក្របខ័ណ្ឌ - To create the main structural points that surround the details of an argument.