Writing - Tri 1 Extra Credit

What does the topic sentence of a paragraph tell you?

• How many sentences the paragraph has

• A supporting detail about the topic

• The main idea of a paragraph

• A summary of the supporting details

Which question would be most helpful when writing a topic sentence?

• What is the most interesting detail about this topic?

• How do I want this paragraph to end?

• What is the main thing I want to say about the topic?

• How does this sentence give evidence to support the main idea?

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana. We drove there in two days. I didn't think it would be very interesting, but I was wrong. We saw the Mississippi River, rode a horse carriage in the French Quarter, and visited a cemetery where everyone was buried above the ground. I liked the food best, especially the New Orleans doughnuts called beignets.

• I didn't think it would be very interesting, but I was wrong.

• We drove there in two days.

• The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana.

• I liked the food best, especially the New Orleans doughnuts called beignets.

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

No one likes to eat with a dirty knife, fork, or spoon. It is important to completely wash all utensils before using them. Using clean, soapy water is best. Clean utensils won't transmit germs and bacteria. They also are more pleasant to eat with. No one likes to pick up a fork with food stuck on it!

• No one likes to eat with a dirty knife, fork, or spoon.

• It is important to completely wash all utensils before using them.

• Clean utensils won't transmit germs and bacteria.

• They also are more pleasant to eat with.

Choose the best topic sentence for this paragraph.

I usually go skiing every weekend in the winter even though it is expensive. I love the feeling of flying down a mountain. The views are beautiful from the top of a mountain and along the trails. Even the danger of falling and getting hurt can’t keep me away from the slopes on a winter day.

• Skiing is expensive.

• Skiing is my favorite winter sport.

• Skiing is dangerous and potentially deadly.

• There are incredible views on the skiing trail.

What do supporting details do?

• Introduce the main idea

• Prove why the main idea is true

• Give a summary of the main idea

• Restate the main idea in different words

Why do we need supporting details?

• Gives you more information.

• Helps you get a better picture of the story.

• Is the author's opinion.

• Is the best part of the story.

Choose a supporting detail. "Building a snowman is so much fun".

• There were several snowmen on our block.

• I love the snow days because that means school is out!

• I love making the large balls of snow for the body.

• I wear mittens when there is snow outside.

Which detail would you look for when reading a recipe on how to make cookies?

• Place the show in the bowl.

• Mix the flour, egg, and sugar together.

• Put icing on the cake.

• Put the chocolate on top of the ice cream.

Which detail does not belong? "My best friend and I are so much alike".

• We do not have anything in common.

• We both love romantic comedies.

• We always laugh at the same corny jokes.

• She loves chcolate ice cream as much as I do