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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!

Paragraphs: Topic Sentences

Topic sentences video playlist.

Note that these videos were created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines.

Academic Paragraphs: Introduction to Paragraphs and the MEAL Plan (video transcript)
Academic Paragraphs: Examples of the MEAL Plan (video transcript)

The best way to understand the role of the topic sentence in paragraph development is to imagine that any given paragraph is a miniature essay that has its own thesis, support, and conclusion. The parts of a paragraph easily correspond to the parts of an essay:

Just as an effective essay starts off with an introduction that presents the paper's thesis statement and indicates the specific claim or argument that the essay will develop, each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that indicates the focus of that paragraph, alerting the reader to the particular subtopic that the paragraph will provide evidence to support.

A strong topic sentence should be placed at or near the beginning of a paragraph. In addition, this sentence should focus on a specific issue, avoid the use of direct quotations, and leave room for support and analysis within the body of the paragraph. Read on to learn more about creating an effective topic sentence.

The topic sentence does not have to be the first sentence in the paragraph; however, it should come early in the paragraph in order to orient the reader to the paragraph's focus right away. Occasionally a writer may place a transition sentence before the topic sentence, to create continuity between topics.

Topic Sentence to begin paragraph:

In the novel Sula , Morrison uses the physical bonds of female friendship to propel her characters into self-awareness.

Transition Sentence + Topic Sentence to begin paragraph:

However, Morrison does not only use the emotional and spiritual bonds between her female characters to initiate their coming-of-age. In addition, the author uses the physical bonds of female friendship to propel her adolescent protagonists into self-awareness.

Specificity

Your topic sentence should be more narrowly focused than your thesis sentence, and you will want to make sure the claim you are making can be supported, argued, and analyzed within the body of your paragraph.

Example: In the novel Sula , Morrison uses the physical bonds of female friendship to propel her characters into self-awareness.

In this topic sentence, the essayist is arguing that physical bonds of friendship, specifically, make the female characters more self-aware. Because this idea can be refuted or supported by readers (based on how successfully the essayist persuades his or her readers with examples and analysis from the novel), and because the claim is narrow enough to address within a single paragraph, the above sentence is a successful topic sentence.

Direct Quotations (Are Best Avoided)

Although it might be tempting to begin a paragraph with a compelling quotation, as a general rule, topic sentences should state the main idea of the paragraph in your own words. Direct quotations have a place later in the paragraph, where they may be incorporated to support the topic sentence.

Needs Improvement: As Morrison (1982) conveyed, the girls' "friendship let them use each other to grow on…they found in each other's eyes the intimacy they were looking for" (p. 52).

Better: In the novel Sula , Morrison uses the physical bonds of female friendship to propel her characters into self-awareness. Pointing to the connection of eyes meeting and bodies growing together, Morrison makes coming-of-age an interactive physical process between the adolescent protagonists. Specifically, Morrison describes how Sula and Nel have used "each other to grow on…they found in each other's eyes the intimacy they were looking for" (p. 52).

In this second paragraph, the topic sentence appears first, immediately orienting readers to the main focus (or topic) of the paragraph. The quotation is used later in the paragraph as a form of evidence or support for the topic sentence.

If you are finding it challenging to create effective topic sentences, you might consider outlining before beginning to write a paper. The points and subpoints of an outline can then become the topic sentences for the paper's paragraphs.

Additionally, because the topic sentence functions similarly at the paragraph level to the thesis at the essay level, you may also find it helpful to check out our thesis statement construction information. Our resource on paragraphs has helpful information about the scope of a paragraph, as well.

Related Resources

Previous Page: Length and Scope
Next Page: Organization (MEAL Plan)
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Topic Sentences

What is a topic sentence.

A statement at the beginning of each body paragraph
Indicates the topic of the entire paragraph
In a short essay, it reflects one of the main points of the thesis statement (link to thesis statement handout)

Main Point + Details

An effective topic sentence expands on a main thesis point by including details and explanation. It has two organizational purposes:

Relate back to the thesis statement
Summarize the paragraph

An effective topic sentence is like a mini-thesis statement for each paragraph.

Example Thesis: Health-conscious individuals should consider substituting strawberries for desserts because strawberries are healthy , sweet , and versatile . Topic of Body Paragraph 1: Strawberries are healthy Topic of Body Paragraph 2: Strawberries are sweet Topic of Body Paragraph 3: Strawberries are versatile

Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 1: Strawberries are a healthy substitute for desserts because they have a much lower carbohydrate count and are rich in nutrients and fiber.

Notice that the topic sentence includes the first main point of the thesis statement, but it expands on the idea with further details. Now the paragraph can elaborate further on these details, and it should relate back to the main argument – that strawberries can be substituted for desserts.

The second body paragraph would start with a topic sentence about the second main point: strawberries are sweet . The third body paragraph would start with a topic sentence about the third main point: strawberries are versatile .

Longer Essays

Not all papers will have a three point thesis statement. If this is the case, the topic sentence may not contain a word-for-word point stated in the thesis statement.

Example Thesis statement: The literary techniques used by Leo Tolstoy in The Death of Ivan Ilych unveil an extraordinary sense of depth within the novella that is imperative to truly understanding Tolstoy’s ideas.

Example Topic Sentence: When Leo Tolstoy employs the technique of symbolism, inanimate objects like Ivan’s golden pocket watch and the drapes on his windows convey hidden meanings that further clarify important themes in the story.

From DBU Writing Center http://www3.dbu.edu/uwc/documents/TopicSentencesAug15.pdf

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Using Topic Sentences

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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?

