Common Errors to Avoid When Writing a Topic Sentence

Read the lecture about common errors you want to avoid when writing topic sentences. After reading about common errors, get some practice identifying effective topic sentences in this activity. After you have finished, compare your answers to the answer key.

Avoiding Common Topic Sentence Errors Activity

Answer Key

  1. Math has always been my weakest academic subject.
    I did poorly in my senior year math class for many reasons.   C
    Why did you do poorly in your senior year math class?

  2. I am nervous about my new job in a legal office.   C
    I am nervous and excited about my new job in a legal office.
    Why are you nervous about your new job in a legal office?

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

  4.  Several of my fears about returning to school have proved to be groundless.   C
    After getting laid off from a twenty year career, I am 47, and starting back to college.
    What were your fears and how have them been proven to be groundless?

  5. I do push-ups and sit-ups every day.
    Working out has benefited me in many ways.   C
    How has working out benefited you?

  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.   C
    Who are some of the people you have met and how are they interesting?

  7. I had a really bad day yesterday for several reasons.   C
    Yesterday had a lot of ups and downs for me.
    How was yesterday a bad day?

  8. I have had some really terrible jobs.
    My newspaper delivery job was really terrible for many reasons.   C 
    How was your newspaper delivery job terrible?

  9. Though I get frustrated with the lack of participation, I really like my ethics class.  
    I really like my ethics class.   C
    Why do your like your math class? – or – What about your math class do you like?

  10. I have a long commute to get to work.
    There are many drawbacks to the long commute I take to get to work.  C
    What are some of the drawbacks to your long commute?