State Library of Victoria > Ergo

Skip to content

Explore history

Topic sentences

Think about who your audience is. Who will read and mark your essay, and what are they looking for?

The first sentence in each paragraph is called a topic sentence. Topic sentences:

  • explain the point you're going to make in the paragraph

  • are clear and concise

  • link back to your argument and introduction

  • build on the points made in the previous paragraphs

  • when read together, summarise your argument.

If you recorded your key points in your essay plan, you've already written your topic sentences. Take your key points, write them in a single sentence and then write a paragraph discussing each one.

 

© 2009 State Library of Victoria

State Library of Victoria     Victoria - the place to be