Is the topic sentence always the first sentence?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether the topic sentence in a paragraph is always positioned at the beginning of that paragraph. This relates to the structure of writing and the rules of paragraph organization.
Answer
The topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph, but it can appear elsewhere.
The topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph, but it does not have to be.
Answer for screen readers
The topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph, but it does not have to be.
More Information
While the topic sentence is often placed at the beginning to provide an overview, it may also be found in the middle or at the end to achieve different effects.
Tips
Avoid assuming the topic sentence must always start the paragraph. Understand that flexibility in placement can enhance the paragraph’s effectiveness.
Sources
- Touro College Writing Center - Topic Sentences - touro.edu
- St. Louis Community College - Topic Sentence and Paragraph - stlcc.edu
- Walden University Academic Guides - Topic Sentences - academicguides.waldenu.edu