For example, the first two topic sentences in a basic critical essay on the theme of Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 18’ might look like this: The first way in which Shakespeare explores the theme of ...

An introduction is the opening paragraph of an essay. It should briefly introduce the topic and outline your key ideas to answer the question. These ideas are then explored in more detail in the ...

Effective topic sentences will often link this local claim back to the overall thesis of the essay. Transitions are verbal bridges that use language to make the logical movement and structure of an ...

Focus on personal experiences when choosing a topic. Prioritize strong ... experts suggest outlining the essay first. Next, focus on the opening sentence – a hook that should grab the reader's ...

This handout is available for download in DOCX format and PDF format. In the most abstract sense, the function of an introductory paragraph is to move the reader from the world of daily life into the ...

Even if the thesis is expressed in multiple sentences, it should be clear and focused. The thesis should be as specific as possible. It is very difficult to argue a broad topic, a specific thesis ...

Read each paragraph and then click on the sentence (or sentences) that you think is the topic sentence of that paragraph. Carpeting may initially be less expensive than installing hardwood floors.

Writing a strong topic sentence that establishes the subject of the paragraph Using "echo words" -- i.e., consistent terms for the concepts throughout Applying transitions to link sentences logically ...

Each of the topic sentences below is poorly written. A pull-down menu after each sentence lists the following possible problems with the topic sentence: Too general: CORRECT! This topic sentence is ...