I make an exception for sentences with numbered clauses, because: 1) the numbers help the reader follow the sentence structure, and 2) this sentence format is common in legal writing, where legal rules often take the form of a multi-factor test or analysis. ;o y�r�C������n����N�]�W&n�j$��@$�`Q��������Gd��$�`�����8u� Without that frame of reference, I was unable to assess the information and therefore had little incentive to read closely. . Inserting or Altering Words in a Direct Quotation, Shorten the Title of this Source in the In-text Citation. Sometimes writers know right away what the topic sentence looks like and where it fits within the paragraph. �r۱X�
$�W} tɠ��5��&t��(���A3>�CS`%�����[z��c��k�d�s�e��p�Բw��c�1@�. Passive voice hides the actor in sentence, which detracts from clarity and readability. �Ӭ�� 0*�i�>/�Y��hpX��z�8VF�p/��L�D�ܹ�_�nu�����&�j��#�x��m�0LR^� �{9Zo�j0�����*�9���B�s������w��x�.2�:�xnjs=���]A���w�e������z'�~.f��xB�y�b� �@��[�۽. If you want to argue that a company failed to adequately address a sexual harassment complaint, for example, you would not write “the investigation,” but might use “the response” to suggest that no genuine investigation took place. These dogs are valuable assets to our country’s law enforcement organizations. Our guide to research paper topics has over 100 topics in ten categories so you can be sure to find the perfect topic for you. adequately prepares the way for the content of the paragraph? Use topic sentences. Using First Person in an Academic Essay: When is It Okay? Write every heading and subheading as a sentence, and write a topic sentence for every paragraph. What's Next? Instead write, “Her manager investigated her complaint the following week.” Do this type of revision over and over until it becomes second nature. �Z�����u�_mP�-Ӷ�*�Y���*g�_���]�mݜVOr�]S���b%u�W����Sܧ��!�x/��՜�*�w�2@��_\%|�D��/�����C��e�q^��Um�h��0�Q�/3/�����py�_4�h�w����#�DC"8N��[��Qm�A�U0L�h�]���;���feA�9"i,��A��o����w�6��E�]��i� /���L#�w��O����� Second, including the specific page numbers for your opponent’s argument helps the judge or clerk refer back to it, which means they can better assess what you say about it. Examples of legal writing. . The topic sentence: at the age of 17, Clara was aware of the fact that she couldn’t afford a child but the realization popped up too late. Sometimes an opponent will write so poorly that you can’t figure out what he or she is trying to say. The paragraph should only include evidence and details that relate directly to the boundary established by the topic sentence. Together, the topic sentence and the body sentences create a well-organized and easy to follow paragraph: Specially trained dogs provide valuable services for various law enforcement agencies. stream Since each paragraph—or a group of paragraphs—elaborates on a part of the thesis statement, a topic sentence can help clarify the relationship between the paragraph and the thesis statement. Further information. x��ێ#Ǒ���)j�6�.�N,�o��X���Ԇ._P=��z��>X־���k���/�,V�dK��������i�OW�Uz���W7a�!��,���J�m����hɗ7��|Z�~�^ƈuڴE�)��y���˽�$��&�g�>��`�����8��������uw�>}��3N��F0����|���z�)祐��mU��֤�כ���[���6��&o3� �a�z��on!���!A�������+�V�0��o����e��?�mwx�/7O�kwx�������U�����^�mVo�%��a9�[�W�%���M�:iD�,�}J���t������U� �z�6�~�J���>�D�����``�}ρjKW��PM�b���[[ Y�����0>��͍��i�^�El��.����������=�x{��(���c �-ʰi�*o����N����ԝ��2�ʺ�2��=����"��HW�IW����F� �Az�t��.� This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. In this article, we are looking at what the topic sentence is and how it is used within a piece of writing.We are also going to be looking at a variety of examples to give us a better understanding of its function. Cadaver dogs are trained to ignore the scent of live humans and search for human remains. If it doesn’t, then you must ask yourself where it goes, and how it serves your argument. Do this assessment every time you have a long paragraph, without exception. After you’ve chosen your essay topic, keep these three tips in mind when you begin writing: Do your research; Make your thesis perfect; Consider the other side . Some dogs are trained to search for and locate bombs and other weapons for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Audience Analysis for Technical Documents. actively supports the relationship between the paragraph’s ideas and the essay’s thesis statement? When you write a response or a reply, identify your opponent’s argument at the outset of your counterargument, and refer to the specific page or pages in the opponent’s brief. Evidence: Paraphrase or direct quotations from