Hochman: We give them very discrete ways to write topic sentences. So we might say one of the ways to start a topic sentence, and a very useful way, is to use a subordinating conjunction.

If you find writing topic sentences tricky, it might be helpful to prepare a bank of topic sentence stems or starters. For example, the first two topic sentences in a basic critical essay on the ...

Writing a strong topic sentence that establishes the subject of the paragraph; Using "echo words" -- i.e., consistent terms for the concepts throughout; Applying transitions to link sentences ...

* Writing sentences: Students can write the topic for the sentence in the middle box, and in each square, they can draw pictures of details they want to add to their writing.

Expand a short sentence to add more detail or meaning. Learn how to write complex sentences with BBC Bitesize KS3 English for students aged 11-14..

Most academic topics can be connected to daily life in some way. 3. Focus your ideas. You’ve done all your reading, your deadlines are approaching and yet somehow your ideas seem more scattered than ...

Step 2: Show students an example of a color-coded outline of topic sentences (see below for two examples). Step 2: Have students use this same color coding to assess their own drafts. Step 4: Take ...