Matt Ellis Updated on June 2, 2022 Students A topic sentence, usually the first sentence in a paragraph, introduces the main idea of that paragraph and sets its tone. A topic sentence is especially important in essays, where topics change from paragraph to paragraph. For example, one of the most common patterns in academic writing is outlined below. Topic sentence. A topic sentence introduces the main point of the paragraph. It should contain a main idea and a controlling idea which support the thesis statement and unify the content of the paragraph. The topic sentence is typically the first sentence of a paragraph, and it introduces the subject of a paragraph by laying out a controlling idea or particular point of view on the topic. The rest of the paragraph will include supporting sentences with examples and evidence to support the main point. For example, if you had an assignment to develop a topic sentence for a process paragraph where you need to outline the steps in the rock cycle, the topic sentence might look something like this: There are three steps in the rock cycle—igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. I. What is a Topic Sentence? A topic sentence in a paragraph is like the GPS in a car. It shows you (and others) where you are going and explains the point of the paragraph. Everything else is used as supporting details. The topic sentence contains two parts: the topic and a controlling idea. Vay Tiền Nhanh Ggads.

topic sentence and controlling idea examples