What makes a strong topic sentence, and how do transitions improve cohesion?

What makes a strong topic sentence, and how do transitions improve cohesion?

• A. A topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph; transitions connect ideas and guide the reader.
• B. Transitions are optional and add no clarity.
• C. The topic sentence should be long and include every detail.
• D. A conclusion should replace the topic sentence.

Answer: (C)

A strong topic sentence and smooth transitions work together to guide a reader through a paragraph. The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph and sets the direction for what will be discussed, giving readers a clear focus and something to anticipate as they read. It should be specific enough to indicate the point you’ll develop, but not loaded with every detail. Transitions are the links that connect ideas from one sentence to the next. They show how ideas relate—adding information, comparing or contrasting, showing cause and effect, or signaling order. When transitions are used well, the paragraph reads as a cohesive whole instead of a string of separate thoughts. Why the other ideas don’t fit: transitions aren’t optional; they clarify how ideas connect. A topic sentence shouldn’t try to include every detail—that overloads the sentence and muddles the main point. A conclusion isn’t a replacement for the topic sentence; it wraps up and reflects on what’s been said, not introduce the paragraph’s main idea.

A strong topic sentence and smooth transitions work together to guide a reader through a paragraph. The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph and sets the direction for what will be discussed, giving readers a clear focus and something to anticipate as they read. It should be specific enough to indicate the point you’ll develop, but not loaded with every detail.

Transitions are the links that connect ideas from one sentence to the next. They show how ideas relate—adding information, comparing or contrasting, showing cause and effect, or signaling order. When transitions are used well, the paragraph reads as a cohesive whole instead of a string of separate thoughts.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: transitions aren’t optional; they clarify how ideas connect. A topic sentence shouldn’t try to include every detail—that overloads the sentence and muddles the main point. A conclusion isn’t a replacement for the topic sentence; it wraps up and reflects on what’s been said, not introduce the paragraph’s main idea.