What is a Topic?
A paragraph’s
topic is the subject of the paragraph — who or what the paragraph is
about. Finding the topic of a paragraph is the first step in finding out
what the paragraph is trying to say to you. Jadi, topik
dari suatu paragraf itu adalah subjek dari peragraf itu sendiri. Secara umum
yang dipertanyakan ketika kita membaca suatu paragraf adalah mengenai apa atau
siapa? Your answer to this question will be the paragraph’s topic.
Your answer must not be too broad nor too narrow.
topic is the subject of the paragraph — who or what the paragraph is
about. Finding the topic of a paragraph is the first step in finding out
what the paragraph is trying to say to you. Jadi, topik
dari suatu paragraf itu adalah subjek dari peragraf itu sendiri. Secara umum
yang dipertanyakan ketika kita membaca suatu paragraf adalah mengenai apa atau
siapa? Your answer to this question will be the paragraph’s topic.
Your answer must not be too broad nor too narrow.
Contoh 1:
Read the
paragraph below. As you do so, ask yourself “In general, who or what is
this paragraph about?” After you have chosen what you think is the topic,
read the Explanation that follows:
paragraph below. As you do so, ask yourself “In general, who or what is
this paragraph about?” After you have chosen what you think is the topic,
read the Explanation that follows:
Each year, thousands of people are bitten by snakes. Several steps should be
taken if you are a victim of a snakebite. First, keep still and warm. Next,
remove rings and tight clothing. Wrap a bandage above the bite, but do not
apply a tourniquet, as this may cut off blood circulation. Also, do not try to
remove snake venom. Finally, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The topic of
this paragraph is:
(a) snakebites
(b) things to
do after a snakebite
do after a snakebite
(c) keeping
still after a snakebite
still after a snakebite
Explanation
- The first
choice, “snakebites” is too general. It is true that the paragraph is
about snakebites, but it is only talking about one aspect of snakebites. - The second
choice, “things to do after a snakebite” is the right answer — this
is what the paragraph is about. - The third
choice, “keeping still after a snakebite,” is too specific — it is
only one of the things you should do after being bit.
Contoh 2:
Now, read the
next paragraph and look at the choices for the topic. One is too general, one
is just right, and one is too specific. Think about which is which, then read
the Explanation that follows.
next paragraph and look at the choices for the topic. One is too general, one
is just right, and one is too specific. Think about which is which, then read
the Explanation that follows.
The cost of printing new money and then destroying old money has become too
expensive for the government. As a result, serious efforts are being taken to
replace the dollar bill with a dollar coin. The dollar coin will last far
longer than a dollar bill. The coin would also be easier than the dollar bit to
use in vending machines. Finally, it would help cities. Cities spend a lot of
time counting bills placed in collection boxes. A dollar coin would change
that.
The topic of
this paragraph is:
(a) Using a
dollar coin in a vending machine
dollar coin in a vending machine
(b) Reasons for
a dollar coin
a dollar coin
(c) A dollar
coin
coin
Explanation
- The first
choice, “using a dollar coin in a vending machine,” is too specific.
It does not tell what the paragraph is about. - The second
choice, “reasons for a dollar coin,” is the right answer — this is
what the paragraph is about. Most of the sentences present reasons that a
dollar coin is better than a dollar bill. - The third
choice, “A dollar coin,” is too general. The right topic will tell
you what the paragraph is likely to say about a dollar coin.
Sumber: Materi Kuliah Reading 2 UT Bhs Inggris Minat Penerjemahan