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 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.

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?

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.

an Excelsior University site

Topic Sentences

Topic sentences have a topic and an angle, just like thesis sentences. But the angle of topic sentences usually is smaller in range than that of the thesis sentence. Very often the topic remains the same from thesis to topic sentence, while the angle shifts as the writer brings in various types of ideas and research to support the angle in the thesis.

Look at this sample again; these are topic sentences created from the thesis sentence. The topic remains the same in all (regular exercise) and the overall angle remains the same (benefits). But the angle narrows and shifts slightly from topic sentence to topic sentence as the writer brings in different supporting ideas and research.

Realize that all paragraphs do not need topic sentences. Sometimes, you may need multiple paragraphs to help explain one topic sentence, because you have a lot of supporting information.

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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?

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.

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.

Download a Printable PDF Version of the Handout

More handouts at u of t's advice on academic writing, fair-use policy.

How to incorporate our online handouts in your courses or on your website

Writing based on Texts

Topic sentences.

Just like a thesis, topic sentences are key elements in college essays.

Topic Sentences – Points on the Roadmap

Here’s the thesis sentence example from the page on Thesis Sentences, which compared a thesis and topic sentences to towns on a map, on your way to your final destination:

Think of each point in your outline as a town on the map. You’ll give your readers a topic sentence, or point sentence, about each of the “towns” listed in the thesis. On your way to Moab you might say to your passenger as you approach Helper, “We’re coming up on Helper. It used to be where the railroad would add an extra engine to help the coal trains make it up the mountain .”

Use topic sentences to signal your discussion of each point in the thesis. The passenger knows to mentally check off one of the points on the map. Topic sentences are signals in the body of the paper to the reader that you are keeping your promise to discuss what’s in the thesis or to help lead the reader logically through your thoughts.

Then you’d give several specific examples from the text and explain (analyze) why they are examples of credibility or ethos. One way to organize your essay is to give each specific example its own paragraph.

Again, in this section of the analysis, you’d give several specific examples from the text and explain why they are effective examples of pathos or emotion.

Point three:

Here, as you discuss the last portion of the thesis, you’ll also give several specific examples and quotes from the text and explain why they are appeals to logic or logos.

Notice that each of these sentences mirrors and explains the ideas in the thesis statement.

Topic Sentence

Every paragraph should include a topic sentence that identifies the main idea of the paragraph. A topic sentence also states the point the writer wishes to make about that subject. Generally, the topic sentence appears at the beginning of the paragraph. It is often the paragraph’s very first sentence. A paragraph’s topic sentence must be general enough to express the paragraph’s overall subject. However, it should be specific enough that the reader can understand the paragraph’s main subject and point.

The topic sentence should identify the main idea and point of the paragraph. To choose an appropriate topic sentence, read the paragraph and think about its main idea and point.
The supporting details in the paragraph (the sentences other than the topic sentence) will develop or explain the topic sentence. Read all the supporting details in the paragraph and think about the ideas they discuss.
The topic sentence should not be too general or too specific. When considering the options, look for a topic sentence that is general enough to show the paragraph’s main idea instead of just one of its details. The answer should be specific enough that the reader understands the main idea of the paragraph.

Purpose of the Topic Sentence

A topic sentence essentially tells readers about the rest of the paragraph. All sentences after it have to give more information about that sentence, prove it by offering facts about it, or describe it in more detail. For example, if the topic sentence concerns the types of endangered species that live in the ocean, then every sentence after that needs to expands on that subject.

Topic sentences also need to relate back to the thesis of the essay. The thesis statement is like a road map that will tell the reader or listener where you are going with this information or how you are treating it.

Topic Sentences and Controlling Ideas

Every topic sentence will have a topic and a controlling idea. The controlling idea shows the direction the paragraph will take.

Examples of a Topic Sentence

Topic Sentence: There are many reasons why pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world.

The topic is "pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world" and the controlling idea is "many reasons."

Topic Sentence: To be an effective CEO requires certain characteristics.

The topic is "To be an effective CEO" and the controlling idea is "certain characteristics."

Topic Sentence: There are many possible contributing factors to global warming.

The topic is "global warming" and the controlling idea is "contributing factors."

Topic Sentence: Fortune hunters encounter many difficulties when exploring a shipwreck.

The topic is "exploring a shipwreck" and the controlling idea is "many difficulties."

Topic Sentence: Dogs make wonderful pets because they help you to live longer.

The topic is "dogs make wonderful pets" and the controlling idea is "because they help you

to live longer."

Topic Sentence: Crime in poverty-stricken areas occurs because of a systemic discrimination.

The topic is "crime in poverty stricken areas" and the controlling idea is "systemic discrimination."

Topic Sentence: Teen pregnancy may be prevented by improved education.

The topic is "teen pregnancy may be prevented" and the controlling idea is "improved education."

Topic Sentence: Cooking requires a number of different skills.

The topic is "cooking" and the controlling idea is "many different skills."

Topic Sentence: It is important to be ready before buying a house.

The topic is "buying a house" and the controlling idea is “it is important to be ready."

Topic Sentence: Graduating from high school is important for many different reasons.

The topic is "graduating from high school" and the controlling idea is "many different reasons."

Topic Sentence: Having a first child is difficult because of the significant adjustments in your life.

The topic is "having a first child" and the controlling idea is "significant adjustments in your life."

Topic Sentence: Remodeling a kitchen successfully requires research and a good eye.

The topic is "remodeling a kitchen" and the controlling idea is "requires research and a good eye."

