Grade: Grade 2 Subject: English Language Arts Unit: Paragraph Writing SAT: ExpressionOfIdeas ACT: English

Supporting Sentences

Learn

After writing your topic sentence, you need supporting sentences. These sentences add details and help explain your main idea!

What Are Supporting Sentences?

Supporting sentences come after the topic sentence. They give more details, examples, or facts about the main idea.

Think of them as helpers that support your topic sentence!

What Do Supporting Sentences Do?

Supporting sentences:

  • Give examples
  • Add details
  • Explain more about the topic
  • Give reasons
  • Tell facts

How Many Supporting Sentences Do I Need?

A good paragraph for second grade usually has:

  • 1 topic sentence
  • 2-4 supporting sentences
  • Sometimes a closing sentence

Staying on Topic

Every supporting sentence must be about the topic!

Ask yourself: "Does this sentence help explain my main idea?"

If not, it does not belong in the paragraph.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Complete Paragraph

Topic sentence: "Dogs make great pets."

Supporting sentences:

  • "Dogs are loyal and love their owners."
  • "They like to play fetch and go for walks."
  • "Dogs can also learn fun tricks."

Each supporting sentence tells more about why dogs make great pets!

Example 2: Adding Details

Topic sentence: "I love going to the park."

Supporting sentences:

  • "I can swing on the swings."
  • "I play on the slide with my friends."
  • "Sometimes I have a picnic with my family."

Each sentence tells something fun to do at the park!

Example 3: Finding the Problem

Topic sentence: "Pizza is my favorite food."

Supporting sentences: "I love the melted cheese. My birthday is in May. The crust is crispy and delicious."

Problem: "My birthday is in May" does not belong!

It is not about pizza. A better sentence would be: "I like pepperoni the best."

Example 4: Giving Reasons

Topic sentence: "Summer is the best season."

Supporting sentences with reasons:

  • "First, there is no school so I can sleep late."
  • "Second, I can go swimming every day."
  • "Third, I get to visit my grandparents."

Example 5: Writing a Full Paragraph

Topic: My pet cat

Complete paragraph:

"My cat Whiskers is very special. She has soft orange fur. She loves to chase string and play with toys. Whiskers also likes to sleep on my bed. I love my cat!"

(Topic sentence + 3 supporting sentences + closing sentence)

Practice Problems

Practice writing and identifying supporting sentences!

Problem 1: Topic sentence: "Apples are a healthy snack." Write one supporting sentence.

Show Answer

Examples: "They give you energy to play." or "Apples have vitamins that help you grow." or "They taste sweet and crunchy."

Problem 2: Which sentence does NOT belong? Topic: My favorite toy. Sentences: a) "My teddy bear is soft and cuddly." b) "I take him everywhere I go." c) "I ate cereal for breakfast."

Show Answer

c) "I ate cereal for breakfast" does not belong because it is not about the toy!

Problem 3: Topic sentence: "Recess is fun." Write two supporting sentences.

Show Answer

Examples: "I play tag with my friends. We also like to use the swings."

Problem 4: Topic sentence: "My mom is the best." Write one supporting sentence.

Show Answer

Examples: "She always helps me with my homework." or "She gives the best hugs." or "She makes delicious food."

Problem 5: Does this supporting sentence belong? Topic: "I like winter." Supporting sentence: "I love building snowmen."

Show Answer

Yes! Building snowmen is something you do in winter, so it supports the topic.

Problem 6: Topic sentence: "Books are amazing." Write two supporting sentences.

Show Answer

Examples: "Books take you on adventures. You can learn new things from books."

Problem 7: How many supporting sentences should a paragraph have?

Show Answer

In second grade, 2-4 supporting sentences is a good amount.

Problem 8: Topic sentence: "Birthdays are special days." Write one supporting sentence.

Show Answer

Examples: "You get to eat cake and ice cream." or "Friends and family celebrate with you." or "You might get presents."

Problem 9: What is the job of supporting sentences?

Show Answer

Supporting sentences give details, examples, reasons, or facts about the main idea in the topic sentence.

Problem 10: Write a short paragraph about your favorite food (topic sentence + 2 supporting sentences).

Show Answer

Example: "Ice cream is my favorite treat. It is cold and sweet. I love chocolate flavor the most."

Check Your Understanding

Question 1: What are supporting sentences?

Show Answer

Supporting sentences come after the topic sentence and give more details, examples, or facts about the main idea.

Question 2: How do you know if a sentence belongs in your paragraph?

Show Answer

Ask yourself: "Does this sentence help explain my main idea?" If yes, it belongs. If no, leave it out!

Question 3: What comes first - the topic sentence or supporting sentences?

Show Answer

The topic sentence comes first, then the supporting sentences follow.

Question 4: Give an example of what supporting sentences can do.

Show Answer

Supporting sentences can give examples, add details, explain more about the topic, give reasons, or tell facts.

Next Steps

  • Practice: Write paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting sentences
  • Check: Make sure all your sentences stay on topic
  • Read: Find supporting sentences in the books you read
  • Challenge: Try writing a paragraph with 4 supporting sentences!