Illustration_topic_sentence.docx.pdf.pdf

1 . Illustration Paragraph - Topic Sentence

What does the word illustrate mean to you? Perhaps you think of an illustrated book, which has

drawings that bring the stories within it to life. You can illustrate an idea in a paragraph just as an artist

illustrates a book. To write an illustration paragraph, start with a general statement for the topic

sentence, then illustrate this statement with one or more specific ideas.

Of the following two sentences, one is an example of a topic sentence for an illustration paragraph and

the other is not.

Directions: Select each underlined blank space to choose the word or phrase that best completes the

following statements.

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Close Explanation

Explanation:

Every sentence has a topic (what a paragraph is about) and a controlling idea (the main idea about

the topic). For an illustration paragraph, the topic sentence provides a general statement that will be

followed by a specific example or examples. These examples should explain the general claim

made in the topic sentence.

Illustration topic

sentence:

Explanation:

Many college students value their campuses' learning assistance

services.

This topic sentence has a topic ("college students") and a controlling

statement that may be obvious to the reader; it needs specific examples

to be effective.

Santa Barbara City College students find that the one-on-one help

offered by the campus Writing Lab helps them with all stages of the

writing process.

This is not a topic sentence, but it is a sentence that would follow the

topic sentence because it gives a clear example of a specific learning

service and specific students who value it.

Directions: Consider the following four sentences. Determine whether each is a topic sentence or not,

and, if so, whether it's an appropriate topic sentence for an illustration paragraph.

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Close Explanation

Explanation:

This is a good topic sentence for an illustration paragraph. The topic is "students with ADHD," and the

controlling idea is that they "often face challenges in school." The writer of this topic sentence can

support this claim with specific examples. For example, maybe the writer or someone the writer knows

has ADHD and has difficulties staying focused in school.

The process of treating ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) begins at an early age and

continues throughout one's life.

This is:

Explanation:

This is a topic sentence because there is a clear topic, "the process of treating ADHD," and a

controlling idea, "begins at an early age and continues throughout one's life." However, this topic

sentence indicates that the body sentences will explain the steps in a process rather than illustrate a

general statement with specific examples. This is a more appropriate topic sentence for a process

paragraph.

Most students with learning disabilities develop strategies that help them accomplish their goals.

This is:

Not a topic sentence

A topic sentence for an illustration paragraph

disabilities," and the controlling idea is that they "develop strategies that help them accomplish their

goals." One example of a strategy a student might use is recording lectures so that the student can

listen to them at his or her own pace.

Albert Einstein once said, "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."

This is:

Not a topic sentence

A topic sentence, but not for an illustration paragraph

A topic sentence for an illustration paragraph

Points:

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