What is a “topic sentence”?

A topic sentence is the first sentence of your paragraph that states the focus, or central idea, of the paragraph — sort of a mini-thesis. A strong topic sentence (not to be confused with essay topic) will also provide a transition from the previous paragraph and refer to your thesis statement. Each point of your thesis statement should provide you with a guide for writing your paragraphs’ topic sentences, if you used a three-pronged strategy.

Like a thesis statement, your topic statements may be implicit instead of explicit, suggesting a focus rather than saying it outright. Inexperienced writers, however, should be cautious not to lose their focus if they choose an implicit topic sentence.

In composing your topic sentences, follow the rules outlined in “What are some guidelines for writing a thesis?”: do not use facts, questions, or announcements. Provide a focus for your paragraph by stating the paragraph’s subject and the assertion that the paragraph will support. For example:

Not only does Star Trek emphasize non-violent strategies for problem solving, it introduces new ways of considering and solving current social problems, like racial conflict.

This sentence provides a transition from the previous paragraph, it directly refers to the thesis statement, and it introduces the specific topic that will be addressed in the current paragraph.

The topic — or “opening” — sentence that begins your essay will be a bit different: it will be less specific, shorter, and more dynamic.

The opening sentence, like the essay’s title, should not be specific, but should catch the reader’s attention with a short, interesting statement that will begin your introduction. Nothing intimidates a reader more than a wall of text, beginning with a long, complex argument. Use the opening sentence to catch your reader’s attention by making it short and interesting:

Life in the twenty-third century is great.

Unlike your paragraphs’ topic sentences, this sentence provides only a hint to pique your reader’s interest. Here, no cumbersome detail is used; only a taste of the essay is needed to inspire the reader’s hunger for more.

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Composition FAQ

External Links

• Writing Topic Sentences — by Dorothy Turner from the University of Ottawa