Identify Sentence Errors: Too General, Too Specific, or Incomplete

Identify the errors in the following sentences. They may be too general, too specific, or incomplete sentences. Write 'Best TS' (for 'best topic sentence'), 'too general,' 'too specific,' or 'incomplete' on the lines next to them.

You may find the example in the bottom of the second page of that pdf.

________ a. It's hard to know which foods are safe to eat nowadays.

________ b. In some large ocean fish, there are high levels of mercury.

________ c. Undercooked chicken and hamburger may carry E. coli bacteria.

________ d. Not to mention mad cow disease.

________ e. Food safety is an important issue.

Analysis:

a. This sentence is too general because it does not provide specific information about the issue of food safety or any specific examples.

b. This sentence is the best topic sentence because it clearly states the specific issue of high levels of mercury in some large ocean fish.

c. This sentence is also a good topic sentence because it addresses the specific issue of undercooked chicken and hamburger potentially carrying E. coli bacteria.

d. This sentence is incomplete because it does not provide any additional information about mad cow disease.

e. This sentence is too general because it does not specify what aspect or issue of food safety is being referred to.