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What’s Covered:

What Is a Topic Sentence?
5 Steps to Writing a Good Topic Sentence

Elements of a Good Topic Sentence

Common pitfalls to avoid.

Where To Get Your Essay Edited For Free

Crafting the perfect essay takes time and dedication. There are so many elements you have to worry about, such as tone, purpose, and correct spelling and grammar. Writing a strong topic sentences is another critical part in writing a cohesive essay.

Without a strong topic sentence, you risk losing your reader and perhaps part of your grade. If it’s a college admissions essay, then you need it to be as strong as possible to back up your application. Learn about what steps you should take to write a strong topic sentence.

What Is a Topic Sentence?

People often confuse a topic sentence with a thesis statement. A thesis statement is typically at the end of your opening paragraph, that dictates the main argument you’ll be making in your essay.

Throughout your essay, you’ll have multiple topic sentences, as each paragraph should start off with one. This beginning sentence is used to direct the topic of the paragraph and outline the flow of the following sentences. It’s used to help guide your reader and to continue to keep them hooked on your overall essay. Without topic sentences, your essay will be unorganized, lack transitions, and sound very choppy. To write a good topic sentence, there are several steps to take.

Writing a Good Topic Sentence: 5 Steps

Step 1: decide what you’re going to write about..

When you see the essay prompt, you’ll have some time to think through what you want to say and why. You have to decide if it’s a persuasive essay, informative, narrative, or descriptive. Determine your purpose for writing the essay after reading through the prompt. Whether it’s an assignment for school or if it’s to get into college, you need to make sure you have that purpose clearly outlined.

Step 2: Create a thesis statement.

One of the first things you need to do is create a thesis statement. This is typically a sentence with three points that you’ll back up throughout your essay.

For example: The Office became a cultural phenomenon because it spurred the careers of many of today’s successful movie stars, it talked about situations that most American workers can relate to, and even 15 years later, offers funny, relevant content that helps to break down prejudices.

You then use that thesis statement to create an essay around the points you want to make.

Step 3: Make your essay outline.

Once you have the points you want to make within your thesis statement hammered out, make an outline for your essay. This is where you’ll start to create your topic sentence for each paragraph. You want to clearly state the main idea of that paragraph in the very first sentence. From there, you back up that main idea with facts and reputable sources. Make sure your topic sentence is clear, but does not just announce your topic.

For example, do not write something like: “In this paragraph, I will discuss why it’s bad that poachers are killing giraffes.”

Instead, write something that clearly states your idea with a reasonable opinion and that gives direction to the paragraph: “Giraffes are a key part of the African ecosystem, so it’s important to enforce regulations against the poachers who are killing them for their body parts.”

You’d then follow that up with reasons why giraffes are a key part of the African ecosystem and how poachers are destroying their population.

Step 4: Begin writing your essay.

Once you have your thesis statement and you’ve created an outline with supporting paragraphs and their topic sentences, you can begin writing your essay. It’s important to make that outline before just jumping in–a disorganized essay can spell disaster for you as you continue to write, and could result in a poor grade. Many times, teachers will even require you to turn in your outline as part of your overall essay grade.

Step 5: Proofread and check your resources.

After you’ve written the essay, go back through it with a fine tooth comb. Read through each topic sentence and the paragraphs that follow to ensure that you’ve written clear, solid topic sentences throughout and that the paragraphs with them make sense. During the proofreading phase, you also need to recheck the sources you’re using. Make sure each source is reputable. In other words, do not use sites like Wikipedia where anyone can go in and edit an article to add misinformation. Use sites that:

Are actual reputable news sources, such as the New York Times , CNN, CBS News
Have domain names that end in .edu or .gov
Come from an encyclopedia, such as Encyclopedia Britannica

Using sites that are not reputable could jeopardize the validity of your argument.

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Now that you know the steps to set yourself up for success when writing a topic sentence, there are certain elements that go into a quality first sentence. Always make sure that your topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph. You don’t want to make your reader hunt for the point you’re trying to make. Check out some key elements of a good topic sentence:

Make sure your topic sentence isn’t too vague.

You need a topic sentence that has some specifics to it. It also needs to hook in your reader in some way with an opinion. A vague sentence makes it harder to write a paragraph that can clearly backs up your thoughts. For example:

DON’T: “In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bingley seems like a nice guy.”

DO: “When Mr. Bingley is first introduced, he comes across as a kind person because he speaks to everyone and doesn’t immediately pass judgment.”

Choose a reasonable opinion.

Your topic sentence should clearly outline whatever point you’re trying to make in the paragraph, but you want to pick a reasonable opinion that you can easily reinforce with facts and statistics. Here’s an example of what you should and should not do:

DON’T: “It’s obvious that Mr. Bingley was a total loser with no backbone.”

DO: “Mr. Bingley could have shown more confidence in his choices and stood up to Mr. Darcy when he found himself in love with Jane Bennet.”

You can then back that up with facts, saying that he was a wealthy Englishman and thus one of the key players in society at the time, which should have given him more confidence. If he’d been more confident, perhaps he would not have left and devastated Jane.

Use your topic sentence as a transition.

Along with telling the reader the point of your next paragraph, your topic sentence should also serve as a transition from the previous paragraph. Without a transition, the essay can feel like it’s choppy and disjointed. For example:

DON’T: “Mr. Bingley is a good man and here’s why.”

DO: “Although Mr. Bingley did break Jane’s heart by leaving, he ended up redeeming himself by returning to Netherfield Hall.”

Keep your topic sentence short.

A long, drawn-out topic sentence can risk losing your reader. Many times, it’s hard to determine the point of a sentence when it goes on for too long. You want a clear, concise sentence that draws in the reader but also leaves some room for you to expand on it in the following paragraph.

DON’T: “Throughout the novel of Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bingley was often quite different from Mr. Darcy as he would treat all people in a friendly manner, considering them all his friends and acquaintances, even agreeing to throw a ball after Elizabeth’s sisters rudely demanded he do so and was gracious to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet as well despite their manners.”

DO: “Overall, Mr. Bingley served as a foil to Mr. Darcy throughout the story by treating everyone around him equally with dignity and grace.”

Writing an essay can be overwhelming at times, but so long as you avoid some of these common pitfalls, it can be easier to get it done on time.

Don’t wait until the last minute.

If your teacher assigns you an essay or tells you that you have an essay test coming up, don’t wait until the day before to do anything about it. You have to plan or study and you need to give yourself time to do that. If you know it takes you a while to write something, then start planning it as soon as you get the assignment.

Don’t forget to write an outline.

Along with planning, make sure you have that outline written up and planned out well. It will serve as your guideline for writing the essay. Without it, you’ll face the risk of a disorganized essay that does not clearly illustrate your point.

Ask for help if you need it.

This may be the most important pitfall to avoid. If you get in over your head while writing, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ask a friend to review the essay or ask your teacher for guidance.

Where to Get Your Essay Edited for Free

Once you’ve finished your essay, you may want additional input. There are tools out there to help, but CollegeVine’s free peer essay review tool can provide you with actionable feedback from students just like you. CollegeVine’s tool has helped many students and may be able to help you, too! Asking for peer feedback can help to refine your essay and it never hurts to have an extra set of eyes read through what you’ve written. Check out the free tool today!

How to Write a Good Topic Sentence

Last Updated: June 26, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Megan Callaghan, PhD . Megan Morgan is an Academic Advising and Writing expert based in Augusta, Georgia. She has over 7 years of university teaching experience and more than 15 years of professional editing experience. She works as an intern for the Law Library of Congress, and is also a Professional Writing Center Consultant at Augusta University. Her key academic interests involve reference and subject librarianship, government information, and information organization. She provides personalized writing instruction, workshops, and support for AU students, faculty, and staff. Previously, she worked as a Graduate Program Administrator at the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs. She was a Graduate Advisor for three degrees in the departments of Political Science and International Affairs at the University of Georgia College of Arts and Sciences. She earned her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Valdosta State University. She also received both a PhD and MA in English from The University of Georgia, and a BA in English and Creative Writing from the Mississippi University for Women. She wrote her PhD dissertation on narrative structure and social change in novels by 18th-century British women writers. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 32 testimonials and 83% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 2,256,416 times.

Perfecting the skill of writing topic sentences is essential to successful writing. A topic sentence usually comes at the beginning of a paragraph and lets your reader know what to expect from each paragraph. Think of it as the preview for a movie or a headline in a newspaper, highlighting the “main point” that’s to come in that paragraph. [1] X Research source Make sure your topic sentences are up to par, and the rest of your writing will feel like a breeze.

Writing a Successful Topic Sentence

Keep in mind that this is not an invitation to simply announce your topic. “Today I’m going to discuss the benefits of gardening” is not an effective topic sentence. You should be able to make your intentions clear without stating them explicitly.
The topic sentence in this example states a clear direction (“health benefits of gardening”) that you can then elaborate on in your paragraph.

Step 2 Balance the topic sentence between specifics and general ideas.

Don’t write too vague or general an idea or you will never be able to discuss it in a single paragraph. This is too general: “The United States suffered a lot during the Civil War.”
Don’t write too narrow of a statement. There’s nothing much to talk about then, because it’s probably a fact. This is too narrow: “Christmas trees are either cedars or firs."
Instead, aim for a good balance: “Sherman’s destruction in the South during the Civil War also caused incredible suffering.” This is big enough to relate to the broader idea of an essay, but not so narrow that there’s nothing left to discuss.

Describe a character. This can be a physical or emotional description.
Use dialogue. If there is a relevant conversation that will attract your reader’s attention, consider using part of it to start your paragraph.
Portray an emotion. Use the opening sentence to portray an emotion to your reader.
Use detail. While you don’t want to write a run on sentence by creating too much detail, it’s a good idea to create interest using sensory language in your topic sentence.
Avoid rhetorical questions. While you want your reader to formulate questions in his or her mind, you do not want to formulate the questions yourself.

