Ex. 4. Evaluating Subtopics

The following items contain topic sentences and three subtopics. One of the subtopics in each item is weak. Study the examples and explanations.

1. Technology benefits people's lives in three areas.

a. Transportation.

b. Industry.

c. The kitchen.

Explanation: "Kitchen" is too specific. "The home" would be better.

2. Nonnative students have problems on campus.

a. Taking notes.

b. Writing compositions.

c. Getting along with roommates.

Explanation: The first two subtopics are about academic problems, so the last subtopic does not fit the list because it is about a personal problem. "Participating in class discussions" would be better. The topic sentence would be better stated to include "academic problems".

3. In choosing a school, students should carefully consider the following things.

a. Caliber of the faculty in their major.

b. Requirements.

c. Work load.

Explanation: There is overlap in the last two subtopics since both are related to the work that needs to be done to get a degree. "Cost" may be better for point c.

Ex. 5. Brainstorming for effective subtopics.

• Complete each of the following unfinished subtopic statements with a logical word or phrase that is parallel to the other items (the same grammatical structure).

• Write a suitable topic sentence on the lines provided.

Example

I dislike living in big cities because of the air pollution.

I dislike living in big cities because of the crime.

I dislike living in big cities because of the ….traffic….

Topic Sentences I dislike living in big cities because of the air pollution, crime, and traffic.
Big cities can be unpleasant place to live for three reasons.

1. I look forward to the future because I plan to ……………………..

I look forward to the future because I plan to find a good job.

I look forward to the future because I plan to get married and raise a family.

Topic Sentence .................................................................................... .

2. A good teacher is well organized.

A good teacher is

Topic Sentence

3. With computers, students can compute complex mathematical problems.

With computers, students can

Topic Sentence

4. In the future, people need to solve the problems caused by pollution.

In the future, people need to

Topic Sentence .................................................................................... .

Introduction (continuation)

Planning support at all levels

Unity is important at every level of generality. The standard expository paragraph is like a pyramid with the topic sentence at the top or highest level of generality. With each new specific level added for each subtopic, the base of support for the pyramid becomes stronger. Without such support, the pyramid will not stand, and the writer's purpose will not be fulfilled.

Once you have your subtopics, you are ready to develop the next level of generality, the specific support. Remember that you want to dig deeply, so develop support that follows a general-to-specific approach. For every rhetorical pattern, there may be variations in how to structure paragraphs, but effective writers are able to explain and illustrate at various levels. Thus, it is a good idea to keep the following strategy in mind when planning support for an expository paragraph with examples.

The pyramid of support

Topic Sentence

Two or More Subtopics

General Explanation of Each Subtopic

General Examples to Illustrate Each

Subtopic

Specific Examples, Facts, Details, Statistics, Personal

Experiences

Explanation of Specific Examples, Facts, Details, Statistics,

Personal Experiences

A paragraph is unified if each subtopic is a logical division of the paragraph topic and if the specific support for each subtopic is relevant to that subtopic.

Topic Sentence.This is the topic of the paper. Express it in a statement with the focus you have chosen.

Subtopics.These are the main points, which are more specific than the topic. Plan at least two well-expressed main points.

Explanation of Subtopics.This will include a definition and/or a discussion in general terms of each main point. Plan at least two points of explanation; more is better.

General Examples.These are examples of experiences that people have every day. They may include hypothetical examples (Let's suppose, let’s say, imagine that, if). Plan at least two general examples, but additional examples will provide a more representative range. Include all important details.

Specific Examples.These are specific examples and details of real-life events. This level can include past events and experiences of the writer or other people, case studies, or examples from history (In my case, Once, The following true story illustrates). Include all relevant details. Aim for one specific well-developed example or two or more less-developed ones. The examples should contribute to the content and not just repeat the main point word for word.