What is the primary purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

What is the primary purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

• A. To present supporting details.
• B. To state the main idea or focus.
• C. To provide a conclusion.
• D. To introduce a quotation.

Answer: (B)

The main idea of a paragraph is introduced by its topic sentence. It tells the reader what the paragraph will be about and the point or claim it will support. The rest of the sentences then supply details, examples, or evidence that develop that idea, creating unity and a clear through-line. A conclusion or wrap-up is usually at the end, not the job of the topic sentence, and a sentence that only presents a detail or a quotation would not establish the paragraph’s central focus. So the topic sentence serves as the anchor for the paragraph, making the main idea explicit from the start.

The main idea of a paragraph is introduced by its topic sentence. It tells the reader what the paragraph will be about and the point or claim it will support. The rest of the sentences then supply details, examples, or evidence that develop that idea, creating unity and a clear through-line. A conclusion or wrap-up is usually at the end, not the job of the topic sentence, and a sentence that only presents a detail or a quotation would not establish the paragraph’s central focus. So the topic sentence serves as the anchor for the paragraph, making the main idea explicit from the start.