Paragraph Writing

Definitions

The following are some definitions and termonology on topic sentences, supporting sentences, and concluding sentences:

Topic Sentences

A topic sentence is normally the first or second sentence, though it can be located anywhere in the paragraph. It regularly introduces the topic or gives the most useful information in the paragraph. It makes a statement (or asks a question) that the rest of the paragraph explains or supports with examples of what the topic sentence has said.

http://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_topic_sentence

Supporting Sentences

Supporting sentences provide examples for the topic sentence. If a writer says, for instance, "Early childhood education programs provide cognitive benefits well beyond preschool," the second, third, and fourth sentences will include information supporting the main idea in the topic sentence. Supporting sentences are much more specific than the topic sentence.

http://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Write_in_English/WL8_supporting_sentences.html

Concluding Sentences

A concluding sentence pulls together or summarizes the main idea of the paragraph, usually in a single sentence. The concluding sentence also provides a definite ending point for the paragraph. It is important in a paragraph because it is needed to show that the writer has completed what he wants to say and to leave in the reader’s mind a final statement of the paragraph’s main idea.

http://www.aacc.edu/supportcenter/file/formulatingaconcludingsentenceforapar.pdf

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