Topic sentences a topic sentence expresses the main idea of the paragraph. Almost every piece of writing you do that is longer than a few sentences should be organized into paragraphs. The worksheets below are aimed to help your student become a master at recognizing and writing topic sentences. Time4writings free writing resources cover the researching and supplying of supporting details in paragraph writing. This esl writing exercise tries to get students writing creatively by identifying which topic sentences are interesting and which topic sentences are boring.
Match each supporting sentence with the corresponding topic sentence by writing the correct topic sentence number on the line beside the supporting sentences. Supporting sentences what are supporting sentences. It is often helpful to reflect back to your topic sentences as you complete the entire paragraph. Each turkey body has a topic sentence and five feathers for students to write supporting sentences on. Step 4 writing supporting sentences choose one item from each column in the tables below. Look for the topic sentence, concrete details and examples in the supporting sentences, and see how the writer sums up the point of the paragraph with a. Mardi gras in new orleans can be a wild experience. Sentences a paragraph is a series of sentences that are organized and coherent, and are all related to a single topic. Supporting sentences should focus on the following. It also has some blank organizers for writing simple paragraphs.
A brief description of the worksheets is on each of the worksheet widgets. Topic sentences are a vital part of paragraph writing. Choosing topic sentences choose the best topic sentence for each group of supporting sentences. A topic sentence should not contain supporting details.
A lot of details writing topic sentenceswriting supporting sentences cant find what youre looking for. Chapter 4 main ideas and supporting details in writing 101 to do likewise. We gratefully acknowledge the innumerable contributions of the following teachers who graciously used the lessons in their classrooms and provided us with detailed feedback. A strong topic sentence focuses each paragraph around one main point. Good writers think of these questions when they write supporting sentences for the topic sentence.
The topic sentence gives the writers main ideas on the topic. Your guide to clear writing centers for disease control. The rest of the paragraph is comprised of sentences that provide specific details which support and develop the main idea. It states the main idea and introduces the reader to the topic.
Exercises on paragraph writing a topic sentences the topic sentence is the most important sentence of a paragraph. The english course writing book 1 writing good paragraphs unit 4 25 supporting sentences read again what you learned above about supporting sentences. If a paragraph was written about the closing of the family tree store in town, a good supporting sentence of this. I like to use an analogy when im discussing supporting sentences with my middle school students. Now that your students are writing complete sentences, it is time to transition into paragraph writing. Place the subjects and predicates in random order in a pocket chart or along the chalkboard ledge. A lot of details writing topic sentenceswriting supporting. Supporting details if your paragraph has five sentences, usually the three sentences after the topic sentence are called the supporting details sentences. Click on the images to view, download, or print them.
Exercise 1 choose the sentences part 1 look at the topic sentences below and choose the best 4 supporting sentences for each one. In this worksheet students practice writing support sentences by looking at the pictures, thinking what kind of essay each picture might inspire, and writing an appropriate support sentence. A topic sentence contains the main idea upon which a paragraph is developed. Underneath the paragraph, edit a few of these sentences using some of. I have a threeyearold daughter, and anyone whos ever had a conversation with a threeyearold will tell you theyr.
Topic sentences are used for paragraph and report writing when the writer is explaining facts. Have your kids work in small groups, pairs, or create them on their own. Your guide to clear writing when youre creating educational materials about public health, the most important thing you can do is to write clearly. These worksheets will help you develop topic sentence that serve as a foundation of any paragraph that you are. Supporting sentences notice the plural provide explanations and support for the topic sentence main idea of your paragraph. Ideas and supporting details university of hawaii at manoa. Middle school to write a good paragraph, you need to follow your topic sentence with supporting details. Writing good paragraphs unit 4 25 supporting sentences read again what you learned above about supporting sentences. Mar 31, 2019 a topic sentence contains the main idea upon which a paragraph is developed. Supporting sentences are much more specific than the topic sentence.
In each of the topic sentences below, circle the topic subject and underline the main idea focus. Download lesson as pdf introduction to topic sentences when you write a formal essay in english, you need to follow some rules. Main ideas and supporting details in writing townsend press. Students who complete this text will then have the skills needed for a more advanced english composition and essay writing course.
Sentence and paragraph writing takes students from basic sentence writing skills at the beginning to sound and competent paragraph writing at the end. Reading as a support technician, you need to read an email. These lessons are broken down into 3 mini lessons 567 topic sentences, relevant details and closing sentences. English enhanced scope and sequence 1 lesson skill. The supporting sentences provide the information that backs up and proves the claim you made in the topic. First, you need to start your essay with a good topic sentence. Provide students with the topic sentences, and have them write three supporting details for each one. A paragraph typically starts with the main idea or point also called the topic sentence, and the rest of the paragraph provides speci. Paragraph structure coherence writing tutorial services. Worksheet writing supporting sentences biglearners.
See if you can pick the best topic sentence and identify good supporting sentences in the paragraphs below. In fact, studies have shown that students who enjoy a recess of more than 45 minutes consistently score better on tests immediately following the recess period. For a formal definition, a topic sentence is the very first one of a paragraph that provides an overview of the sentences to follow whereas, supporting sentences are the ones that come after the topic sentence to help form the main idea. This helps make sure readers can understand your main message and any related action steps youre asking them to take. Highprotein diets are favored by athletes and competitors. A paragraph should begin with a topic sentence, or main idea. This is because paragraphs show a reader where the subdivisions of an essay begin and end, and thus help the. Read the sentences or ideas below the supporting ideas section of the outlines, and decide which ones do not support the topic sentence. Write a topic sentence for the group of sentences provided. Your topic sentence should directly state the problem.
