Exploring Writing 2nd Edition by John Langan

Exercise 29

The following activity will give you practice in writing an accurate point, or topic sentence-one that is neither too broad nor too narrow for the supporting material in a paragraph. Sometimes you will construct your topic sentence after you have decided which details you want to discuss. An added value of this activity is that it shows you how to write a topic sentence that will exactly match the details provided in the outline.
1. Topic sentence: ______________________________________________________
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a. Study your hardest subjects first when your mind is most alert.
b. Form a study group and meet regularly at the library.
c. Ask your teachers for help when you don't understand something.
d. Reward yourself when you do well.
2. Topic sentence: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
a. My mom always said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
b. She believed that everyone should be treated with respect and kindness.
c. When my brother got caught up in the wrong crowd, she had him promise her that he would never hurt anyone.
d. At my mom's funeral, so many people talked about how she had helped them.
3. Topic sentence: ______________________________________________________
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a. My friends recommended that I try the new Thai restaurant.
b. The waiter was friendly and explained the daily lunch specials.
c. The Evil Jungle Prince was the best red curry I had ever eaten.
d. I plan to take my family to that restaurant for dinner.
4. Topic sentence: ______________________________________________________
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a. In elementary school, my favorite subject was morning recess.
b. All I remember about junior high was playing volleyball in P.E. class.
c. In high school, I kept my grades up so that I could stay on the basketball team.
d. Before my knee injury, I had hoped to go to college on an athletic scholarship.
5. Topic sentence: ______________________________________________________
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a. People who skip breakfast usually snack a lot.
b. People who eat breakfast feel less grouchy.
c. People who eat breakfast are more alert mentally.
d. Breakfast can help people lose-not gain-weight.