skip to main content

Leading adult education through support for and the effective application of technology.

English Online France: Constructing the Paragraph - Topic Sentences

Details

Activity Description

In this activity, students practice identifying the topic sentences in a variety of paragraphs.

Preparation

  1. Teach the purpose/function of a topic sentence, its possible placement in a paragraph and how the other sentences in the paragraph relate to it. You may wish to use this tutorial to guide your teaching. The tutorial can also be used later for students to review.

How-To

  1. Review the purpose/function and placement options of the topic sentence as well as its relationship to the other sentences in the paragraph.
  2. Direct students to the activity at the Example Web Site (above). Explain how it works if necessary.
  3. Have students show you their scores when they complete the activity.
  4. Display the activity using the digital projector and review the questions and answers as a class.

Teacher Tips

  • The instructions for this activity direct users to select the other answers to see the functions of the other sentences in the paragraph after finding the correct answer, but this feature does not appear to be working.

More Ways

  • This site offers activities (self-tests) and tutorials on a variety of paragraph writing skills including topics & comments, support sentences, using transitions, and ordering principles.

Program Areas

  • ESL: English as a Second Language

Levels

  • Intermediate High
  • Advanced
Scroll To Top

OTAN activities are funded by contract CN240137 from the Adult Education Office, in the Career & College Transition Division, California Department of Education, with funds provided through Federal P.L., 105-220, Section 223. However, OTAN content does not necessarily reflect the position of that department or the U.S. Department of Education.