1



1. Occasion/Position Statements

An Occasion/Position Statements is a complex (two-part) sentence that begin with one of these words or phrases:

|After As soon as Even though So that Whenever |

|Although Because If Though Where |

|As Before In order that Unless |

|Wherever |

|As if Even In order to Until |

|Whether |

|As long as Even if Since When While |

The occasion:

▪ Is the first part of the topic sentence

▪ Introduces your reason for writing

▪ Can be any event, problem, idea, solution, or circumstance, that gives you the reason to write

▪ Is the dependent clause in the complex sentence

The position:

▪ Is the second part of topic sentence

▪ States what you plan to prove or explain in your paragraph

▪ Is the independent clause in the complex sentence

Example

1. Although my family and I have taken many wonderful vacations, none was more fun and exciting than our camping trip to the Grand Canyon.

2. Power (number) Statements

All of us at one time or another have used number words in topic sentences to help us focus. Preachers, advertisers, and politicians use this method much of the time. J.E. Sparks, however, uses these methods almost exclusively to help his high school students learn to organize their writing. Because he called his method or writing Write for Power, I call these topic sentences Power (number) Statements.

A power (number) Statement is a sentence that contains a number word. The number word is the focus of the sentence; it tells your reader that a list of information will follow. Power number Statements can be short or long; in fact, they can be any grammatical structure that you need or want.

Helpful number words:

|A couple of a number of numerous some carious |

|A few four plenty of three |

|A myriad many several two |

Examples

1. Three cities have serious pollution problems.

2. In the winter I enjoy watching several high school sports.

3. However Statements

However is one of several conjunctive adverbs that can help organize your thoughts into a topic sentence or a theses statement. Use however in the middle of the sentence. Place a semicolon (;) before the word however and a comma (,) after the word however.

This method creates a compound sentence. Usually, the first part will be the occasion (reason for writing); the second part will state the position (what you plan to prove or explain).

Examples

1. The new rules for the school cafeteria seemed unfair to the students; however, the rules have made the cafeteria a better place to eat lunch.

2. Some of the citizens in Springfield protested when the city council votes to close the ode theater; however, on man was able to settle the argument by suggesting a way to rebuild the theater without having to ask the taxpayer for more money.

4. And, But, and or Statements

This method also creates a compound sentence. With coordinating conjunctions—and, but, or, nor, so, yet, and for—you can easily write a topic sentence. Remember to use a comma before the conjunction.

Hint: you can use the words boy fans to help you remember these conjunctions.

b = but f = for

o = or a = and

y = yet n = nor

s = so

Examples

1. Some people find it difficult to program a VCR, but most will succeed if they just remember to follow these guidelines.

2. Citizens in our neighborhoods can continue to accept crime and violence as just a fact of life, or they can get involved in their communities and work with their local governments to make things better.

5. A Few Good Prepositions

The following is a list of prepositions. Once you have learned to write Occasion/Position Statements and However Statements, try this list. Like the Occasion/Position list, these words can jog your thinking and push you into a good topic sentence.

|Aboard because of during near till |

|About before for of to |

|Above behind from off toward |

|According to below in on under |

|Across beneath in addition to onto underneath |

|After beside in back of out until |

|Against besides in case of out of up |

|Along between in front of outside up to |

|Along with beyond in regard to over upon |

|Alongside but in spite of past with |

|Among by inside round with the exception of |

|Around despite instead of since within |

|As for down into through without |

|Away from due to like throughout |

Not all prepositions will work for your topic. Read your sentence out loud and make you decision once you hear the sentence.

Remember that your topic sentence gives your audience a quick glace at your reason for writing and tells them what you intent to prove or explain.

Some of the words on the preposition list are the same as word on the Occasion/Position list. Words like since, until, before, and after are prepositions if there is no verb (action word).

Examples

1. After the game there were several fights in the parking lot. (Preposition after the game ended, fights broke out in the parking lot. clause)

2. Since the first of the years, I have improved my grades in math and art. (Preposition since the semester started, I have worked hard to improve my grades in math and art. clause)

6. To, plus a verb

Try using an infinitive to start your paper: an infinitive is the main verb preceded by the word to. Some examples of infinitives are to succeed, to accomplish, to finish, to win, and to teach. Topic sentences with infinitives are clear and direct. They won’t confuse you reader.