Topic Sentence Exercise

Write a topic sentence for the following paragraph. During the 1990s, I really enjoyed watching Friends on television every Thursday night. I really wanted Rachel’s haircut—I think every girl wanted Rachel’s haircut back then! Rachel’s haircut went really well with the Guess Jeans that were so popular in the 1990s. I remember all the advertisements for Guess and Calvin Klein Jeans that were in each month’s Sassy magazine. I do not think Sassy magazine exists anymore, but it was one of the most popular magazines for young women in the 1990s.

Topic Sentences Exercise Answer

The bold sentence is one possible topic sentence for the example paragraph.

Note: This is just one possible topic sentence—you may have thought of others that are also appropriate.

Thinking about the 1990s brings back fond memories for me about fashion and popular culture. During the 1990s, I really enjoyed watching Friends on television every Thursday night. I really wanted Rachel’s haircut—I think every girl wanted Rachel’s haircut back then! Rachel’s haircut went really well with the Guess Jeans that were so popular in the 1990s. I remember all the advertisements for Guess and Calvin Klein Jeans that were in each month’s Sassy magazine. I do not think Sassy magazine exists anymore, but it was one of the most popular magazines for young women in the 1990s.

*Source: Purdue OWL

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12.2: Topic Sentences

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What is a topic sentence and why is it useful?

Imagine reading one long block of text, with each idea blurring into the next. We are likely to lose interest in writing that is disorganized and spans many pages without breaks. Paragraphs separate ideas into logical, manageable chunks. By exploring one idea at a time, the writer has a chance to explain and support that idea. The reader can then digest the idea before moving on to the next, related paragraph.

A topic sentence is a sentence that summarizes the main idea of a paragraph, just as a thesis summarizes a whole essay. As the unifying sentence for the paragraph, the topic sentence is the most general, whereas other, supporting sentences provide more specific information, such as facts, details, or examples.

Each topic sentence should clearly relate to the essay's thesis. We will talk more about how to make that connection in the next sections, 12.3: Showing How a New Idea Fits in (Transitions) and 12.4: Referring Back to Make the Connection (Cohesion) .

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What makes a good topic sentence?

The goal of a topic sentence is to help readers focus on and remember the main idea of the paragraph. So the trick is to write a sentence that covers all the points of the paragraph but does not cram in too many words or details. We want to give a sense of what the paragraph will contain without listing all the specifics.

Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Vague topic sentence : "First, we need a better way to educate students."

Explanation : The claim is vague because it does not provide enough information about what will follow, and it is too broad to be covered effectively in one paragraph.

Revised version : "Creating a national set of standards for math and English education will improve student learning in many states."

Explanation : The sentence replaces the vague phrase “a better way” and leads readers to expect supporting facts and examples as to why standardizing education in these subjects might improve student learning in many states.

In addition, we want to make sure that the topic sentence gets right to the point. A good topic sentence is clear and easy to follow.

Example \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Confusing topic sentence : "In general, writing an essay, thesis, or other academic or nonacademic document is considerably easier and of much higher quality if you first construct an outline, of which there are many different types."

Explanation : The convoluted sentence structure and unnecessary vocabulary bury the main idea, making it difficult for the reader to follow the topic sentence.

Revised version : Most forms of writing can be improved by first creating an outline.

Explanation : This topic sentence cuts out unnecessary verbiage and simplifies the previous statement, making it easier for the reader to follow. The writer can include examples of what kinds of writing can benefit from outlining in the supporting sentences.

Where should I put a topic sentence?

In academic writing, the topic sentence is usually the first sentence or second sentence of a paragraph and expresses its main idea, followed by supporting sentences that help explain, prove, or enhance the topic sentence. In most college essays, placing an explicit topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph (the first or second sentence) makes it easier for readers to follow the essay and for writers to stay on topic.

However, ultimately what matters is whether the reader can easily pick up on the main idea of the paragraph. Sometimes, especially in narrative or creative writing, a writer may choose to build up to the topic sentence or even leave it implied. The following examples illustrate varying locations for the topic sentence. In each example, the topic sentence is underlined.

Topic Sentence Begins the Paragraph (General to Specific)

Paragraphs that begin with the topic sentence move from the general to the specific. They open with a general statement about a subject and then discuss specific examples. This is the common pattern for most academic essays.

After reading the new TV guide this week I wondered why we are still being bombarded with reality shows, a plague that continues to darken our airwaves . Along with the return of viewer favorites, we are to be cursed with yet another mindless creation. Prisoner follows the daily lives of eight suburban housewives who have chosen to be put in jail for the purposes of this fake psychological experiment. A preview for the first episode shows the usual tears and tantrums associated with reality television. I dread to think what producers will come up with next season and hope that other viewers will express their criticism. These producers must stop the constant stream of meaningless shows without plotlines. We’ve had enough reality television to last us a lifetime!

Here, the first sentence tells readers that the paragraph will be about reality television shows, and it expresses the writer’s distaste for these shows through the use of the word bombarded. Each of the following sentences in the paragraph supports the topic sentence by providing further information about a specific reality television show and why the writer finds it unappealing. The final sentence is the concluding sentence. It reiterates the main point that viewers are bored with reality television shows by using different words from the topic sentence.

Topic Sentence Ends the Paragraph (Specific to General)

Sometimes, especially in persuasive writing, we might want to save the general statement for last, when we have given enough supporting details to convince the reader. If we build up to the topic sentence, then the reader might feel they are coming to the conclusion along with us. The risk is that the reader will want to know sooner where the paragraph is going.