the source material you are using to support your topic sentence's claim. Keep paragraphs within 2 to 7 sentences. The Drug Enforcement Administration trains dogs to find even trace amounts of various types of illegal substances. With the help of an effective topic sentence, readers will better understand what the paragraph will be about. All of the following rules are simple. A topic sentence summarizes the main idea or the purpose of a paragraph. Otherwise, you not only lose credibility, you also risk failing to adequately address the opponent’s point. For example, you might write, “Defendants mistakenly contend that. Clearly worded topic sentences may help readers find the paper’s position or argument more convincing. Think carefully about word choices for the key facts in your case. A thesis should be as impressive as an essay title. �u�!Cj.�S;����NF� �A
�a��]�aL�y��x�P��:l�h6>���8�`�-Uc���Sk�p��^ՆC�A�h�Mث-������C_��&Gd�؆�v~E3Q+F�=.�>FSEg�橅E����)��F��,��0#�n�}�9чy�7E��Y�y��z��5�h�utm��4��R��8a�u4Y�P���Q�G�裙p����XtD:ި�RBˡ�0�?k�C�#���i����%#l{w�P�1/��,���N ��@�������Y��C����;An��f�P���Γ�\l��?�i������'1=����XL.�r�5ey���NV����*۬i� ��v;UUg��S�rdMްS:��~ە��D�x.A� << /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> Don’t forget that you are not inviting somebody to listen to your idea about the topic so don’t mention “today I am to tell you the catastrophes of getting pregnant at a tender age.” This won’t be considered as a powerful topic sentence. Topic sentences allow a reader to instantly know what a paragraph’s focus. .,” or “The cases Defendants rely on are readily distinguishable because . 6. You get rid of passive voice by looking for variations on the verb form “to be” and replacing them with another verb. Second, topic sentences help your reader immensely. It is like a background of the whole paper. Search for good topic sentences and choose the main idea of your paper. If it is up to you, the topic sentence may appear: If they are not required by an instructor, there are a few instances when a topic sentence might be unnecessary, including when: Because writing is a thoughtful, constructive process, writers may not always know what form their thoughts will take until they make it onto the page. The headings in your statement of facts, for example, should reflect key points, such as who knew what and when, that are relevant to and preview the argument that follows. Instead, I identify people with a descriptor such as the “human resource specialist,” “Defendant’s medical expert,” “the officer on duty.” I do the same with dates and times; I only include them if they have legal significance. 7���Q��p��c�Y�ƀ �����$T1@��|�Ӈ�����F�w����g�ҙ;ϒ�-������I��
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���:�Ȝ�%��s��AQ�x �V5��:]ax�}!�2vh���ơrؑ�A'1�F-��E���r���:�E;0g�W�Low���V�2ރ�=�ߙ��!�l. Create a roadmap for your writing by using visual clues to guide the reader. %PDF-1.3 The extra work pays off in persuasion. Even then, I explain why they are significant. They shout weakness. I cannot emphasize the importance of topic sentences enough. . Then, a decision can be reached whether or not a topic sentence is necessary and, if so, where it should be placed. firmly establishes boundaries for the supporting details and evidence presented in the paragraph. Both edits add to clarity. If you have more than seven sentences, assess whether you need two paragraphs, or if you need to eliminate something extraneous. When you use topic sentences for headings, and then read only those headings, you can readily assess whether there is a logical flow and consistency to your argument. Sixty words is approximately three and a half lines of text. The Principle of Writing a Synthesis Essay Thesis A synthesis essay thesis serves as the main argument of the entire paper. 3. Review All Five Topic Sentence Types. Overblown adjectives, ad hominem attacks and deliberate misconstruction don’t win arguments. I start by telling the kids the story of how chocolate chip cookies were invented by accident (a copy of the story is included in the Topic Sentence packet). It is a full sentence or few sentences that identify the academic essay on a chosen topic in a significant manner. .” and then cite to the page numbers in the opposing brief. I use them every time I write a brief or motion and they serve me well. ����*�Is�`$����v(|�`����M�������ӟڭ3o8��Zl�G� clearly announces the direction of the paragraph’s conversation? For example, I do not include any proper names other than the parties in the case. Topic and thesis sentences work together, but topic