topic sentence

Before writing any essay or even a paragraph, it is important to think, first about the topic and then what you want to sayabout the topic.  Most often, the topic is easy, but the question then turns to what you want to say about the topic which is the controlling idea.  Topic sentences should always contain both 


(1) a topic and 
(2) a controlling idea.


here are some example of topic sentences:


1. People can avoid burglaries by taking certain precautions.
2. There are several advantages to growing up in a small town.
http://www.eslbee.com/topic_sentences.htm