Q.5 What is topic sentence ? What is its role in bringing about coherence in technical writing ? Write a short paragraph to demonstrate it. (2009 - 10) Related Questions -
Q. What is a topic sentence in a paragraph? Mark out the topic sentence by writing a suitable pragraph and also mention the method adopted in it.
(2011 - 12)
Ans. Topic Sentence: -
The topic sentence expresses the main idea of paragraph. In other words, the sentence which states the main theme of the paragraph is known as the topic sentence. It is around that topic or theme that a paragraph is built. Other sentences are built around the topic sentence and the other supporting sentences lend support to the topic sentence or the key or theme sentence. The writer’s plan and also the nature of the subject-matter decide the place of the topic sentence in a paragraph.
A paragraph may begin with a topic sentence. It means that the first sentence is the theme sentence. It is used when specific to general order is used. The topic sentence is somewhere placed within a paragraph but it happens occasionally. A paragraph may end with a topic sentence. In such paragraphs, the supporting sentences appear first and the theme sentence appears at the end. This arrangement is generally used in general to specific order or inductive order.
Coherence is the consistency especially of speech, though ideas and reasoning which makes the expression clear and easy to understand. Topic sentence helps to write Coherence bringing all these ideas around the topic sentence.
Ex.: - Deductive Order: -
Time and Tide Waits for None: -
The proverb ‘time and tide wait for no man’ refers to the fast fleeting time. Scholars and wise people consider it foolish to put off a work for a future time since ‘tomorrow never comes’. Hence, we should utilise the time properly. Another saying - ‘It is useless to cry over spilt milk’ also brings into light the value of the time. If someone wastes his time in useless pursuits or some frivolous activities, he misses the right opportunity and throughout his life he will have to repent for his carelessness. He should grab the opportunity whenever it comes to him otherwise his life would be an utter failure. Life is short hence we should be cautious to utilize time. Ignorant people often waste the precious moments of their lives and at last they find that time wastes them and then what is done cannot be undone. The time already wasted cannot be brought back. Thus, value of time should be our prime concern.
Q.6 Read the following paragraph and find out the topic sentence. Rewrite a fresh paragraph based on the topic sentence :
Criticism should not distract you. Immerse yourself totally into your innovative vision. Life is a risk. Play with risk. There is seldom such a thing as overnight success. Success comes through persistent and disciplined effort. (A persian saying : Himmate mardan, madade khuda). You should not worry about criticism because worry will mislead you. It is a misuse of your imagination. Innovation is a great attempt and in great attempts it is glorious even to fall. (2008-09)
Ans. The Topic Sentence: -
Himmate mardan, madade khuda!
New Paragraph Based On It: -
Life has always two ways to walk on it. One is full of risk, criticism, danger, hopelessness while another is full of challenges, discipline and then success. People in general choose the first one because of easier way of life. But one should remember.
“We should strive, seek and find, but not yield at any rate”.
or “Good help those who help themselves”.
Q.7 What is expansion of paragraphs?
Ans. Expansion of Paragraphs: -
This exercise is the exact opposite of précis – writing. In precis – writing we have to compress; and in these exercises we have to expand. A sentence or a short passage, has to be enlarged into a paragraph by the fuller and more elaborate expression of its meaning or by adding illustration, details or proofs to a simple statement. Such exercise practically amounts to the writing of paragraphs. No strict rule can be laid down for the length of the expansion; it must not be too short, or it will scarcely be an expansion. On the average, eighty to one hundred words should be aimed at.
Method of Expansion: -
1. Carefully read the original sentence or passage, untill go feel that you clearly understand its meaning. (it is a good practice to try to express the main idea in a word or a phrase; i.e.g, the real subject of the second specimen is, “pride in one’s work.”)
2. Having grasped the subject and meaning of the passage, proceed to expand it by adding details, illustration, proofs, examples etc., until it is a tiny essay only long enough to make a paragraph.
3. The sentence for expansion is a conclusion or finished product: and it is your work to trace the steps by which this thought has been arrived at.
4. If it is metaphor, explain its full meaning in plain language, and give reasons to support it.
5. The expansion must contain all that was in the original paragraph; and more can be added, so long as it is strictly relevant to the subject.
6. Your expansion should read as a complete piece of paragraph, expressed in good English, such that it can be clearly understood apart from the original passage. So, when you have written it, go over it carefully to see that nothing essential has been omitted or left obscure.
