Transcript Topic Sentence

Welcome to Unit 4
Seminar
Agenda
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Main Idea
Topic Sentences
Supporting details
General to Specific
Two column notes and other strategies
Putting it together
Main Ideas
• A main idea is the author’s controlling point about
the topic. It usually includes the topic and the
author’s attitude or opinion about the topic, or the
author’s approach to the topic.
• Ask two questions:
– Who or what is the paragraph about? (topic)
– What is the author’s controlling point about the topic?
(main idea)
Identifying a Topic Sentence
• A topic (the general idea or subject). It can be
stated in a sentence or just a few words.
• A main idea (the controlling point the author
is making about the topic). It is often stated in
a topic sentence.
• Supporting details are specific ideas to
develop, explain, or support the main idea.
Who or what is the selection about?
• Make sure your answer is neither too broad nor too
narrow.
• Example: What is the topic?
Pollution, sun, rain, and salt air can cause serious damage to your car’s
finish. Waxing your car a few times a year will provide it with muchneeded protection. Occasional waxing not only keeps your car looking
good, but it also extends its life and maintains the car’s resale value.
When you wax, wash and dry your car first to avoid grinding dirt into
the finish, and wax in the shade for best results.
__waxing your car
__waxing your car for protection
__waxing for resale
Topic, Main Idea, or Supporting Detail?
____One common cause of headaches is muscle
tension.
____Poor posture that tenses the muscles in the neck
and back can trigger a headache.
____Headaches are sometimes the result of stress,
anxiety, and depression that cause the muscles in
the neck, face, and scalp to become tense.
____One common cause of headaches
Topic, Main Idea, or Supporting Detail?
MI One common cause of headaches is muscle
tension.
SD Poor posture that tenses the muscles in the neck
and back can trigger a headache.
SD Headaches are sometimes the result of stress,
anxiety, and depression that cause the muscles in the
neck, face, and scalp to become tense.
T One common cause of headaches
The Topic Sentence
• A topic sentence is a single sentence that
states the author’s main idea.
• Topic sentences can come:
– at the beginning of a paragraph.
– within the paragraph.
– at the end of a paragraph.
– at the beginning and at the end of a paragraph.
Where is the topic sentence?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new and serious
disease. The disease, first noticed in 2003, developed in China
and then spread to North America and Europe. It usually
begins with a fever that is higher than 100.4 degrees
Fahrenheit. Other signs may include a headache, an overall
feeling of discomfort, and body aches. After two to seven
days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough, and they may
have trouble breathing. SARS has lead to death in some cases.
Where is the topic sentence?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new and serious
disease. The disease, first noticed in 2003, developed in China
and then spread to North America and Europe. It usually
begins with a fever that is higher than 100.4 degrees
Fahrenheit. Other signs may include a headache, an overall
feeling of discomfort, and body aches. After two to seven
days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough, and they may
have trouble breathing. SARS has lead to death in some cases.
Where is the topic sentence?
Ice cream reigns as a rich, delicious treat enjoyed by the
majority of Americans. Many myths exist about the origin of
this concoction of sugar and ice. The three most common
myths include an explorer and two members of royalty. One
popular legend has the famous explorer Marco Polo bringing
water ices from China to Italy. Another myth claims that
Catherine de Medici of Florence took her sorbetto recipes
with her when she married Henry II and became Queen of
France in 1533. The third most popular myth credits Charles I
of England with a formula for “frozen milk” he bought from a
French chef in the 17th century.
Where is the topic sentence?
Ice cream reigns as a rich, delicious treat enjoyed by the
majority of Americans. Many myths exist about the origin of
this concoction of sugar and ice. The three most common
myths include an explorer and two members of royalty. One
popular legend has the famous explorer Marco Polo bringing
water ices from China to Italy. Another myth claims that
Catherine de Medici of Florence took her sorbetto recipes
with her when she married Henry II and became Queen of
France in 1533. The third most popular myth credits Charles I
of England with a formula for “frozen milk” he bought from a
French chef in the 17th century.
Where is the topic sentence?
Fourteen-year-old Laura Cantrell thought she was being a good
friend when she lied for fifteen-year-old Rebecca Anderson. Rebecca told
Laura that her parents were trying to control her life because they
wouldn’t let her date Sam Larson, who was twenty-seven years old.
