Recognizing Strong Topic Sentences

Identify the BEST topic sentence.

• Many factors cause and contribute to poverty.

• The people in the world are rich.

• Poverty is everywhere.

• Poverty is not having enough money.

Identify the BEST topic sentence.

• Babies are born after nine months.

• You can care for babies in a number of ways.

• Babies are fun to play with.

• Having a baby is challenging because they need a great deal of care.

Identify the STRONGEST topic sentence.

• For example, in one of his shows, Snoop Dogg even sings the ABCs with kindergartners while wearing a suit and tie.

• Snoop Dogg says, "Drink Hater-ade!" in his commercial for a sports drink for haters.

• Snoop Dogg, a popular rapper who also became a game show host and actor, has proven himself to be versatile and multi-talented over the years.

• His recent game show is called Doggy Fizzle Televizzle.

Identify the STRONGEST topic sentence.

• It's her grandfather who prompts Marta's a-ha moment. He teaches Martha to stay true to her values.

• Marta's realization about an unfair situation reveals the theme that honor and integrity are worth more than winning in Marta Salina's "The Scholarship Jacket."

• I can tell that Martha becomes more secure in herself in the story "The Scholarship Jacket" by Marta Salinas.

• In the end, Martha's grandfather teaches her that people should not give in to bad influences or compromise their values, which inspires readers of all ages.

Identify the MOST SPECIFIC topic sentence for a paragraph about school uniforms where the author needs to be PERSUASIVE.

• School uniforms are found in both public and private schools, but they are more common in private schools.

• School uniforms have a negative impact on students because uniforms restrict individuality.

• School uniforms can be positive.

• School uniforms can be uncomfortable.

Which of the options below would make an acceptable topic sentence for this paragraph?

____________________________. Players run up and down the court. Players have to be able to chase down the ball. Sometimes players play for five or six minutes straight without a time out.

• Exercise is hard, and there are many ways to exercise.

• Basketball is a sport that requires athleticism.

• I love the Lakers.

• I played basketball last Thanksgiving.

Which of the options below would make an acceptable topic sentence for this paragraph?

____________________________. Americans send cards for many occasions. They send cards to family and friends on birthdays and holidays. They also send thank-you cards, get well cards, graduation cards, and congratulation cards. It is very common to buy cards in stores and send them through the mail, but turning on the computer and sending cards over the Internet is also popular.

• Sending cards is very popular in the United States.

• Birthday cards are the most popular kind of card.

• It is important to send thank-you cards.

• Cards are a waste of money.

Which of the options below would make an acceptable topic sentence for this paragraph?

____________________________. For example, a person can have breakfast in New York, board an airplane, and have dinner in Paris. A businesswoman in London can instantly place an order with a factory in Hong Kong by sending a fax. Furthermore, a schoolboy in Tokyo can turn on a TV and watch a baseball game being played in Los Angeles. No place feels out of reach when the world is a short ride or a quick click away.

• Airplanes have changed our lives.

• Advances in technology have made the world seem smaller.

• The fax machine was an important invention.

• The world population has greatly increased.

Select the EVIDENCE that does NOT fit.

TOPIC SENTENCE: People find clowns scary for many reasons.

• Their face paint hides their true identity.

• People often think of the creepy clowns they've seen in movies.

• There have been some bad clowns in the news lately.

• They make fun balloon animals.

Select the EVIDENCE that does NOT fit.

TOPIC SENTENCE: The cat is afraid of everything.

• She hides under blankets when you turn the microwave on.

• She sleeps all day long.

• She runs away when you vacuum.

• She jumps every time the doorbell rings.