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Generating Topic Sentences

Generating Topic Sentences. Mrs. Snipes Troy High School English Department. The topic sentence in an essay of literary analysis functions as follows:. Proves and supports a thesis statement Tells the reader the focus of the paragraph States an arguable claim, idea, or assertion

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Generating Topic Sentences

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  1. Generating Topic Sentences Mrs. Snipes Troy High School English Department

  2. The topic sentence in an essay of literary analysis functions as follows: • Proves and supports a thesis statement • Tells the reader the focus of the paragraph • States an arguable claim, idea, or assertion • Expresses the writer’s expert analysis of the literature

  3. Other considerations for topic sentence composition: • The topic sentence is concrete, clear, and specific. • The topic sentence addresses the title and author of a literary work in an essay that addresses/analyzes more than one literary work. • The topic sentence is the very first sentence of a paragraph. • The topic sentence can include a transitional phrase that refers to the previous paragraph. • Analysis is arrived at by answering an implied HOW or WHY question. • Use only present tense and active verbs.

  4. Avoid the following when composing a topic sentence: • 1st person point of view • Plot summary • Stating the obvious • Vague or abstract ideas and language • Loaded language • Passive voice • Generalizations or commentary • Hooks or opening statements

  5. Sample topic sentences • As you read the following sample topic sentences, consider their strengths and weaknesses. • Keep in mind that these topic sentences are taken out of the context of a larger analytical essay.

  6. Sample 1: Rodriguez writes about his conflicts with language in elementary school and further reveals how these conflicts negatively affected his cultural identity.

  7. Sample 2: The Wife of Bath establishes herself as an expert on marriage through communicating her knowledge of scholarly authorities as well as her experiences with five husbands.

  8. Sample 3: Beowulf’s introduction to Heorot is qualified by a listing of his lineage and brave ancestors, which establishes him as heroic and competent.

  9. Sample 4: Another significant element in Castillo’s use of point of view is the shift from first to third person in the middle of the short story “Subtitles.”

  10. Sample 5: The unfolding plot in Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums” reveals Elisa’s character as she works in her garden and meets a traveling stranger.

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