Avoid presenting only facts in your topic sentence. While facts may be interesting, they do not introduce the reader to your paragraph nor do they draw the reader in. If you wish to include a fact, also include your own input. For example, instead of writing “All dogs need food,” try “All dogs need regular care, including healthy food, and children are the best ones to do it.” Alternatively, save your facts to use as evidence in the body of your paragraph.

Step 6 Use the topic sentence as a transition.

Using transitional elements, such as “In addition” or “In contrast,” is a good way to show the relationship between your ideas.
For example: “Although gardening has many health benefits, people still need to exercise caution when outside.” This topic sentence establishes a connection to the main idea of the previous paragraph (“health benefits of gardening”) and points to the direction of the new paragraph (“things to be cautious of”).

Planning Your Topic Sentences

You don’t have to write a formal outline using Roman numerals and the like. Even a loose, idea-based outline can help you know what you want to discuss.

A topic sentence, unlike a thesis statement, doesn’t have to present an argument. It can present a “preview” of what the paragraph will argue or discuss.

For example, a topic sentence could look like this: “In addition, increasing funding for public roads in Jackson County will improve local residents’ quality of life.” The rest of the sentences in this paragraph would relate to the main idea of public roads and how they will help benefit local residents.
This is not as successful a topic sentence: “Increased funding for public roads in Jackson County has decreased traffic by 20%.” While this is probably an interesting fact for your argument, it’s too narrow for a topic sentence. The topic sentence has to direct the whole paragraph.

Avoiding Common Problems

Unless it is an opinion piece, avoid using ‘I’ in your topic sentences.

Rather than stating something like “In the story, Amelia did many good things such as help out her friends, talk to her parents, and support her team at school” say something like “As a result of the many activities Amelia participated in, she was recognized for her positive influence on the community.”

Sample Topic Sentences

Community Q&A

Avoid using words like you or we because it implies you know the reader, which you don’t. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
In formal writing, avoid contractions such as “don’t,” “can’t,” and “isn’t.” Also avoid other common contractions like “would’ve” and “could’ve” which are commonly used. Instead type them out to look like “do not,” “can not”, “is not”, “would have”, and “could have.” Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Type out all numbers under a ten. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

↑ http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/planning-and-organizing/topic-sentences
↑ https://wts.indiana.edu/writing-guides/paragraphs-and-topic-sentences.html
↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/paragraphs_and_paragraphing/index.html
↑ https://stlcc.edu/student-support/academic-success-and-tutoring/writing-center/writing-resources/topic-sentence-paragraph.aspx
↑ https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/paragraphs/topicsentences
↑ https://www.rit.edu/ntid/sea/processes/paragraph/process/sentence
↑ https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/writingprocess/outlining
↑ https://www.touro.edu/departments/writing-center/tutorials/topic-sentence/
↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/2/2/57/
↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/paragraphs/

About This Article

If you’re trying to write a good topic sentence, start by clearly stating your main idea, which should include the topic and the position you’re taking on it. Aim to write a sentence that’s broad enough for discussion but narrow enough to be covered in a single paragraph. If you can, start with a hook, like a detail, character, or emotion that would draw in your readers. For more advice from our reviewer on writing a good topic sentence, like how to make it effective while keeping it short and sweet, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Writing Topic Sentences — Purpose, Structure, and Examples

What is a topic sentence?

A topic sentence in academic writing identifies how a body paragraph relates to the overall purpose of an essay stated in the thesis statement . Topic sentences are usually at the beginning of a paragraph and identify the paragraph’s controlling idea.

While an essay’s thesis statement identifies the point of the essay in its entirety, the topic sentence has a much narrower focus, as it relates only to the paragraph in which it is located.

What is the purpose of a topic sentence?

The purpose of a topic sentence is to inform the reader of the main idea of the paragraph and how it connects to the overall objective of the essay. An effective topic sentence accomplishes one or more of the following:

Makes a claim

Supports other claims made in the paper

Identifies the purpose of the rest of the paragraph

Relates the paragraph to the purpose of the paper

Precedes information that defends a claim

How to write a topic sentence

To write a topic sentence, incorporate the following guidelines:

Determine the thesis of the essay.

Identify the main supports that help prove the thesis.

Use each main support to structure a topic sentence for each paragraph.

Compose a sentence that answers the following questions:

What will the paragraph prove?

How does the paragraph connect to the thesis?

Where is the topic sentence in a paragraph?

Topic sentences can be placed at the beginning or end of a paragraph.

Although it does not need to be the first sentence, the topic sentence should be placed at the beginning of the paragraph so the reader can quickly identify the purpose of the paragraph.

While not a common placement for a topic sentence, some writers use topic sentences at the end of a paragraph. Writers who choose this method want the reader to deduce the main point of the paragraph by presenting the evidence first.

Topic sentence examples

The following list identifies topic sentences based on the provided thesis statements for five-paragraph essays:

Thesis Statement: Capital punishment should be banned because it is inhumane, unconstitutional, and ineffective at deterring crime.

Support Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence: The inhumane nature of the death penalty proves it should be abolished.

Support Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence: Capital punishment should be outlawed because it violates the Constitution.

Support Paragraph 3 Topic Sentence: Because the death penalty does not effectively deter criminal behavior, states should not continue to use it.

Thesis Statement: College athletes should be financially compensated because they sacrifice their minds and bodies, cannot hold an outside job, and increase the school’s revenue.

Support Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence: Student athletes should be paid for their performance because of sports’ impact on their minds and bodies.

Support Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence: Because most college athletes cannot play their sport and hold a job, colleges should give them a living wage.

Support Paragraph 3 Topic Sentence: Student-athletes’ ability to increase their college’s revenue proves they should be awarded financial compensation.

Thesis Statement: Using alternative energy sources can help lessen the impact of global climate change.

Support Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence: Through the widespread use of solar power, countries can limit the environmental impact of other energy sources.

Support Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence: Utilizing more wind turbines as a power source can help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Support Paragraph 3 Topic Sentence: Using geothermal power will effectively decrease the world's reliance on fossil fuels.

How to Write a Topic Sentence (30+ Tips & Examples)

Writing the perfect topic sentence took me years to master.

After endless drafts, feedback sessions, and seeing what resonates with readers, I’ve distilled the ultimate guide to craft attention-grabbing, informative, and concise topic sentences.

Let’s dive into the essential tips for how to write a topic sentence.

What Is a Topic Sentence and Why Is It Important?

Bright lights spell 'TOPIC SENTENCES' above an awe-inspired crowd -- How to Write a Topic Sentence

Table of Contents

A topic sentence introduces the main idea, usually appearing at the start of a paragraph.

It sets the tone for the entire paragraph by giving a glimpse of what’s coming. Think of it as a headline for each paragraph that keeps your writing clear and focused.

A strong topic sentence is important because:

Grabs Attention: Captures the reader’s interest, encouraging them to keep reading.
Guides Structure: Helps organize thoughts in a logical way.
Provides Focus: Prevents rambling by clarifying the main point.

Types of Topic Sentences

Different types of topic sentences can fit various writing styles and purposes.

Understanding these types will help you select the best approach for your specific content.

Declarative Statements: These are straightforward sentences that make a clear assertion. They introduce the main idea without any fluff or ambiguity. Example: “Water conservation is critical in regions prone to drought.”
Interrogative Sentences: These topic sentences pose a question, encouraging readers to think critically and seek answers within the paragraph. Example: “How can sustainable practices help reduce waste in the fashion industry?”
Complex Sentences: By combining independent and dependent clauses, these topic sentences present a nuanced main idea that prepares readers for a more detailed discussion. Example: “Although renewable energy sources are gaining popularity, fossil fuels still dominate the global energy sector.”
Bridge Sentences: These link the preceding paragraph to the next, providing continuity and coherence in the overall structure. Example: “While electric vehicles offer a greener alternative to traditional cars, the infrastructure for widespread adoption remains lacking.”
Contrasting Statements: These topic sentences highlight opposing viewpoints or circumstances, building intrigue and depth into the following paragraph. Example: “Despite the technological advancements in healthcare, access remains limited for underserved communities.”

My 30 Best Tips for Writing a Topic Sentence

Now let’s get into the main section of this guide — where you will learn all the best tips for writing a compelling topic sentence on any subject.

Tip #1: State the Main Idea Clearly

Make sure your topic sentence introduces the primary idea succinctly.

Avoid vague language or cluttered wording. Your reader should immediately understand the topic.

Clear: “Recycling programs reduce landfill waste by promoting reusable packaging.”
Unclear: “Programs for recycling can be a good thing because it’s important.”

Tip #2: Keep It Simple and Direct

A topic sentence should be straightforward. Avoid complex structures and over-complicated phrasing.

Shorter sentences work best.

Simple: “Exercise improves mental health through endorphin production.”
Complicated: “One can expect to experience benefits in their mental state with exercise due to the generation of endorphins.”

Tip #3: Link to the Previous Paragraph

Create a smooth flow by connecting ideas to the paragraph before.

Transition words like “similarly,” “however,” or “in contrast” help show relationships.

Linked: “Similarly, the agricultural industry is also impacted by climate change.”
Disjointed: “Farmers are struggling with erratic weather patterns.”

Tip #4: Avoid Announcing Your Intentions

Steer clear of sentences like “In this paragraph, I will discuss…” They sound amateurish and reduce reader engagement.

Natural: “Effective communication skills are crucial for career advancement.”
Announcing: “This paragraph will explain why communication skills are important.”

Tip #5: Vary Sentence Structure

Using the same structure repeatedly can bore readers.

Mix up your approach by experimenting with different forms like questions, facts, and lists.

Varied: “How does cultural background influence consumer behavior?”
Repetitive: “Consumer behavior is influenced by cultural background.”

