A Method for Writing a Topic Sentence Occasion/Position Statements An occasion is the first part of the topic sentence. The occasion introduces your reason for writing. An occasion can he any event. problem, idea, solution, or circumstance that gives you a reason to write. The position states what you plan to prove or explain in your paragraph.

An occasion/position statement is a complex sentence and begins

with one of these words.

Start With: After

Even if

Though

Although

Unless

As

Even though If

Until

As long as As soon as

In order that Once

Whenever

Because Before

Since

Wherever

So that

While

When

Examples: Although my family and I have taken many wonderful vacations, none was more fun and exciting than our camping trip to the Grand Canyon Before you make the decision to light up a cigarette, consider the problems caused by smoking Even though bike heimets are sometimes unfashionable and uncomfortable, all cyclists should vear them.

If students use chs.micals to do science experiments, it is important that they learn the proper way to dispose of theric

More Ways to Write a Topic Sentence Power/Number Statements: • Use a number word to help you focus your topic. • Some number words that you may want to use include: two three four some many several a few a couple various

numerous a number of plenty

Examples The telephone representative gave four reasons why consumers should buy his company’s product. • Middle school students should learn a number of strategies for reading textbooks. *

However Statements: • Use the conjunction adverb, however, to write the topic sentence, • Other conjunctive adverbs: therefore as a result consequently meamvhile nevertheless instead otherwise likewise in fact still furthermore next Examples The new rules for the school cafeteria seemed unfair to the students; however, the rules have made the cafeteria a better place to eat lunch. • Most Americans want to eliminate crime; however, it will take a great deal of money, time, and effort to reach this goal. *

Statements With And, But, Or, Nor, Yet, For, and So: • Use these conjunctions to help you write your topic sentence. Examples • Wilma Rudolph wore kg braces as a child, yet she overcame her disability, challenged herself, and won three gold medals in the 1960 Olymp ics. • The men u-ho attended the Constitutional Convention did not want any branch of the government to he too powerful, so they created the system of “checks and balances:”

A,td, u 8 , and Or S+al-emenfs Use these conuncfions to

heip /00

wrte Your ropc sentence.

Conjuncfions: • arc 1

‘

• nor

but

so

for

yet

0 mp es: E To stay neabhv, we need to eat the right foods, so we shouid make smart decisions about the snachs we choose.

2. The qiris were determined o win the game, bu+ they bnew it wouid not be easy. 3. The cthdrer, made areat olans car the oarf aod everyone had a wonder1hh hme.

Compare/Conl-rasF Sfafemenfs Use one 0 f the topic sentence methods (Occasion/Posifion, Power, And, B, and Or. Indude a compare/contrast word. Compare/Confrasf WorcIs • difFerent

• the

• n common

. better

• diFFerences

• similar

same

t.xamoes: be two boo.es chc•ut ian.aoroos ore imilor.

V. cc owns

cot

dike. bo’ fhe nare :ary differences,

opposite • alibe

worse

Topic Senfences Occosion/Posil-jon Sfal-emenfs Reason or w+na

Occasion

Position

=

What you olan to Drove or expiai

Starfer Words: Even fhouk

• A1er

S

• Although

• FF

• VVhen

• A 5

• Since

• Nhenever

• Before

• Unless

• \Nhile

• Until

Examples: • When students wrde oaraaraphs, sentences.

they must start with sfrona tocic

2. If you want to write a 9 ood, clear paragraph, try usinq the accordion paragraph method.

Power (Number) Sfal-emeni-s • two

N umber Words: several

some

• three

• anumberof

• afew

• four

a couple

Exomoles: 0

JJ

C

1. Everyone Esew several t}n.n s aboU writing por-agrophs.

many

Transitional Expressions • In an Accordion Paragraph you will need a transition each time you introduce a new reason/ detail/fact.

• Use the transition sets below when you write a paragraph. Words in these sets may be mixed. • Read your paragraph aloud. This way you will know if you have selected a transition that fits and makes sense. Some Common Transition Sets: first • second • third one • another • next first of all • also first • then at first after one equally important the first • the second one • another • last ‘

first • in addition • finally first also • besides one • the other the first • a second one example • another example a good example a better example an important • an equally important first of all • next • the final

More Advanced Transition Sets: a good • a better • the best to begin a then • consequently started when • as a result • then • therefore at the beginning • then • following this • finally one way • another way • a final method one • one other a along with a last in the first place after that • later on • at last initially a then after that a bad • a worse • the worst as soon as • next later • in the end to begin at the same time finally first of all • besides in addition to start • furthermore a additionally • last first alon with • likewise one important • another ithportant the most important it

*

*

Examples, Evidence, Explanation Ratios

E’s (the Reds)

Explanation

Elaboration

Evidence

Expert Opinion

Everyday Life

Effective Illustration

Examples

by 1em Arend (Seventh Grade Math)

