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When it comes to writing strong and effective essays, mastering the art of topic sentences is essential. A topic sentence acts as a roadmap for your readers, guiding them through the main ideas and arguments of your essay. It serves as the foundation of each paragraph, setting the tone and purpose for the coming sentences. However, crafting a good topic sentence is not always an easy task. It requires an understanding of the essay’s main focus, as well as a skillful combination of clarity, specificity, and relevance. In this guide, we will explore the key elements of a good topic sentence and provide you with practical tips to help you write impactful and engaging topic sentences that will greatly enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. Whether you are a student looking to improve your essay writing skills or simply seeking to enhance your overall writing abilities, this guide will provide you with valuable insights and techniques to write exceptional topic sentences.
This article was co-written by Megan Morgan, PhD. Megan Morgan is a graduate program advisor at the School of Public & International Relations at the University of Georgia. She received her doctorate in English from the University of Georgia in 2015.
There are 12 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 48,121 times.
Perfecting your topic sentences is essential to the success of an essay. Topic sentences usually appear at the beginning of a paragraph and tell the reader what is about to be covered in each paragraph. Think of it as a preview of a movie or the title of an article, highlighting the “main point” that is about to be presented in the passage. [1] X Research Source Make sure to write the topic sentences of each paragraph well, and the rest of your work will be as light as the breeze.
Steps
Write a successful topic sentence
- Remember that the topic sentence is not simply a statement about the topic. “Today I will discuss the benefits of gardening” is not an effective topic sentence. You must be able to express your intentions clearly without saying it out loud.
- The topic sentence in this example asserts a clear direction (“the health benefits of gardening”) that can then be developed in the passage.
- Do not write an idea that is too vague or too general, or you will never be able to discuss it in a paragraph. The following sentence is too general: “The United States suffered a lot during the second world war”.
- Do not write a sentence with too narrow a meaning. You won’t have much to say, because it’s just a fact. Sentences that are too narrow could be as follows: “A Christmas tree can be a cedar or a fir tree.”
- Instead, you need to aim for balance: “Sherman’s destruction in the South during the Civil War took a toll.” This sentence is broad enough to relate to the larger meaning of the essay, and not so narrow that there is nothing to discuss.
- Depicts a character. You can describe the person physically or mentally.
- Use dialogue. If there is an appropriate dialogue that might grab the reader’s attention, consider using part of that dialogue to start the paragraph.
- Describe an emotion. Use opening sentences to express feelings in front of the reader.
- Use details. You shouldn’t write a lengthy sentence because it contains too many details, but it’s also a good idea to use sensory language in your topic sentence to create interest.
- Avoid rhetorical questions (questions not intended to find answers). While you want the reader to form questions in their mind, you shouldn’t ask them.
- Don’t just state the facts in the topic sentence. While facts or data may be compelling, they neither introduce the passage nor draw the reader into it. If you want to include a fact in the passage, you also need to add your own opinion. For example, instead of writing “Every dog needs food,” try writing, “Every dog needs constant care, including adequate feeding, and children are the best people to do that.” there.” Or you can save the facts as evidence for the body of the paragraph. [10] X Research Source
- Using transition words like “Besides”, or “On the contrary”, is a good way to show the connection between your ideas.
- Example: “While gardening has many health benefits, people still need to be cautious when outdoors.” This topic sentence establishes a connection with the main idea of the previous paragraph (“health benefits of gardening”) and points to the direction of the following (“cautions”).
Make an outline for topic sentences
- You don’t need to write a serious outline with Roman numerals or the like. Even an outline with scattered ideas can help you figure out how you want to develop.
- Unlike a thesis, a topic sentence does not need to provide an argument. The topic sentence can give the reader “pre-screening” of what the passage will argue or discuss.
- For example, a topic sentence might look like this: “In addition, increased funding for public roads in Jackson County will improve the quality of life for local residents.” The remaining sentences in this paragraph should relate to the main idea of the public road system and how they benefit local residents.
- A bad topic sentence might be: “The increased budget for the public road system has resulted in a 20% reduction in vehicle density.” While this may be a good idea in your argument, it’s too narrow to be a topic sentence. The topic sentence should address the overall idea of the paragraph.
Avoid common problems
- Unless it’s an article about your subjective opinion, avoid using the word “I” in the topic sentence.
- Instead of writing, “In this story, Amelia does many good things such as helping her friends, talking to her parents, and helping her team at school,” write, “Thanks to the activities Amelia has been involved in. , she is recognized as having a positive influence on the community”.
Advice
- Avoid using words like “you” or “we” because it implies that you know the reader, but you don’t actually know them.
- In formal writing, avoid abbreviations like “don’t,” “can’t,” and “isn’t,” but write them out in full, like “do not,” “can not” and “is.” not.”
- Write down in words every number under ten. Do not write affirmations as questions.
This article was co-written by Megan Morgan, PhD. Megan Morgan is a graduate program advisor at the School of Public & International Relations at the University of Georgia. She received her doctorate in English from the University of Georgia in 2015.
There are 12 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 48,121 times.
Perfecting your topic sentences is essential to the success of an essay. Topic sentences usually appear at the beginning of a paragraph and tell the reader what is about to be covered in each paragraph. Think of it as a preview of a movie or the title of an article, highlighting the “main point” that is about to be presented in the passage. [1] X Research Source Make sure to write the topic sentences of each paragraph well, and the rest of your work will be as light as the breeze.
In conclusion, writing a good topic sentence is crucial to crafting a strong and coherent piece of writing. A well-written topic sentence acts as a guide for both the writer and the reader, establishing the main idea and setting the tone for the entire paragraph or essay. By choosing a clear and concise topic, providing specific details, and ensuring relevance to the overall thesis or argument, writers can effectively engage their audience and create a compelling piece of writing. Furthermore, revising and refining topic sentences through careful analysis and feedback can strengthen the overall structure and flow of the written work. With these essential tips and techniques in mind, anyone can master the art of writing a good topic sentence and enhance their writing skills.
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