WHAT IS A TOPIC SENTENCE?

What is a Topic Sentence?

A topic sentence is the first sentence of a main body paragraph that captures the essence of your paragraph. It introduces the reader to the topic or main point that is to be discussed and explained in that paragraph, setting the tone for the rest of the paragraph.

The examiner should be able to read the topic sentence, and immediately know what the rest of the paragraph will be about. This means the view to be discussed must clearly be stated.

Important points to consider:

It is important to read the question extremely carefully so that you can order your arguments in a coherent manner.

Outline your position and write a coherent argument, this helps you to plan your answer or argument before you begin.

Each paragraph should contain one main idea/point clearly stated in the topic sentence. This sentence has the main idea or point that you wish to make in the paragraph.

Your paragraphs should have supporting points. After the topic sentence, the view presented should be supported with ideas in a coherent way.

See the examples of topic sentences below:

1. Some people argue that it is the responsibility of the police to educate children about good behaviour in society, whereas others believe that parents should be responsible for teaching their children how to behave in an acceptable way. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Sample topic sentence:

First off, police is well trained to handle and educate children about good behaviour …

Or

Parents are ideal in educating children about good behavior because they understand them most.

2. Some people believe that more women should be encouraged to pursue careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), while others believe that women are naturally suited for careers in the Humanities/ Social Sciences, such as teaching and psychology. Discuss your views and opinion.

Sample topic sentence:

Women have the same abilities as men, so they can pursue careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ( STEM)

Or

Women being naturally gentle, they are better suited for careers in the Humanities/Social Sciences

3. Scientists argue that the use of modern gadgets, such as cellphones and tablets, by young people has the potential to boost creativity. Do you agree or disagree?

Sample topic sentence:

It is no doubt modern electronic gadgets have enhanced children’s creativity and thinking.

Or

The use of modern gadgets has suffocated the ability of children to think for themselves.

4. Social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, have become a more important source of news and information for young people, than newspapers. Do you agree or disagree?

Sample topic sentence:

Social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, offer news faster than newspapers thus making them a major source of news and information for young people

Or

Newspapers are still a more important source of news and information for young people than social media networks because the sources are specific and more reliable.

6. School children should be instructed in their home language for the first 6 years of school.

Sample topic sentence:

It is imperative for young children to learn in their home language for the first six years because their cognitive ability to learn in a second language is not yet developed.

Or

It is not important for school children to be taught in their home language in the first few years of school to help them better comprehend education material.

7. Nowadays women are having children at a much later age than previous generations. Do you think this a positive or negative thing? Discuss both sides.

Sample topic sentence:

Nowadays females having children late in life is advantageous as they have made proper preparation to care for them.

Or

Women having children late in life can strain their physical and mental prowess as they are now physically weak.

8. In many countries women are opting not to have children. Some people believe that having children stifles a woman’s career growth. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample topic sentence:

Having children can strain a woman’s career because they need to care for them almost all the time.

Or

With proper time management and child care education, women can still manage to start families and at the same time develop their careers.

9. Nowadays children are exposed to more sex and violence in the media than before. What are the reasons for this? Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Sample topic sentence:

Among the sundry reasons is the lack of censorship and parental control of media.

It is no doubt a bad thing as children learn anti-social behavior that can affect others in society.

10. Parents need to do more to protect children from cyberbullying. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample topic sentence:

Parents can educate their children on the use of electronic gadgets to protect them from cyberbullying….

 Or

Not all parents understand how to protect their children from cyberbullying, schools, police and governments have more experienced personnel to do so.

Topic sentences can be written in various ways however, you will notice that with the above topic sentences, apart from making reference to the task given, there is a special view to be addressed in the paragraph. The bold words present the views of discussion. This means the paragraph develops around those views.

A good writer will then explain the view and then give an example. This makes the presentation coherent.