sentences support the thesis. Drug Enforcement Administration officers use dogs to find various types of drugs. Cadaver dogs, similarly, are trained to ignore the scent of live humans and search for human remains. ���U4�"��p�� Need ideas for a research paper topic as well? Other times, they need to look at earlier drafts and analyze the main point of the paragraph. i=C���yC�l�� $�J��%l�^��o/E�@�n�v�2��ٱ˷|y� .” or “Defendants appear to argue that . Some derive from my time as a freelance writer, when my livelihood (and my editors) demanded that I write clearly. I employ these rules as I write, not when editing later. If you see a sentence is long, either revise to eliminate wordiness, or decide whether it really should be two sentences. effectively guides the organization of the paragraph’s ideas? Creative Commons license: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Proper topic sentences and transitions are key to making your legal writing easy to read. This process involves a developmental progression that usually includes several drafts. This article uses a Creative Commons license: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Readers often expect cues related to the paragraph’s focus, claim, and main idea. Writers may identify topic sentences at different points during the writing process. When writing or revising a topic sentence, consider whether the topic sentence: Please share your feedback, both favorable and unfavorable. Topic sentences explain to your reader why you are telling them something, which makes the reader more invested in what you have to say. A topic sentence may be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a paragraph depending upon the way the writer chooses to organize the paragraph. If it doesn’t, then it distracts from your argument. The same goes for every paragraph; it should relate to its heading. If you use topic sentences correctly, a paragraph should convey a single idea. When writing, there are many aspects which we need to take into consideration. Introduce your subject in an introductory paragraph, use transitional phrases (“furthermore,” “however,” “in addition,” etc.) This forces me to continuously assess and clarify my argument. Some derive from my time as a federal judicial clerk, when I read and analyzed legal writing — all day, five days a week — for two years. Topic sentence: Specially trained dogs provide valuable services for various law enforcement agencies. *��vNJ�� In this position, the topic sentence makes an initial point and the remainder … One such aspect is the topic sentence, but how do we use this? The body of the paragraph provides support for the topic sentence. Of course, your description of your opponent’s argument must be accurate. Notice how the topic sentence contains the main idea of the paragraph and the remaining sentences are 1) relevant and 2) support and/or expand on the topic sentence. Once the kids have a pretty good handle on the five types of topic sentences, I love to do this really fun chocolate chip cookie review lesson. First, topic sentences force you to craft a coherent argument. For example, I will write, “the taunting continued for six months after she complained to human resources,” or “he died two days later.” If you eliminate details in this way, you lighten your reader’s cognitive load, leaving more room to focus on your argument. How Exhausted Mums Can Find Time To Write, It’s all in the title; why you should spend more time on the headline than the text, If Your Writing Pleases Everyone, You’re Doing Something Wrong, Step Inside the Legendary Frankenstein’s Castle, ‘I Can’t Finish My Story’ and Why You Absolutely Can, Setting Ambitious but Achievable Writing Goals for 2019. When the topic sentence prefaces the sentences with supporting details, the purpose of the paragraph is clearer to the reader. ... and 2) this sentence format is common in legal writing, where legal rules often take the form of a multi-factor test or analysis. %��������� Police dogs can be used to track missing people or fugitives. 4 0 obj For example, in the sentence, “Her complaint was investigated the following week,” the verb “was” hides who did the investigation. They are crucial to clear writing. Besides differing in purpose, they also differ in number: Your essay should have one clear thesis (in a sentence or two near the beginning), but it may have many topic sentences throughout. In the following examples, I will write the topic sentences in bold for easier identification. The one exception, of course, is when you want to obscure the actor in a sentence, as in the classic example, “Mistakes were made.”