In an ASL topic-comment description of a doctor, what is the correct topic?

In an ASL topic-comment description of a doctor, what is the correct topic?

• A. Topic: DOCTOR. Comment: SEE PATIENTS, DIAGNOSE ILLNESSES, PRESCRIBE TREATMENTS, DOCUMENT IN RECORDS.
• B. Topic: DOCTOR. Comment: PRESCRIBE TREATMENTS, DOCUMENT IN RECORDS.
• C. Topic: PATIENT. Comment: DOCTOR SEE PATIENTS.
• D. Topic: HEALTHCARE PROVIDER. Comment: SEE PATIENTS.

Answer: (A)

In ASL topic-comment structure, you start by establishing who you’re talking about, then describe what they do. For describing a doctor, setting the topic as DOCTOR keeps the focus on the professional role, and the comment lists the doctor’s typical duties. Saying SEE PATIENTS, DIAGNOSE ILLNESSES, PRESCRIBE TREATMENTS, DOCUMENT IN RECORDS covers the full scope of what a doctor does, showing both patient interaction and the medical responsibilities that define the role. If the topic were PATIENT, the sentence would center on the patient rather than the professional being described, which isn’t the natural way to introduce a doctor’s description. If the topic were HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, the term is broader and loses the specific identity of the doctor, making the comment feel less precise about the doctor’s typical actions. Summing up with the doctor as the topic and a comprehensive comment about their duties provides a clear, accurate portrayal in a single topic-comment statement.

In ASL topic-comment structure, you start by establishing who you’re talking about, then describe what they do. For describing a doctor, setting the topic as DOCTOR keeps the focus on the professional role, and the comment lists the doctor’s typical duties. Saying SEE PATIENTS, DIAGNOSE ILLNESSES, PRESCRIBE TREATMENTS, DOCUMENT IN RECORDS covers the full scope of what a doctor does, showing both patient interaction and the medical responsibilities that define the role.

If the topic were PATIENT, the sentence would center on the patient rather than the professional being described, which isn’t the natural way to introduce a doctor’s description. If the topic were HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, the term is broader and loses the specific identity of the doctor, making the comment feel less precise about the doctor’s typical actions. Summing up with the doctor as the topic and a comprehensive comment about their duties provides a clear, accurate portrayal in a single topic-comment statement.