31. Use Transitional Topic Sentences

31. Use transitional topic sentences:

Topic Sentence:

-The topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a body paragraph.

-A topic sentence must have a subject and an opinion that will organize the paragraph. It has the same organizational force for the paragraph that the thesis statement has for the whole essay.

-A topic sentence must correspond with one of the topics developed in the three+ pronged plan stated in the introductory paragraph.

Transitional Topic Sentence:

a topic sentence that summarizes the topic of the previous paragraph in an introductory phrase or clause and highlights the topic of the current paragraph in the independent clause. Summarize the topic of the previous paragraph with a “Because...” “As...” or “Similar to...” introductory phrase / clause and then state the topic of the paragraph in the main independent clause.

Design

I found a dimpled spider, fat and white,

On a white heal-all, holding up a moth

Like a white piece of rigid satin cloth-

Assorted characters of death and blight

Mixed ready to begin the morning right,

Like the ingredients of witches’ broth-

A snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth,

And dead wings carried like a paper kite.

What had that flower to do with being white,

The wayside blue and innocent heal-all?

What brought the kindred spider to that height,

Then steered the white moth thither in the night?

What but design of darkness to appall?-

If design govern in a thing so small.

-Robert Frost

With the thesis, plan of attack and summary of the topic of the previous paragraph provided, you can see how a transitional topic sentence adds to the flow of this explication of Robert Frost’s poem “Design.”

Embedded Plan of Attack and Thesis in a complex sentence: By exploring the horrifying imagery, the questions evoked by this horrifying imagery, and the multiple, dark connotations of Robert Frost’s “Design”, the speaker’s disillusionment with the creator’s intentions for the world will be revealed.

-note the complex sentence used in the plan of attack and how it easily outlines the three major topics of the essay’s body paragraphs: imagery, questions, and connotations.

The paragraph before this paragraph developed the imagery of the white spider devouring the moth whole.

Example of a Transitional topic Sentence:

“While the imagery of the first eight lines of the sonnet question the free will of the moth and the spider, the last six linesrespond to this terrifying imagery by wondering and questioning if the world is governed by an evil designer or spirit.”

-the dependent clause tells the reader that the last paragraph was concerned with imagery that ponders the free will of the moth and the spider

- the independent clause tells the reader that this paragraph will address the questions evoked by this imagery.

-Transitional Topic Sentences tells readers where they were

and where they are going

STARTERS FOR TOPIC SENTENCES:

-In an important passage in the (insert text name), the author develops the idea that ________________________.

--In an important passage in the (insert text name), readers learn that ________________________.

STARTERS FOR TRANSITIONAL TOPIC SENTENCES:

-Similar to the way in which ___________________, the text then ____________________.

-Because the author __________________________, it follows that _____________________.

-Although the author claims _____________________, he / she then adds to this by___________________________.

-While the author argues ______________________, he then qualifies this by __________________________.

-In addition to stating that ______________________, the author then ______________________.