Topic and Concluding Sentences
Part I – Defining Topic Sentences
A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph and summarizes what the rest of the paragraph will contain. It must always relate back to your thesis statement. For example: My favorite hobby is painting. I started painting with my grandmother when I was four years old. She bought me my own set of paints and canvases and showed me the basic skills I would need. I try to find time for painting every week, but it has become difficult as I have gotten older. Painting will always be a very special part of my life. The underlined sentence is the topic sentence.
Part II – Understanding Topic Sentences
Read the paragraph and highlight the best topic sentence.
Topic sentences options:
A: It is winter and it snowed yesterday.
B: Our nation is one of the largest in the world.
C: I really enjoy the weather in the United States.
D: It can drop well below zero, for example.
Paragraph:
I love that we have varying seasons to enjoy. In the summer it can be very hot, especially in the desert or in major cities. Winters can be very cold, bringing snow and ice to most regions. I love experiencing all types of weather throughout the year.
What is wrong with the other topic sentences?
Match the letter of the remaining topic sentences to the problems they present:
Problem:
It is a specific example. It is not general enough.
It is about something unrelated to this main point.
Part III – Create a topic sentence
Choose one of your main points for your essay, and create a topic sentence for the body paragraph you are writing for it:
Main Point:
Topic Sentence:
Part I – Defining Concluding Sentences
A concluding sentence is the last sentence of a paragraph; its purpose is to repeat the main point of the paragraph and provide a definitive ending point for it. For example: My favorite hobby is painting. I started painting with my grandmother when I was four years old. She bought me my own set of paints and canvases and showed me the basic skills I would need. I try to find time for painting every week, but it has become difficult as I have gotten older. Painting will always be a very special part of my life. The underlined sentence is the concluding sentence.
Part II – Understanding Concluding Sentences
Read the paragraph and highlight the best concluding sentence.
Concluding sentences options:
A: My boss is very compassionate.
B: I also plan to study business in college.
C: For example, he once ran his own business.
D: He sets a great example for the workplace.
Paragraph:
My boss is excellent at his job. He has two business degrees and many years of experience in the field. He has won several awards within the company for his dedication to our field and encouraging his employees. He comes in early and works late quite often.
What is wrong with the other concluding sentences?
Match the letter of the remaining concluding sentences to the problems they present:
Problem:
It shares new information about the topic.
It is a specific example.
It is about something unrelated to this main point.
Part III – Create a concluding sentence
Using the same main point you chose for your topic sentence, write a concluding sentence for the paragraph:
Main Point:
Topic Sentence:
Paper For Above instruction
The importance of effective paragraph structure in academic writing cannot be overstated. Central to this structure are the topic and concluding sentences, which serve to introduce and wrap up the main ideas within a paragraph. An effective topic sentence sets the stage for the paragraph, providing a clear idea of what the reader can expect, while a concluding sentence reinforces the main idea and offers a sense of closure. The ability to craft strong topic and concluding sentences is fundamental for clarity and coherence in writing.
In the initial stage, understanding what constitutes a good topic sentence is essential. A topic sentence should succinctly summarize the content of the paragraph and relate back to the thesis statement, ensuring consistency throughout the essay. For example, in a paragraph discussing a favorite hobby, the topic sentence might state, "Painting is a hobby that has significantly impacted my life." This sentence clearly signals the paragraph's focus. The paragraph following this sentence elaborates on personal experiences, initial exposure, and ongoing engagement with painting, all rooted in the topic sentence.
When evaluating paragraph coherence, identifying the best topic sentence among options involves examining how well it summarizes the paragraph’s content. For instance, given options about seasons and
weather, the ideal topic sentence should broadly capture the main point—such as the narrator’s enjoyment of seasonal changes—while the lesser options may focus on specific details or unrelated topics. The misaligned sentences might be too narrow or stray from the main idea, disrupting coherence.
Crafting a new topic sentence requires identifying a central idea in your essay. For example, if the main point is the significance of environmental conservation, a suitable topic sentence might be, "Environmental conservation is crucial for ensuring a sustainable future." This sentence guides the paragraph's development and maintains focus on the core message.
Concluding sentences serve the important function of summarizing the paragraph's main idea and providing a final thought. Unlike topic sentences, which introduce ideas, concluding sentences reinforce and synthesize those ideas. In evaluating options, the best concluding sentence should encapsulate the paragraph's key points—such as praising a boss for their leadership qualities—and avoid introducing new information or specific examples that belong elsewhere. For example, "He sets a great example for the workplace" effectively concludes the paragraph about a boss's admirable traits.
However, some sentences may be problematic, such as those that share new information or include unrelated details, which hinder the paragraph's closing effectiveness. Recognizing these mistakes helps refine paragraph structure for clearer communication.
Finally, creating effective topic and concluding sentences tailored to your main ideas enhances the overall coherence of your writing. By precisely framing your ideas at the beginning and end of each paragraph, you guide your reader through your arguments smoothly and convincingly.
References
Hacker, D., & Sommers, N. (2016). A Writer's Reference (8th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin's.
Reid, S. (2017). Paragraph Writing: Strategies for Success. Oxford University Press.
Graff, G., & Birkenstein, C. (2018). They Say / I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing (4th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.
The Purdue Online Writing Lab. (2020). Paragraph Development. Purdue University.
Campbell, S. (2014). Writing Strategies for Students. Pearson.
Turabian, K. L. (2018). A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. University of
Chicago Press.
Hinkle, J., & Burch, T. (2019). Academic Writing for Graduate Students. Routledge. Elbow, P. (2012). Writing with Power. Oxford University Press.
Hyland, K. (2017). Second Language Writing. Cambridge University Press.
Lunsford, A. A., & Ruszkiewicz, J. J. (2016). Everything's an Argument. Bedford/St. Martin's.