Methods for Writing Topic Sentences

The following are various methods for writing topic sentences.

1. Occasion/Position Statements
An occasion/position statement is a complex (two-part) sentence that begins with one of these words or phrases:
After, Although, As, As if, As long as, As soon as, Because, Before, Even, Even if, Even though, If, In order that, In order to, Since, So that, Though, Unless, Until, When, Whenever, Where, Wherever, Whether, While.

The Occasion:
*Is the first part of the topic sentence
*Introduces you reason for writing
*Can be any event, problem, idea, solution, or circumstance that gives you a reason to write
*Is the dependent clause in the complex sentence
The Position:
*Is the second part of the topic sentence
*States what you plan to prove or explain in your paragraph
*Is the independent clause in the complex sentence

EXAMPLES:
Alhough my family and I have taken many wonderful vacations, none was more fun and exciting than our camping trip to the Grand Canyon.

Even though the experience of losing Rollie was very painful for Peg, it is clear in the story, "The Apprentice," that Peg matures through this incident.

2. Power (Number) Statements
A Power (Number) statement is a sentence that contains a number word. The number word is the focus of the sentence; it tells your reader that a list of information will follow. Helpful number words include:
a couple of, a few, a myriad, a number of, four, many, numerous, plenty of, several, some, three, two, variuos.

Examples:
Three cities have serious pollution problems.

The book Alice in Wonderland describes many strange adventures.


3. However Statements
However is one of several conjunctive adverbs that can help organize your thoughts into a topic sentence or a thesis statement. Use however in the middle of the sentence. Place a semicolon (;) before the word however and a comma (,) after the word however.
This method creates a compound sentence. Usually, the first part will be the occasion (reason for writing); the second part will state the position (what you plan to prove or explain).

Examples:
Most Americans want to eliminate crime; however, it will take a great deal of money, time, and effor to reach this goal.

Denver's new Light Rail has helped the parking and traffic congestion in downtown Denver; however, it has also cause problems for commuters.

Other conjunctive adverbs besides however that may be used:
as a result, consequently, furthermore, in fact, instead, likewise, meanwhile, nevertheless, next, otherwise, still, therefore.

4. And, But, and Or Statements
This method also creates a compound sentence. With coordinating conjunctions--and, but, or, nor, so, yet, and for--you can easily write a topic sentence. Remember to use a comma before the conjunction.

Examples:
Anne Frank, a Jewish girl, spent two years hiding from the Nazis during World War II, and her story of bravery and courage is retold in teh book Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl.

Reptiles are all alike because they have backbones, breathe with lungs, and have scales, yet reptiles come in a variety of sizes and shapes.

5. A Few Good Prepositions
The following is a list of prepositions. Once you have learned to write Occasion/Position Statements, and However Statements, try this list. Like the Occasion/Position list, these words can jog your thinking and push you into a good topic sentence.

aboard, about, above, according to, across, after, against, along, along with, alongside, among, around, as for, away from, because of, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, besides, between, beyond, but, by, despite, down, due to, during, for, from, in, in addition to, in back of, in case of, in front of, in regard to, in spite of, inside, instead of, into, like, near, of, off, on, onto, out, out of, ouside, over, past, round, since, through, throughout, till, to, toward, under underneath, until, up, up to, upon, with, with the exception of, within, without.

Examples:
In spite of her handicap, Helen Keller did several amazing things that serve as inspiration to thousands of people.

Since the first Olympics, thousands of athletes have challenged themselves and set world records.

According to Current Events magazine, many high schools have banned pagers.

6. To, Plus a Verb
Try using an infinitive to start your paper. An infinitive is the main verb preceded by the word to. Some examples of infinitives are to succeed, to accomplish, to finish, to win, and to teach. Topic sentences with infinitives are clear and direct. They won't confuse your reader.

Examples:
To impress her guests at our New Year's dinner, my aunt created the most incredible culinary surprise.

To succeed takes more than just a good idea and a dream.

To prepare for college, high school students should take several math, science, and English classes.

7. The List Statements
A common method for writing a topic sentence is to list the categories that you will address in your paper. There are several types of lists you can use.

A list of words:
* All college students need money, friends, and encouragement.
* The corner cafe offers the best in service, food, and atmosphere.

A list of phrases:
* My grandparents prefer to vacation in Mexico, n the Northwest, and in the Bahamas.
* The Smiths love their new home but are having trouble with the garage door and with the new sprinkler system.

A list of dependent (cannot stand alone) clauses:
* When I found my lost puppy, when I won the trip to Florida, and when I met a group of teachers from Russia, I realized that life is great and full of surprises.

A list of independent (can stand alone) clauses:
* High school graduates can attend community college, they can enroll in state universities, or they can study at private schools throughout the United States.

8. Get Their Attention
A Declarative Statement uses a strong verb (action word)

Examples:
Clay's gas station offers the best service.

The restaurant on Main Street servest the best brunch in town.

9. A Rhetorical Question
A Rhetorical Question is the kind of question we ask when we want to get someone's attention, but we do not really expect an answer. Rhetorical questions are great, but thy are more difficult to write than they appear, especially for young writers. Rhetorical questions are usually followed by a statement that answers the question.

Examples:
What is your school doing to improve test scores? Our school has purchased an exciting new literacy program.

How are churches and synagogues meeting the needs of teenagers? In our city, they provide places to gather, help with homework, and scholarships for summer camp.

10. Side-by-side Statements
Sometimes using two simple sentences--one for the occasion and one for the position--is the right way to go. This technique is especially powerful if your goal is to put emphasis on your position.

Examples:
A little stress may be good. Too much is dangerous.

Finances cause stress for many people. Suze Orman's book Nine Steps to Financial Freedom offers practical, helpful advice.

11. Semicolon Topic Sentence
This kind of topic sentence is just like a Side-by-Side Statement. The main ideas, however, are connected by a semicolon (;). this method is another way to write a compound sentence.
Use this method when you want to emphasize the relationship between the occasion (your reason for writing) and the position (what you plan to prove or explain).

Examples:
The football team deserves the state championship; the players and the coach are talented and dedicated.

Test scores have fallen for the third straight year; administrators are scurrying to find solutions and reverse the trend.

12. Two Nouns and Two Commas
When we set off a noun or a noun phrase with commas, we call it an appositive. An appositive does not have a verb; it is simply a noun followed by a description that tells more about the noun.
These sentences are fun and easy to create. They also help writers put more important or interesting information into one sentence.

Examples:
Dekcers, a small town nestled in the Colorado Rockies, is a fishing haven for many serious anglers.

Two rivers, the Missouri and the Mississippi, are important to the people in Iowa.

Ben Franklin, a colonist from Pennsylvania, helped Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence.

13. Using a Quotation
Using a quotation in the topic sentence is an easy, yet powerful, way to start a paper.
Using the words that ar on the Occasion/Position list might help you to integrate the quotation.

Examples:
Although I usually appreciate the advice I receive from my grandmother, I wish that she would follow the advice of Horace: "Whatever advice you give, be short."

After new teachers have spent only a short time in the classroom, they realize that H. L. Mencken was right on target when he said, "Youth, though it may lack knowledge, is certainly not devoid of intelligence; it sees through shams with sharp and terrible eyes."