Writing Effective Paragraphs

EXERCISE 8.2 Using Topic Sentences to Support a Thesis

EXERCISE 8.2

Using Topic Sentences to Support a Thesis

For each of the following thesis statements, identify the topic sentence in the list below it that does not support the thesis.

1. To make a marriage work, a couple must build trust, communication, and understanding.

Knowing why a spouse behaves as he or she does can improve a relationship.

People get married for reasons other than love.

The ability to talk about feelings, problems, likes, and dislikes should grow as a marriage develops.

Marital partners must rely on each other to make sensible decisions that benefit both of them.

Correct

Incorrect

2. Internet sales are capturing a larger market share relative to in-store sales.

Internet retailers that target a specific audience tend to be most successful.

The convenience of ordering any time of day or night accounts, in part, for increased Internet sales.

Many customers use PayPal for online purchases.

Websites that locate and compare prices for a specified item make comparison shopping easier on the Internet than in retail stores.

Correct

Incorrect