What makes a topic sentence effective?

An effective topic sentence is one that clearly states the main idea and direction of the paragraph. This clarity is crucial because it helps the reader understand what to expect as they read on. By outlining the paragraph's focus, the topic sentence acts as a guide, ensuring that all subsequent sentences support or elaborate on that central idea. This organization is key in writing, as it allows for coherence and logical flow throughout the text. When a topic sentence fulfills this role, it enhances the reader's comprehension and engagement with the material. Other choices, while they may contain elements of informative writing, do not embody the essence of what makes a topic sentence effective in structuring a paragraph.