ESSAY JANK - Topic Sentence
A topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is about.
Each paragraph in the body of your paper has a topic sentence.
It creates a coherent, smooth flow of ideas.
Look at the sample topic sentences below for the thesis statement shown in red.
Topic Sentences
Look at your thesis statement - does it mention 3 topics?
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Body ¶1's topic sentence aligns with the 1st item mentioned
in your thesis statement
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Body ¶2's topic sentence aligns with the 2nd item mentioned in your thesis statement
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Body ¶3's topic sentence aligns with the 3rd item mentioned in your thesis statement
The thesis statement:
In that regard, this paper focuses on the core findings of four student development and achievement theorists: Alexander Astin, Ernest Pascarella and Patrick Terenzini, and Vincent Tinto.
Topic Sentence for Body ¶ #1
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Note how the 1st theorist named in the Thesis Statement above is the 1st theory described:
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Astin’s research finds a correlation between learning and involvement in academic activities (Astin, 1984).
Topic Sentence for Body ¶ #2
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Note the 2nd theorist named in the Thesis Statement above is the 2nd theory described:
Pascarella and Terenzini’s work looks at the efficacy of first-year seminars on student success (as cited in Goodman & Pascarella, 2006).
Topic Sentence for Body ¶ #3
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Note the 3rd theorist named in the Thesis Statement above is the 3rd theory described:
Tinto’s research is based on the idea that academic development is most successful if the student remains at the institution.
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By the way, this is the symbol for paragraph ¶
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