谢振礼谈托福雅思写作【18】Topic Sentence

TOEFL-IELTS Writing Construction (Topic Sentence)
By Mr. Jeenn Lee Hsieh
for www.360abc.com

A Topic Sentence:

Learners beginning writing an essay may want to write a topic sentence. A topic sentence is the focus sentence about which other sentences are built in the same paragraph. It is a preview, telling the reader what to expect. Most topic sentences come at the start of a paragraph.

A carefully thought out topic sentence will serve two important functions. First, it will provide you, the writer, the means to stay focused on your thesis. Second, a clearly stated topic sentence will provide the reader with the tools to clearly understand what you have to say. Usually, a topic sentence is short, simple, clear and gives a strong idea, although sentences may vary in length for writing at a syntactic level. It adds cohesion (unity) to your essay and helps organize ideas both within the paragraph and the whole essay. The result is coherence (flow).

Unity and coherence are important in developing a paragraph. A paragraph is a group of sentences, including a topic sentence and supporting sentences. Good paragraphs begin with good topic sentences.
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Among the TOEFL writing topics, we have found 10 topics similar in one thing: a plan to have a new building in your neighborhood. All questions may be answered in a similar thesis, structure and content. An example follows:

Outline of four topic sentences

Example Topic No. 3 A Large Shoppinf Center

Thesis--the advantages of building (a large shopping center)
Structure-- 4 paragraphs
Content--each paragraph beginning with a topic sentence

1.The building of (a new shopping center) will bring progress to our community both socially and economically.
2. It will be a social milestone in our neighborhood.
3. After the construction, it will drive communal economy.
4. The price to pay for progress is loss of tranquility.

Related topics: (A similar outline may apply to all topics)

1. A company has announced that it wishes to build a large factory near your community. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this new influence on your community. Do you support or oppose the factory? Explain your position.

2. It has been announced that a new restaurant may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

3.It has been recently announced that a large shopping center may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or opose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

4. It has been announced that a new movie theater may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

5. It has recently been announced that a new high school may be built in your community. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details in your answer.

6. The government has announced that it plans to build a new university. Some people think that your community would be a good place to locate the university. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a new university in your community. Use specific details in your discussion.

7. A new hospital.

8. A military base.

9. A new park.

10. A new stadium.

本教程由来自台湾大学和智利大学的谢振礼老师为世博英语网站独家撰写，旨在提高大家托福雅思写作的实战水平。未经谢振礼老师和世博英语授权，其他媒体和个人不得转载！若有任何问题和建议，请电邮谢振礼老师：englishcomposition@hotmail.com