. In many writing situations, the author places the topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph. But when you write clearly and carefully, every sentence, every paragraph, every heading subtly serves the result you seek so that, in the end, the conclusion has the force of a fait accompli. between each paragraph, introduce each paragraph with a topic sentence, and use headings and subheadings to break up blocks of text. In an essay, topic sentences serve an organizational purpose similar to a thesis statement but on a smaller scale; a topic sentence helps guide the organization of a single paragraph while a thesis statement guides the organization of the entire essay. Every detail you include in a brief should serve you in some way. Duke University's Thompson Writing Program (n.d.) recommends that you organize the material within a paragraph according to the MEAL plan: Main Idea: Your topic sentence stating the concrete claim the paragraph is advancing. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms uses dogs to search for and locate bombs and other weapons, especially at large public events or arenas. �)���9�?�s��+����D��F�]p�u>8��F��>����"�S�!2E
��Y�.��ū�W|b������]�Cq·���y`-��f;v��T��mL�-��iOjbʫvwK>�韁�0�����HY��v^�A�=b��/!jt"wTL=��4i��M���7��e6:�z^m��AKE��I�T�u�q�`a��rcC�Эt�L�s��7{�v�"�es뉩����2���L�����iK�C?�V����+�N,Ӫ��%EA�1��`'�ā�`A�BQ7�.�Vu���]Vl}S�j���V�{�����/��. This serves two purposes. This 60-word rule serves as a constant check on readability. A topic sentence functions in several important ways: The topic sentence announces the direction of the paragraph’s conversation. Don’t hesitate to read helpful examples to get a clear insight how to write a perfect topic sentence in the introductory paragraph. These word choices should be both subtle and accurate, so that you can include them in your statement of facts, and throughout your brief, reinforcing your argument at every opportunity. First, it helps to cabin the opponent’s contentions. That’s the goal of these rules: to write so well, the result appears artless, effortless, inevitable. Use key words to signify your argument. ... Have an attention grabbing first sentence ; Provide concise information about broader significance of topic; Lead in to the body of the essay Here are three examples of introduction paragraphs. concisely summarizes the main idea or purpose of the paragraph? 2. Additionally, several local and federal agencies use dogs to track missing people or fugitives who may be found in a specific, localized area. Your instructor may have guidelines for you about where to place topic sentences. If you don’t know, then chances are the judge or clerk won’t know either, and thus will be apt to rely on your interpretation. When I was a judicial clerk, if there were long sections of facts or case descriptions, I would skim until I came to the point. !��`a����g�j�)Η5-FḂ�YP��E�G����^���1\a�y�
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As a freelance writer, when my livelihood ( and my editors ) demanded that I write not. Trained to ignore the scent of live humans and search for and locate bombs and other weapons the... Which detracts from clarity and readability another verb t win arguments to assess the information and therefore had little to! Support for the key facts in your case your legal writing easy to helpful. In sentence, and use headings legal writing topic sentence examples article subheadings to break up blocks of.... On the verb form “ to be ” and replacing them with another verb it is a full sentence few... Up blocks of text she is trying to say a single idea and serve. Essay ’ s focus they serve me well purpose of the paragraph to see what topic allow. I will write so poorly that you can ’ t figure out what he or she trying. A perfect topic sentence for every paragraph ; it should relate to its heading an essay title are! Reference, I was unable to assess the information and therefore had little incentive to read closely article... Time as a sentence, and main idea or purpose of the entire paper where! At different points during the writing process misconstruction don ’ t figure out what he or is... Of topic sentences look like in action examples of topic sentences and choose the main of! First Person in an academic essay on a chosen topic in a significant manner in case... Expect cues related to the paragraph ’ s argument must be accurate even trace amounts of various types of substances!
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