In the paragraph below, the topic sentence comes last. Specific examples, a cat that tracked down its owners and a dog that can predict seizures, prepare us for the general conclusion: animals’ senses are better than humans’.

Last year, a cat traveled 130 miles to reach its family, who had moved to another state and had left their pet behind. Even though it had never been to their new home, the cat was able to track down its former owners. A dog in my neighborhood can predict when its master is about to have a seizure. It makes sure that he does not hurt himself during an epileptic fit. Compared to many animals, our own senses are almost dull.

Topic Sentence in the Middle of the Paragraph

Occasionally, a writer might choose to hook the reader or introduce a concept before giving the topic sentence in the middle of the paragraph. In the paragraph below, the underlined topic sentence expresses the main idea—that breathing exercises can help control anxiety. The preceding sentences enable the writer to build up to their main point by using a personal anecdote. The supporting sentences then expand on how breathing exercises help the writer by providing additional information. The concluding sentence restates how breathing can help manage anxiety.

For many years, I suffered from severe anxiety every time I took an exam. Hours before the exam, my heart would begin pounding, my legs would shake, and sometimes I would become physically unable to move. Last year, I was referred to a specialist and finally found a way to control my anxiety—breathing exercises . It seems so simple, but by doing just a few breathing exercises a couple of hours before an exam, I gradually got my anxiety under control. The exercises help slow my heart rate and make me feel less anxious. Better yet, they require no pills, no equipment, and very little time. It’s amazing how just breathing correctly has helped me learn to manage my anxiety symptoms.

If you notice that you have used a topic sentence in the middle of a paragraph in an academic essay, read through the paragraph carefully to make sure that it contains only one major topic.

Implied Topic Sentences

Some well-organized paragraphs do not contain a topic sentence at all, a technique often used in descriptive and narrative writing. Instead of being directly stated, the main idea is implied in the content of the paragraph, as in the following narrative paragraph:

Heaving herself up the stairs, Luella had to pause for breath several times. She let out a wheeze as she sat down heavily in the wooden rocking chair. Tao approached her cautiously, as if she might crumble at the slightest touch. He studied her face, like parchment, stretched across the bones so finely he could almost see right through the skin to the decaying muscle underneath. Luella smiled a toothless grin.

Although no single sentence in this paragraph states the main idea, the entire paragraph focuses on one concept—that Luella is extremely old. All the details in the paragraph can work together to convey the dominant impression of Luella’s age. In a paragraph such as this one, an explicit topic sentence such as "Luella was very old" would seem awkward and heavy-handed. Implied topic sentences work well if the writer has a firm idea of what he or she intends to say in the paragraph and sticks to it. One risk is that an implied topic sentence may be too subtle for the reader to catch.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

In each of the following sentence pairs, choose the more effective topic sentence and explain what makes it better.

This paper will discuss the likelihood of the Democrats winning the next election.
To boost their chances of winning the next election, the Democrats need to listen to public opinion.
The unrealistic demands of union workers are crippling the economy for three main reasons.
Union workers are crippling the economy because companies are unable to remain competitive as a result of added financial pressure.
Authors are losing money as a result of technological advances.
The introduction of new technology will devastate the literary world.
Rap music is produced by untalented individuals with oversized egos.
This essay will consider whether talent is required in the rap music industry.

Attributions

Some sections of the above are original content by Anna Mills and others are adapted from the following sources:

Writing for Success , created by an author and publisher who prefer to remain anonymous, adapted and presented by the Saylor Foundation and licensed CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 .
Successful College Composition , also licensed CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 , which was itself adapted from Writing for Success .

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.

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Knowledge Base

The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay | Steps & Examples

An academic essay is a focused piece of writing that develops an idea or argument using evidence, analysis, and interpretation.

There are many types of essays you might write as a student. The content and length of an essay depends on your level, subject of study, and course requirements. However, most essays at university level are argumentative — they aim to persuade the reader of a particular position or perspective on a topic.

The essay writing process consists of three main stages:

Preparation: Decide on your topic, do your research, and create an essay outline.
Writing : Set out your argument in the introduction, develop it with evidence in the main body, and wrap it up with a conclusion.
Revision: Check your essay on the content, organization, grammar, spelling, and formatting of your essay.

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Essay writing process, preparation for writing an essay, writing the introduction, writing the main body, writing the conclusion, essay checklist, lecture slides, frequently asked questions about writing an essay.

The writing process of preparation, writing, and revisions applies to every essay or paper, but the time and effort spent on each stage depends on the type of essay .

For example, if you’ve been assigned a five-paragraph expository essay for a high school class, you’ll probably spend the most time on the writing stage; for a college-level argumentative essay , on the other hand, you’ll need to spend more time researching your topic and developing an original argument before you start writing.

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Before you start writing, you should make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to say and how you’re going to say it. There are a few key steps you can follow to make sure you’re prepared:

Understand your assignment: What is the goal of this essay? What is the length and deadline of the assignment? Is there anything you need to clarify with your teacher or professor?
Define a topic: If you’re allowed to choose your own topic , try to pick something that you already know a bit about and that will hold your interest.
Do your research: Read primary and secondary sources and take notes to help you work out your position and angle on the topic. You’ll use these as evidence for your points.
Come up with a thesis: The thesis is the central point or argument that you want to make. A clear thesis is essential for a focused essay—you should keep referring back to it as you write.
Create an outline: Map out the rough structure of your essay in an outline . This makes it easier to start writing and keeps you on track as you go.

Once you’ve got a clear idea of what you want to discuss, in what order, and what evidence you’ll use, you’re ready to start writing.

