Topic Sentences Turning Thesis Statements into Topic Sentences

What is a topic sentence? Think of a topic sentence like a support thesis statement. It’s job is to support and make the thesis statement stronger. It is more focused than the thesis statement because if focuses on the opinion and only ONE of the reasons in the thesis.

How do you write a thesis statement? Use the opinion and one of the reasons from the thesis statement and write a new sentence. – Opinion + Reason 1 = Topic Sent. for Body Paragraph 1 – Opinion + Reason 2 = Topic Sent. for Body Paragraph 2 – Opinion + Reason 3 = Topic Sent. for Body Paragraph 3 Use synonyms (different word with the same meaning) so that your language is varied and doesn’t sound repetitive!

For Example: Thesis Statement: – Rainsford, in the Most Dangerous Game is a skillful hunter because he uses the jungle to create tools and traps, tricks Zaroff, and ultimately defeats Zaroff. Opinion: Rainsford is a skillful hunter Reason: uses the jungle to create tools and traps Body Paragraph #: 1 because it is reason 1 Good Topic Sentence: – Rainsford is a skillful hunter because he uses the jungle to create tools and traps. Better Topic Sentence: – Rainsford’s hunting talent is evident when he utilizes the jungle to create contraptions.

Rainsford, in the Most Dangerous Game is a skillful hunter because he uses the jungle to create tools and traps, tricks Zaroff, and ultimately defeats Zaroff. Good Topic Sentence: – Rainsford is a skillful hunter because he uses the jungle to create tools and traps. Better Topic Sentence: – Rainsford’s hunting talent is evident when he utilizes the jungle to create contraptions. – I have used the same ideas in my topic sentence but I am conveying them using different words.

Directions Today you will practice writing topic sentences in a gallery walk format. You will move from one station to the next and fill out the graphic organizer. You must stay with your group the entire time; do not move on to the next station until I tell you to. Your behavior should be appropriate for the classroom environment and your conversations within your groups should reflect the task at hand.

Directions Cont. Each slide will have a thesis statement. You will use the bolded words to give you in completing the graphic organizer writing a topic sentence.

Practice: Thesis Statement: – Rainsford, in the Most Dangerous Game is a skillful hunter because he uses the jungle to create tools and traps, tricks Zaroff, and ultimately defeats Zaroff. Opinion: Rainsford is a skillful hunter Reason: Tricks Zaroff Reason/ Paragraph #: 2 Topic Sentence: Rainsford’s hunting capabilities are further displayed when he continually fools Zaroff during the hunt.

1 Thesis Statement: Rainsford, in the Most Dangerous Game is a skillful hunter because he uses the jungle to create tools and traps, tricks Zaroff, and ultimately defeats Zaroff.

What you should say and I should hear: The opinion in this thesis statement is... The reason we are writing about is… The reason number is ___ so the body paragraph number is ___. A good topic sentence might be________. Synonyms for that word might be…

2 Thesis Statement: Mrs. Jones shows her understanding nature when she doesn’t call the cops on Roger, gives him money to buy the shoes he wanted, and forgives him for his actions.

3 Thesis Statement: Mrs. Jones shows her understanding nature when she doesn’t call the cops on Roger, gives him money to buy the shoes he wanted, and forgives him for his actions.

4 Thesis Statement: Mrs. Jones shows her understanding nature when she doesn’t call the cops on Roger, gives him money to buy the shoes he wanted, and forgives him for his actions.

5 Thesis Statement: Fortunato deserves his fate because he is foolish, unwise, and ignorant.

6 Thesis Statement: Fortunato deserves his fate because he is foolish, unwise, and ignorant.

7 Thesis Statement: Fortunato deserves his fate because he is foolish, unwise, and ignorant.

8 Thesis Statement: The narrator of “The Scarlet Ibis” is an irresponsible brother because he was selfish, mean and prideful.

9 Thesis Statement: The narrator of “The Scarlet Ibis” is an irresponsible brother because he was selfish, mean and prideful.

10 Thesis Statement: The narrator of “The Scarlet Ibis” is an irresponsible brother because he was selfish, mean and prideful.

11 Thesis: Montresor is an untrustworthy character because manipulates Fortunato, lures Fortunato to his home, and claims to kill Fortunato.

12 Thesis: Montresor is an untrustworthy character because manipulates Fortunato, lures Fortunato to his home, and claims to kill Fortunato.

13 Thesis: Montresor is an untrustworthy character because manipulates Fortunato, lures Fortunato to his home, and claims to kill Fortunato.