Tip #6: Be Specific, Not General

A vague topic sentence leaves the reader confused. Instead, provide specific information to establish clarity and interest.

Specific: “Remote work improves productivity by reducing commute times.”
General: “Remote work is beneficial for many reasons.”

Tip #7: Reflect Your Argument’s Tone

Match your topic sentence with the tone of your argument. For serious discussions, avoid informal language.

Formal: “The socioeconomic impact of urbanization requires comprehensive policy solutions.”
Informal: “The effects of city living need some fixing.”

Tip #8: Include a Controlling Idea

The controlling idea limits the scope of the paragraph, ensuring the reader knows what to expect next.

With Control: “Social media marketing increases brand visibility through targeted campaigns.”
Without Control: “Social media is important.”

Tip #9: Use Active Voice

Active voice is more engaging and dynamic. It also provides clarity.

Active: “New policies will reshape healthcare accessibility.”
Passive: “Healthcare accessibility will be reshaped by new policies.”

Tip #10: Make It Unique

Avoid using overused phrases or predictable statements. Offer a fresh perspective to captivate your reader.

Unique: “Biodegradable packaging is transforming the fast-food industry.”
Cliché: “The fast-food industry is changing with new trends.”

Tip #11: Create Curiosity

Tease your reader by leaving questions unanswered. Encourage them to keep reading for more.

Curious: “What are the unexpected benefits of rising inflation rates?”
Blunt: “Rising inflation rates have some positive effects.”

Tip #12: Support Your Thesis

Your topic sentence should align with your overall thesis. It will give your argument more coherence.

Aligned: “Reducing plastic waste aligns with our sustainability goals.”
Unaligned: “Plastic recycling is controversial.”

Tip #13: Focus on One Point

Don’t overwhelm readers with multiple ideas in one topic sentence. Stick to one clear concept.

One Point: “Artificial intelligence streamlines data analysis.”
Too Broad: “Artificial intelligence changes marketing, finance, and data analysis.”

Tip #14: Use Key Terms From the Prompt (if applicable)

If you are responding to an assignment or specific topic prompt, make sure your topic sentence directly incorporates relevant keywords.

Key Terms Included: “Global warming solutions must involve international cooperation.”
Lacks Terms: “Solutions for the environment require cooperation.”

Tip #15: Offer Context

Provide some context in the topic sentence to frame the discussion, giving the reader essential background information.

With Context: “As urbanization accelerates, city infrastructure struggles to keep up.” Without Context: “City infrastructure is lagging.”

Tip #16: Incorporate Comparisons

Comparisons can clarify complex concepts and give readers a familiar reference.

Comparison: “Just as the printing press revolutionized communication, the internet has transformed modern commerce.”
No Comparison: “The internet has transformed modern commerce.”

Tip #17: Present Solutions

Offering a solution at the start engages readers who are seeking actionable advice.

Solution: “Installing solar panels reduces energy bills while cutting carbon emissions.”
Problem-Only: “High energy bills are a widespread issue.”

Tip #18: Address Common Misconceptions

Challenge preconceived notions to spark curiosity and highlight the importance of your argument.

Challenging: “Despite common belief, vitamin supplements aren’t always beneficial.”
Reinforcing: “Vitamin supplements have benefits.”

Tip #19: Use Emotional Appeals

Appeal to the reader’s emotions to deepen their connection to your writing.

Emotional: “Volunteering at shelters uplifts communities and transforms lives.”
Neutral: “Volunteering at shelters is helpful.”

Tip #20: Avoid Redundancy

Ensure your topic sentence adds new value. Avoid repeating points covered elsewhere.

New Value: “Stronger copyright laws are crucial for protecting intellectual property.”
Redundant: “Intellectual property needs stronger protection.”

Tip #21: Ask a Thought-Provoking Question

Pose a question that makes the reader stop and think. This engages them immediately.

Provocative: “How will automation reshape the global workforce?”
Plain: “Automation is changing the global workforce.”

Tip #22: Include an Action Verb

Action verbs add momentum and urgency to your topic sentence. They make your point more dynamic.

Active Verb: “Investing in renewable energy fosters long-term economic growth.”
Lacks Action: “Renewable energy investments are beneficial.”

Tip #23: Paint a Picture

Use descriptive language to help readers visualize your point.

Descriptive: “Increased droughts have turned fertile farmlands into arid deserts.”
Bland: “Droughts are affecting farmlands.”

Tip #24: Use Parallel Structure

Parallel structure involves repeating similar grammatical forms.

It makes your writing rhythmic and easy to follow.

Parallel: “Tackling pollution requires reducing emissions, cleaning waterways, and limiting waste.”
Non-Parallel: “Tackling pollution requires emission reductions, waterways cleaning, and limiting waste.”

Tip #25: Emphasize Urgency

Highlight the time-sensitive nature of your argument to create urgency.

Urgent: “Immediate action is needed to prevent further deforestation.”
Calm: “Deforestation is a concern.”

Tip #26: Highlight Contrasts

Contrasting different ideas helps to emphasize your point and draw clear distinctions.

Contrast: “While technology creates new jobs, it also disrupts traditional industries.”
No Contrast: “Technology affects the job market.”

Tip #27: Lead with a Statistic

Start with a compelling number to catch the reader’s attention and back up your argument.

Statistic: “80% of small businesses struggle to comply with data privacy regulations.”
General Statement: “Small businesses struggle with data privacy.”

Tip #28: Build on Existing Knowledge

Assume the reader has some background knowledge and expand on it.

Builds On Knowledge: “With the rise of remote work, companies are rethinking their office spaces.”
Basic Information: “Remote work is changing office spaces.”

Tip #29: Start with an Anecdote

A brief anecdote adds a human touch, creating an immediate connection with the reader.

Anecdotal: “After years of burnout, Sarah switched to a part-time schedule to improve her work-life balance.”
Abstract: “Work-life balance is important.”

Tip #30: Use an Engaging Metaphor

A metaphor can illuminate your argument in an unexpected way.

Metaphor: “Effective teamwork is the glue that holds successful organizations together.”
Literal: “Effective teamwork is important for organizations.”

Check out this video about how to write a topic sentence:

Final Thoughts: How to Write a Topic Sentence

Writing compelling topic sentences takes practice, but mastering this skill can transform your writing.

I hope this guides empowers you in your topic-sentence writing journey.

Beyond the topic sentence, there are other techniques and terms you really need to know to improve your writing.

The Barker Underground

Writing advice from the harvard college writing center tutors, when you don’t have much time to revise, focus on topic sentences..

by Nicole Kagan and Nicolas Yan

What are topic sentences?

Topic sentences are sentences that lead each paragraph of an essay. Think of them as flags: at the beginning of each paragraph, you are “flagging” to the reader what the direction of the paragraph will be (more concretely, what the claim you are making in that paragraph is).

Why are topic sentences important?

Topic sentences are important both for the reader and for the writer. Because topic sentences clearly present arguments in a way that flows, they allow a reader to understand not only the direction of each paragraph, but also the snowball structure of the paragraphs taken together. That is, before you can prove Y (your thesis), you must first prove X1, X2, and X3 (every claim made in the body paragraphs). For the writer, meanwhile, topic and supporting sentences are essential for conceptually and specifically outlining the structure of the essay and increasing its clarity.

Paying attention to topic sentences can often deliver the highest return on investment when it comes to editing your paper, especially if you don’t have much time. As a general rule of thumb, somebody reading your essay should be able to gain a good understanding of what your argument is about by simply reading the introduction, each topic sentence, and the conclusion. By going through this “skim-reading” exercise and revisiting your topic sentences, you should be able to identify any logical or structural weaknesses in your argument, particularly with regards to the order of your paragraphs.

So what makes for an effective topic sentence?

An effective topic sentence should accomplish four main functions:

It should highlight the claim ( i.e. , the main idea) of the paragraph that follows;
It should organize and advance your argument by relating back to your thesis statement and developing your argument’s logical progression;
It should create signposts that enable the reader to easily follow your argument, often by utilizing bridge words (see this blog post for more on bridge words); and
It should be specific —if it would be possible to pick up your topic sentence and drop it into another essay with a different thesis, then it is not specific enough.

To illustrate these functions more clearly, let’s take a look at the topic sentences of an example essay.

Imagine that you have been asked to discuss whether the most effective way of reducing gas consumption is providing government subsidies for electric vehicles. You might decide to argue this thesis:

Although subsidizing electric vehicles would help to reduce gas consumption, an effective government strategy must also boost the demand of electric vehicles relative to gas-powered cars by instituting a gas tax .

Your argument might proceed according to the following steps:

First, you might begin with a general explanation of how subsidies work.
Next, you might explain how subsidizing electric vehicle production would reduce gas consumption.
Then, you might concede that pursuing a strategy of government subsidies in isolation may have some drawbacks.
Next, you might argue that governments should simultaneously pair subsidies for electric vehicle production with a tax on gas.
Finally, you might want to address a potential counterargument.

Your topic sentences should therefore mirror the structure of your argument:

TS1: To understand this argument, it’s important to understand that government subsidies work by encouraging companies to increase the production of a particular good by lowering production costs.
TS2: Government subsidies for electric vehicles would reduce gas consumption by increasing the supply, and decreasing the price, of electric vehicles.
TS3: However, insofar as subsidizing electric vehicles would only target the supply of electric vehicles, pursuing such a strategy in isolation would have certain drawbacks.
TS4: Therefore, in order to target both the supply of and the demand for electric vehicles, governments should simultaneously pair electric vehicle subsidies with a gas tax.
TS5: Though some might argue that subsidizing public transportation would be a more effective way of reducing gas consumption, such a policy would overlook those who live in more rural areas that lack connectivity to public transportation networks.