Rebecca begged Laura to help her come up with a way to get out of the
house so she could be with Sam one more time to say goodbye. So Laura
covered for her by telling Rebecca’s parents that Rebecca was spending
the night with her. That night, Rebecca ran away from home. By the time
the truth was discovered, Rebecca and Sam had vanished without a trace.
Laura felt shocked, horrified, and betrayed. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson
struggled with grief, guilt, and fear. A lie that seems harmless can have
devastating results.
Where is the topic sentence?
Fourteen-year-old Laura Cantrell thought she was being a good
friend when she lied for fifteen-year-old Rebecca Anderson. Rebecca told
Laura that her parents were trying to control her life because they
wouldn’t let her date Sam Larson, who was 27 years old. Rebecca begged
Laura to help her come up with a way to get out of the house so she could
be with Sam one more time to say goodbye. So Laura covered for her by
telling Rebecca’s parents that Rebecca was spending the night with her.
That night, Rebecca ran away from home. By the time the truth was
discovered, Rebecca and Sam had vanished without a trace. Laura felt
shocked, horrified, and betrayed. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson struggled with
grief, guilt, and fear. A lie that seems harmless can have devastating
results.
Where is the topic sentence?
Using art as a form of therapy calls for a level of concentration
that allows a person to relieve the pain of mental or
emotional stress. Art therapy is not limited to painting or
drawing but can include dance, photography, music, writing,
or any other form of art. The main goal is self expression. It
allows a person to use visual means to explore feelings and
emotions, to make the unseen seen, to discover how the
mind works. Art therapy does not require artistic ability, nor
does it demand high artistic products. Indeed, art therapy
focuses on the process, not the product. Art is therapy, art
heals.
Where is the topic sentence?
Using art as a form of therapy calls for a level of concentration
that allows a person to relieve the pain of mental or
emotional stress. Art therapy is not limited to painting or
drawing but can include dance, photography, music, writing,
or any other form of art. The main goal is self expression. It
allows a person to use visual means to explore feelings and
emotions, to make the unseen seen, to discover how the
mind works. Art therapy does not require artistic ability, nor
does it demand high artistic products. Indeed, art therapy
focuses on the process, not the product. Art is therapy, art
heals.
The Central Idea and the
Thesis Statement
• The central idea is the main idea of a passage made
up of two or more paragraphs.
• The thesis statement is a sentence that states the
topic and the author’s controlling point about the
topic for a passage of two or more paragraphs.
• Refer to the examples from college textbooks in your
book regarding central ideas and thesis statements.
central idea
thesis statement
Supporting details
topic sentence
1. __________________are specific ideas that
develop, explain, or support the main idea.
2. The________ can be placed at the beginning of a
paragraph, within a paragraph, or at the end of a
paragraph.
3. The_________ is the main idea of a passage made
up of two or more paragraphs.
4. ________________is a sentence that states a
longer passage’s central idea
• Supporting details are specific ideas that develop,
explain, or support the main idea.
• The topic sentence can be placed at the beginning of
a paragraph, within a paragraph, or at the end of a
paragraph.
• The central idea is the main idea of a passage made
up of two or more paragraphs.
• The thesis statement is a sentence that states a
longer passage’s central idea.
Supporting Details
• Supporting details explain, develop, support,
and illustrate the main idea.
• A major detail directly explains, develops,
illustrates, or supports the main idea.
• A minor detail explains, develops, illustrates,
or supports a major detail.
General and Specific Concepts
One major key to understanding written
information is determining the difference
between general and specific concepts. Note
the difference between these general and
specific terms:
Planet – Earth
Symbol – Flag
General and Specific
Which is more specific?
1. Robbery – crime
2. Government – Congress
3. Document – Constitution
4. Person – creature
5. Phobia - claustrophobia
Finding a General Category
Find one word or term general enough to
include all of the words listed.
1. ________________
rap
country and western
classical
rock
General and Specific
For the following, list the letter of the words in order from most
general, to more specific, to most specific (for example, b,c,a).
1. a. Flu
b. disease
c. Swine flu
2. a. Water
b. Indian Ocean
c. Ocean
3. a. detergent
b. Product
c. Tide
General and Specific Sentences
This same process can be applied to sentences.
