Stating the main point in a topic sentence

A paragraph should be unified around a main point. The point should be clear to readers, and all sentences in the paragraph should relate to that point.

As a rule, you should state the main point of a paragraph in a topic sentence—a one-sentence summary that tells readers what to expect as they read on.

If you have trouble writing paragraphs with topic sentences, try this:

• Jot down an informal outline before you begin writing your paper.
• Write a topic sentence for each major point in the outline.

Alternately, after you have written a draft, you can check for topic sentences:

• Make an outline of the finished draft.
• Check to be sure each paragraph has a topic sentence reflecting one main point.
• If you discover that you are making more than one point in a paragraph, consider breaking the paragraph.

Sample formal outline

Exercise: Topic sentences

Related topics:

Positioning the topic sentence

Paragraphs without topic sentences