Topic sentence — English definition

The sentence, usually at the start of a paragraph, that tells the reader what that paragraph will explain.

Where it is taught

In use

Each paragraph should open with a topic sentence naming its own little focus, then deliver elaboration: the facts, definitions, and examples that develop the point.

Informative & Explanatory Writing

Questions using topic sentence

Problem 1

Which sentence is a topic sentence that still needs elaboration to be complete?
  1. Volcanoes are interesting.
  2. About 75% of the world's active volcanoes ring the Pacific Ocean.
  3. For example, Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980.
  4. Volcanoes form in three main ways, one being where plates pull apart.
Answer and explanation

Volcanoes are interesting.

"Volcanoes are interesting" is vague and adds no real information yet — it needs facts or examples to develop it.

Problem 2

Write a topic sentence and one elaborating detail for a body paragraph about how honeybees make honey, in a report whose topic is introduced as 'Honeybees turn flower nectar into honey through a series of steps.'
Answer and explanation

Topic sentence: 'The process begins when worker bees collect nectar from flowers.' Elaboration: 'A single worker bee may visit more than a thousand flowers in one trip, storing the nectar in a special stomach used only for carrying it back to the hive.'

Topic sentence: 'The process begins when worker bees collect nectar from flowers.' Elaboration: 'A single worker bee may visit more than a thousand flowers in one trip, storing the nectar in a special stomach used only for carrying it back to the hive.'

Response criteria

  • Answer the actual question with accurate details.
  • Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
  • State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.

Problem 3

Write a topic sentence and one elaborating detail for a body paragraph about how honeybees make honey, in a report whose topic is introduced as 'Honeybees turn flower nectar into honey through a series of steps.' Explain a relevant limit as part of your answer.
Answer and explanation

Topic sentence: 'The process begins when worker bees collect nectar from flowers.' Elaboration: 'A single worker bee may visit more than a thousand flowers in one trip, storing the nectar in a special stomach used only for carrying it back to the hive.'

Topic sentence: 'The process begins when worker bees collect nectar from flowers.' Elaboration: 'A single worker bee may visit more than a thousand flowers in one trip, storing the nectar in a special stomach used only for carrying it back to the hive.'

Response criteria

  • Answer the actual question with accurate details.
  • Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
  • State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.

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