Which of the following best describes the function of a topic sentence in a literary analysis paragraph?

• A. It repeats the thesis
• B. It states the main claim or point of the paragraph
• C. It lists quotes
• D. It provides background information only

Answer: (B)

A topic sentence in a literary analysis paragraph announces the main claim of that paragraph and signals the specific point the paragraph will support. It sets the focus for the analysis, connecting to the overall thesis while zooming in on a particular aspect—such as a character’s development, a theme, or a technique—that the paragraph will examine. This makes the paragraph feel purposeful rather than a string of quotes or general background.

The best choice describes this function precisely: it states the main claim or point of the paragraph, giving the reader a clear direction for the evidence and analysis that follow. The other functions—repeating the thesis, listing quotes, or providing background information only—do not advance a single, focused argument in the paragraph. Quotes and background can appear as needed, but they are used to support and illustrate the claim asserted in the topic sentence.