Each of these example topic sentences clearly highlights the claim, or main idea, of the paragraph that will follow. Additionally, these sentences clearly organize and advance the argument —each topic sentence logically builds upon the previous one. The argument would not make sense if the topic sentences were rearranged (for example, TS4 could not precede TS3, since the claim in TS4 logically depends on the claim in TS3). Furthermore, using signpost words (like “however,” and “therefore”) helps to signal transitions between ideas to the reader. And perhaps most important, these topic sentences make specific claims that would not easily fit into a different argument. Finally, they pass the “skim-reading” test; reading each of the topic sentences would give the reader a pretty good idea of the overall argument, even without the body paragraphs.

Using Topic Sentences

What is a topic sentence.

A topic sentence states the main point of a paragraph: it serves as a mini-thesis for the paragraph. You might think of it as a signpost for your readers -- or a headline -- something that alerts them to the most important, interpretive points in your essay. When read in sequence, your essay's topic sentences will provide a sketch of the essay's argument.

Thus, topics sentences help protect your readers from confusion by guiding them through the argument. But topic sentences can also help you to improve your essay by making it easier for you to recognize gaps or weaknesses in your argument.

Where do topic sentences go?

Topic sentences usually appear at the very beginning of paragraphs. In the following example from Anatomy of Criticism , Northrop Frye establishes the figure of the tragic hero as someone more than human, but less than divine. He backs up his claim with examples of characters from literature, religion and mythology whose tragic stature is a function of their ability to mediate between their fellow human beings and a power that transcends the merely human:

The tragic hero is typically on top of the wheel of fortune, half-way between human society on the ground and the something greater in the sky. Prometheus, Adam, and Christ hang between heaven and earth, between a world of paradisal freedom and a world of bondage. Tragic heroes are so much the highest points in their human landscape that they seem the inevitable conductors of the power about them, great trees more likely to be struck by lightning than a clump of grass. Conductors may of course be instruments as well as victims of the divine lightning: Milton's Samson destroys the Philistine temple with himself, and Hamlet nearly exterminates the Danish court in his own fall.

The structure of Frye's paragraph is simple yet powerful: the topic sentence makes an abstract point, and the rest of the paragraph elaborates on that point using concrete examples as evidence.

Does a topic sentence have to be at the beginning of a paragraph?

No, though this is usually the most logical place for it. Sometimes a transitional sentence or two will come before a topic sentence:

We found in comedy that the term bomolochos or buffoon need not be restricted to farce, but could be extended to cover comic characters who are primarily entertainers, with the function of increasing or focusing the comic mood. The corresponding contrasting type is the suppliant, the character, often female, who presents a picture of unmitigated helplessness and destitution. Such a figure is pathetic, and pathos, though it seems a gentler and more relaxed mood than tragedy, is even more terrifying. Its basis is the exclusion of an individual from the group; hence it attacks the deepest fear in ourselves that we possess—a fear much deeper than the relatively cosy and sociable bogey of hell. In the suppliant pity and terror are brought to the highest possible pitch of intensity, and the awful consequences of rejecting the suppliant for all concerned is a central theme of Greek tragedy.

The first sentence of the current paragraph is transitional: it prepares the way for the topic sentence. The delayed topic sentence contributes to the coherence of Frye's discussion by drawing an explicit connection between key ideas in the book. In essays, the connection is usually between the previous paragraph and the current one.

Sometimes writers save a topic sentence for the end of a paragraph. You may, for example, occasionally find that giving away your point at the beginning of a paragraph does not allow you to build your argument toward an effective climax.

How do I come up with a topic sentence? And what makes a good one?

Ask yourself what's going on in your paragraph. Why have you chosen to include the information you have? Why is the paragraph important in the context of your argument? What point are you trying to make?

Do not forget that your topic sentence should do more than just establish a connection between your paragraph and your thesis. Use a topic sentence to show how your paragraph contributes to the development of your argument by moving it that one extra step forward.

If your topic sentence merely restates your thesis, then either your paragraph is redundant or your topic sentence needs to be reformulated. If several of your topic sentences restate your thesis, even if they do so in different words, then your essay is probably repetitive.

Does every paragraph need one?

No, but most do. Sometimes, a paragraph helps to develop the same point as in the previous paragraph, and so a new topic sentence would be redundant. And, sometimes, the evidence in your paragraph makes your point so effectively that your topic sentence can remain implicit. But if you are in doubt, it's best to use one.

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What is a topic sentence?

A topic sentence states the main point of a paragraph: it serves as a mini-thesis for the paragraph. You might think of it as a signpost for your readers—or a headline—something that alerts them to the most important, interpretive points in your essay. When read in sequence, your essay’s topic sentences will provide a sketch of the essay’s argument. Thus topics sentences help protect your readers from confusion by guiding them through the argument. But topic sentences can also help you to improve your essay by making it easier for you to recognize gaps or weaknesses in your argument.

Where do topic sentences go?

The tragic hero is typically on top of the wheel of fortune, half-way between human society on the ground and the something greater in the sky. Prometheus, Adam, and Christ hang between heaven and earth, between a world of paradisal freedom and a world of bondage. Tragic heroes are so much the highest points in their human landscape that they seem the inevitable conductors of the power about them, great trees more likely to be struck by lightning than a clump of grass. Conductors may of course be instruments as well as victims of the divine lightning: Milton’s Samson destroys the Philistine temple with himself, and Hamlet nearly exterminates the Danish court in his own fall.

The structure of Frye’s paragraph is simple yet powerful: the topic sentence makes an abstract point, and the rest of the paragraph elaborates on that point using concrete examples as evidence.

Does a topic sentence have to be at the beginning of a paragraph?

No, though this is usually the most logical place for it. Sometimes a transitional sentence or two will come before a topic sentence:

We found in comedy that the term bomolochos or buffoon need not be restricted to farce, but could be extended to cover comic characters who are primarily entertainers, with the function of increasing or focusing the comic mood. The corresponding contrasting type is the suppliant, the character, often female, who presents a picture of unmitigated helplessness and destitution. Such a figure is pathetic, and pathos, though it seems a gentler and more relaxed mood than tragedy, is even more terrifying. Its basis is the exclusion of an individual from the group; hence it attacks the deepest fear in ourselves that we possess—a fear much deeper than the relatively cosy and sociable bogey of hell. In the suppliant pity and terror are brought to the highest possible pitch of intensity, and the awful consequences of rejecting the suppliant for all concerned is a central theme of Greek tragedy.

The context for this passage is an extended discussion of the characteristics of tragedy. In this paragraph, Frye begins by drawing a parallel between the figure of the buffoon in comedy and that of the suppliant in tragedy. His discussion of the buffoon occurred in a earlier section of the chapter, a section devoted to comedy. The first sentence of the current paragraph is transitional: it prepares the way for the topic sentence. The delayed topic sentence contributes to the coherence of Frye’s discussion by drawing an explicit connection between key ideas in the book. In essays, the connection is usually between the last paragraph and the current one.

How do I come up with a topic sentence? And what makes a good one?

Ask yourself what’s going on in your paragraph. Why have you chosen to include the information you have? Why is the paragraph important in the context of your argument? What point are you trying to make?

Relating your topic sentences to your thesis can help strengthen the coherence of your essay. If you include a thesis statement in your introduction, then think of incorporating a keyword from that statement into the topic sentence. But you need not be overly explicit when you echo the thesis statement. Better to be subtle rather than heavy-handed. Do not forget that your topic sentence should do more than just establish a connection between your paragraph and your thesis. Use a topic sentence to show how your paragraph contributes to the development of your argument by moving it that one extra step forward. If your topic sentence merely restates your thesis, then either your paragraph is redundant or your topic sentence needs to be reformulated. If several of your topic sentences restate your thesis, even if they do so in different words, then your essay is probably repetitive.

Does every paragraph need one?

No, but most do. Sometimes a paragraph helps to develop the same point as in the previous paragraph, and so a new topic sentence would be redundant. And sometimes the evidence in your paragraph makes your point so effectively that your topic sentence can remain implicit. But if you are in doubt, it’s best to use one.

Topic Sentence: Definition, Examples and Useful Tips for Writing A Topic Sentence

When writing, there are many aspects which we need to take into consideration. One such aspect is the topic sentence, but how do we use this? In this article, we are looking at what the topic sentence is and how it is used within a piece of writing . We are also going to be looking at a variety of examples to give us a better understanding of its function.

Topic Sentence

What Is A Topic Sentence?

Some might say that the topic sentence is one of the most important aspects and definitely the most vital sentence within a paragraph . In some cases, you might hear the topic sentence is referred to as the focus sentence but these are essentially the same thing.

A topic sentence is used to summarize all of the information within a paragraph. When writing in a more formal style, the topic sentence will usually feature at the beginning of the paragraph, although this is not a set rule.

What Is A Topic Sentence Used For?

A writer will use a topic sentence as a way of explaining to the audience what the paragraph is going to be about. Any sentences which appear after the topic sentence should give further information about the topic sentence or should give facts about it in order to prove the claim that it has made. The following sentences might also serve as a way to further describe the topic sentence by giving more details about it. For example, if the topic sentence is about animals kept as domestic pets, the following sentences should relate back to that subject.

On top of this, the topic sentence should always refer back to the thesis statement which was made at the beginning of the essay . You can imagine the thesis statement as being a map which directs the reader as to where you are going with the information and how it is being treated.

Controlling Ideas

When writing a topic sentence, each one should feature a controlling idea. This will serve as an indicator as to where the rest of the paragraph will go and what will be discussed.

Topic Sentences Examples

Now that we are clear on what a topic sentence is, we are going to take a look at some examples to further grow our understanding of them.

‘There are a lot of reasons why (name of a city) is the most polluted in the world.’

The controlling topic here is that there are ‘a lot of reasons’ and the topic is that a certain town is the most polluted.

‘In order to be an effective manager, one must have certain qualities.’

The topic of this sentence is being an effective manager and it has a controlling idea of ‘certain qualities.’

