Topic Sentence Definition. Topic sentences are special sentences that serve as guideposts to the writer and reader; they help shape the essay and move it along from idea to idea. If you have already gathered information and developed some support for a thesis, you may find that your support falls into groups or categories. A rule of thumb is that you can develop a topic sentence for each category to help shape that information and to cue your reading audience in to a change in supporting idea.
The definition of a counterclaim is a claim made to rebut accusations against you. If you are sued for breaching a contract and you, in turn, also file suit against the plaintiff and claim thathe was really the one who breached the contract, your claim against the original plaintiff is an example of a counterclaim.
Examples of counterclaims include: 1  After a bank has sued a customer for an unpaid debt, the customer counterclaims (sues back) against the bank for fraud in procuring the debt. 2  The court will sort out the different claims in one lawsuit (unless the claims are severed). 3  Two cars collide.