I had a very bright student long ago. Linguistically, he was amazing. Even linguistically gifted geniuses struggle with self esteem. Barry's verbal and public speaking skills amazed, which was why I was so surprised the day I saw him at lunch, head in hands, unwilling to say anything. I sat beside him and asked what was the problem.
"I'm stupid," he said
"No, you're not," I countered, "you're the smartest kid in the class and easily the best speaker. I see you being a great leader some day."
"But I can't even write a good topic sentence."
"It's the only
thing you can't do. We'll remedy that tomorrow." I stayed late that night, preparing the best writing a good topic sentence lesson I could come up with. I'm not sure what happened to that student. I'll have to look him up. His real name was Barrack or something like that.
The topic sentence contains the central idea around which a paragraph is developed. A good one has the following six characteristics:
- It introduces the topic of a paragraph without announcing it.
- It hooks the reader.
- It plants questions in the readers' mind.
- It uses thought-provoking words.
- It is ususally the first sentence; however, it can occur anywhere in the paragraph or it can be implied.
- It provides a transition from the previous paragraph.
Not all topic sentences will contain every single characteristic. A writer should strive for the ideal; however, the ideal is not always ideal.
- Have students read their rough draft or one of their previous essays.
- Instruct them to highlight each topic sentence.
- Identify which characteristics each topic sentence contains.
- Revise topic sentence.
- I find it best to practice some together first. You can come up with your own or steal mine:
Example: Columbus was an explorer in the 1400s.
Travel has changed since the days of Columbus.
Example: People waste time
Some pass time moving from one incomplete task to another, spending too little time with loved ones, investing too little time in physical and mental self-improvement, and treading water financially.
Example: I don't like diapers even though I love my children.
I love my children, but I hate changing their poopy diapers (especially when my dog
runs off with it), but there's one diaper I didn't mind changing; ironically, it was
the most difficult diaper-change ever, requiring 17 wipes and a blow torch.
(As you can see, writing a good topic sentence can be fun)
Example: I had a very bright student long ago.
Even linguistically gifted geniuses struggle with self esteem.