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1. Topic Sentence and
Powerful Vocabulary in
Paragraphs

2. Learning Intention
 Examine a paragraph to
identify a topic sentence
 Develop an understanding of
what a topic sentence is
 Improve topic sentence
through the use of synonyms
Success Criteria
 I can identify a topic
sentence
 I can write a topic sentence
 I can choose appropriate
synonyms to improve my
writing

3. Key Vocabulary:
• structure
• paragraph
• topic
• details
• idea

4. Brainstorm:
What is a
paragraph?
What is the topic
sentence of a
paragraph?

5. What is a paragraph?
 A paragraph is a group of sentences that convey an
idea.

6. What is a topic sentence
 The most important sentence in your paragraph is the
topic sentence, which clearly states the subject of the
whole paragraph.
 The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of the
paragraph because it gives an overview of the
sentences to follow.

7. The Topic Sentence
Read the handout:
 Which is the topic sentence?
 How can you tell?
 What is the main idea of the paragraph?

8. A good topic sentence:
 informs the reader of the subject that will be discussed
in the paragraph
 asserts the writer’s point of view or attitude,
 intrigues the reader to continue reading,
 creates a sense of action, and
 is not vague, rambling, too narrow or too broad.

9. Your Task
 Using your planner to guide you, create a topic
sentence for the introduction of your autobiography.

10. Synonyms
• Who would like to volunteer
their topic sentence for
everyone to learn from?
Now we are going to:
• Underline interesting words
• Circle words we may be able
to make more interesting
• Now, let’s rewrite the
sentence with the new words
included

11. Your turn …
Now do the same for your topic
sentence
• Underline interesting words
• Circle words you may be able to
make more interesting
• Now, rewrite the sentence with
the new words included

12.  In one sentence, tell me
what you now know about
topic sentences
 In another sentence,
explain how you can
make your writing more
interesting
 What other learning
actions did you use
today?