2. Ensuring Paragraph Unity: Support the Topic Sentence

Read the following topic sentence and then answer the question that follows.

Topic Sentence:At the 2012 London Olympics, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt proved to be both a winner and a showman.

Which of the following sentences do notsupport the topic sentence?Check all that apply.

Mr. Bolt wore a baseball cap turned backward and smiled for cameras as he stepped out onto the track for the 200-meter sprint.

Upon winning races, Mr. Bolt sometimes strikes dramatic poses, such as putting a finger to his lips or pointing dramatically at the crowd.

After becoming the first man ever to win the 100- and 200-meter titles in successive Olympics, Mr. Bolt declared himself a living legend.

When Mr. Bolt was introduced to the Olympic Stadium crowd, he gave a stiff-wristed royal wave.

Mr. Bolt was born in Trelawny, Jamaica, but now resides in Kingston, Jamaica.

To be unified, the information in each paragraph must adequately explain, give examples, define, or in some other way support your topic sentence. Therefore, your essay should provide enough supporting information or evidence to back up your topic sentence. Some types of evidence include specific examples or details, personal experience, reference to research, facts, statistics, and testimony from authorities. Without such specific evidence, your reader will not accept your ideas. Also, it is important to remember that length alone does not provide adequate support. If a paragraph is filled with vague generalities or repetitious ideas, it might be long, but it doesnt fully support the topic sentence.

Read the paragraphs and answer the questions that follow. The topic sentences appear in boldface.

Body Paragraph 1

DNA sequencing is on the verge of revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of diseasesa revolution that spurs many ethical questions.First, DNA sequencing is dramatically changing detection of diseases. Currently, the detection of disease happens after symptoms appear in the tissues, organ, or bone where it originates. But now, some medical researchers are looking toward our DNA.

Body Paragraph 1 support the topic sentence effectively.

Which revisions would include more supporting information or evidence?Check all that apply.

Provide statistics on the percentage of people with cancer in the United States.

Add testimony from experts about what DNA sequencing is and how it can be used to detect disease.

Offer an example of a person whose disease was detected by a DNA sequence test.

This paragraph does not need more evidence.

Refer to a specific study on DNA sequencing that shows how it is changing the detection of diseases.

Body Paragraph 2

Although DNA sequencing offers people insight into future medical problems, it also can become a Pandoras box.Should everyone really have access to knowledge of their future health problems? Many people want to know, but some doctors are reluctant. Doctors worry that people will find out things they might not want to face about their medical fate. Moreover, ethicists believe this could lead down a path where people face discrimination based on the information in their DNA sequence.

Body Paragraph 2 support the topic sentence effectively.

Which revisions would include more supporting information or evidence?Check all that apply.

Add testimony of ethicists about the consequences of DNA sequencing.

Provide a hypothetical example of how DNA sequencing can provide people with too much information, such as the knowledge that they will develop Alzheimer's or Parkinsons disease.

This paragraph does not need more evidence.

Give facts about the amount DNA sequencing costs.

Restate that DNA sequencing can give people more information that they want to know.

Body Paragraph 3

However, despite the ethical questions surrounding DNA sequencing, people want it, and, in some cases, they have gotten it with beneficial results.According to an NPR survey, 81.45% of people would have their DNA sequenced if they could afford it. One family, the Wests, could afford DNA sequencing and became the first family to do so. John West, who is the former CEO of a sequencing technology company, explains, "We were interested in getting a look ahead as to what might be in our familys medical future, and I think we found that it was useful in that regard." For example, the sequencing revealed that the Wests are prone to blood clots. Now, the Wests know to change their eating habits to avoid blood clots, including consuming more vitamin K.

Body Paragraph 3 support the topic sentence effectively.

Which revisions would include more supporting information or evidence?Check all that apply.

Restate that there are ethical issues surrounding DNA sequencing.

This paragraph has sufficient evidence.

Add statistics about the number of people who want DNA sequencing.

Provide an example of a person who has learned important medical information from DNA sequencing.