‘There are a lot of factors which contribute to global warming .’

This sentence has a topic of global warming whilst the controlling idea is related to ‘factors which contribute.’

‘We can improve teen pregnancy rates by improving education.’

The topic of this sentence in that teen pregnancy can be improved and the controlling idea is ‘improving education.’

How to Write A Topic Sentence

Write your thesis statement.

Before you can write a topic sentence, you must have a thesis statement. This should be strong and be effective in summing up the purpose of the essay as well as the main argument.

Outline Your Essay And Draft Out The Topic Sentences

The next step is to create your essay outline, this will give your essay structure and will allow you to detail what is going to be discussed in each paragraph. You will also make note of what data and evidence will be included in each of the paragraphs.

This is the point where you can play with words and draft up some topic sentences for each of your paragraphs. A topic sentence needs to be much more specific than your thesis statement but it should relate clearly to it.

Expand With Some Evidence

The remaining sentences within your paragraph should logically flow from the original topic sentence. They should be used to expand on what has been said in the topic sentence. This will not only make your workflow but will also ensure that each paragraph remains focused and relevant to the topic sentence. You should give some evidence to support your topic sentence.

Revise The Topic Sentences

What your topic sentence looks like to begin with may not be how it ends up in the final draft and that is OK. It is very important that you look over and edit each topic sentence within the essay as you go along. This will ensure that they remain relevant to the content of your paragraphs.

When making the final edits for your topic sentences, you should ensure that they are clear enough to allow the reader to know what the paragraph is going to be about but also not so clear that they detail everything you wish to talk about within that paragraph.

Transitions

Your topic sentence will sometimes serve as a transition between your paragraphs and in this case, they may do one of the following things:

Compare and contrast
Emphasize or expand

Conclusion:

A topic sentence is one which appears, usually (but not always) at the beginning of each paragraph of an essay. The topic sentence is used to layout the ideas and arguments that will be covered within the paragraph and should be carefully planned out to ensure that they are clear enough to give the reader an idea of what will be discussed but not to give away too much about the content of the paragraph. Your topic sentence may serve one of many purposes including summarizing and comparing.

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Topic Sentence

Learn How to Write a Topic Sentence that Stands Out

Published on: Jan 13, 2021

Last updated on: Oct 26, 2024

What is a Topic Sentence?

A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph in an essay that introduces the main idea or topic of that paragraph. It serves as a roadmap for the reader, letting them know what to expect in the upcoming paragraph.

Purpose of Topic Sentence

The purpose of a topic sentence is to clearly and concisely convey the main point of the paragraph to the reader.

It helps to guide the reader through the essay, making it easier for them to follow the overall argument or narrative.

Features of a Good Topic Sentence

A good topic sentence has a few key features. Let’s take a look:

Expresses the main idea of the paragraph or essay clearly and concisely.
Is specific and focused , avoiding vague or overly general statements.
Introduces the main point and is typically located at the beginning of the paragraph or essay.
Presents a claim or position that is arguable or debatable, which the rest of the paragraph or essay will support.
Can be a complete sentence or a concise phrase that effectively conveys the main idea.
Is relevant to the thesis statement and overall topic of the essay.
Engages the reader by creating interest and highlighting the significance of the topic.
Is well-written and avoids grammar and spelling errors.
Provides a roadmap for the rest of the paragraph or essay by indicating what will be covered.
Encourages coherence and unity in the writing by linking the paragraph or essay to the broader topic.

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Types of Topic Sentences

There are several different types of topic sentences that can be used in writing to introduce the reader through a paragraph or essay.

Simple Statement Topic Sentence This is the most common type of topic sentence, which straightforwardly states the main point or idea of the paragraph or essay.

Example: The rise of social media has revolutionized the way people communicate with each other.

Complex Topic Sentence This type of topic sentence is more nuanced and may require some explanation or elaboration to fully understand.

Example: While the rise of social media has had many positive effects on communication, it has also led to concerns about privacy and online harassment.

Pivot Topic Sentence A pivot topic sentence begins by connecting the current paragraph or idea to the previous one, before pivoting to introduce a new point or idea.

Example: Building on the idea of social media's impact on communication, it is important to consider how it has also affected business and marketing strategies.

Question Topic Sentence A question topic sentence poses a question that the rest of the paragraph or essay will answer or explore.

Example: How has social media changed the way businesses interact with customers and advertise their products?

Command Topic Sentence This type of topic sentence gives a directive or instruction, often used in persuasive or argumentative essays.

Example: Support local businesses by shopping at independently owned stores instead of large chains.

How to Write a Topic Sentence?

Here are a few instructions to help you write a good topic sentence.

Step#1 Clearly State The Main Idea

A topic sentence is the first paragraph of the paragraph. It must clearly explain the particular subject that would be discussed in the paragraph. This should be stated in very clear language so that the reader can easily understand the idea.

Also, it should include a bit of your personal opinion and also the main idea.

Step#2 Hook Your Reader

Grab your reader's attention with an intriguing topic sentence. It would excite and make the reader curious about the content and convince them to read the particular part.

Look out for some amazing hook examples and see what fits your essay type.

Use a meaningful and relevant question or a fact as a topic sentence of the paragraph. Make sure that you have identified your audience and are developing everything accordingly.

Step#3 Keep It Short and Precise

The paragraph topic sentence must be expressive enough that a reader understands your point of view effortlessly. This is only possible if you keep everything to the point, short, and meaningful.

Choose the words in such a way that they help you express your idea in an ideal way. Avoid using complex sentences and use independent clauses.

A topic sentence acts as a link between a paragraph and the main thesis statement. It should be specific and connected to the overall essay. Keeping it short and precise helps maintain the paragraph's flow and its relevance to the rest of the writing.

Step#4 Give A Reasonable Opinion

The body paragraph explains a topic sentence. This is why it is important that you should write this sentence in such a way that it can be explained in the paragraph.

If you are mentioning a fact in the topic statement, make sure that you have authentic evidence to support it.

While the topic sentence is an integral part of the paragraph, it should stand out and possess a distinctiveness that sets it apart from the other sentences. This can be achieved by employing transition words and establishing connections between sentences.

Step#5 Use The Topic Sentence As A Transition

The topic sentences that serve as transition sentences can be considered a guide for the readers. This way, they can help the reader to move through the essay in a flow.

Write this sentence in such a way that it creates a gateway between the previous paragraph and the rest of the essay. Moreover, it will also help keep the essay organized, and the reader understands the point of a paragraph.

Step#6 Look For Some Good Examples

Examples can help you learn a thing in a better way. If you are new to writing topic sentences, it can help to look at some examples. Find some great examples of topic sentences relevant to your essay topic.

Difference Between Topic Sentence and Thesis Sentence

Here's a table outlining the differences between a topic sentence and a thesis statement:

Good Topic Sentence Examples

Here are ten examples of good topic sentences:

"Despite the advancements in technology, traditional forms of communication are still essential in today's society."
"The theme of power is prevalent throughout Shakespeare's play, Macbeth."
"In recent years, there has been a growing concern over the impact of climate change on our planet."
"The legalization of marijuana has been a topic of debate for many years." "Education is the key to success in life."
"The rise of social media has greatly impacted the way we communicate with one another."
"The effects of childhood trauma can have a lasting impact on mental health."
"The concept of justice is explored in depth in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird."
"Eating a balanced diet is crucial for maintaining good health."
"The Industrial Revolution had a profound effect on the world as we know it today."

The Bottom Line!

An opening sentence is crucial to grab your reader's attention and set the tone for your piece of writing. The topic sentence introduces the controlling idea and acts as an important sentence in the essay outline.

Effective topic sentences are necessary for a well-structured and organized essay. It's an integral part of the writing process that should not be overlooked.

Make sure to spend time crafting a compelling topic sentence that clearly conveys your main point and guides your readers throughout your essay. You can even take ideas from an AI essay generator to get started.

However, if you find yourself struggling to write a good opening sentence, don't worry! CollegeEssay.org is here to help you with all your writing needs. We have the best online essay writing service providing top-quality essays that are sure to impress your professors.

So, why wait? Contact our essay writing service now and take the first step toward academic success!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a topic sentence.

A topic sentence can be multiple sentences long. The first sets the context for your ideas, while the second provides more depth on what you are saying beyond just stating it outright.

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Topic Sentence and Paragraph Organization

Paragraph organization refers to the way sentences are structured and ordered to create a unified and cohesive body of text.

The principal features to consider in paragraph organization are the topic sentence and controlling idea, supporting details, organizational patterns, and signal words. Together, these features develop a topic and connect ideas from one point to the next, logically and fluidly. This resource explains these features and provides numerous examples of paragraph organization.

The Topic Sentence and Controlling Idea

Similar to a thesis statement, which establishes the central focus or point of a whole piece of writing, a topic sentence works at the paragraph level to express the focus and general point of an individual paragraph. A topic sentence has two parts: 1) the topic that is being discussed throughout the paragraph and 2) a controlling idea that limits the focus on the topic to one point or idea. Each additional sentence in the paragraph then develops or expounds on that point with supporting details. The example topic sentence below is from a body paragraph in an informative essay.

Example Topic Sentence and Controlling Idea

The economy also plays a role in an increase in prescription pain reliever addiction.

The example topic sentence suggests the paragraph topic is “the economy,” and the controlling idea about the economy is how it “plays a role in an increase” in opioid addition. The signal word “also” connects this topic as an additional example or contributing factor to the opioid epidemic, the focus of the paper. The example below shows the topic sentence in the context of the complete paragraph.

The economy also plays a role in an increase in prescription pain reliever addiction. According to Jungeun Olivia Lee, a social work professor at University of Southern California, “The relationship between joblessness and substance abuse is strongest among people from low socioeconomic brackets, who might not be able to afford healthier ways to relieve their stress” (2017, as cited in Khazan, 2017, para. 8). Additionally, every point the unemployment rate rises, opioid-related death rates rise by almost 4 percent (Khazan, 2017). Unemployment makes it not only difficult for those suffering from pain to afford medication or healthy alternatives, but it can also contribute to depression and varying degrees of self-medication and addiction.

