A topic sentence often gives the controlling idea. What does โcontrolling ideaโ mean?
The controlling idea limits or controls the topic to a specific area that you can discuss in the space of a single paragraph.
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20
Write a concluding sentence for this topic: โLiving in a big city has many challenges.โ
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15
Why might some paragraphs not need a concluding sentence?
individual answers
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Rearrange these to make a logical paragraph: a) This is why reading every day is important. b) Reading improves your vocabulary. c) Reading also makes you a better writer. d) Reading books has many benefits.
d) b) c) a)
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20
Rewrite this weak topic sentence into a stronger one: โFood is important.โ
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20
A paragraph has this topic sentence: โExercise reduces stress.โ Write one supporting sentence.
Individual answers
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15
Identify the controlling idea: โWatching movies at home is more relaxing than going to the cinema.โ
more relaxing than cinema
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20
Write a supporting sentence for the topic: โLearning to cook is a useful skill.โ
individual answers
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20
Create a topic sentence for this paragraph idea: recycling helps the environment.
individual answers
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baam
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banana
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lifesaver
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20
Give examples for too general, too specific and good TSs
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15
What are โsignal phrasesโ you can use in a concluding sentence?
In conclusion, to conclude, to sum up, indeed, in brief, in short, to summarize, in summary, all in all