Avoiding Common Topic Sentence Errors Activity

Evaluate the following pairs of topic sentences. In each pair, one is correct while the other contains one of the above errors. Put a C next to the topic sentence that is written correctly. Then write out the question that is raised by the correct answer.


Examples:

This essay will be on the topic of starting college. 
Starting college has been an exciting experience for me.  C
How has it been exciting?


My senior art class has proven to be really important to me in many ways.  C
Education has been important in my life. 
How has your senior art class proven to be important to you?


I have a really intense schedule this semester.  C
I am taking five courses this semester. 
How is your schedule intense?


Starting college has been both exciting and stressful. 
Starting college has been exciting in many ways.    C   
How has starting college been exciting?

 

  1. Math has always been my weakest academic subject.
    I did poorly in my senior year math class for many reasons.

  2. I am nervous about my new job in a legal office.
    I am nervous and excited about my new job in a legal office.

  3. My vacation to the American Southwest was awesome.
    I will tell you about my awesome vacation to the American Southwest.

  4. Several of my fears about returning to school have proved to be groundless.
    After getting laid off from a twenty year career, I am 47, and starting back to college.

  5. I do push-ups and sit-ups every day.
    Working out has benefited me in many ways.

  6. I am going to write about my job in an iron foundry.
    I have met some really interesting people at my iron foundry job.

  7. I had a really bad day yesterday for several reasons.
    Yesterday had a lot of ups and downs for me.                                                                                                                                                                                                        
  8. I have had some really terrible jobs.
    My newspaper delivery job was really terrible for many reasons.  

  9. Though I get frustrated with the lack of participation, I really like my ethics class.  
    I really like my ethics class.

  10. I have a long commute to get to work.
    There are many drawbacks to the long commute I take to get to work.