A good topic sentence also serves to state an idea or attitude about the topic. This idea or attitude about the tpoic is called the controlling idea; it controls what the sentences in the paragraph will discuss. All sentences in the paragraph should relate to and develop the controlling idea. Ex: Smoking cigarettes can be an expensive habit. The following topic sentences have controlling ideas. Click on the underlined segment of the topic sentence that contains the controlling idea. Tennis racquets have changed greatly in the last ten years. People from many different cultures live in Boston. Cats are better pets than dogs for many reasons. Yesterday was the worst day of my life. The topic sentence introduces the topic and controlling idea to your reader. Moreover, the controlling idea must clearly focus on a specific aspect or feeling. Underline the topic and make the controlling idea bold. The topic of the first one is “Smoking Cigarettes.” (Identifying the controlling idea should be easy for you now.) After you Topic Sentences Practice Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2013 A good topic sentence of a paragraph contains two elements: the topic and the controlling idea. − The Topic = The subject of the paragraph − The Controlling Idea = limits the topic, shows the reader how the writer will limit the topic Adjusting to Canadian 4. Read the three sentences in each item and then put a check mark s/ next to the best topic sentence. Underline the controlling idea in that sentence. Be prepared to explain your selections. 1. Most of the girls in the class get higher grades in English than the boys. Research has shown that girls are better at languages than boys. Vay Nhanh Fast Money.

topic sentence controlling idea