Even though ratios are mostly used in math, they are commonly found in every day activities. Such activities could be

homemaking, recreation, and business, One example of a ratio for homemakin could be a recipe. This could mean that for event three cups of flour that a person adds, he would add one cup of sugar. This ratio would be “flour to sugar” and it would be written as 3:1. If you were baking cookies and the recipe called for 3 c. of flour and 1 c. of sugar, and i/ou wanted to double the batch, then you would double both measurements. ft would be 6 c. flour and 2 c. sugar. However, this is still a 3:1 ratio, Another example of a ratio could be in recreation, or more specifica liv, in a sport such as football, The ratio could be in the number of wins to losses. Let’s take the Broncos who have u’on 13 games and lost 4 so far, This ratio would he called “wins to losses” and would be written 13:4. Ekrwever this ratio is different from the first one involving baking. It is not necessarily the same as saving that for every 13 wins in the fidure the Broncos will lose 4. Instead it is only a cliaracterization f their current record. This ratio will change as thcq plan more games, whether they win or lose. A third example of ratio may be in business, used for systems of measurements. This ratio man be the amount of inches equal to one (hot. ‘The ratio would he described as “inches to feet” and written as 12:1. Th:s ratio is more like tin (hot example in that it will not charike. Even u.:hen it locks di,fferent (24:2, 36.3, etcJ it still a ratio ci 12:1.

Conclusions What to do: • Restate your position; remind the readers of your topic.

• Identify the key words from your topic sentence.

• Use synonyms. • Summarize your paragraph, convince the readers of your position, challenge them to think about the issue, or encourage them to take action.

What to avoid: • Introducing a new topic Phrases such as...

-

—

-

as I have said as I proved as you can see

Helpful words and phrases: in fact

•

truly

• obviously

•

definitely

• clearly

•

surely

• certainly

•

to sum up

• in conclusion

•

all in all

*

The final statement is important! Note: The Step Lip to Wfittog mar.uai offers several

mote suggestiont. for writing conclu.sions,

Conclusions When you conclude your paragraph, try one of these methods.

Summarize the information By saving money, taking part timeobs, and apphiin tot student loans Jan and othei tudnts like her are able to attend community college.

Convince the reader Two—teai colleges ai certaznlii an excLlknt choice for many high school guiduates

Encourage the reader to take action To lea in to use the Internet and to increase youi confidence with omputel S. consider taking a iOU! se at your local community college.

Challenge the reader to think Communitij colleges offer a great education; in foct, for man i students they are the be t investment of time arid money,

0

Sample Accordion Essay Six Sentence Paragraph Example

The Tattered Cover Book Store

title (green)

If you visit Denver, you will want to topic sentence (green) make at least one trip to our city’s most famous bookstore, the Tattered Cover. key idea plus transition (yellow) First, you’ll be impressed by the friendly atmosphere. The displays make books [< explanation (red) easy to find, and comfortable chairs, perfect for reading, are available everywhere. Next, you’ll appreciate the :—— key idea plus fransition (yellow) customer service, Those who choose to explanation (red) work at the Tattered Cover are readers themselves, and they are anxious to help customers find just the right book. Ask conclusion (green) anyone in Denver; they’ll certainly recommend the Tattered Cover. ——

_

[—

Eight Sentence Paragraph Example

The Tattered Cover Book Store

—

title (green)

If you visit Denver, you will want to topic sentence (green) make at least one trip to our city’s most famous bookstore, the Tattered Cover. First, you’ll be impressed by the friendly key idea plus fransifion (yellow) atmosphere. The displays make books easy to find, and comfortable chairs, explanation (red) perfect for reading, are available everywhere. A cafe is available for those who want to sip coffee or enjoy a pastry. i— key idea plus transition (yellow) Next, you’ll appreciate the customer service. Those who choose to work at the Tattered Cover are readers themselves, explanation (red) and they are anxious to help customers / find just the right book. In each section of the store, you’ll find trained employees who know how and where to find the book you want. Ask anyone in Denver; conclusion (green) they’ll certainly recommend the Tattered Cover, --

Sample Accordion Essay Multi-paragraph Paper (essay)

The Tattered Cover Book Store Denver is a great choice for tourists who appreciate beauty and want to stay active. We have beautiful parks, great shopping. exciting sports events, and fantastic theater productions. If they visit Denver, however, tourists will want to make at least one trip to our city’s most famous bookstore, the Tattered Cover. There are two reasons why people throughout Denver love this store. First, everyone is impressed by the friendly atmosphere. The displays make books easy to find, and comfortable chairs, perfect for reading, are available everywhere. It is not unusual to find college students and senior citizens browsing for hooks or sharing reactions to the latest best seller. A cafe is available for those who want to sip coffee or enjoy a pastry A section called ‘bargain books’ is just as popular as the children’s hook area which is always crowded with moms, dads, and kids. Next, they appreciate the customer service. Those who choose to work at the Tattered Cover are readers themselves, and they are anxious to help customers find just the right book. In each section of the store, trained employees make every effort to help, When a book is not in stock, they have immediate access to computers and will place a special order, If a customer isn’t quite sure about title or author, the salesperson knows where to hunt for the

title (green I —

background information

(blue) thesis statement green) plan (reen) transition topic sentence (yellow)

explanation (red)

transition topic sentence (yellow)

explanation (red)

information,

Ask anyone in Denver; they’ll certainly recommend the Tattered Cover. A trip to our beautiful city would not he complete without a stop at this famous gathering place.

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conclusion greeni