Fitting the Size of the Assignment

As you develop a topic sentence or thesis statement, think carefully about the length of the assignment.

Sometimes, a main-point statement can be the same for a paragraph or essay.

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If the writer had been assigned a paragraph, she might follow the main point with support sentences and a concluding sentence like those in the “paragraph” diagram in “The Writing Process” in Chapter 2.

If the writer had been assigned an essay, she might develop the same support, but instead of writing single sentences to support her main idea, she would develop each support point into a paragraph. The support sentences she wrote in a paragraph might be topic sentences for support paragraphs. (For more on providing support, see “Support for Your Main Point.”)

Often, however, a topic sentence for a paragraph is much narrower than a thesis statement for an essay, simply because a paragraph is shorter and allows less development of ideas.

Consider how one general topic could be narrowed into an essay topic and into an even more specific paragraph topic.

GENERAL TOPIC NARROWED ESSAY TOPIC NARROWED PARAGRAPH TOPIC
Internships How internships can help you get a job One or two important things you can learn from an internship
POSSIBLE THESIS STATEMENT (ESSAY) The skills and connections you gain through a summer internship can help you get a good job after graduation.
POSSIBLE TOPIC SENTENCE (PARAGRAPH) A summer internship is a good way to test whether a particular career is right for you.

Some topic sentences or thesis statements are too broad for either a short essay or a paragraph. A main idea that is too broad is impossible to show, explain, or prove within the space of a paragraph or short essay.

TOO BROAD Art is important.
[How could a writer possibly support such a broad concept in a paragraph or essay?]
NARROWER Art instruction for young children has surprising benefits.

A topic sentence or thesis statement that is too narrow leaves the writer with little to write about. There is little to show, explain, or prove.

TOO NARROW Buy rechargeable batteries.
[OK, so now what?]
BROADER Choosing rechargeable batteries over conventional batteries is one action you can take to reduce your effect on the environment.