Characteristics of Main Sentences and Explanatory Sentences

Sentences are an important part of a paragraph. A good paragraph must contain two types of sentences which are "informants" of the purpose of the paragraph. The two types of sentences are the main sentence and the supporting sentence. These two types of sentences must exist and be followed by other sentences. The difference is that the main sentence in a paragraph has only one sentence, while the other sentences are supporting sentences for the main sentence which are called explanatory sentences. For more details about the characteristics of the main sentence and supporting sentences along with examples, see the description below.

Main Sentence

The main sentence is a sentence that contains the main idea or main idea and becomes the basis for developing paragraph. The main sentence is usually general in nature and contains the entire contents of a paragraph.
The main sentence is not always at the beginning of the paragraph because the main idea can be at the end, or in the middle, and sometimes also appear together at the beginning and end of the paragraph. The main sentence is also called the topic sentence, that is what causes the main sentence to become a reference for paragraph development.

Some of the main features of the sentence are:

• The main sentence can stand alone and has a clear meaning, so it is not needed conjunction, both between sentences and intra sentences
• The main sentence is usually at the beginning of the paragraph (deductive). However, sometimes it is at the end of the paragraph (inductive). The main sentence at the end of the paragraph is usually preceded by word "so" and "thus"
• The main sentence contains a problem that can be developed in detail
• The main sentence is a general statement, and can be developed

Example of Main Sentence

• Main idea: “Rika is diligent”
• Main sentence: Rika is a diligent child anak
• Explanatory sentence:
  • He always wakes up early every day
  • Usually he often helps his mother cook before leaving for campus
  • Sometimes he even sells at his mother's shop when there are free hours on campus

The paragraph will look like:

Rika is a diligent child. He always wakes up early every day. Usually he often helps his mother cook before leaving for college. Sometimes he even sells at his mother's shop when there are free hours on campus.

Explanatory Sentence

The explanatory sentence is a description of the sentence that contains an explanation or details of the main sentence in a paragraph. Explanatory sentences are usually specific, so they must explain in detail what is being discussed.

Some of the characteristics of explanatory sentences include:

• Is a supporter of the main idea / main sentence
• Non-autonomous sentences
• Describe or explain the topic
• Requires connecting (even, for example, for example) to achieve coherence (connection between sentences)

Place Main Sentences in Paragraphs

The location of the main sentence in a paragraph becomes a reference to determine the type of paragraph. There are three kinds of placement of the main sentence in a paragraph as follows,

1. The main sentence at the beginning of the paragraph (deductive)

• Main sentence, (General)
• Explanatory sentence, (Special)
• Explanatory sentence. (Special)

Example:

• (1) Cervical cancer is a disease that threatens many women in the world. (2) Several cases of cervical cancer occur in women in their productive age, which is around 20-30 years. (3) The number of cervical cancer cases in Asia has increased by 12% every year. (4) This is due to the high rate of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases which eventually infect some women. (5) In addition, the factor of lack of socialization to the public about the dangers of this deadly disease is still considered minimal. Description: The main sentence in the paragraph above is in number (1), while the other sentences are explanatory sentences that function to build the strength of the main idea.
• (1) Entering the current of globalization, several things related to increasingly sophisticated science and technology have become a boomerang for the people of Indonesia. (2) For example, nowadays the sophistication of internet connection which is increasingly accessible can be a threat to children. (3) It is mandatory for parents to be wary of in particular. (4) This is due to the easy access to the internet which has recently been misused. Description: The main sentence in the paragraph above is in number (1), while the following sentences are explanatory.
• (1) An important factor in the increase in blood sugar levels is diet. (2) Irregular eating patterns will cause a person to experience an increase in sugar levels which directly causes diabetes or diabetes. (3) This is evidenced through several studies which state that the metabolic system is not maintained is influenced by the intensity of food intake every day. (4) This results in the slow absorption of food juice by the blood and has an impact on increasing sugar levels. Description: The main sentence in the paragraph is in number (1), while the following sentences are called explanatory.
• (1) Acne is a problem for most teenagers. (2) If a teenager has acne, there will be a lack of confidence in him. (3) This will cause a person to feel inferior and ashamed to expose themselves in public. (4) It would be nice if when you are a teenager to often clean your face before going to bed, so that the effects of free radicals can be prevented. Description: The main sentence in the paragraph above is in number (1), while the next sentence is an explanatory sentence.
• (1) Trees are very beneficial to humans. (2) One of the benefits is to maintain the availability of oxygen for living things around it. (3) In addition, with the presence of trees, the sun's heat does not reach the earth directly. (4) Trees can also be used for their fruit or stems for other human needs. Description: The main sentence of the paragraph above is in number (1), the next sentence is an explanatory sentence.
• (1) Indonesia is a country rich in diversity tribe and culture. (2) There are many ethnic groups, religions, tradition, and the various cultures that follow the beliefs of each region. (3) All of them live side by side peacefully and become pride for foreign tourists who visit. (4) The diversity and hospitality of the Indonesian population when welcoming the guests traveler It is also something to be proud of in the international tourism scene. Description: The main sentence of the paragraph above is in number (1), the next sentence is an explanatory sentence.

