What is a controlling idea?

It will build a connection between the thoughts and paragraphs. Write a concrete example in each of the subsequent three boxes that supports your controlling idea. ‌The examples may be quotations from a text, excerpts from research papers or statements from experts that support your position.‌ Use only one example per box.

The purpose was to persuade the principal to let your club hold the dance in the school. Your job wasn’t to inform the principal; your job was to get him or her to do to change the rules. See full non-discrimination statement with contact info. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. The best way to answer this question would be to start out with clear definitions of what the key terms are. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. If you want to discuss that topic more together, I’ll be ready..

How a Controlling Idea can Dramatically Improve your Content

To have a well built paragraph, you must have one or more sentences that create a coherent unit; the sentence or sentences must say something about a single topic. This worksheet was created for the advanced ESL class.

  • While using the title page, every paragraph will concentrate on a specific point.
  • Using the tips on developing effective topic sentences in this section, create a topic sentence on each of the following subjects.
  • The topic sentence has the potential to support the writing and focus on the main arguments.

A good topic sentence provides an accurate indication of what will follow in the rest of the paragraph. If the paragraph is detailed or gives other examples to make a similar point, the topic sentence can use words that imply emphasis or similarity. That said, McKee’s method is just one way of looking at theme. Some writing tips help some writers, and some don’t. Use whatever helps YOU understand story better. An important point to remember is that the topic sentence should contain all relevant information that’s going to be in the paragraph.

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The most common place for a topic sentence is at the beginning of the paragraph because it explains what the paragraph is going to discuss. The initial placement helps the writer organize the paragraph and tells the reader what to expect right in the beginning. While this process will not produce a final version of a controlling idea for our specific story, it will allow us to start writing our first draft with a solid guide in mind. Let’s assume your topic is “alternative energy sources.” how long should an essay paragraph be Then, your overall controlling idea depends on the essay type you are writing and its purpose. A topic sentence essentially tells readers about the rest of the paragraph. All sentences after it have to give more information about that sentence, prove it by offering facts about it, or describe it in more detail. For example, if the topic sentence concerns the types of endangered species that live in the ocean, then every sentence after that needs to expands on that subject.

controlling idea examples

I remember all the advertisements for Guess and Calvin Klein Jeans that were in each month’s Sassy magazine. I do not think Sassy magazine exists anymore, but it was one of the most popular magazines for young women in the 1990s.

Controlling Idea & Key Detail Bundle

After that, you can use a topic sentence that will shed light upon the current points or succeeding points. Every topic sentence has a subject to discuss and a controlling idea that helps to build up the detailed paragraphs. Write your controlling idea in the first box of the organizer. Generally, your thesis is placed at the end of your introduction and is a concise and simple sentence that combines your topic and your position on the topic. Like a road map, your thesis lets your readers know what to expect from the rest of your paper.

Sometimes referred to as a focus sentence, the topic sentence helps organize the paragraph by summarizing the information in the paragraph. In formal writing, the topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph (although it doesn’t have to be). Keep reading for the two main parts of a topic sentence as well as topic sentence examples in different subjects. The topic sentence should not be too general or too specific. When considering the options, look for a topic sentence that is general enough to show the paragraph’s main idea instead of just one of its details. The answer should be specific enough that the reader understands the main idea of the paragraph. Every paragraph should include a topic sentence that identifies the main idea of the paragraph.

people are bilingual and easily go from French to English and vice versa when speaking with tourists

Draw three lines from the box to three smaller boxes. Draw three additional lines connecting the three boxes to a single box at the bottom of your paper. This will help with brainstorming around the central idea for the topic of the essay.

controlling idea examples

One of the biggest problems students face is keeping a paragraph or essay on topic. Sometimes they will write a good topic sentence but halfway through the paragraph, they think of another good idea and follow that.

thoughts on The Controlling Idea

Your thesis statement is the most important part of your writing; without it, your paper doesn’t have a main point or stance. A thesis statement states the purpose and topic of your writing, and the controlling idea indicates the direction and, often, the writing strategy you will adopt. The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It not only names the topic of the paragraph, but it also limits the topic to one or two areas that can be discussed completly in the space of a single paragraph. The specific area is called the controlling idea. Circle the main idea and underline the controlling idea in each of the following topic sentences. Although the main idea—marijuana—is the same in all three topic sentences, the controlling idea differs depending on the writer’s viewpoint.

  • We will cover all the major things to explain the concept in deep.
  • To choose an appropriate topic sentence, read the paragraph and think about its main idea and point.
  • This TIERED/LEVELED activity includes four sets of manipulatives.
  • Remember to include a controlling idea as well as a main idea.

Corruption in poverty-stricken areas occurs as a result of systemic discrimination. To be an operative CFO it requires positive characteristics. There are several reasons why pollution in XYZ Town is the most dangerous and the worst in the world.

What is a Topic Sentence?

A topic sentence is usually the first sentence of a body paragraph. The purpose of a topic sentence is to identify the topic of your paragraph and indicate the function of that paragraph in some way. The topic sentence is sometimes called a focus sentence because helps to organize a paragraph by summarizing the information in a paragraph. When you read a book or a blog or any controlling idea examples article, what will be the first thing you would check? The topic of the content is selected so that it gives a slight hint of what your will be reading in the book or a blog. We will cover all the major things to explain the concept in deep. Sometimes the topic sentence is at the end of the paragraph, especially when the paragraph is a narrative or a mysterious story.

  • Here are some great examples of outstanding controlling ideas.
  • The medial topic sentence usually functions as a transition between two ideas or details.
  • Refer to the first box in your graphic organizer to write your thesis statement in your introductory paragraph.
  • A good topic sentence contains both a topic and a controlling idea or opinion.
  • Make sure you the audience knows what they need to do.

A carefully thought-out topic sentence helps you, the author, to stay focused. It also gives readers the tools they need to clearly understand what you have to say. If you’re ready to get started on your next writing assignment, learn how to create a five-paragraph essay outline that is sure to keep your writing organized. Using the tips on developing effective topic sentences in this section, create a topic sentence on each of the following subjects.

Controlling Idea Anchor Chart

This can be used with any non-fiction text you are reading in class. All you need to do is add in the important titles from the text you are using and present to students. Learn how to write the main idea of an essay, the thesis statement, and the topic sentence.

controlling idea examples

Crime in poverty-stricken areas occurs as a result of systemic discrimination. There are many possible contributing factors to global warming. There are many reasons why pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world. Our school’s dress code policy has many negative consequences for girls. Interactive resources you can assign in your digital classroom from TPT. Adolescent pregnancy can be stopped with the help of improved education.

This worksheet is for identifying a controlling ideas as part of ELA Regents Prep. This worksheet is for two soliloquies in Hamlet to identify the controlling idea of both passages and formulate a written response.

  • The controlling idea shows the direction the paragraph will take.
  • A good Controlling Idea must be emotionally intriguing, like an itch you have to scratch.
  • This is really a question about writing rather than about English grammar.
  • Choose the most effective topic sentence from the following sentence pairs.