Virginia SOL 3.W.2.A.i
The Standard
Writing a clear topic sentence focusing on a main idea.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students decide the single idea their paragraph will explain. They write an opening sentence that names that focus and sets up the details that will follow.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student writes an opening sentence that names one focused idea. Every detail that follows can connect directly to that idea.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may write a broad opening that does not name the paragraph’s focus. They may also start with a supporting detail, question, or unrelated opinion instead of an opening that guides the paragraph.
How to Assess It
- Give students three supporting details about a class pet. Ask them to write one opening sentence that states what all three details are mostly about.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups detail cards to sort by main idea, then have them write an opening sentence for each group.
Show two possible opening sentences and ask, "Which one better prepares readers for these details, and why?"
Play Topic Sentence Match by pairing paragraph cards with opening sentence cards, including one tempting mismatch in each set.
Read the opening of a school announcement, then rewrite it so families immediately know the announcement’s main point.
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Related Standards
- 6.W.2.A.i
Composing a thesis statement that focuses the topic and introduces the piece clearly.
- 2.W.2.A.i
Writing a clear topic sentence focusing on the main idea.
- 4.W.2.A.i
Providing an introduction that includes a clear topic sentence that connects to the central idea.
- 5.W.2.A.i
Introducing a clear topic sentence and logically organizing ideas and factual evidence to support the position in persuasive writing.
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