Supporting Details

In a paragraph, the topic and controlling idea are developed with supporting details. Listed here are some types of supporting details found in paragraphs along with an example of each in a sentence.

Facts: statistics or evidence from research that can be verified

The office sold seven million dollars of real estate during the boom years.

Opinions: statements, quotes, or paraphrases from subject matter experts

According to expert tea maker, Millie Stoff, there are three easy steps to making tea.

Definitions: explanations of what a term or concept means

A crossover is a family vehicle with the features of a sedan, a mini-van, and an SUV.

Examples: parts, pieces, instances, traits, or specimens that illustrate the essence or character of a greater whole.

Mario is a shy, introverted young man. For example, he has few friends and mostly keeps to himself.

Anecdotes: narrative accounts of one time or recurring events

When I visited the Washington Monument, I enjoyed the 180-degree view the most.

Descriptions: a visual or sensory depiction of a person, place, event, activity, or idea

Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path through the snow-frosted trees.

Example Paragraph and Analysis of the Supporting Details

Hiking can be exhilarating during snowy winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, which is6,684 feet above sea level. We first crossed a foot bridge over a rapidly moving, ice-cold river and then followed a wooded trail up to a waterfall. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path through the snow-frosted trees. We saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than inhaling crisp mountain air, but the neatest part of hiking in winter, besides the beauty of the mountain, is exhaling and seeing my breath turn to frost when it hits the cold air!

The topic sentence in the example paragraph indicates that the paragraph is on “hiking,” and the focus is that hiking is “exhilarating” during winter. The sentences in the paragraph support and develop this idea with an anecdote of the writer’s experience hiking up a mountain during winter. An anecdote is a narrative account that helps a reader understand an event or situation. Had the writer said hiking was “dangerous” instead of “exhilarating,” the anecdote in addition to the visual and sensory details, facts, and opinions about the experience would have been different. Additionally, while the sample paragraph is a personal account, writers in many professions use anecdotal evidence to report events from an objective point-of-view, where the writer is not a participant but rather a witness or observer.

Paragraph Organization

Along with having topic sentences and supporting details, paragraphs are also organized to achieve a certain purpose. However, just as a paragraph can contain different types of supporting details, a paragraph may also include more than one organizational pattern. Listed here are some common patterns for organizing a paragraph:

Cause and Effect for showing how one thing leads to another
Chronological Order for narrating events that occurred over time
Classification for grouping things together according to their features
Comparison and Contrast for showing how things are similar or different
Definition and Example for defining a term or idea and then expanding it with examples
Description for listing details
Episode for presenting details or information about a specific event or anecdote
General/Specific Order for presenting a general idea followed by specific examples
Generalization/Principle for making a general statement or applying a broad principle to explain the supporting details
Listing for presenting ideas from least to most important
Order of Importance for building up to or leading away from the most important point.
Problem and Solution for presenting an issue and a way to address it
Process/Cause for explaining what or how something happens and then why
Spatial Order for ordering details directionally

Signal Words

Signal words are signposts or clues to a paragraph’s organization. If the word “type” is used in a sentence, for example, it signals that the ideas involve types or classification, which is an organizational pattern. Signal words are context clues that hint at what the paragraph is about and how it is organized.

Listed here are signal words associated with different types of paragraph organization.

Cause and Effect : because, consequently, for this reason, hence, and on account of
Chronological Order : after, at last, at (time), as long as, at the same time, as soon as, before, during, eventually, finally, in (month or year), later, meanwhile, next, on (day or date), since, second, subsequently, then, until, and whenever
Classification : categories, classes, classifications, elements, features, groups, kinds, methods, types, varieties, and ways
Comparison and Contrast : another, both, however, likewise, one difference, on the other hand, on the contrary, similarity, similarly, unlike, and while
Definition and Example : concept, defined as, described as, e.g., for example, for instance, i.e., illustrates, is, is called, is stated, known as, means, refers to, specifically, such as, term, and that is to say
Description : above, across, along, appears to be, as in, behind, below, beside, between, down, in back of, in front of, looks like, near, onto, on top of, outside, over, such as, to the right/left, and under
Episode : a few days/weeks later, around the same time, as a result of, as it is often called, because of, began when, consequently, for this reason, just, lasted for, led to, shortly thereafter, since then, subsequently, this led to, and when
General/Specific Order : for example, for instance, indeed, in fact, in other words, like, namely, such as, and that is
Generalization/Principle : additionally, always, because of, clearly, conclusively, first, for instance, for example, furthermore, generally, however, if…then, in fact, it could be argued that, moreover, most convincing, never, not only…but also, often, second, therefore, third, truly, and typically
Listing : additionally, also, and, as well as, besides, furthermore, in addition, in fact, moreover, or, plus, and too
Order of Importance : central, chief, ending with, finishing with, key, lastly, least, main, major, finally, primary, principal, and significant
Problem and Solution : answer, challenge, difficulty, dilemma, enigma, indicate, improve, issue, need, plan, problem, propose, resolve, respond, solve, and suggest
Process/Cause : accordingly, as a result of, because, begins with, consequently, effects of, finally, first, for this reason, how to, how, if…then, in order to, is caused by, leads/led to, may be due to, next, so that, steps involved, therefore, thus, and when…then
Spatial Order : above, below, behind, beside, down, east, feels, highest, looks, lowest, next to, north, smells, sounds, south, tastes, under, and west

Sample Paragraphs and Analyses of the Organization

The sample paragraphs in this section illustrate topic sentences, supporting details, organizational patterns, and signal words in context. Read each paragraph to identify the type of paragraph organization on your own, and then proceed to the analysis to check your comprehension.

Sample Paragraph 1

In 1995, Lawrence started his real estate business, and it has since become a huge success. When Lawrence Real Estate opened its door in Oviedo, Florida, it sold seven million dollars of real estate during the first few boom years. By 2000, Lawrence decided to open two branch offices: one in Tampa in 2003 and one in Miami in 2004. By 2007, the home office and both the branch offices had survived the economic slowdown, so Lawrence and his associates expanded their business to the Carolinas and opened a branch office in Charlotte in 2020. It can be safely said that Lawrence Real Estate has become a model for success despite economic struggles and real estate devaluation.

Analysis of Paragraph 1: According to the topic sentence, which contains two coordinating clauses and therefore two subjects and two topics, this paragraph is about Lawrence and his real estate business, and the controlling idea is that they have been successful.

To understand how the supporting details are organized to present information about this topic and idea, the reader can consider the supporting details. To do this, they look at the way the sentences begin and at any signal phrases that lead readers along a certain line of thinking. Here are some key signal words: “in 1995,” “By 2000,” “By 2007,” and “in 2020.” These dates make a pattern. They go back to 1995 and then in a chronological order, they move forward to when the success of the business happened.

This paragraph uses chronological order . The reader will notice too that the last sentence returns to the beginning idea of 15 years ago. In this sentence, a final comment about the time period overall is given with respect to the new information

Sample Paragraph 2

Making a great cup of tea is easy if you follow these three steps. First, heat a cup of water to the boiling point. Then put the tea bag in the hot water, and let it steep for at least three minutes. Finally, add creamer and sugar to taste. There is nothing tastier than a strong cup of tea early in the morning.

According to the topic sentence, which is the first sentence of the paragraph, making a cup of tea is the topic, and the controlling idea is that it’s easy to do if you follow three steps. Signal words open the following sentences: “first,” “then,” and “finally.” These indicate a sequence of steps, not times or dates as in a narrative story, but steps that happen in a specific order as in the process of doing something or informing others how to do something.

This paragraph uses process order (or process/cause). In the last sentence of this paragraph, the process is completed with a return to the original topic—a cup of tea—and a new comment about it—that a strong cup is tasty in the morning, making those three steps not only easy but also worthwhile.

Sample Paragraph 3

The Washington Monument is divided into three main areas. The lowest section of the building houses the entrance, a gift shop, and a restaurant. The middle section consists of elevators and stairways to the top. The top section of the monument includes an observation deck with a spectacular view of the Washington D.C. area. When I visited the Washington Monument, I toured every section but enjoyed the spectacular 180-degree view the most.

Based on the topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph, the topic is the Washington Monument, and the controlling idea is that it is divided into three main areas. The paragraph presents information about the lowest section first, the middle section second, and the top section third. The last sentence makes a remark about the most enjoyable of all the sections. This is an example of spatial organization . The information is given in the order you might see it if you were there.

Sample Paragraph 4

There are three types of family vehicles made in the United States. The first type is the minivan. All American car manufacturers make a version of the minivan. Some say that the comfort and amenities of the minivan compare to none. The second type of family vehicle is the SUV. Some SUVs offer four-wheel-drive to navigate tough terrains, and they also offer seating for a large crowd. A third type of family vehicles is called the crossover. These vehicles supposedly have the best features of the sedan, minivan, and SUV. They are easy to maneuver, look much like a regular sedan, and sit up to six people. All of these vehicles are family friendly; they offer safety, roomy comfort, and many extra features to accommodate the special needs of families.

This paragraph shows another way to organize the details of a topic. The topic sentence of this paragraph is structured differently than the previous ones. Typically, the topic of a sentence is also the grammatical subject, but the subject in this sentence is “there,” a pronoun, and the topic that tells what the paragraph is about, “family vehicles,” is in the predicate of the sentence. The controlling idea is that there are three types made in the U.S.

The paragraph is organized according to those three types: the first type, the second type, and the third type. To conclude, there is a comment about “all of these vehicles” or all of these types of vehicles. When information is organized by types or features, the information is classified. This type of organization is classification .

