Definition and Role of Topic Sentences
In writing, topic sentences play a crucial role by helping readers clearly understand how each paragraph contributes meaningfully to the overall argument or discussion of your essay or paper.
When we write, we want readers to understand our ideas. We want to avoid situations where the ideas in our paper or essay feel haphazard or confusing, because we have not been intentional about structuring body paragraphs and topic sentences. To achieve this goal, the topic sentence for every body paragraph should be the first sentence in that paragraph, and should satisfy the following two functions:
- Clearly identifies the main focus – A topic sentence should clearly state the main focus or main idea to be discussed in that paragraph.
- Create a connection – Your topic sentence should also connect to other parts of your essay or paper, based on the purpose and function of that body paragraph.
Topic Sentences by Paragraph Type
Remember that for JP’s class, we are using three different body paragraphs as building blocks within our body. The connection for each topic sentence will depend on the paragraph type, as follows:
- Background paragraph topic sentence –[connects to]–> your paper or essay topic
- Argumentative paragraph topic sentence –[connects to]–> your thesis statement or claim
- Example paragraph topic sentence –[connects to]–> the main point in a preceding argumentative paragraph
▶ Background Paragraph Topic Sentences
Background paragraph topic sentences should connect directly to your paper or essay topic, establishing the foundational context your readers need to understand your argument.
These connections work by introducing essential information, definitions, historical context, or relevant circumstances that frame your discussion.
When a background paragraph topic sentence successfully connects to your overall essay topic, it demonstrates to readers why this contextual information is necessary and relevant rather than tangential. This connection strengthens your paper by ensuring that all background information serves a clear purpose in supporting your eventual argument, rather than simply providing interesting but disconnected facts.
Best Practice: to readers, background paragraphs can look like other types of paragraphs, so don’t be afraid to clearly announce in your topic sentence that this will be background. This helps the reader understand and digest the context that will be provided.
▶ Argumentative Paragraph Topic Sentences
Argumentative paragraph topic sentences must connect directly to your thesis statement or main claim by presenting a main point that serves as a reason why your claim is true.
The topic sentence logically connects this main point to your claim, often using constructions like “The first reason why [claim] is true is because [main point].” The entire paragraph—main point, supporting points, and evidence—acts as a building block for your larger thesis, and a clear topic sentence helps readers understand how that building block fits into your overall argument.
When readers can trace how each main point supports your thesis, they understand your argument’s logical flow and see how you’re constructing your case piece by piece. This connection keeps your argument tight and prevents paragraphs from drifting into interesting but irrelevant side discussions.
Best Practice: it can be useful to identify a segment of your claim and repeat this in your topic sentences. For instance, in the example below, the thesis statement claims that the 19th Amendment was a crucial step forward for women’s rights. In JP’s class, we’ll refer to this phrase as the “football,” in the way that a football team always carries the ball forward for every play. Repeating this phrase within each argumentative topic sentence will help readers understand how your ideas connect to each other.
▶ Example Paragraph Topic Sentences
Example paragraph topic sentences should connect to the main point from a preceding argumentative paragraph by introducing a concrete sequence that proves that main point in action.
Whether you’re telling a story, recounting a conversation, or walking through a process, your example paragraph shows readers what your main point actually looks like in the real world. This connection transforms abstract arguments into something readers can see and understand viscerally.
When your example clearly demonstrates the main point you argued for, it makes your reasoning convincing because readers witness the truth of your claim rather than just hearing you assert it. Without this clear connection, your concrete sequences become random anecdotes that don’t advance your argument.
How Topic Sentences Connect
In order to create a paper or essay that is compelling an easy to follow, take the time to make sure your topic sentences connect appropriately. Review the illustration below to see how this works.
Common Topic Sentence Mistakes
Mistake 1: Announcing
Problem: Topic sentences that announce what the paragraph will discuss rather than diving directly into the main point. These sentences often begin with phrases like “In this paragraph I will…” or “This section will examine…” which create unnecessary distance between the reader and the actual content.
Example: “In this paragraph, I will discuss how the 19th Amendment affected women’s political participation.”
Fix: State your main point directly without announcing it. Instead: “The 19th Amendment dramatically increased women’s political participation by giving them access to electoral influence.”
Mistake 2: Ambiguous or Missing Focus
Problem: Topic sentences that fail to include a clear focus, leaving readers uncertain about what the paragraph will discuss. Without an identifiable focus, readers often struggle to understand how the paragraph fits into the argument or discussion.
Example: Imagine a paragraph where the intended focus is legal restrictions on property ownership by women in the 19th century. However, here is the topic sentence: “Women faced many challenges throughout American history.” This topic sentence doesn’t mention the focus, which confuses the reader or make the discussion harder to follow.
Fix: Include a specific focus that tells readers exactly what the paragraph will focus on. Instead: “Women faced significant legal barriers to property ownership in the 19th century.”
Mistake 3: Question Format
Problem: Using questions as topic sentences creates ambiguity and shifts the focus from making a clear statement to engaging in speculation. Questions invite multiple possible answers rather than establishing a definitive main point for the paragraph.
Example: “How did the 19th Amendment change women’s lives?”
Fix: Convert the question into a declarative statement that presents your main point. Instead: “The 19th Amendment transformed women’s lives by providing them with direct political influence for the first time.”
Mistake 4: List Format
Problem: Topic sentences that outline multiple items the paragraph will cover rather than presenting a unified focus. Similar to announce, these sentences often use phrases like “in this paragraph” etc. The problem here is that specifying a list of items is not the same as providing a clear focus.
Example: “This paragraph will discuss the 19th Amendment’s passage, its immediate effects, and its long-term impact.”
Fix: Focus on one main point that unifies these elements. Instead: “The 19th Amendment’s passage marked the beginning of women’s systematic integration into American political life.” You may then include the specific items originally listed as part of your discussion.
By mastering these aspects of topic sentences, you can enhance your writing significantly, making it more compelling and structured.