How to Write a Topic Sentence

Being able to write a topic sentence that properly conveys the main idea of your paragraph is an essential skill as a writer. In order for your topic sentence to be as effective as possible there are a number of principals that you must adhere to. Here's how to write a topic sentence that clearly defines and delineates the subject matter of your paragraph.

Instructions

1. Choose a topic that interests you and will also make for a clear, concise paragraph. This can be anything as long as you feel that you can write the rest of your paragraph around it without losing your reader or diluting the continuity of your writing. The only exception to this is when you are writing an essay or research paper. In this instance, your topic sentences should all relate back to the main idea of your thesis or paper.

2. Select a supporting idea that elaborates on your topic. For example, if your topic is "sports cars" your supporting idea could be "care and maintenance" of them. Think of your topic as the main idea, and your supporting idea as a specific aspect of that same main idea.

3. Form a sentence using your topic and supporting idea together to make a statement. Following the same example, your topic sentence could say something like "Sports cars require specific care and precise maintenance in order to keep them running well." This sentence would tell the reader that the following paragraph will probably include tips or some sort of advice on sports car maintenance, and that's exactly what you want to accomplish with a topic sentence, you want your reader to have a clear understanding of what lies ahead.

4. Write the rest of your paragraph with your topic sentence in mind, focusing on continuity and clarity. The content of your paragraph should relate back to your topic sentence and expand on its general idea, working to create a coherent, understandable flow of information.

5. Proofread your entire paragraph to check for any writing errors that create confusion, and make any necessary changes to your topic sentence or paragraph in order to fix your mistakes. If certain aspects don't seem right with your topic sentence or paragraph make sure to revise them until you end up with a strong, logical composition.