Core 4 Topic Sentences

If you create four different versions of the same main idea, you will have four topic sentences! One of them can be used in your introduction, and one can be used in the conclusion. Since you will now have alternatives, “I am going to tell you about . . .” will not be an acceptable topic sentence, and “. . . that is all I have to say about . . .” will not be an acceptable conclusion.

#1 Simple Statement
Clearly state the topic.
Dogs make the best pets.
Mom is my favorite person.
Learning to ride a bicycle is fun for most children.
Emperor penguins are the world’s most fascinating birds. / #2 Number Statement
Write a declarative statement with a number word.
Dogs make the best pets for several reasons
Three special traits make Mom a special person.
Children learn to ride a bicycle by going through four specific steps.
Emperor penguins fascinate humans because of three unique characteristics.
#3 Write a Question
Write a question that you will answer in a paragraph.
Why do dogs make the best pets?
Why is Mom at the top of my list of favorite people?
How do children learn to ride bicycles?
What makes emperor penguins such fascinating birds? / #4 Situation, Stance
Part 1: broadly introduces the topic (situation)
as a dependent clause
Part 2: clearly states viewpoint (stance) as an
independent clause
Until I got a dog for my birthday, I didn’t realize what good pets they are.
Although I have many special people in my life, my mother is my favorite.
As soon as I received a new bicycle, I was determined to ride it.
Even though many different kinds of birds exist in the world, few are as fascinating as the emperor penguin.

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Words for Number Statements
Specific: two, three, four, etc.
General:
a couple of
a few
many
a plethora
myriad
numerous
oodles
some
several
various / Words for Situation, Stance Topic Sentences
5 Key Starters: after, before,
although, if, when
Starter Words:
after in order to
although once
as since
as long as so that
as soon as though
because unless
before until
even though when
if whenever
in order to while
once
Pay attention to the cause-and-effect relationship of your sentence so that it makes sense. For example: Although my mother’s name is Cathy, I am fourteen years old.