Topic Sentences

• SHOULD TELL EXACTLY WHAT THE PARAGRAPH IS ABOUT.– Example Prompt 2:

• There are many reasons Antigone is a successful character. (BAD!!!!!!!! DO NOT DO THIS!!!)

• Antigone has many character traits. (VERY BAD!!!!)• Antigone is a successful character because she made Creon see that

following the divine laws is best. (GOOD!)

– Example Prompt 1:• The play shows following state laws is inferior to following divine laws

through Creon losing everything because of his neglect for divine laws. (GOOD!!!!)

• WHATEVER YOU ARE DISCUSSING IN THE PARAGRAPH NEEDS TO BE IN THE TOPIC SENTENCE.

Clincher Sentence

• The reverse topic sentence• Draw a conclusion by starting the sentence with a

dependent clause starting with the words: since, because, although, due to, as a result, if.

• Example Prompt 5:– Because women did not have any substantial rights until the 20th

century, Antigone’s actions of being stronger than men and going against the state make the play have ideas that were before its time.

• Examples Prompt 4:– Since selectively following state and divine laws to keep one alive

brings little happiness, it is not the best way to live one’s life.

Quotes

• SELECT QUOTES FROM THE PLAY THAT WILL PROVE YOUR POINT!

• Context before (If your sentence starts with a quote, you did not give the context).

• Explanation after (how this proves your point)• Example Prompt 3:

– While arguing with Antigone over whether or not they should bury their brother, Ismene says, “We are only women,/We cannot fight with men” (Prologue Lines 46-47). This shows that Ismene conforms to the majority notion that women are weaker than men, and furthermore proves that she helps uphold the traditional notion that women should not mettle in a man’s world.