Why is a topic sentence important? A topic sentence will tell the reader what to expect and if used correctly it will tell the reader what to expect from the rest of the paragraph. It can help the essay to flow better, and make it coherent and easy to read. Example topic sentences: Dogs are extremely common pets in this day and age. The main idea is the most important point that the author is making about the topic. It is a general statement that is broad enough to include all the supporting sentences in the paragraph. It is always a complete sentence, never a phrase or a question. A main idea can be stated anywhere in a paragraph, but it is most often found in the first One of the most important of these is a topic sentence. TOPIC SENTENCES A well-organized paragraph supports or develops a single controlling idea, which is expressed in a sentence called the topic sentence. A topic sentence has several important functions: it substantiates or supports an essay’s thesis statement; it unifies Paragraphs are a collection of sentences that supports specific ideas. Basically, a good paragraph presents a unique view and starts with a topic sentence. In this case, a writer makes a single concept evident in the topic sentence. Also, other sentences support the central purpose and help to maintain the scope of a paragraph. Unity in Composition. In composition, unity is the quality of oneness in a paragraph or essay that results when all the words and sentences contribute to a single effect or main idea; also called wholeness . For the past two centuries, composition handbooks have insisted that unity is an essential characteristic of an effective text. A sentence outline requires full sentences to be written under each topic. It expresses the complete and specific idea for each section under a topic. If done thoroughly and correctly, it represents almost as a first draft of your paper. On the other hand, a topic outline hierarchically arranges the sequence of the main and sub-points. .

topic sentence controlling idea