1. Finding the Topic Sentence

2. Topic Sentences
Paragraphs must include a topic sentence, which states the main idea or the point.
Often the topic sentence will come at the beginning of the paragraph, but not always. Sometimes the topic sentence will be in the middle of the paragraph or at the end of the paragraph.
In this class, however, all topic sentences will be the first sentence of the paragraph.

3. Example
The topic sentence is not the first sentence in the following paragraph. After reading the paragraph, determine which sentence is the main idea—the point— the topic sentence! The city of Cuernavaca is located about an hour south of Mexico City. Those who live in Cuernavaca can easily travel to the capital for work or for weekend fun. The city itself has much to offer. It has beautiful architecture and a thriving nightlife. It is filled with flowers and trees. Its nickname is “The City of Eternal Spring.” All in all, Cuernavaca is a great place to live.
Did you find the point of this paragraph?
Why is the first sentence not the topic sentence?
If it were the topic sentence, all of the sentences that come after it (the supporting sentences) would have to be about Cuernavaca being located south of Mexico City.

4. Practice A Read the paragraph. Then choose its topic sentence.
The Tour de France is a long and challenging bicycle race. The race takes place every summer over a three-week period. Some parts of the course are flat. Other parts go through mountains, requiring a great deal of strength and endurance. Usually the hot July sun adds stress on the teams of cyclists. By the time the competitors have completed the course from Luxembourg to Paris, they have cycled 2,036 miles!
By the time the competitors have completed the course from Luxembourg to Paris, they have cycled 2,036 miles!
The race takes place every summer over a three-week period.
The Tour de France is a long and challenging bicycle race.

5. Practice B Read the paragraph. Then choose its topic sentence.
The Ford Motor Company has one car called the Mustang and another called the Bronco. Mercury has the Cougar. Dodge makes a truck and a van called the Ram. And, of course, there is a whole line of cars called Jaguars. Naming cars after powerful animals seems to be a popular practice.
The Ford Motor Company has one car called the Mustang and another called the Bronco.
Naming cars after powerful animals seems to be a popular practice.
Dodge makes a truck and a van called the Ram.

6. Practice C Read the paragraph. Then choose its topic sentence.
The English countryside is known for its churches. In the town of Norwich alone, there are 32 churches from the medieval period. The church at the abbey in Bath is a favorite of visitors. The Wells Cathedral, which is 800 years old, is believed to be the most beautiful church in Great Britain.
The church at the abbey in Bath is a favorite of visitors.
In the town of Norwich alone, there are 32 churches from the medieval period.
The English countryside is known for its churches.

7. Practice D Read the paragraph. Then choose its topic sentence.
Janet and Maria were twins, separated at birth. They were reunited at the age of 35 and discovered some strange similarities. Both Janet and Maria married men named Luis. Both had two sons. Both drove blue cars. They both liked singing and vacationed in Peru. Often, twins are amazingly alike.
Often, twins are amazingly alike.
Janet and Maria were twins, separated at birth.
Both Janet and Maria married men named Luis.

8. Let’s try some!
Finding the Topic Sentence