Virginia SOL 4.W.2.A.i
The Standard
Providing an introduction that includes a clear topic sentence that connects to the central idea.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English · Organization and Composition
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students write an introduction for a longer piece. They include a clear topic sentence that states or points directly to the central idea.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A reader can identify the topic and central idea from the introduction. The topic sentence is clear and specific, and every other sentence in the introduction supports it.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat a hook as the topic sentence, even when it does not state the central idea. They may copy the prompt, write a vague statement, or include details that do not fit the topic.
How to Assess It
- Give students the central idea, “A school garden helps students learn.” Ask them to write a three-sentence introduction and underline the topic sentence.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups sentence strips with a hook, context, topic sentence, and unrelated detail, then have them build a focused introduction.
Compare two introductions about longer recess, then ask students which topic sentence better states the central idea and why.
Play Topic Sentence Match by pairing central idea cards with topic sentence cards, then revise any weak matches.
Read the opening of a local news article, then identify how its first sentences introduce the main idea.
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Related Standards
- 2.W.2.A.i
Writing a clear topic sentence focusing on the main idea.
- 3.W.2.A.i
Writing a clear topic sentence focusing on a main idea.
- 6.W.2.A.ii
Establishing a central idea incorporating evidence and maintaining an organized structure to fit the form and topic.
- 7.W.2.A.ii
Establishing a central idea that aligns with the thesis and maintains an organized structure to fit form and topic.
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