Developing a Topic

“Jane, I finished my article for SofaHealth. "Will you read it and let me know what you think?” [Reading Ernie’s article] Exercise is beneficial for you. "Everyone should exercise more!" “Ummm, it doesn’t say anything.” "Sure, it does." In order for Ernie to write an effective article, he will need to learn about developing a topic. When writing an essay on a specific topic, you need to develop, or further explain your main idea. First, we develop our thoughts by adding evidence to support our topic sentence. Evidence can be given through: facts,(...) definitions,(...) concrete details,(...) quotations,(...) or examples. Then, we elaborate on our topic. We can elaborate by explaining our understanding of the evidence and making personal connections to the information. We link the evidence and our elaboration with transition words. Finally, we wrap up the main idea about the topic with a concluding sentence. Let’s use Ernie’s article as an example of how to develop a topic. We will use this graphic organizer to map out our thoughts. Ernie’s topic sentence is “Exercise is beneficial for you." We will develop this idea by paraphrasing a fact we read about the benefits of exercise, like this. According to experts, exercise improves your brain health, manages your weight, and strengthens your bones and muscles. Another type of evidence could be a direct quote from an expert that supports the topic, like this. Well-known pediatrician, Dr. Sam Stone, says, "Studies show that children who exercise regularly have better self-esteem and do well in school." Now, we need to elaborate on this information. We will show our understanding of these facts by putting them into our own words and making a personal connection. We can say, "In other words, exercise is key to making your mind and body stronger." For example, when I come back to class after playing soccer at recess, I am more focused on my schoolwork, and I feel good. Notice we connected our ideas about the topic by using the transitions "in other words" (...) and "for example." Finally, we wrap up the main idea about the topic with a concluding sentence. Ernie's paragraph concluded with a call to action for the reader. He said, "Everyone should exercise more!" Now, we can take our developed ideas and write them in paragraph form like this. Exercise is beneficial for you. According to experts, exercise improves your brain health, manages your weight, and strengthens your bones and muscles. Well-known pediatrician Dr. Sam Stone says, "Studies show that children who exercise regularly have better self-esteem and do well in school." In other words, getting active is the key to making your mind and body stronger! For example, when I come back to class after playing soccer at recess, I am more focused on my schoolwork, and I feel good. Everyone should exercise more! There is not one correct way of developing a topic. In fact, you should show variety with the different types of evidence you give to support your topic's main idea, as well as the way you elaborate on the information. While Ernie submits the article for next month's issue, let's review. Remember, when writing an essay on a specific topic, you need to develop or further explain your main idea. First, we develop our thoughts by adding evidence to support our topic sentence. Then, we elaborate on our topic by explaining our understanding of the evidence and making personal connections to the information. Finally, we wrap up the main idea about the topic with a concluding sentence. "I feel better already!"