Sample Paragraph 5

Although the twin brothers share many physical characteristics, they handle themselves differently in social situations. Mario is a shy introverted young man. He has few friends and mostly keeps to himself. On the other hand, Gino is outgoing and the life of the party. Unlike Mario, Gino has many friends and feels totally at ease among big crowds. The best way to tell these identical twins apart is to invite both to a party and observe how differently they interact with the other guests.

When the topic sentence is complex (having more than one clause) as in this paragraph, there may be two subjects and therefore two topics; however, here, the subject of the first clause is “the twin brothers” and the subject for the second clause is “they,” so both subjects refer to the same topic—the twin brothers. The controlling idea is that the twin brothers share many physical characteristics but handle themselves differently socially.

The paragraph then progresses with descriptions of these similarities and differences. Contrast is created by signal phrases and words such as “although, “on the other hand,” and “unlike.” Words such as “apart” and “differently” also indicate that the organizational pattern of this paragraph is comparison and contrast .

Sample Paragraph 6

There are many reasons why I enjoy walking tours when visiting new cities. For starters, walking through a city allows the visitor to see the details of an area without having to hurry. This often results in meeting locals and experiencing their lives and traditions first hand. Furthermore, walking tours are flexible and inexpensive because there are no strict schedules or transportation expenses. Travelers taking walking tours are rewarded with firsthand experiences in the places they visit and the opportunity to personally interact with the people who live there.

Because the first sentence begins with “there are,” the reader must move beyond the subject and verb to find the topic. Additionally, this is a complex sentence with an independent and dependent clause connected by “why,” so there may be two topics. Looking at the objects of both clauses, the reader finds “many reasons” and “walking tours.” These two topics are linked together by the controlling idea: the writer enjoys walking tours while visiting new cities for many different reasons.

The signal words build on this idea of “why” with terms such as “results” and “because.” The last sentence then sums up the ultimate effect of walking tours: Travelers are rewarded. This is an example of cause and effect organization.

Sample Paragraph 7

Hiking can be especially exhilarating during snowy winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, which is 6,684 feet above sea level. We first crossed a footbridge over a rapidly moving, ice-cold river and then followed a wooded trail up to a waterfall. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path through the snow-frosted trees. We saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than inhaling crisp mountain air, but the neatest part of hiking in winter, besides the beauty of the mountain, is exhaling and seeing my breath turn to frost when it hits the cold air!

In the first sentence, the topic of the paragraph is “hiking,” and the comment or main idea is that it “can be especially exhilarating during snowy winter months.” Based on this, the reader can expect supporting details to illustrate this exhilaration, but they do not know how it is organized until they look at the signal words that help progress the topic from one idea to the next.

Taking inventory of the signal words, the reader will find several time markers: “When” and “last January” set the narrative in the past while “first” and “then” develop a chronological order of events. The final summarizing sentence about hiking “in winter” reminds the reader of the season.

Within this chronology , signal words are associated with spatial organization: “over,” “up,” “beneath,” “through,” “crunched” (sounded), “saw,” “feels,” and “seeing.” Narratives typically include descriptive elements about the setting. Additionally, the concluding thought contrasts “inhaling” to “exhaling.” The reader can thus conclude that this paragraph has multiple patterns of organization that are intricately connected.

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15 Persuasive essay topics for students

Graphic of hand holding pencil writing on paper

In this guide

1. Is it better to have recess indoors or outdoors?
2. Which is more important, math or reading?
3. All school lunches should come with dessert
4. Is it better to watch TV or read books?
5. Students should be allowed to bring their pets to school
6. Schools should not assign students homework
7. There should be more diverse lunch options in school
8. Is it better to learn from books or from technology?
9. Middle schools should still have recess
10. Students should be allowed to wear whatever they want to school
11. Should schools ban the use of phones during the school day?
12. Are group projects fair?
13. What is one school rule that should be changed?
14. Is social media beneficial or harmful to teens?
15. Should Shakespeare still be taught in schools?

Persuasive writing is writing that is used to convince someone to take action or believe in an author’s take on a topic or issue. Sometimes it is also referred to as argumentative writing.

The best way to get students excited about writing, generally, is to offer them topics that they are excited to write about.

When students are writing persuasive essays, they should include several elements. These include a strong thesis that clearly states the writer’s position, facts and examples to support the thesis, and clear reasons that the reader should agree with the writer’s point of view.

Another important aspect of persuasive writing is rhetorical devices. These rhetorical devices are ethos, pathos, and logos .

When creating persuasive essay topics, it is vital that the correct elements of a persuasive essay are examined, explored and modeled for students.

Topics should be selected based on the responses the teacher would like to elicit from the students. Teachers can also focus their teaching on one element of the essay itself, structure or persuasive devices for example, but allow free choice of the topic to increase student engagement.

Persuasive essay topics themselves can be given in more than one format. They can be presented as a question with two sides or they can be a statement that students defend or refute. Many persuasive topics include a “should” statement.

One activity that can help students to write a stronger persuasive essay is to have a class discussion or friendly debate about a topic before students write. Talking about a subject before writing gives teachers the opportunity to engage prior knowledge, guide students to independent thinking, and to ask questions.

Talking about a subject before writing also allows students to interact with their peers, to hear different opinions, and to form reasons for their own opinions.

It can also be beneficial for students to read about a subject before they write about it. This allows for students to grow and develop their background knowledge on their topic. It helps students to gain an understanding of a subject before they begin to write.

This article is broken up into three categories – elementary, middle school, and high school topics. The purpose of this distinction is that persuasive writing can look vastly different based on the grade level of students. What is appropriate for elementary is not always appropriate for secondary.

Elementary topics

1) is it better to have recess indoors or outdoors.

Recess is an important part of the school day for many students. It is often the only unstructured time students may have during the day. Students will give varying responses to this topic due to location, temperature, their personal preferences, and the types of activities that occur indoors vs. outdoors. Teachers could use this topic to explore the range of different arguments and viewpoints that can arise from a single topic.

2) Which is more important, math or reading?

Students usually have strong opinions on school subjects. This topic gives them the opportunity to express their opinions and learn the structure of a persuasive essay.

Giving a topic that has both an academic focus as well as a way for students to learn about persuasive writing is a great way to create interest in writing for young students.

3) All school lunches should come with dessert

Graphic of cake, cupcake, ice cream cone and donut

Many of the students I have had over the years have complained about school lunches. Writing about dessert being included in school lunches may be a good motivator for students to write a convincing persuasive essay.

4) Is it better to watch TV or read books?

As teachers, we know that reading books is an important part of learning. However, television can be educational and can help students to develop language skills. Students can use this topic to research each activity and provide evidence to support their choice.

5) Students should be allowed to bring their pets to school

During the pandemic, many students shared their pets on camera. Young students often like to share things that are important to their lives. Pets are part of their family and can provide comfort and reassurance to students.

If a student does not have a pet, this can be changed to accommodate the student’s needs. Perhaps they can write about bringing a family member to school or a treasured object.

This topic could be used to show how multiple viewpoints can be discussed within the one essay.

Middle school topics

6) schools should not assign students homework.

Homework is a topic that many people, teachers and students, can feel very strongly about. This provides the opportunity for research . Students can identify reasons why homework is unhelpful and cite evidence to support their claims.

7) There should be more diverse lunch options in school

Nothing motivates middle school students quite like food! As a former middle school teacher, I can say that middle schoolers are always hungry.

Something that many students complain about is school lunches. This topic gives them the opportunity to give their opinions on school lunches and write about diversity, health and choice in a structured way.

8) Is it better to learn from books or from technology?

Using this topic can open up a heated classroom debate. It also gives students an opportunity to research the benefits of technology and books. There is also the added topic of textbooks versus other forms of books.

This topic would allow students to combine their research and persuasive skills within the one topic.

9) Middle schools should still have recess

As a former middle school teacher, I can attest to the fact that middle schoolers still need to burn energy. It can be mentally and physically taxing for students to sit and learn all day without movement breaks.

Another way to approach this topic is by having students write a letter or email to the principal (or even the school board) that explains their position. Combining letter writing and persuasive writing opens up the opportunity to teach aspects of both writing genres at one time.

10) Students should be allowed to wear whatever they want to school

Students use their attire to express themselves. In middle school this starts to become how they show their identity and who they are as a person. Most schools have some sort of dress code, if not school uniforms .

Students will have an opinion on what they want to wear! Some students may argue the opposite and give reasons why a school dress code is appropriate.

Not only will you end up with some passionate feelings on this topic, the subject matter is more familiar, allowing them to focus more on the overall structure required in a persuasive essay.

High school topics

11) should schools ban the use of phones during the school day.

One way to get students excited about writing is to have them write about something they feel passionate about and this is a subject they are guaranteed to have an opinion about!

This would make a good introductory persuasive essay topic as students debate their points of view, and often their parents, to come to an overall conclusion.

When giving this prompt, the teacher can also require students to address concerns regarding students paying attention in class but otherwise students should be encouraged to make a list of arguments for both sides of this topic and build their essay from there.

12) Are group projects fair?

My own students recently discussed this topic and are in the process of writing a persuasive essay to present their opinions. I was surprised by how passionately my students felt about group projects and about working with groups.

This particular prompt also lends itself to students writing a persuasive essay in the form of a letter. They can write a letter to their teacher asking them to include more or less group projects in their subject and provide a range of reasons why.

13) What is one school rule that should be changed?

There are always rules that students do not agree with. This prompt allows students to express their thoughts, but also to form arguments that explain why they feel the way they do.

This prompt encourages students to develop their own topic and structure their own argument around this topic rather than simply responding to a given question.

This broader option will also provide the structure for students to write about how they will change the rule and how the change will benefit not just them but all students.

14) Is social media beneficial or harmful to teens?

This is another topic that will require students’ research skills. Focus on the use of data and statistical information when writing.