Support students as they learned to write organized paragraphs with topic sentences, supporting details, and closing sentences while. Notice how each supporting reason is illustrated with several details and specific examples. Topic sentence practice topic sentences, topic sentences. Materials copies of the main idea group activityattached, cut apart, and placed into envelopes copies of an interesting recent informational article copies of the topic sentence writing gameattached and envelopes. Along with having topic sentences and supporting details, paragraphs are also organized to achieve a. Student will be able to recognize and write effective topic sentences.
Supporting sentences contain details that help describe or explain the main idea of the paragraph. How to teach paragraph writing paragraph writing, topic. Often it appears at or near the beginning of a paragraph, introducing the main idea and suggesting the direction that the paragraph will take. The paragraph writing strategy have benefitted from the efforts of many individuals. Reading comprehension literary response and analysis main idea and supporting details. This no prep resource helps students think about the different aspects of paragraph writing while building a better understanding of main idea. Writing simple sentences university of mississippi. If you make an outline before writing your paragraph, these are items a, b, and c and they almost always follow the topic sentence, which is the first sentence of the paragraph. Scholastic teachables worksheets, lesson plans, learning games, and more. Writing concluding sentences can be optional because if you find that your entire paragraph can do without one, it is definitely all right to end your paragraph without a concluding statement. Identify sentences that you think could benefit from more specific and descriptive language.
What follows a topic sentence are a number of supporting sentences that develop the main idea with specific details. Sample paragraph with supporting sentences and specific details look at the paragraph below that gives three supporting reasons to explain why oktoberfest is the writers favorite holiday. When writing a text, we organize our writing into paragraphs, which are sections writing of focused on particular themes, or topics. It is designed to be an intensive onesemester course. When writing supporting sentences you should be giving examples, reasons, or descriptions to support your topic sentence. Barbara duchardt, kathleen gabriel, janet j ones, kathy littell, and lynn saunders. Feb 07, 2020 for a formal definition, a topic sentence is the very first one of a paragraph that provides an overview of the sentences to follow whereas, supporting sentences are the ones that come after the topic sentence to help form the main idea. The topic sentence and paragraph organization also a fact about mount mitchell and descriptions of the area. Practice in supporting a topic sentence with specific details. Writing a perfect paragraph general a paragraph is a series of sentences that are about one topic. Not all paragraphs have clearcut topic sentences, and topic sentences can actually occur anywhere in the paragraph as the first sentence, the. A paragraph is basically a group of at least three to five sentences that discuss a central topic. Here is a collection of our printable worksheets for topic writing supporting details of chapter writing opinion pieces in section writing.
Writing supporting sentences worksheet have fun teaching. Its important for students to learn to write clear and concise topic sentences. The supporting details are important enough that you could think of them as the real meat of any paragraph. Paragraphs should include a clear topic sentence and provide supporting details. These details are specific in nature and not generalized like your topic sentence. Writing simple sentences practice the skill 1015 minutes step 1. The games, printables, presentation, and video supplement time4writings online courses.
In expository writing, a basic paragraphgenerally consists of a topic sentence, three or more supporting or detail sentences, transitional words and phrases, and a concluding sentence. The supporting sentences that follow all try to provide some form of evidence to validate the thoughts offered by the topic sentences. Lowfat diets are an excellent way to stay healthy and trim. Part one focuses on what topics are and how to write a topic sentence. The topic sentence answers one or more questions like why, how, or where. Writing you are sending an email to the technical support personnel of a computer manufacturer asking for help with a problem. Supporting sentences should fit the context and flow of a paragraph. Notice that each sentence is labeled in parentheses with the kind of supporting sentence that it is. The last two sentences develop the main idea by giving specific details of the relevant research. Worksheet for second grade english language arts write a paragraph about bats with at least three supporting details. Main ideas and supporting details in writing 4 a paragraph is a series of sentences that support a main idea, or point.
All worksheets are free for individual and noncommercial use. There are usually 2 4 supporting sentences in a paragraph. Topic sentences a topic sentence is a sentence that indicates the main idea or thesis of a paragraph. Cut the sentence strips into their subject and predicate. This practice is not always followed in commercial or instructive writing or in business letters. They state the central focus of the paragraph and provide cohesion for the paragraph. An effective paragraph always begins with the topic sentence that supports the main idea of the entire paragraph. These sentences follow a topic sentence in a paragraph. Have your students practice writing supporting sentences and create a festive turkey.
These sentences give explanation, evidence, and reason for your claim. Write at least one sentence for each point from the task. The supporting sentences of a paragraph develop the main idea you presented in the topic sentence. It is a group of sentences about one topic or main idea, with the first sentence indented to signal its start. The topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph and it is then followed by the concluding sentences that usually comes in three sentences, and finally, the concluding sentence which is, obviously, found on the last part or after the supporting sentence. Have them useone color to identify the main idea or topic sentence of the introductory paragraph, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion. Click on the image below or the link to download the pdf file. Writing on topic paragraphs and quality topic sentences requires students to have a solid understanding of main idea. In published writing youll sometimes find topic sentences in the middle or even at the.
Thesis statements are used for essay writing when the writer expresses an opinion, takes a position, or makes an argument. This unit introduces your students to the process of identifying and writing a well structured paragraph. A paragraph typically starts with the main idea or point. Also, because this is academic writing, the writer indents the first line five spaces to mark the beginning of a paragraph. Writing a topic sentence strand writing, reading nonfiction sol 3. Topic sentences and supporting details worksheets tpt. A paragraph is a series of sentences that support a main idea, or point. Using this writing supporting sentences worksheet, students write supporting sentences for each topic sentence below.