1. WRITING TOPIC SENTENCES
WRITING SKILL

2. TOPIC SENTENCE: The “BIG IDEA” of the paragraph
The most general
Summarizes the rest of the paragraph

3. MAIN POINTS: Explain the topic sentence
A little specific

4. DETAILS: Explain each main point.
Very specific
Examples, stories, extra explanation

5. Smoking can kill you
Smoking makes it hard to exercise
Smoking gives you yellow teeth

6. Smoking has three bad effects.
Smoking can kill you
Smoking makes it hard to exercise
Smoking gives you yellow teeth

7. Smoking makes it hard to exercise Smoking gives you yellow teeth
There are three health reasons why you shouldn’t smoke.
Smoking can kill you
Smoking makes it hard to exercise
Smoking gives you yellow teeth

8. With English, you can make new friends
You can also get a good job
It is easier to travel with English

9. With English, you can make new friends You can also get a good job
English is important for several reasons.
With English, you can make new friends
You can also get a good job
It is easier to travel with English

10. Inside a topic sentence
1-2 words
CONTROLLING IDEA
(OPINION)
Smoking
has three bad effects.
English
is important for several reasons.
is not very useful for a few reasons.
Drinking alcohol
should be illegal.

11. Inside a topic sentence
Controlling Idea
TOPIC
There are three bad effects
of smoking.
There are several reasons why
English
is important.
There are three disadvantages of