The introduction sets the tone for your essay. It should grab the reader’s interest and inform them of what to expect. The introduction generally comprises 10–20% of the text.

1. Hook your reader

The first sentence of the introduction should pique your reader’s interest and curiosity. This sentence is sometimes called the hook. It might be an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a bold statement emphasizing the relevance of the topic.

Let’s say we’re writing an essay about the development of Braille (the raised-dot reading and writing system used by visually impaired people). Our hook can make a strong statement about the topic:

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

2. Provide background on your topic

Next, it’s important to give context that will help your reader understand your argument. This might involve providing background information, giving an overview of important academic work or debates on the topic, and explaining difficult terms. Don’t provide too much detail in the introduction—you can elaborate in the body of your essay.

3. Present the thesis statement

Next, you should formulate your thesis statement— the central argument you’re going to make. The thesis statement provides focus and signals your position on the topic. It is usually one or two sentences long. The thesis statement for our essay on Braille could look like this:

As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness.

4. Map the structure

In longer essays, you can end the introduction by briefly describing what will be covered in each part of the essay. This guides the reader through your structure and gives a preview of how your argument will develop.

The invention of Braille marked a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by blind and visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

Write your essay introduction

The body of your essay is where you make arguments supporting your thesis, provide evidence, and develop your ideas. Its purpose is to present, interpret, and analyze the information and sources you have gathered to support your argument.

Length of the body text

The length of the body depends on the type of essay. On average, the body comprises 60–80% of your essay. For a high school essay, this could be just three paragraphs, but for a graduate school essay of 6,000 words, the body could take up 8–10 pages.

Paragraph structure

To give your essay a clear structure , it is important to organize it into paragraphs . Each paragraph should be centered around one main point or idea.

That idea is introduced in a topic sentence . The topic sentence should generally lead on from the previous paragraph and introduce the point to be made in this paragraph. Transition words can be used to create clear connections between sentences.

After the topic sentence, present evidence such as data, examples, or quotes from relevant sources. Be sure to interpret and explain the evidence, and show how it helps develop your overall argument.

Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in nineteenth-century society. Text was one of the primary methods through which people engaged with culture, communicated with others, and accessed information; without a well-developed reading system that did not rely on sight, blind people were excluded from social participation (Weygand, 2009). While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination, blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability, and it was commonly believed that blind people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture (Weygand, 2009). This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time: without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted people for information and education.

See the full essay example

The conclusion is the final paragraph of an essay. It should generally take up no more than 10–15% of the text . A strong essay conclusion :

Returns to your thesis
Ties together your main points
Shows why your argument matters

A great conclusion should finish with a memorable or impactful sentence that leaves the reader with a strong final impression.

What not to include in a conclusion

To make your essay’s conclusion as strong as possible, there are a few things you should avoid. The most common mistakes are:

Including new arguments or evidence
Undermining your arguments (e.g. “This is just one approach of many”)
Using concluding phrases like “To sum up…” or “In conclusion…”

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

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Checklist: Essay

My essay follows the requirements of the assignment (topic and length ).

My introduction sparks the reader’s interest and provides any necessary background information on the topic.

My introduction contains a thesis statement that states the focus and position of the essay.

I use paragraphs to structure the essay.

I use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.

Each paragraph has a single focus and a clear connection to the thesis statement.

I make clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas.

My conclusion doesn’t just repeat my points, but draws connections between arguments.

I don’t introduce new arguments or evidence in the conclusion.

I have given an in-text citation for every quote or piece of information I got from another source.

I have included a reference page at the end of my essay, listing full details of all my sources.

My citations and references are correctly formatted according to the required citation style .

My essay has an interesting and informative title.

I have followed all formatting guidelines (e.g. font, page numbers, line spacing).

Your essay meets all the most important requirements. Our editors can give it a final check to help you submit with confidence.

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An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

It gives your writing direction and focus.
It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

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Topic Sentences - NMU Writing Center

Topic Sentences

As the readers move into a paragraph, they need to know where they are in relation to the whole essay, and what they should expect to read in the sentences to come. Topic sentences often act like tiny thesis statements. Like a thesis statement, a topic sentence makes a claim of some sort. As the thesis statement is the unifying force in the essay, so the topic sentence must be the unifying force in the paragraph. Also like thesis statements, when the topic sentence makes a claim, the paragraph that follows must expand, describe, or prove it in some way. Topic sentences make a point and give reasons or examples to support it.

Often topic sentences will be working in conjunction with transitional elements to make the move from one paragraph to the next smoother. (See the Writing Center's handout on transitions for suggestions and ideas.)

For example, consider the following topic sentence:

Many fast-food chains make their profits from adding a special ingredient called "secret sauce" to their foods.

If this sentence controls the paragraph that follows, then all sentences in the paragraph must relate in some way to fast food, profit, and "secret sauce":

Made largely from edible oil products, this condiment is never listed on the menu. In addition, this well-kept industry secret is the reason why ingredients are never listed on the packaging of victuals sold by these restaurants. "Secret sauce" has a chemical property which causes temporary amnesia in consumers. After spending too much money on barely edible food bereft of any nutritional value, most consumers swear they will never repeat such a disagreeable experience. Within a short period, however, the chemical in "secret sauce" takes effect, and they can be depended upon to return and spend, older but no wiser.

Note that the paragraph finishes by "proving" the claim contained in the topic sentence, that many fast-food chains make their profits from adding a special ingredient called "secret sauce" to their foods.

