Writing a Composition

All compositions are composed of literary units called paragraphs. The purpose of a paragraph is to carefully explain and develop a given idea or topic that is a part of a paper's thesis. Each unit is then segmented into a variety of sentences which are used to develop the main idea of the paragraph. Almost always, paragraphs need a central sentence called the topic sentence. This sentence tells the reader exactly what subject he or she will expect to find in the rest of the paragraph. The topic sentence is very helpful in writing unified paragraphs because it serves as a fixed idea to which all the other sentences must relate. The topic sentence is usually the first sentence, although it does not necessarily have to be placed at the beginning of the paragraph. It can also be used in the middle or at the end of a paragraph. What matters is that the total content and structure of the paragraph should be firmly rooted in the topic sentence.
Here is an example of a paragraph with a topic sentence stated at the beginning. The subject is "fixing bicycles":
There is a lot of work involved in fixing bicycles. First, it is necessary for one to become familiar with the structure and parts of the vehicle. Second, one must have the correct tools to make the necessary repairs. Third, the person making the repairs must prepare him or herself to put a lot of time and effort into the job and only expect minimal results at the end.
Here is an example of a paragraph with the topic sentence stated in the middle. The subject is "writing a good paper":
For years I have struggled with my writing skills. My inability to master correct grammar as well as my struggle to formulate coherent ideas have made my compositions very dull and ineffective. This year, however, I decided to visit the Writing Center to help improve my skills. I found, to my surprise, that the real key to writing a good paper is to have a passion for the things about which you are writing. When a person becomes