Tips for Good Topic Sentences

If you want to write a good paragraph, you must lay the foundation with an excellent topic sentence! Here are five tips for writing an excellent topic sentence:

1. Introduce the topic without “announcing” it. The subject of my essay is my first day of college. My first day of college at HIT in Weihai is an experience I won’t forget anytime soon! ✔ ✗

2. Provide a good transition 1 from the previous paragraph. 1 Transition – A passage in a piece of writing that smoothly connects two sections or topics to each other.

3. Hook the reader with something interesting. “Hook” means to captivate – attract and hold the interest / attention of someone.

Make sure to “hook” the reader with a great topic sentence!

4. Plant questions in the reader’s mind. Hmm. I wonder what the author will say next.

5. Use vivid 1 words. 1 Vivid – producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind.

Examples: He was sad about the ruined flag after the building was destroyed. He wept at the sight of the torn flag amid the rubble. ✗ ✔

You will probably find it challenging to use all of these tips for every topic sentence you write. But if you get into the habit of using them regularly, your topic sentences will get better and better over time!

1.Introduce the topic without “announcing” it. 2.Provide a good transition from the previous paragraph. 3.Hook the reader with something interesting. 4.Plant questions in the reader’s mind. 5.Use vivid words.