What is a topic sentence?
A. one-sentence statement of the purpose or main point of an essay
B. Any sentence that makes a direct statement about an identifiable subject
C.
The sentence in a paragraph that summarizes what that paragraph is about
D.
A sentence that helps the reader transition from one idea to the next
The correct answer is A. A topic sentence is a one-sentence statement of the purpose or main point of an essay.
To identify the correct answer, you can break down the options and analyze them one by one.
Option A describes a topic sentence as a one-sentence statement that explains the main point or purpose of an essay. This aligns with the conventional definition of a topic sentence.
Option B states that any sentence making a direct statement about an identifiable subject is a topic sentence. This definition is incorrect as it does not capture the essential characteristic of summarizing the main point or purpose of the essay.
Option C describes a topic sentence as the sentence in a paragraph that summarizes what that paragraph is about. While this definition is accurate for a paragraph, it does not fully encompass the concept of a topic sentence in the context of an entire essay.
Option D suggests that a topic sentence is a sentence that facilitates the reader's transition from one idea to the next. While topic sentences can indeed help with transitions, their primary function is to introduce and summarize the main point or purpose of the essay.
By comparing and understanding the different options, we can conclude that option A is the most accurate definition of a topic sentence.