Analysis topic sentences activity:
For each example, highlight the subject of the topic sentence and the claim of the topic sentence.
1. The movie The Lion King is very dark and contains mature, serious themes.
2. Having a boyfriend might be fun, but it can also get in the way of other important things in life.
3. A best friend will always be there for you, no matter what problems happen in life.
The following are examples of how you might create an analysis paragraph. Notice that each of the “W” questions incorporates a “key term” (important idea) from the topic sentence!
Topic sentence: Dogs can be lots of fun.
Q: Why are dogs so fun?
A: Dogs are so fun because they are playful, energetic, and loyal.
Q: What examples of fun things do dogs like to do?
A: They like to run around, which helps them keep their owners in shape. They also like to play games, such as fetch and Frisbee, which are just as fun for their owners.
Q: What type of person would have the most fun owning a dog?
A: Everyone can enjoy dog ownership, but the type of person who is most likely to enjoy having a dog is an outgoing, energetic person who likes to get outside and try new things. These people will make new friends at dog parks and enjoy chasing their dogs around the yard.
Q: Why are dogs more fun than other pets, such as cats?
A: Dogs are more fun than many common pets, such as cats, because they are smarter and can respond more directly to an owner. If you tell a cat to fetch, it will look at you like you are crazy. A dog, however, is intelligent enough to know what its owner is asking of it. That communication means that owners and pets can play all sorts of games together, and that all the owner has to do is suggest something for the dog to be ready to play.
Q: Why is it important to have a pet that is fun?
A: It’s important that people have fun pets because a pet is expensive and can be a big responsibility. In order for pet ownership to be worthwhile in spite of these expenses and responsibilities, the owner also has to enjoy the pet!
Now, let’s put our answers together with the topic sentence and see how the paragraph looks. We may need to do some slight revisions to change word choices and/or transitions. I have italicized any revisions.
Dogs can be lots of fun. One reason that they’re such enjoyable pets is that they are playful, energetic, and loyal. They like to run around, which helps them keep their owners in shape. They also like to play games, such as fetch and Frisbee, which are just as fun for their owners. Everyone can enjoy these perks of dog ownership, but the type of person who is most likely to enjoy having a dog is an outgoing, energetic person who likes to get outside and try new things. These people will make new friends at dog parks and enjoy chasing their dogs around the yard. Dogs are more fun than many common pets, such as cats, because they are smarter and can respond more directly to an owner. If you tell a cat to fetch, it will look at you like you are crazy. A dog, however, is intelligent enough to know what its owner is asking of it. That communication means that owners and pets can play all sorts of games together, and that all the owner has to do is suggest something for the dog to be ready to play. It’s important that people have fun pets because a pet is expensive and can be a big responsibility. In order for pet ownership to be worthwhile in spite of these expenses and responsibilities, the owner also has to enjoy the pet!