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Topic Sentences

Topic sentences help you develop your essay from beginning to end. If you take the time to develop several related topics that you want to address throughout your essay, most of your work will already be done. You will use these sentences as your guide to research, creating supporting arguments, and writing your conclusion. You need only to "fill in the blanks" of answering or supporting your topic sentences. Unlike the thesis statement, topic sentences are not included in your essay; they are for your reference and will serve as the "map" that will get you from the beginning to the middle and to the end of your essay.

Again, using our sample essay topics, we show below examples of what some topic sentences might be. Notice how they create a developing argument starting with the first, introductory sentence, filling out the middle, and ending with a conclusion sentence.

EXAMPLE:

Essay on the similarities between Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar

Topic Sentences:

  1. There are several similarities between these two plays.
  2. Although one has a romantic plot and the other a politically themed story line, ultimately, they are both tragedies.
  3. They both highlight the lives of politically and socially dominant families.
  4. They both address issues of the cultural standards and problems of the time.
  5. They both deal with the topics of betrayal and loyalty.
  6. They both end in the death of the central characters.
  7. They were both written to appeal to the sensibilities and tastes of Shakespeare's Elizabethan audience.
Can you see how each sentence is the start of a developing idea? Is it clear to you that there is a beginning, middle, and end to these topic sentences? Can you picture how you might write the essay or "fill in the blanks" by answering each question in turn?

EXAMPLE:

Essay on the benefits of hiring a Call Center Supervisor

Topic Sentences:
  1. The level of customer service has declined at the Call Center over the last six months.
  2. Currently, there is no liaison between manager and staff.
  3. The lack of a liaison is creating a lack of clear communication.
  4. The staff is overworked because in addition to handling calls and customer issues they have to concern themselves with organization and planning.
  5. In addition to my duties of running the center and managing the staff, I am also handling all the details in between.
  6. A liaison Supervisor will eliminate most, if not all, of the current problems plaguing our department.
  7. The costs of creating and filling this position will be quickly compensated.
  8. High standards of customer satisfaction are shown to increase profitability in the present and the future.
  9. If all parties agree, I am prepared to move forward with filling this position as soon as possible.
Can you see how each sentence is the start of a developing idea? Is it clear to you that there is a beginning, middle, and end to these topic sentences? Can you picture how you might write the essay or "fill in the blanks" by answering each question in turn?

CONCLUSION

To form a more perfect essay you should start with clarifying, on paper, who is your audience and what is the main purpose of the essay. Be clear about what your audience wants and needs to be convinced. Write phrases or sentences to define the purpose of your essay, this will help you crystallize the driving force behind what you are writing. The difference between a strong, powerful, convincing essay and one that is weak is in keeping your focus throughout, to one or as few points as possible. Use topic sentences to help create the guideposts of the beginning, middle, and end of your essay. If you do so, writing the body of it later on will be a much easier task. This lesson provided you with an introduction to the all-important thesis statement.

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