Students often have very specific views on social media. As a high school teacher technology is a very spicy subject and having students argue their viewpoints beforehand and then supporting them with empirical evidence will allow students to develop their thinking and reasoning skills.

Once the in class exploration, discussion and research have been completed students can begin to write a thorough and well reasoned essay on the topic of social media .

15) Should Shakespeare still be taught in schools?

Many students (and honestly, many teachers) find Shakespeare to be cumbersome to learn (and teach!) and irrelevant to current society.

Including this topic in the same time frame as teaching Shakespeare can make the prompt relevant to the students’ current situation. They must defend or rebuke the teaching of Shakespeare in the high school setting with specific evidence to support their position.

Writing a persuasive essay can be a beneficial learning experience for students. No matter the topic, students are being asked to form coherent arguments and support those arguments with reasons. This is an important skill for students to begin early in their learning so that there is time and space for these skills to be built upon as they move through their schooling. Exams and essays still provide the basis for testing in many subjects and thus we would be doing a disservice to our students if we did not give them the skills to tackle these writing styles.

Motley, N. (2016) Talk Read Talk Write . 2nd edn. San Clemente, CA: Seidlitz Education.
Saint Louis Community College (2024) Pathos, Logos, and Ethos. Available at https://stlcc.edu/student-support/academic-success-and-tutoring/writing-center/writing-resources/pathos-logos-and-ethos.aspx (Accessed: 11 September 2024).

Mattie Farrer

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Mattie Farrer has been an educator in various grade levels and capacities during her career. She has a passion for supporting English learners and their language development. She also loves helping teachers reach all students.

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How to Write Topic Sentences
Step 2: Make an essay outline and draft topic sentences. Next, you should make an outline of your essay's structure, planning what you want to say in each paragraph and what evidence you'll use. At this stage, you can draft a topic sentence that sums up the main point you want to make in each paragraph. The topic sentences should be more ...
How to Write a Strong Topic Sentence + Examples
Step 3: Make your essay outline. Once you have the points you want to make within your thesis statement hammered out, make an outline for your essay. This is where you'll start to create your topic sentence for each paragraph. You want to clearly state the main idea of that paragraph in the very first sentence.
How to Write Masterful Topic Sentences for Essays
How to write a good topic sentence. Topic sentences follow many of the usual guidelines for writing sentences, but there are a few particular tips just for them. 1 Get the reader interested with a hook. Good topic sentences usually include a "hook," or something that makes people want to read more.
12 Examples of Good Topic Sentences (and Why They Work)
Topic Sentence #3: With my first mate's final comments, I knew the men were planning a mutiny. Topic Sentence #4: It was at that moment that I struck something I knew must be the treasure. Why these narrative topic sentences work. A strong narrative essay keeps readers interested and wanting more of the story. A good narrative topic sentence ...
How to Write a Good Topic Sentence: 14 Steps (with Pictures)
1. Avoid introducing yourself. Although topic sentences vary in structure and content from person to person, at least two things can be assumed about your paper: 1) that you have a title and entire paper to introduce a topic, and 2) your personal information is present somewhere on your essay.
10 Effective Topic Sentence Examples for Engaging Essays
So, your topic sentence needs to contain that viewpoint. It should not simply be a fact. The stronger your perspective, the more likely you can convince the reader to agree, as long as you support it with evidence in the essay. Ten examples of good topic sentences for argumentative essays, some of which we included above, are: #1.
Writing Topic Sentences
Support Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence: Student athletes should be paid for their performance because of sports' impact on their minds and bodies. Support Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence: Because most college athletes cannot play their sport and hold a job, colleges should give them a living wage. Support Paragraph 3 Topic Sentence: Student-athletes ...
How to Write a Topic Sentence (30+ Tips & Examples)
Tip #1: State the Main Idea Clearly. Make sure your topic sentence introduces the primary idea succinctly. Avoid vague language or cluttered wording. Your reader should immediately understand the topic. Example: Clear: "Recycling programs reduce landfill waste by promoting reusable packaging.".
Here Is the Right Way and the Wrong Way to Write Topic Sentences
It's simple enough. A topic sentence is the one sentence in a paragraph—usually the first—that informs readers of what's to come. Your topic sentence is like a mini-thesis statement. It provides important context and lets the reader anticipate what's ahead. It introduces the main idea of a paragraph and supports the details that follow.
When you don't have much time to revise, focus on topic sentences
Paying attention to topic sentences can often deliver the highest return on investment when it comes to editing your paper, especially if you don't have much time. As a general rule of thumb, somebody reading your essay should be able to gain a good understanding of what your argument is about by simply reading the introduction, each topic ...
Using Topic Sentences
When read in sequence, your essay's topic sentences will provide a sketch of the essay's argument. Thus, topics sentences help protect your readers from confusion by guiding them through the argument. But topic sentences can also help you to improve your essay by making it easier for you to recognize gaps or weaknesses in your argument.
Using Topic Sentences
When read in sequence, your essay's topic sentences will provide a sketch of the essay's argument. Thus topics sentences help protect your readers from confusion by guiding them through the argument. But topic sentences can also help you to improve your essay by making it easier for you to recognize gaps or weaknesses in your argument.
Examples of Topic Sentences That Make the Purpose Clear
A great topic sentence gives you insight into what you can expect in a paragraph. Make yours one to remember with these topic sentence examples. ... Topic sentences as transitions help the essay feel smoother and more cohesive to the reader. ... All three reasons related to the topic "cats are very good pets." Also, the last sentence in the ...
Why are topic sentences important?
Topic sentences help keep your writing focused and guide the reader through your argument. In an essay or paper, each paragraph should focus on a single idea. By stating the main idea in the topic sentence, you clarify what the paragraph is about for both yourself and your reader.
Topic Sentences for Body Paragraphs: Examples and Explanation
Topic sentences for paragraphs that are not a part of an essay . When writing a paragraph that is not a part of an essay, it is still a good idea to have a topic sentence. If you are answering a question, the topic sentence is the first sentence that restates part of the question and gives your answer.
Topic Sentence: Definition, Examples and Useful Tips for Writing ...
A topic sentence is one which appears, usually (but not always) at the beginning of each paragraph of an essay. The topic sentence is used to layout the ideas and arguments that will be covered within the paragraph and should be carefully planned out to ensure that they are clear enough to give the reader an idea of what will be discussed but ...
How to Write a Topic Sentence
Features of a Good Topic Sentence. A good topic sentence has a few key features. Let's take a look: Expresses the main idea of the paragraph or essay clearly and concisely. Is specific and focused, avoiding vague or overly general statements. Introduces the main point and is typically located at the beginning of the paragraph or essay.
What Are Good Sentence Starters for Essays?
Topic sentence starters for essays. Topic sentences are like the sentence starters of an entire essay—they introduce what the paragraph or entire text is about so the readers know what to expect. ... Good sentence starters for historical or generally accepted concepts. Some sentences don't make sense without context. This could be a popular ...
How to Write a Topic Sentence: 3 Topic Sentence Examples
How to Write a Topic Sentence: 3 Topic Sentence Examples. Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Sep 28, 2022 • 3 min read. Learn how to write topic sentences to support the main thesis of any piece of writing.
Topic Sentence and Paragraph Organization
A topic sentence has two parts: 1) the topic that is being discussed throughout the. paragraph and 2) a controlling idea that limits the focus on the topic to one point or idea. Each. additional sentence in the paragraph then develops or expounds on that point with supporting details.
15 Persuasive Essay Topics For Students That Are Interesting
This topic could be used to show how multiple viewpoints can be discussed within the one essay. Middle school topics 6) Schools should not assign students homework. Homework is a topic that many people, teachers and students, can feel very strongly about. This provides the opportunity for research. Students can identify reasons why homework is ...

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Elements of a Good Topic Sentence

What Is a Topic Sentence?

Writing a Good Topic Sentence: 5 Steps

Step 2: Create a thesis statement.

Step 3: Make your essay outline.

Step 4: Begin writing your essay.

Step 5: Proofread and check your resources.

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Make sure your topic sentence isn’t too vague.

Choose a reasonable opinion.

Use your topic sentence as a transition.

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Writing Topic Sentences — Purpose, Structure, and Examples

What is a topic sentence?

What is the purpose of a topic sentence?

How to write a topic sentence

Where is the topic sentence in a paragraph?

Topic sentence examples

How to Write a Topic Sentence (30+ Tips & Examples)

What Is a Topic Sentence and Why Is It Important?

Types of Topic Sentences

My 30 Best Tips for Writing a Topic Sentence

Tip #1: State the Main Idea Clearly

Tip #2: Keep It Simple and Direct

Tip #3: Link to the Previous Paragraph

Tip #4: Avoid Announcing Your Intentions

Tip #5: Vary Sentence Structure

Tip #6: Be Specific, Not General

Tip #7: Reflect Your Argument’s Tone

Tip #8: Include a Controlling Idea

Tip #9: Use Active Voice

Tip #10: Make It Unique

Tip #11: Create Curiosity

Tip #12: Support Your Thesis

Tip #13: Focus on One Point

Tip #14: Use Key Terms From the Prompt (if applicable)

Tip #15: Offer Context

Tip #16: Incorporate Comparisons

Tip #17: Present Solutions

Tip #18: Address Common Misconceptions

Tip #19: Use Emotional Appeals

Tip #20: Avoid Redundancy

Tip #21: Ask a Thought-Provoking Question

Tip #22: Include an Action Verb

Tip #23: Paint a Picture

Tip #24: Use Parallel Structure

Tip #25: Emphasize Urgency

Tip #26: Highlight Contrasts

Tip #27: Lead with a Statistic

Tip #28: Build on Existing Knowledge

Tip #29: Start with an Anecdote

Tip #30: Use an Engaging Metaphor

Final Thoughts: How to Write a Topic Sentence

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