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Step 3: Creating Topic Sentences

The pre-thinking cycle evolves as a result of your ability to consistently question the nature of your ideas. This approach has led you from the development of a subject for the composition, to the creation of the essential parts of a thesis, and to the formation of an adequate thesis statement. The final step in the pre-writing cycle involves the creation of topic sentences for the paragraphs which will form the body of the composition. The following graphic illustrates the questioning approach used in the creation of topic sentences:

THESIS STATEMENT (What about it? )

TOPIC SENTENCES

The thesis statement serves as the basis for the creation of topic sentences. Potential ideas can be generated as a result of your ability to question the main idea stated in the thesis. By questioning the thesis, you can generate a number of ideas which can be developed into potential topic sentences.

THESIS STATEMENT

The increase of drug related incidents in professional basketball is setting a poor example for our youth.

QUESTION: HOW or WHY?

In assessing this thesis, you might decide to answer the question: HOW? As a result, you should be able to "brainstorm" so as to generate as many potential topic sentences as possible. It would be to your advantage to list these ideas in sentence form because, eventually, you must choose which ideas will become the actual topic sentences for the body of the composition. To ensure unity when you eventually write the composition, make sure all topic sentences are directly related to and support the main idea situated in the thesis statement. So, after concluding your "brainstorming," you should eliminate any ideas which do not relate to your thesis. The following topic sentences are directly related to and support the main idea situated in the sample thesis statement:

1. Young athletes might experiment with drugs.
2. They might feel that drugs can help them succeed in a sport.
3. "If the pro can do it, why can't I?" might become a popular slogan.
4. The presence of drugs in schools will escalate.
5. The family will have to contend with anew aspect of the drug problem.

By completing Step #3 in the pre-writing cycle, you have determined what the topic sentences are for the paragraphs which make up the body of the composition. The next step is to outline the body of each individual paragraph so as to provide the necessary support for each topic sentence. This pre-writing cycle has allowed you to complete the important preparation essential for writing a substantial composition. You have gained insight and established control over the thesis and those ideas making up the topic sentences which support that thesis.

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