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  Topic sentence is commonly in the FIRST or LAST
TOPIC sentence, expresses the main idea of the paragraph.
SENTENCE

TOPIC CONTROLING IDEA  It tells what the paragraph will say

about the topic.
It names the subject of the paragraph.

STAY FOCUSED on the TOPIC Sets the PATTERN of the paragraph

 TOPIC SENTENCES PATTERNS OF PARAGRAPH

The internet has many benefits. LIST OF ITEMS

Topic Controlling idea (definition and examples)
There are five simple steps to connect your computer to the internet SEQUENTIAL ORDER
Controlling idea Topic (Procedures or processes)
Sending e-mail through the internet and sending text through cellular COMPARISON
phones share some features in common. Topic
Controlling idea

The internet and the Web have distinctive characteristic. CONTRAST

Topic Controlling idea

Using the internet is still not completely safe for children due to several CAUSE-EFFECT
reasons.

Though many people believe the internet caused anti-social behavior in PROBLEM-SOLUTION
teens, some scientists found ways to re-introduce interpersonal skills to
them.
 Topic Sentence
Supporting Sentence (Major Detail)

Minor Detail

Major detail develops, explains and supports the main idea/ THE
CONTROLLING IDEA of the paragraph.

Minor detail explains the Major Detail of the paragraph.

Supporting Sentence 1 Supporting Sentence 2

Trail Rock
Climbing Climbing
Mountain
? ? ? Climbing ? ? ?
has 3 main types

Minor detail 1 Minor detail 2

Ice
Supporting Sentence 3
climbing

? ? ? Conclusion
Minor detail 3
 WHAT are the types of mountain climbing?

Topic sentence Supporting Sentence 1 (Major Detail)

There are three main types of mountain climbing. The first type is Trail climbing.
The second type is rock climbing. The third type is ice climbing.
? (Minor Detail)
Supporting Sentence 2 Supporting Sentence 3
? (Minor Detail) ? (Minor Detail)
 Minor explains the MAJOR DETAIL and makes
Detail the paragraph stronger.
Supporting Sentence 1 (Major Detail) Minor Detail 1

There are three main types of mountain climbing. The first type is Trail climbing. Climbers
just walk along trails to the top of a mountain. The trails are not very steep, and the
Supporting Sentence 2 (Major Detail) Minor Detail 2

mountains are small. The second type is rock climbing. It takes place on steeper slopes and
bigger mountains. Climbers generally have to use special equipment Minor
Supporting Sentence 3 (Major Detail)
suchDetail
as climbing shoes,
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ropes, and metal nails called pitons. The third type is ice climbing. Ice climbing takes place
only on very high mountains and requires a lot of special equipment. Equipment used in ice
climbing includes ice axes and crampons, which are spikes attached to a climber's boots for
walking on ice and hard snow.
MINOR DETAIL explains MAJOR DETAIL supports Topic Sentence
Conclusion Give advice Make prediction Repeat the topic sentence
= Offer hope Give an opinion Summarize the supporting sentence

There are three main types of mountain climbing. The first type is Trail climbing. Climbers
just walk along trails to the top of a mountain. The trails are not very steep, and the
mountains are small. The second type is rock climbing. It takes place on steeper slopes and
bigger mountains. Climbers generally have to use special equipment such as climbing shoes,
ropes, and metal nails called pitons. The third type is ice climbing. Ice climbing takes place
only on very high mountains and requires a lot of special equipment. Equipment used in ice
climbing includes ice axes and crampons, which are spikes attached to a climber's boots for
walking on ice and hard snow. If you would like to experience the mountain climbing, you
would better try initially the trail climbing and carry on with the rock climbing. Finally, you
may try the ice climbing. The mountain climbing is extremelly challenging.
Besides the three elements (topic sentence, supporting sentences,
and conclusion), some paragraphs may include an INTRODUCTORY
sentence as a HOOK. The HOOK must relate to the TOPIC
SENTENCE.

HOOK

Anecdote Quotation Amazing fact

For a climber, saying that you are stopping by Everest is like saying that you are stopping by to
see God. Clearly, the higher mountain is the closer I get to God. That is the reason why I love
mountain climbing. There are three main types of mountain climbing. The first type is Trail
climbing. Climbers just walk along trails to the top of a mountain. The trails are not very steep,
and the mountains are small. The second type is rock climbing. It takes place on steeper
slopes and bigger mountains. Climbers generally have to use special equipment such as
climbing shoes, ropes, and metal nails called pitons. The third type is ice climbing. Ice climbing
takes place only on very high mountains and requires a lot of special equipment. Equipment
used in ice climbing includes ice axes and crampons, which are spikes attached to a climber's
boots for walking on ice and hard snow. If you would like to experience the mountain
climbing, you would better try initially the trail climbing and carry on with the rock climbing.
Finally, you may try the ice climbing. The mountain climbing is extremelly challenging.
Supporting Sentence 1 Supporting Sentence 2

Shalat Tithe

A MUSLIM
has 3
responsibilities
Minor detail 1 Minor detail 2

Fasting Supporting Sentence 3

Add Introduction and Conclusion

Minor detail 3
Supporting Sentence 1 Supporting Sentence 2

Minor detail 1 Minor detail 2

Supporting Sentence 3

Add Introduction and Conclusion

Minor detail 3