2. The main sentence at the end of the paragraph (inductive)

• Explanatory sentence. (Special)
• Explanatory sentence. (Special)
• Main sentence. (General)

Example:

• (1) Socializing makes a person sensitive to social reactions and all events around him. (2) With socialization, everyone can get an explanation about things that were not known before. (3) In various situations, socialization between individuals must be carried out. (4) For example, at a seminar held between companies, socialization can add to a network of friends that can be mutually beneficial. (5) So, quite a lot of benefits are obtained by establishing socialization among others. Description: The main sentence in the paragraph above is sentence number (5), other sentences (1,2,3,4) are explanatory sentences that lead to the main idea at the end of the paragraph.
• (1) Soto is a specialty Indonesia which is well known abroad. (2) The special spices that only exist in the composition of Indonesian dishes are the main attraction of this menu. (3) In addition, ingredient and how to make it is not difficult. (4) Some food stalls even make it a mandatory menu that must be in their menu book. (5) Therefore, this special food with yellow sauce is a favorite of the Indonesian people's tongue. Description: The main sentence in the paragraph above is in number (5), other sentences (1,2,3,4) are explanatory sentences.
• (1) The beginning of human life takes place traditional and all simple. (2) Over time with the development of sophistication technology, all human needs are designed automatic. (3) Nowadays, we can easily find out what is happening in other parts of the world just by accessing the internet network. (4) This proves the progress of human civilization. (5) Therefore, developing knowledge is a must for every human being. Description: The main sentence of the paragraph above is number (5), while the previous sentence is an explanatory sentence.
• (1) Dian is very agile in helping her parents. (2) Sometimes he even ignores his personal interests just to help his mother who is a mat seller. (3) His daily life is only filled with accompanying his mother and taking care of his sick father. (4) Dian also often helps her sister study when her sister encounters material difficulties. (5) Therefore, Dian's parents loved their only daughter very much. Description: The main sentence of the paragraph is in sentence number (5), the previous sentence is an explanatory sentence.

• (1) Coffee seems to be the favorite drink of the Indonesian people. (2) The bitter taste when combined with sugar has the right aroma and makes some coffee lovers go crazy. (3) In fact, in some places in the world, they are increasingly competing to create a different taste of coffee than ever before. (4) It is natural that coffee has a community of lovers until this moment. Description: The main sentence of the paragraph above is in sentence number (4), the previous sentence is an explanatory sentence.
• (1) Recently, there have been quite a number of cases of diseases caused by the lack of awareness of hygiene. (2) Cleanliness is meant here not only personal and environmental hygiene. (3) More important than that is the cleanliness of food and everything that enters our body needs to be maintained. (4) Food is the main source of energy for the body's metabolic processes. (5) Therefore, food hygiene must be a concern for us if we want to live healthy. Description: The main sentence in the paragraph is in number (5), the previous sentence is an explanatory sentence.

3. The main sentence is located at the beginning and end of the paragraph (mixed)

• Main sentence. (General)
• Explanatory sentence (Special)
• Explanatory sentence (Special)
• Main sentence. (General)

Example:

• (1) Health is the greatest wealth that must be protected. (2) Armed with health, one's life will have more meaning. (3) Health is like an expensive item that needs to be maintained and fought for. (4) Health will help each individual to carry out daily activities. (5) So that when we have a healthy physical condition, we should be grateful by maintaining our lifestyle. Note: The main sentences in the paragraph above are in numbers (1) and (5), while the rest are explanatory sentences. The two main sentences both number (1) and number (5) both argue about the health of every individual that must be maintained.
• (1) The RT in our village is very friendly. (2) He is known to be polite and likes to help his neighbors. (3) In addition, he also often visits neighbors who happen to be sick and provide minimal assistance. (4) In his village he was nicknamed Mr. Mustache because he had a thick mustache and liked to joke with children. (5) The villagers call him Pak Raden because style It's funny when you joke with people. (6) Therefore, Mr. RT is highly respected by his citizens. Notes: The main sentences are in sentences (1) and (5), both of these sentences express people who like the temperament of their RT head.

• (1) Regular exercise will prevent our body from disease disorders. (2) This is because the metabolic processes in the body can run smoothly when the body is actively moving. (3) By exercising and balancing it with food and intake nutrition enough to form the immune system in our body. (4) A good immune system will have the potential to improve the body's resistance in a positive direction, namely repairing damaged or dead skin cells. (5) So, disease disorders are not only anticipated with vitamins but also require regular exercise and adequate nutritional intake.
• (1) The cleanliness of several tourist objects in coastal areas should receive more attention from the public. (2) Not infrequently we can find various types of garbage thrown away in the beach area. (3) This issue seems to disturb the tranquility of nature lovers from various elements, especially students who want to launch a petition to maintain the cleanliness of the beach area. (4) They start holding social service activities to clean the beach area from garbage together every month. (5) It is hoped that with the initial action, the relevant government and the community can participate in observing the coastal area.
• (1) Until now, people with disabilities still receive less attention in public services. (2) Presumably this is due to the lack of supervision from the central government to supervise its members who play a role in providing public services equally. (3) Some agencies such as hospitals, and some service offices such as sub-districts or urban villages do not accept persons with disabilities with the hospitality they should. (4) they actually seem to underestimate and some even do not provide services. (5) This kind of service for persons with disabilities must receive immediate action from the central government.
• (1) The arterial road in the Porong Sidoarjo area needs to be repaired immediately. (2) This is due to the increasing number of holes in the middle of the road that endanger road users. (3) Moreover, the area is often traversed by large vehicles carrying heavy goods. (4) Damage to roads in this area hampers the economy as well as the distribution of goods that should be sent from the Sidoarjo industrial area to several village in the Malang area. (5) Therefore, repairs to this important area must be carried out immediately if the inter-regional economy is to return to normal.
• (1) The weakening of the rupiah against the dollar is expected to continue until the end of January this year. (2) This issue of the rupiah exchange rate has attracted the attention of several economists in Indonesia. (3) Many suspect terrorism attacks to be one of the causes of the decline in the country's foreign exchange and impact on the value of the Indonesian currency. (4) As a result, because the attacks are still having an impact today, the weakening of the rupiah exchange rate is likely to persist until the end of January.

Thus a discussion of the characteristics of the main sentence and the supporting sentence in a paragraph. May be useful !