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G9-12.ECRS.B11-A: Supporting Details in Writing II: Sentences

Link to the ECRS: Identify the basic purpose or role of a specified phrase or sentence (TDP.16A)
Introduction:
This unit builds on what you have already learned in units B4 and B7 about topic sentences and paragraph unity.
In todays lesson, you will learn about five types of sentences that could make up a well-organized paragraph.

Key Information:
There are five types of sentences well focus on in this lesson: topic sentences, transitional sentences, sentences
that provide evidence or examples, sentences that explain evidence or examples, and sentences that conclude
or summarize a paragraph.

Topic sentences As you learned before, these are the roadmaps of each paragraph. They tell the reader
about the paragraphs main idea.

Transitional Sentences- These sentences transition between ideas within paragraphs or within the essay as a
whole. They include transitional words, which you learned about in Units B6 and B9 as coordinating
conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs (words like: but, however, on the other hand, furthermore, then, next, etc.)

Evidence/Example Sentences- These sentences provide evidence or examples to illustrate the topic sentence.
These kinds of sentences might include statistics, quotes, facts, or other specific details related to the topic.
Sometimes, but not always, they begin with words like for example.

Explanatory Sentences- Sometimes, an example alone is not strong enough to support the topic sentence. It
might need further explanation, especially if that example is a quotation from a text. These sentences elaborate
on the example, and they can appear before or after the example sentence.

Concluding/Summary Sentences- Sometimes, a writer will write a sentence at the end of the paragraph to
summarize the details. Often, such a sentence will end a section of an essay.



The Basics:
Directions: Based on what you know about the five different types
of sentences in this lesson, match a definition on the left with a
label on the right. You will only use each letter once.


1. Quotations, facts, statistics __C___
2. Linked to the main idea ___A__
3. Wraps up the details in a paragraph __E___
4. Elaborates on quotes, facts, or statistics __D___
5. Uses words like however and consequently ___B__


A. topic sentence

B. transitional sentence

C. evidence/example sentence

D. explanatory sentence

E. concluding/summary sentence

Practice:
Label the sentences in the paragraph: A for topic sentences, B
for transitional sentences, C for evidence/example sentences, D
for explanatory sentences, and E for concluding/ summary
sentences. You might not use every letter.

Some people argue that Jersey Shore represents Italian-
Americans in a negative light. __A___ Robert Pellegrino,
President of the Italian American Political Coalition,
suggested that the majority of Americans of Italian descent
dont actually pump their fists constantly, drink beer like
water, or wear dresses the size of belts. ___C__ As he told
Fox News: Whether filmed in Italy or on the moon, the
characters of Jersey Shore do not reflect a realistic image of
the Italian American Community. ___C__ Similarly, the
Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau shares
Pellegrinos point of view. __E___

Writing Connection:
Write a paragraph that contains at least four of the five sentence
types covered in this lesson: topic, transitional,
evidence/example sentences, explanatory sentences, and
concluding/summary sentences. If youre stuck figuring out a
topic, write about _____Studying______________________.

__You study for a test all the time. At school, youre assigned
tests after learning something over time. Therefore, it doesnt
come as a surprise to any student. Due to tests, we study the
night before and hope for a passing grade. Studying is quite
easy, you review certain lessons that youve done. In conclusion,
studying comes naturally and we do it all the time.__________

How it looks on the EPAS (EXPLORE, PLAN or ACT):
Certain words and/or phrases below are underlined and numbered. In the
right-hand column, you will find alternatives for the underlined part. If the
original version is best, choose NO CHANGE.


My hometown is famous for several amazing natural
features. First, it is noted for the Wheaton River, which is very
wide and beautiful. Also, on the other side of the town is
Wheaton Hill, which is unusual because it is very steep. The
third amazing feature is the Big Old Tree. This tree stands two
hundred feet tall and is probably about six hundred years old.
These three landmarks are truly amazing and make my
hometown a famous place.
1. The purpose of the underlined sentence in
the paragraph is to:
A. Provide a concise topic sentence
B. Transition between the examples
about the Wheaton River and
Wheaton Hill.
C. Give an example of the amazing
features of the Big Old Tree.
D. Summarize the details in the
paragraph