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TOPIC SENTENCE/ In his numerous writings, Marx critiques capitalism by identifying its flaws. ANALYSIS OF EVIDENCE/ By critiquing the political economy and capitalism, Marx implores his reader to think critically about their position in society and restores awareness in the proletariat class. EVIDENCE/ To Marx, capitalism is a system characterized by the “exploitation of the many by the few,” in which workers accept the exploitation of their labor and receive only harm of “alienation,” rather than true benefits ( MER 487). He writes that “labour produces for the rich wonderful things – but for the worker it produces privation. It produces palaces—but for the worker, hovels. It produces beauty—but for the worker, deformity” (MER 73). Marx argues capitalism is a system in which the laborer is repeatedly harmed and estranged from himself, his labor, and other people, while the owner of his labor – the capitalist – receives the benefits ( MER 74). And while industry progresses, the worker “sinks deeper and deeper below the conditions of existence of his own class” ( MER 483). ANALYSIS OF EVIDENCE/ But while Marx critiques the political economy, he does not explicitly say “capitalism is wrong.” Rather, his close examination of the system makes its flaws obvious. Only once the working class realizes the flaws of the system, Marx believes, will they - must they - rise up against their bourgeois masters and achieve the necessary and inevitable communist revolution.

Not every paragraph will be structured exactly like this one, of course. But as you draft your own paragraphs, look for all three of these elements: topic sentence, evidence, and analysis.

picture_as_pdf Anatomy Of a Body Paragraph

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13 Topic Sentences ~ More Examples

Here is more practice on topic sentences :.

Realize that all paragraphs do not need topic sentences. Sometimes, you may need multiple paragraphs to help explain one topic sentence, because you have a lot of supporting information.

ENGLISH 087: Academic Advanced Writing Copyright © 2020 by Nancy Hutchison is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Topic Sentence

by AEUK | May 24, 2020 | Writing | 0 comments

The Topic Sentence

What is a Topic Sentence or Paragraph Leader?

A topic sentence is usually the first sentence which presents the main idea of your paragraph. It is often short, clear, simple and to the point and is usually followed by explanations, reasons and examples which support the topic.

The topic sentence must connect to the main body of the paragraph

Many fast-food chains make their profits from adding a special ingredient called “forget sauce” to their foods. made largely from edible oil products, this condiment is never listed on the menu. in addition, this well-kept industry secret is the reason why ingredients are never listed on the packaging of victuals sold by these restaurants. ‘forget sauce’ has a chemical property which causes temporary amnesia in consumers. after spending too much money on barely edible food bereft of any nutritional value, most consumers swear they will never repeat such a disagreeable experience. within a short period, however, the chemical in ‘forget sauce’ takes effect, and they can be depended upon to return and spend, older but no wiser ., analysis of the paragraph: , look at how the topic sentence links to ideas developed in the paragraph., many fast food chains make their profits from adding a special ingredient called ‘forget sauce’ to their foods, made from largely edible oil products, this condiment is never listed on the menu, in addition, this well kept industry secret is the reason why i ngredients are never listed on t he packaging of products sold by these restaurants ., forget sauce has a chemical property which causes temporary amnesia in consumers ., after spending too much money on barely edible food bereft of any nutritional value, most consumers swear they will never repeat such a disagreeable experience ., within a short period, however, the chemical in forget sauce takes effect, and they can be depended upon return and spend , older but no wiser, source: http://www.writingcentre.uottawa.ca, topic sentence lesson – forget sauce.

Give out the paragraph and ask students to highlight key terms in the topic sentence and then highlight the links within the main body TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP .

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Topic Sentence Downloads

Topic Sentences 1 – The basics [updated 2020]

This lesson takes students through ‘noticing’ how a topic sentence links to development. This is followed by writing topic sentences from the content of four paragraphs and then writing the paragraph from a topic sentence. ( Example ) Time: 60mins Level *** ** [ B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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Topic Sentences 2 – Academic [new for 2020]

This lesson takes students through ‘noticing’ how a topic sentence links to development. This is followed by writing topic sentences from the content of four academic paragraphs and then writing the paragraph from a topic sentence. ( Example ) Time: 60mins Level *** ** [ B1/B2/C1] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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More writing paragraph resources

Basic paragraph analysis : corporate social responsibility (csr) (new for 2020).

This worksheet provides a step-by-step guide to the key components of a paragraph. It analyses a basic paragraph on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through structure, topic, cohesion, referencing and stance. It also includes a writing practice on Globalisation. Example. Level: ** * ** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Analysis Lesson
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Topic-based lesson

Academic Paragraph Analysis: block or point-by-point (new for 2020)

This lesson helps students identify the key elements in paragraph writing . it focuses on two paragraph structures; block and point-by-point. students analyse each paragraph for structure, controlling ideas & key terms, in-text referencing, cohesion and author’s stance. it also includes two writing practices. example. level: ** * * * [b2/c1] teacher membership / institutional membership.

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How to Write a Topic Sentence

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When composing a piece of academic writing, research or any other type of paper, you must organize your ideas. This helps your teacher or reader understand your primary and secondary points. For this reason, a topic sentence is essential.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1 Topic Sentence - FAQ
2 Topic Sentence: Definition
3 The three main parts
4 Writing a strong topic sentence
5 Topic sentences as transitions
6 In a Nutshell

Topic Sentence - FAQ

How long is a topic sentence.

Generally, a topic sentence should not be more than three lines long. However, you can also make it at least 30 words long. All you need to do is make sure that the sentence contains all the three primary parts mentioned above. It is also worth noting that you do not have to hit the thirty words mark. Ensure it is neither too long nor too short.

