Minutes a day n e w y o r k

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Paragraphs are the essay in microcosm. Just as an essay is driven by one main idea (its thesis), a good paragraph
is also held together by one controlling idea. This idea is usually stated in a topic sentence.
Topic Sentences
Topic sentences are like mini thesis statements. Just as your thesis statement expressed the main idea of your essay,
topic sentences express the main idea of each paragraph. Like a thesis, the main idea must:
1. make an assertion about the subject. This assertion can be fact or opinion. Here are examples of each:
Fact:
Another strategy plants and animals use to protect themselves is mimicry.
Opinion:
The most interesting strategy plants and animals have developed for protection is mimicry.
2. be general enough to encompass all of the ideas in the paragraph. If it isn’t, you’re probably trying to cover
too much material in the paragraph.