Examples

1. To win at chess, players need to master three skills.

2. To impress her guests at our New Year’s dinner, my aunt created the most incredible culinary surprises.

7. The List Statements

A common method for writing a topic sentence is to list the categories that you will address in you paper. There are several types of lists you can use.

A list of words:

▪ All college students need money, friends, and encouragement.

▪ The corner café offers the best in service, food, and atmosphere.

▪ When I set out to buy my new car, o looked for a vehicle that was reliable, safe and economical.

A list of phrases:

▪ My grandparents prefer to vacation in Mexico, in the Northwest, and in the Bahamas.

▪ The Smiths love their new home but are having trouble with the garage door and with the new sprinkler system.

A list of dependent (cannot stand alone) clauses:

▪ When I found my lost puppy, when I won the trip to Florida, and when I met a group of teachers from Russia, I realized that life is great and full of surprises.

A list of independent (can stand alone) clauses:

▪ High school graduates can attend community college, they can enroll in state universities, or they can study at private school throughout the United States.

Do not mix words, phrases, and clauses. If you start with a phrase, all parts of the list should be phrases. If you start with a noun, all parts of the list should be nouns. We call this keeping the list parallel. Think of similar endings like ed and ing when you make you list.

8. Get their attention

A declarative Statement uses a strong verb (action word).

Examples

1. Children love the new flavored cereals.

2. Aunt Susan’s foolproof holiday recipes saved me and impressed my family.

3. Clay’s gas station offers the best service.

4. Fourth grade test scores at Lincoln Elementary soared.

9. A Rhetorical Question

A rhetorical question is the kind of question we ask when we want to get someone’s attention, but we do not really expect an answer. Rhetorical questions are great, but they are more difficult to write than they appear, especially for young writers. Younger students can easily create the question; however, they sometimes do not know what to do after they have written the question. Teachers should point out that a rhetorical question is usually followed by a statement that answers the question.

Examples

1. What is your school doing to improve test scores? Our school has purchased an exciting new literacy program.

2. How are churches and synagogues meeting the needs of teenager? In Lakewood, they provide places to gather; help with homework, and scholarships for summer camp.

10. Side-by-Side Statements

Sometimes using two simple sentences—one for the occasion and one for the position—is the right way to go. This technique is especially powerful if your goal is to put emphasis on your position.

Examples

1. A little stress may be good. Too much is dangerous.

2. Young children belong in car seats. The car sear belongs in the back of the car, not in the front.

3. Throwing a dinner party is a challenge. Planning ahead can prevent stress.

11. Semicolon Topic Sentence

This kind of topic sentence is just like a side-by-side statement. The main ideas, however, are connected by a semicolon (;). This method is another way to write a compound sentence.

Use this method when you want to emphasize the relationship between the occasion (your reason for writing) and the position (what you plan to prove or explain).

Examples

1. The football team deserves the state championship; the players and the coach are talented and dedicated.

2. Buying a new car is exciting; it’s also stressful.

3. All of the major airlines have improved customer service; they have also increased the number of daily flights.

12. Two Nouns and Two Commas

When we set off a noun or a noun phrase with commas, we call it an appositive. An appositive does not have a verb; it is simply a noun followed by a description that tells more about the noun.

These sentences are fun and easy to create. They also help writers put more important or interesting information into one sentence.

Examples

1. Deckers, a small town nestled in the Colorado Rockies, is a fishing haven for many serious anglers.

2. The medulla, and important part of your brain, controls your breathing.

3. Taize, a form of prayer, has become popular with college students and senior citizens.

13. Using a Quotation

Using a quotation in the topic sentence is an easy, yet powerful, way to start a paper.

Using the words that are on the Occasion/Position list might help students integrate the quotation. Once students have mastered using quotes, it will be easy to use However Statements or one of the other topic sentences methods.

Examples

1. Although I usually appreciate the advice I receive from my grandmother; I wish that she would follow the advice of Horace: “whatever advice you give, be short.”

2. If you are tempted to give your best friend advice, at least be aware of the proverb that says, “never give advice in a crowd.”

3. When I visited my relatives in Michigan, I learned very quickly that the old German proverb, “never give advice unless asked,” is true.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download