Topic Sentence Rules in A Good Single Paragraph

 By: TOEFL consultant

In general, a topic sentence contains two parts, namely a topic which is often called main ideas or subjects and controlling ideas involving some functions like specific comments, limitations to the topic, controls to the topic, and specific aspects to the topic. Moreover, some of the rules will be explained here:

1.A bad topic sentence usually involves such a general idea or such a specific idea.


Too general structures:
Indonesian food is good




Too specific structures:
Indonesian food is tasty and greasy because of much fried serving in oil.


Good structures:
Indonesian food is tasty and greasy.

2.A bad topic sentence contains too many controlling ideas.

Too many controlling ideas:
Indonesia is famous for its a lot of scarce animals, its many tourist beaches, and its lots of ethnics.

These controlling ideas are to make three separate paragraphs instead of a single paragraph. In contrast, the following example really appropriates one good paragraph.


Good controlling ideas:
Indonesia is famous for its many tourist beaches.

3.A bad topic sentence consists of phrases instead of complete sentences such as “how to submit universities,” “important characteristics for a president,” or “the difficulties in English grammar.”

 

References

Oshima, Alice and Ann Hogue. 1999. Writing Academic English: Third Edition. Pearson Education: New York.