✨ Lesson 7: Paragraph Structure: The Topic Sentence
We know that a good paragraph1 is a group of sentences about one main idea2. But how do we tell the reader what that main idea is? We use a topic sentence3.
The topic sentence is the most important sentence in a paragraph. It is usually the first sentence, and its job is to state the main idea and control the information in the rest of the paragraph.
Characteristics of a Good Topic Sentence
A strong topic sentence has two key parts:
- A Topic: The person, place, or thing the paragraph is about.
- A Controlling Idea: Your specific opinion or focus on that topic. It tells the reader what you will say about the topic.
Example:
"Visiting the temples in Siem Reap is an unforgettable experience."
- Topic: Visiting the temples in Siem Reap
- Controlling Idea4: is an unforgettable experience
After reading this topic sentence, the reader expects the rest of the paragraph to explain why the experience is unforgettable (the beautiful carvings, the amazing sunrise, the incredible history).
Good vs. Weak Topic Sentences
A good topic sentence gives a clear focus that can be developed. It is not just a simple fact, and it is a complete sentence.
| Weak Topic Sentence | Strong Topic Sentence |
|---|---|
| Angkor Wat is in Cambodia. (Too simple, just a fact) | Angkor Wat is the most impressive religious monument in the world. (Good, you can now explain why). |
| My trip to Siem Reap. (Not a complete sentence) | My trip to Siem Reap was an exciting adventure. (Good, you can now describe the adventure). |
🧠 Practice Quiz: Identify the Parts
For each topic sentence, identify the topic and the controlling idea.
- Sentence: The food on Pub Street is delicious but quite expensive.
→ Topic: The food on Pub Street
→ Controlling Idea: is delicious but quite expensive - Sentence: Learning English has several important benefits for tour guides.
→ Topic: Learning English
→ Controlling Idea: has several important benefits for tour guides
📝 Homework: Write Your Own Topic Sentences
Write one strong topic sentence for each of the following topics.
Example Topic: My hometown.
Example Sentence: My hometown is small, but it is a very friendly place.
Topic 1: A favorite food
→ Your Sentence: ___________________________________.
Topic 2: Traveling
→ Your Sentence: ___________________________________.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Paragraph: (Noun) - កថាខណ្ឌ (kâ'tha'khan) - A group of sentences about one main idea. ↩
- Main Idea: (Noun) - គំនិតចម្បង (kumnit châmbâng) - The most important thought or message in a paragraph. ↩
- Topic Sentence: (Noun) - ប្រយោគប្រធានបទ (brâyoŭk prôthéan'bât) - The sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph. ↩
- Controlling Idea: (Noun) - គំនិតគ្រប់គ្រង (kumnit krup'krɔɔng) - The part of the topic sentence that shows the writer's opinion or focus. ↩