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Can a topic sentence be a question?

Unlike the thesis statement, this sentence can be written in the form of a question. In such a case, the rest of the paragraph will be written as a response or answer. This means you have to make sure that the sentence, even if it is in question form, presents the paragraph’s main point.

Why are topic sentences important?

This sentence is important because it helps you keep your writing focused. It also guides your instructor or teacher through your argument or ideas. In an essay or paper, this sentence helps focus the instructor on your paper’s main idea. It also helps clarify the paragraph to you and the reader.

Is there a right and wrong way to write the topic sentence?

The most straightforward answer to this question is YES. There is a right and wrong way to write this part of your paper. You have to make sure the sentence features the three main parts, it has to be thorough, not too long or short, and it needs to focus on the paragraph’s main idea. Anything without the elements mentioned above would be wrong.

Topic Sentence: Definition

A topic sentence is a sentence used as an introduction to a paragraph. Its role is to present the primary topic in a paragraph and not an entire project like a thesis statement . This sentence is usually specific and has a narrower focus as compared to a thesis statement. It usually appears in or close to the first sentence of the paragraph.

The three main parts

The topic – this part is written to tell the reader what the paragraph’s topic is. It is usually the first part of the topic sentence.

The opinion – this is the middle part of the topic sentence, and it contains your thoughts about the topic at hand.

The supporting sentence – this part details and gives more information about the topic. It also contains an explanation that supports the idea in the topic.

These three parts work together to make up an effective topic sentence. It is important to note that while these three parts are mandatory, this sentence consists of more than stating the paragraph’s subject.

Writing a strong topic sentence

When writing a research paper or any other academic writing, you need to make sure that every paragraph features this sentence. The topic sentence expresses the components or the main idea of the paragraph. Since it is an integral part of your writing, it needs to be written correctly. Below is a step by step guide on how to write a strong topic sentence:

Clearly state the main idea

The first thing you should do is determine what concept you want to display in the paragraph. Once you have done that, you can find a way to state the main idea. The idea needs to be precise. However, this does not mean that you can use many sentences to bring it out. You must include your topic in the sentence, an opinion and your controlling idea.

Make sure the opinion part of the sentence is reasonable. It should be an idea that can be supported by concrete evidence as required by most universities and learning institutions. Note that this is not an invitation for you to announce your topic like you would in a speech or public speaking.

Create a balance between specifics and the overall idea

Make sure the topic sentence relates to the paragraph to the general concept in your thesis statement or essay. This means that it shouldn’t be too vague or too narrow. The wise thing to do would be to create a right balance between the paragraph context and the general idea.

Make it enjoyable

Remember that the topic sentence is the first thing your reader or instructor will read before diving into your paragraphs. Therefore, if you want to entice your reader into enthusiastically reading your work, then you should make it enjoyable. Use it to hook your reader. Note that you will be creating a topic sentence for each paragraph.

Therefore, creating incredible and enjoyable sentences will keep your reader interested throughout your paper. You can do this by using detail, dialogue, describing a character, and trying as much as possible to avoid rhetorical questions.

Keep it short

As mentioned earlier, an ideal topic sentence should not exceed 30 words or three lines long. It should not be too long that it has your reader hunting its point. It would help if you made sure that the point of the sentence is precise. Remember that this sentence will act as a middle ground into your paragraph. Additionally, keeping your topic sentence short will help maintain the flow of your paragraph.

Topic sentences as transitions

As mentioned earlier, every paragraph needs to have a topic sentence. That said, when you write this sentence for each paragraph, you need to ask yourself whether or not the point relates to what you wrote in the preceding section. Therefore, you must use transition words. These words will help you show a connection between your thoughts and ideas.

Additionally, if you are using the paragraph to explain its predecessor further, then the right thing to do would be to use words that show emphasis. Such words include furthermore , indeed , and also .

On the other hand, if the paragraph contains a different aspect of the same subject, you can start this sentence as a summary of the previous paragraph. You can also use it to anticipate the new data you look to include in the new paragraph.

You may want to use a new paragraph to compare the former section’s information in some instances. In such a case, in the sentence topic, you need to use words that highlight conflict. Such words include in contrast, however, on the other hand, and yet, to name a few. You can also form this sentence as a question to show a difference in ideas.

In a Nutshell

A topic sentence is the opening part of a paragraph. It helps give your readers the general idea of what the rest of the paragraph will be about. In a research paper or any other type of academic paper, every paragraph needs this sentence. A good topic sentence should contain the topic, opinion and supporting sentence. The topic sentence acts as a guide to the subject of the paragraph, and it also relates to the main idea of the paper.

