Types of Topic Sentences

Specific Topic Sentence

Names the main idea of a paragraph, but names the specific details to be covered in order.

General Topic Sentence

Names the main idea of the paragraph. Not specific.

Clueing Topic Sentence

Names the main idea of the paragraph. This type of topic sentence gives a "clue" about the details of the paragraph. This type gives a "hint" about what the paragraph is about!

Example of Specific Topic Sentences

Air pollution is caused by vehicles and industries. Charles Darwin lived an interesting life as an explorer, writer, and scientist. Diseases caused by vitamin deficiencies are beri beri, pellagra, and scurvy, and rickets.

3 Types of Topic Sentences

General Topic Sentence, Clueing Topic Sentence, Specific Topic Sentence

Topic Sentence

Is usually the first sentence. Introduces the main idea. Sometimes introduces the details.

Examples of a Clueing Topic Sentence

The four seasons spice up our lives. Tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The citizens of Lawrence have several reasons for building a new high school.

Examples of a General Topic Sentence

The hot trend in advertising these days is to hire real, live stars. Kevin James would have been 20 years old this September.s