How to Write a Good Topic Sentence

Your topic sentence is the key to making the rest of the essay flow from your fingertips to the page. Once you’ve got this figured out, you’ll know where your essay is going and what structure it will have.

Staying on Point with Topic Sentences

So, what defines a topic sentence? Essentially, it conveys the main idea of a paragraph. When used throughout an essay, topic sentences make up its backbone, giving your arguments a clear support system. They help guide you as the writer, keeping your arguments on point, and they also help guide the reader.

You might be thinking: How is this different from a thesis statement? Topic and thesis sentences work together, but topic sentences support the thesis. Besides differing in purpose, they also differ in number: Your essay should have one clear thesis (in a sentence or two near the beginning), but it may have many topic sentences throughout. The topic sentences don’t repeat your thesis — instead, they each focus on one key aspect of supporting your argument. Topic sentences will usually go at the beginning of a paragraph, although there can be exceptions.

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So now you know what a topic sentence is, but how do you make it a good one? First, recognize that topic sentences can come in many shapes and sizes. They are not formulaic — in fact, it’s a good idea to use different types to keep your writing lively. Here are a few common types:

• Complex: This type of sentence will typically start with a subordinate clause, often reflecting on the previous topic, and then move into the next one in the second half of the sentence. For example: “Although Columbus is given credit for opening the door to European colonization in America, he is also heavily criticized for his role in reducing the number of native residents in the areas he visited.”

• Question: Questions can be good guides for the reader, who will likely assume you are about to answer the question posed (so make sure you follow through!). Using a question at the beginning of your paragraph adds some momentum, driving toward your answer. (You just read an example of this type: see two paragraphs above.)

• Bridge: Like a complex sentence, a bridge acts as a transition from your previous point into the next one. However, the bridge is typically a simpler sentence and can add a little variety to your writing. You might write something as simple as, “The new ordinance, however, did not deter bar patrons from smoking.”

Ideas that typically don’t work well as topic sentences? Quotations from others usually aren’t good—they will typically only indirectly relate to the topic. Also, avoid a blatant announcement: “Now, I will cover the events leading up to Lincoln’s delivery of the Gettysburg Address” (This is too simplistic).

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Putting Topic Sentences into Practice

Picture this: You’ve been assigned to write a 500-word essay on combating childhood obesity. Based on your research, you’ve come up with this thesis sentence: “As a society, we can make strides toward a healthier youth population by increasing funding for school nutrition programs.”

From this point, you can work on crafting some topic sentences that support your thesis and help guide your argument. The keys to creating these are to keep them specific and relevant to your thesis. Make sure they directly relate to your main point, but are different enough from each other to add depth to your essay.

In the example of your childhood obesity topic, you might use topic sentences like these as a framework for the rest of your essay:

• School nutrition programs are required to meet certain standards, including the availability of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  

• The National School Lunch Program helps lower-income children obtain healthy food because of the subsidies it provides to reduce or eliminate the cost to the families.

• Funding for nutrition programs at school also includes breakfast, and eating breakfast has been linked to better health.

See? Just like magic, the outline of your essay is complete. Now, elaborate on each of the points in your argument with supporting details from credible, well-cited sources, and your well-structured, top-scoring essay will be ready in no time.

Lora Wegman is a contributing writer for Varsity Tutors, a live learning platform that connects students with personalized instruction to accelerate academic achievement.

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