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COMMENTS

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 ...
Topic Sentences and Signposting
Topic sentences and signposts make an essay's claims clear to a reader. Good essays contain both. Topic sentences reveal the main point of a paragraph. They show the relationship of each paragraph to the essay's thesis, telegraph the point of a paragraph, and tell your reader what to expect in the paragraph that follows. Topic sentences also ...
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.
Academic Guides: Paragraphs: Topic Sentences
The best way to understand the role of the topic sentence in paragraph development is to imagine that any given paragraph is a miniature essay that has its own thesis, support, and conclusion. The parts of a paragraph easily correspond to the parts of an essay: Just as an effective essay starts off with an introduction that presents the paper's ...
Topic Sentences
Topic of Body Paragraph 1: Strawberries are healthy. Topic of Body Paragraph 2: Strawberries are sweet. Topic of Body Paragraph 3: Strawberries are versatile. Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 1: Strawberries are a healthy substitute for desserts because they have a much lower carbohydrate count and are rich in nutrients and fiber. Notice that ...
PDF Topic Sentences
The topic sentence allows the authors to tie together the paragraph. Topic sentences make the ideas and claims of each paragraph in a paper easy to identify and understand. They also demonstrate the relationship between each paragraph and the thesis. In other words, the topic sentence for each paragraph reveals and connects back to an aspect of the
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.
How to Write a Topic Sentence: 3 Topic Sentence Examples
2. Outline your paper. Create a roadmap for your essay writing so you know how each paragraph will support your thesis statement and the evidence you will include in each paragraph. 3. Be clear and coherent. A topic sentence should be clear and easy to understand so the reader knows the main idea of the paragraph. 4.
PDF Topic Sentences: Directional, Connective, and Specific
A working topic sentence does three things for its author: 1.) it specifically announces the "topic" or focus of its paragraph; 2.) it makes the connection between the paper's claim and the evidence you will provide; 3.) it cues readers as to how you will proceed through your argument. . . It may also require a transitional statement that ...
Topic Sentences
In academic writing, many paragraphs or groups of paragraphs start with topic sentences, which are like mini-thesis statements. Topic sentences are idea indicators, or "signs" that help guide a reader along from idea to idea. Topic sentences have a topic and an angle, just like thesis sentences. But the angle of topic sentences usually is ...
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.
Topic Sentences
Topic sentences are key pieces of an essay because they act as signposts that present and link ideas. They establish the main point for each unit of support. They situate each unit of support within the sequence of the essay's argument, showing the linkages among the essay's main supporting ideas. They provide unity to a paragraph or unit ...
Topic Sentence
A topic sentence is the most important sentence in a paragraph. Sometimes referred to as a focus sentence, the topic sentence helps organize the paragraph by summarizing the information in the paragraph. In academic writing, the topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph (although it does not have to be). Purpose of the Topic ...
12.2: Topic Sentences
Example \(\PageIndex{2}\) Confusing topic sentence: "In general, writing an essay, thesis, or other academic or nonacademic document is considerably easier and of much higher quality if you first construct an outline, of which there are many different types.". Explanation: The convoluted sentence structure and unnecessary vocabulary bury the main idea, making it difficult for the reader to ...
Writing Topic Sentences
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 ...
Paragraphs ~ Topic Sentences
A paragraph is a group of sentences that present, develop, and support a single idea. Some paragraphs are long; some paragraphs are short. There is no rule for exact length of paragraphs or number of sentences in a paragraph. One guideline is to have your paragraph take up two-thirds to three-fourths of a page, but paragraphs can be shorter or ...
The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay
An academic essay is a focused piece of writing that develops an idea or argument using evidence, analysis, and interpretation. ... The topic sentence should generally lead on from the previous paragraph and introduce the point to be made in this paragraph.
Topic Sentences
As the readers move into a paragraph, they need to know where they are in relation to the whole essay, and what they should expect to read in the sentences to come. Topic sentences often act like tiny thesis statements. Like a thesis statement, a topic sentence makes a claim of some sort. As the thesis statement is the unifying force in the essay, so the topic sentence must be the unifying ...
Anatomy of a Body Paragraph
A strong paragraph in an academic essay will usually include these three elements: A topic sentence. The topic sentence does double duty for a paragraph. First, a strong topic sentence makes a claim or states a main idea that is then developed in the rest of the paragraph. Second, the topic sentence signals to readers how the paragraph is ...
Topic Sentences ~ More Examples
Here is more practice on Topic Sentences: In academic writing, many paragraphs or groups of paragraphs start with topic sentences, which are like mini-thesis statements. Topic sentences are idea indicators, or "signs" that help guide a reader along from idea to idea. Topic sentences have a topic and an angle, just like thesis sentences.
How to write a good topic sentence in Academic Writing
The topic sentence must connect to the main body of the paragraph. Many fast-food chains make their profits from adding a special ingredient called "forget sauce" to their foods. Made largely from edible oil products, this condiment is never listed on the menu. In addition, this well-kept industry secret is the reason why ingredients are ...
How To Write a Topic Sentence (With Examples and Tips)
1. Identify the main point in your piece of writing. Think about the overall topic for your writing. Decide how you can introduce this idea to your readers with an interesting opening sentence. 2. Write a sentence that connects to your main idea with a what and a why. Write a clear topic sentence by describing the what and the why of an idea ...
How to Write a Topic Sentence
A topic sentence is the opening part of a paragraph. It helps give your readers the general idea of what the rest of the paragraph will be about. In a research paper or any other type of academic paper, every paragraph needs this sentence. A good topic sentence should contain the topic, opinion and supporting sentence.

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How to Write a Strong Topic Sentence + Examples

What’s Covered:

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.

Keep your topic sentence short.

Don’t wait until the last minute.

Don’t forget to write an outline.

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What is a topic sentence?

Where do topic sentences go?

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

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

Does every paragraph need one?

Topic Sentences

Using Topic Sentences

Where do topic sentences go?

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

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

Does every paragraph need one?

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Topic Sentences Exercise Answer

12.2: Topic Sentences

Media Alternative

What is a topic sentence and why is it useful?

What makes a good topic sentence?

Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Example \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Where should I put a topic sentence?

Topic Sentence Begins the Paragraph (General to Specific)

Topic Sentence Ends the Paragraph (Specific to General)

Topic Sentence in the Middle of the Paragraph

Implied Topic Sentences

Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Attributions

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

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