7. Collect all mistakes in spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Q. What is a topic sentence in a paragraph? Mark out the topic sentence by writing a suitable pragraph and also mention the method adopted in it.
(2011 - 12)
Ans. Topic Sentence: -
The topic sentence expresses the main idea of paragraph. In other words, the sentence which states the main theme of the paragraph is known as the topic sentence. It is around that topic or theme that a paragraph is built. Other sentences are built around the topic sentence and the other supporting sentences lend support to the topic sentence or the key or theme sentence. The writer’s plan and also the nature of the subject-matter decide the place of the topic sentence in a paragraph.
A paragraph may begin with a topic sentence. It means that the first sentence is the theme sentence. It is used when specific to general order is used. The topic sentence is somewhere placed within a paragraph but it happens occasionally. A paragraph may end with a topic sentence. In such paragraphs, the supporting sentences appear first and the theme sentence appears at the end. This arrangement is generally used in general to specific order or inductive order.
Coherence is the consistency especially of speech, though ideas and reasoning which makes the expression clear and easy to understand. Topic sentence helps to write Coherence bringing all these ideas around the topic sentence.
Ex.: - Deductive Order: -
Time and Tide Waits for None: -
The proverb ‘time and tide wait for no man’ refers to the fast fleeting time. Scholars and wise people consider it foolish to put off a work for a future time since ‘tomorrow never comes’. Hence, we should utilise the time properly. Another saying - ‘It is useless to cry over spilt milk’ also brings into light the value of the time. If someone wastes his time in useless pursuits or some frivolous activities, he misses the right opportunity and throughout his life he will have to repent for his carelessness. He should grab the opportunity whenever it comes to him otherwise his life would be an utter failure. Life is short hence we should be cautious to utilize time. Ignorant people often waste the precious moments of their lives and at last they find that time wastes them and then what is done cannot be undone. The time already wasted cannot be brought back. Thus, value of time should be our prime concern.
Q.6 Read the following paragraph and find out the topic sentence. Rewrite a fresh paragraph based on the topic sentence :
Criticism should not distract you. Immerse yourself totally into your innovative vision. Life is a risk. Play with risk. There is seldom such a thing as overnight success. Success comes through persistent and disciplined effort. (A persian saying : Himmate mardan, madade khuda). You should not worry about criticism because worry will mislead you. It is a misuse of your imagination. Innovation is a great attempt and in great attempts it is glorious even to fall. (2008-09)
Ans. The Topic Sentence: -
Himmate mardan, madade khuda!
New Paragraph Based On It: -
Life has always two ways to walk on it. One is full of risk, criticism, danger, hopelessness while another is full of challenges, discipline and then success. People in general choose the first one because of easier way of life. But one should remember.
“We should strive, seek and find, but not yield at any rate”.
or “Good help those who help themselves”.
Expansion
Q.7 What is expansion of paragraphs?
Ans. Expansion of Paragraphs: -
This exercise is the exact opposite of précis – writing. In precis – writing we have to compress; and in these exercises we have to expand. A sentence or a short passage, has to be enlarged into a paragraph by the fuller and more elaborate expression of its meaning or by adding illustration, details or proofs to a simple statement. Such exercise practically amounts to the writing of paragraphs. No strict rule can be laid down for the length of the expansion; it must not be too short, or it will scarcely be an expansion. On the average, eighty to one hundred words should be aimed at.
Method of Expansion: -
1. Carefully read the original sentence or passage, untill go feel that you clearly understand its meaning. (it is a good practice to try to express the main idea in a word or a phrase; i.e.g, the real subject of the second specimen is, “pride in one’s work.”)
2. Having grasped the subject and meaning of the passage, proceed to expand it by adding details, illustration, proofs, examples etc., until it is a tiny essay only long enough to make a paragraph.
3. The sentence for expansion is a conclusion or finished product: and it is your work to trace the steps by which this thought has been arrived at.
4. If it is metaphor, explain its full meaning in plain language, and give reasons to support it.
5. The expansion must contain all that was in the original paragraph; and more can be added, so long as it is strictly relevant to the subject.
6. Your expansion should read as a complete piece of paragraph, expressed in good English, such that it can be clearly understood apart from the original passage. So, when you have written it, go over it carefully to see that nothing essential has been omitted or left obscure.
7. Collect all mistakes in spelling, grammar and punctuation.