24 / Basics of Good Writing
became involved with them? Why you build them? Their aerodynamics? How to
paint them? Fly them? Narrowing your subject in this way will help give you a man-
ageable topic.
Having narrowed your topic, like how to paint model gliders, decide next how to
explain things to the reader. In other words, how do you want to treat your subject?
Do you want to describe the process of painting gliders? [See Chapter 14, Process
Analysis.] Do you want to describe common designs and patterns? [See Chapter 10,
Description.] Do you want to compare painting methods? [See Chapter 8, Comparison
and Contrast.] Can you best support your topic by analogy? [See Chapter 5, Anal-
ogy.] Will the reader understand your topic better if you classify the various kinds of
painting? [See Chapter 7, Classification.]
Most writers decide by making lists of approaches, ideas, examples, or illustrations.
So, select your focus and make a list of the points you want to make. Your list may
look something like this:
Narrowed topic:
How to paint model gliders
Ideas:
Use startling over/under patterns.
Use humorous color combinations.
Use simple two-tone combinations.
Complete your list before going on to Step 2.
STEP 2: Writing the Thesis Sentence
The thesis sentence states each of the major topics in a multi-paragraph paper. It has
two characteristics:
• It states or suggests the topics of each of the body paragraphs. Thus, a five-
paragraph theme will have a thesis sentence suggesting three ideas.
• It states or implies the order in which the ideas will appear. In other words,
the subtopic appearing first in the thesis sentence appears in the first body
paragraph.Consider these sample thesis sentences:
A diamond broker must have expertise in color, clarity, and cut.
A serious bird watcher knows to search for birds according to their habitat,
foraging habits, and nesting sites.
Whether in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, hiking in the Red River Valley
offers challenges.