上海交通大学：《英语写作 English Writing》课程教学资源（PPT课件讲稿）Topic sentence

Topic Sentence

Topic Sentence

Outline 1.elements of writing a topic sentence; 2.common errors in writing a topic sentence; 3.position of a topic sentence

Outline ß 1. elements of writing a topic sentence; ß 2. common errors in writing a topic sentence; ß 3. position of a topic sentence

Elements of Writing a Topic Sentence Three important points to remember: 1)It is a complete sentence; 2)It contains both a topic and a controlling idea; 3)It gives only the main idea

Elements of Writing a Topic Sentence ß Three important points to remember: ß 1) It is a complete sentence; ß 2) It contains both a topic and a controlling idea; ß 3) It gives only the main idea

Take a look at the following sentences,and decide which one is a good topic sentence. 1) Registering for college classes can be a frustrating experience for new students. 2) Driving on freeways requires still alertness. 3) The slang expression "so long"(meaning goodbye)is probably a corruption(误用) of the Arabic"salaam(问安)

Take a look at the following sentences, and decide which one is a good topic sentence. 1) Registering for college classes can be a frustrating experience for new students. 2) Driving on freeways requires still alertness. 3) The slang expression “so long” (meaning goodbye) is probably a corruption（误用） of the Arabic “salaam(问安)

Consider another example: Progress has been made in fighting against cancer

ß Consider another example: Progress has been made in fighting against cancer

Common errors in writing a topic sentence 1)Announcements rather than statements a.The subject of this paper will be my parents. b.I want to talk about the crime wave in our country. c.The "baby boom"generation is the concern of this essay

Common errors in writing a topic sentence ß 1)Announcements rather than statements a. The subject of this paper will be my parents. b. I want to talk about the crime wave in our country. c. The “baby boom” generation is the concern of this essay

A topic sentence must advance a point about a limited subject.This point is the central idea of the paragraph

ß A topic sentence must advance a point about a limited subject. This point is the central idea of the paragraph

2)Statements that are too broad a.My parents have been the most influential people in my life. b.Crime is a major concern of everyone in our country. c.The "baby boom"generation has changed history

ß 2) Statements that are too broad a. My parents have been the most influential people in my life. b. Crime is a major concern of everyone in our country. c. The “baby boom” generation has changed history

3)Statements that are too narrow a.My parents had only one child. b.In the last year there have been over twenty robberies in our neighbourhood. c.The members of the post-World War ll "baby boom"make up the largest single age group in the United States

ß 3) Statements that are too narrow a. My parents had only one child. b. In the last year there have been over twenty robberies in our neighbourhood. c. The members of the post-World War II “baby boom” make up the largest single age group in the United States

4)Statements that contains more than one idea a.My parents helped me grow in important way, although in other respects I was limited. b.The problem of overcrowded American prisons must be solved,and judges must start handing out tougher sentences. c.The "baby boom"generation has had many advantages,but it also faces many problems

ß 4) Statements that contains more than one idea a. My parents helped me grow in important way, although in other respects I was limited. b. The problem of overcrowded American prisons must be solved, and judges must start handing out tougher sentences. c. The “baby boom” generation has had many advantages, but it also faces many problems