Being able to determine which sentences are
more general and which are more specific will
help you determine the main idea of passages
as you read. Example:
General Sentence: Anger can take many forms.
Specific Sentence: Some people grow quiet
when they get angry, while others scream and
shout.
General and Specific Sentences
Example One 1. When they are in the classroom, may people are
afraid to ask questions or disagree.
2. Our behavior is often affected by the presence of
others.
Example Two 1. Early in U.S. history, newspapers didn’t pretend to
be without political bias.
2. In the eighteenth century, American politicians
funded and openly controlled newspapers.
Levels of Generality and Specificity
For the following, list the letter of the sentences in
order from most general, to more specific, to most
specific (for example, b,c,a).
A. Our attitudes toward childhood have changed over
time.
B. In Puritan America, children were expected to
behave like small adults and do their share of the
household work.
C. In Puritan America, childhood was not considered a
time to be lighthearted and carefree as it is today.
Another Example
A. Forests play an important part in controlling
flooding and erosion.
B. Forests are a valuable resource.
C. The network of roots in a forest floor soaks
up heavy rains; this prevents flooding and
halts erosion.
List at least two specific examples for
each topic and two minor details.
Write a complete main idea statement.
Effective Parenting
Clear rules
bedtime, snacks, TV time
Firm, but gentle discipline
time out, quiet time
• Effective parenting skills are displayed clearly through a
consistent parenting approach by developing clear and
reasonable rules for daily routines such as bedtime, snacks
and TV time, and firm, but gentle discipline using methods
such as time out or quiet time; consistent parenting creates
happy families.
List at least two specific examples for each topic and two minor
details. Write a complete main idea statement.
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Strategies that make a successful student
• Attributes of a good teacher
• The most important inventions of the past 50 years
• Things to look for when judging a restaurant
• What makes a good film
• Ways to relieve stress
• Steps to register for the next semester’s classes
• How music preferences can predict the compatibility of couples
• Cell-phone etiquette
• Examples of Instant Messaging abbreviations
• Online shopping
• Books that have changed lives
• Benefits of attending college
• Problems created by cell-phone use
Two Column Notes
Key Words
Definition in your own words
Topic of section
Explanation in your own words
Question(s)
Answer in your own words
Cause of issue(s)
Explanation of the effects in your own
words
Vocabulary Word(s)
Definition in your own words
Supporting Details
Supporting Details
Supporting Details
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During the 20th century, three innovative directors who
pioneered the use of special effects in film had an impact on
how movies have evolved. First, in June of 1975 Steven
Spielberg terrified audiences with Jaws. In the film, he
used unusual camera positions, dramatic music, and the
infamous mechanical shark to build tension, thus creating
a suspenseful classic. Next, two years after Spielberg’s
blockbuster movie came George Lucas’s Star Wars,
which appeared in 1977. For its time, this movie was a
special-effects extravaganza, dazzling fans with animated
robots and dizzying journeys through space. A third
important director was James Cameron and Terminator
II: Judgment Day, which hit theaters with full force in
1991. The movie generated a new kind of fear in movie
goers as they watched T-1000 emerge as one of the most
sinister villains of the screen, presenting the concept of a
relentless and apparently indestructible nemesis.
Topic:
The three directors who made an impact on films through
special effects
Topic Sentence:
During the 20th century, three innovative directors who pioneered
the use of special effects in film had an impact on how movies
have evolved.
First Major Supporting Detail:
Steven Spielberg’s Jaws
Minor Supporting Detail:
In the film, he used unusual camera positions, dramatic
music, and the infamous mechanical shark to build tension,
thus creating a suspenseful classic.
Second Major Supporting Detail:
George Lucas’s Star Wars
Minor Supporting Detail:
For its time, this movie was a special-effects extravaganza,
dazzling fans with animated robots and dizzying journeys
through space.
Third Major Supporting Detail:
James Cameron’s Terminator II
Minor Supporting Detail:
The movie generated a new kind of fear in movie-goers as
they watched T-1000 emerge as one of the most sinister
villains of the screen, presenting the concept of a relentless
and apparently indestructible nemesis.