While you may have an idea which way you need to sail in order to get to the island, if you don’t know where to dig once you get there, it may be a long and frustrating treasure hunt.

Now let’s say you have a treasure map. How does that change things?

It makes life a little easier, right?

Having a treasure map means you have a step-by-step guide to help you get to your ultimate goal—the buried treasure.

Topic sentences are a lot like treasure maps—they provide a step-by-step guide through your paper.

Looking for a few ideas to help create a treasure map of topic sentences for your paper? Check out these examples of good topic sentences.

12 Examples of Good Topic Sentences (and Why They Work)

An introduction or thesis statement for a narrative essay is different than an introduction or thesis in an argumentative essay. It makes sense, then, that you’ll write different types of topic sentences for different types of papers.

To help you see the difference between topic sentences, I’ve divided this list by type of papers: narrative essay, argumentative essay, and compare and contrast essay.

If you want a quick refresher on writing good topic sentences, matey, read the following post: Here Is the Right Way and the Wrong Way to Write Topic Sentences.

4 narrative essay topic sentences

Topic Sentence #1: The sea was treacherous that night, and I thought I’d lose half of my men before sunrise.

Topic Sentence #2: We thought we had seen the worst Mother Nature had to offer, but she proved us wrong on the final night of our voyage.

Topic Sentence #3: With my first mate’s final comments, I knew the men were planning a mutiny.

Topic Sentence #4: It was at that moment that I struck something I knew must be the treasure.

Why these narrative topic sentences work

A strong narrative essay keeps readers interested and wanting more of the story. A good narrative topic sentence helps hold readers’ interest by providing an overview of the upcoming paragraph.

Each of these topic sentences provides a clear idea of what the focus of the paragraph will be, yet they’re also intriguing enough to build suspense.

Readers wonder how the events will unfold and keep reading to see how the story ends.

BONUS TIP:

Transitions are important in topic sentences for all types of essays, but it’s important that you not only choose the right transitions but also vary your transitions.

It can be easy to use the word “then” throughout your narrative essay to connect events that occur in chronological order, but don’t do it!

Using “then” to connect your ideas will make your writing sound like this: “First, we boarded the ship. Then we found our way to our cabins. Then we headed straight to the pool.” It certainly doesn’t make for very compelling reading.

Not sure what other transitions to use? Here are 97 transition words to help!

Looking for more examples of narrative essay topic sentences? Take a look at these example essays to see what other writers have written.

4 argumentative essay topic sentences

Topic Sentence #5: Finally, the most compelling reason that Treasure Island should be considered the best pirate novel is its unique plot.

Topic Sentence #6: One of the first strategies companies need to implement in order to protect their ships from pirates near the Somali coast is to require armed security on all vessels.

Topic Sentence #7: File-sharing sites, such as The Pirate Bay, are yet another way that technology has created a new type of criminal.

Topic Sentence #8: Even though the players can, of course, take some credit for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ success, it is the coaches who truly deserve the credit.

Why these argumentative essay topic sentences work

The goal of an argument essay is to convince readers. To do that, you need lots of examples and evidence to support your arguments. This means that your paragraphs will each focus on one key argument, and thus your topic sentences should do the same.

These topic sentences clearly identify the argument to be expressed in the paragraph.They also allude to the broad focus of the thesis statement to remind readers of the goal of the paper.

While this strategy may not always be necessary (especially in shorter papers) it can be useful in longer essays as it keeps readers focused.

BONUS TIP:

Because arguments tend to include a list of key points to support a thesis statement, you might use transitions like “first,” “second,” “finally,” or “ultimately” in your topic sentences.

If these types of transitions aren’t working for you, try using headings (if your assignment allows). Check out this sample paper to see one way to use headings when writing in MLA 8 format.

Want to see argument essay topic sentences and transitions in action? Check out this example essay about internet piracy from our database.

4 compare and contrast essay topic sentences

Topic Sentence #9: Though the pirates Blackbeard and Black Bart may have entered into piracy differently, they both met their deaths in gruesome battles.

Topic Sentence #10: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is most like Pirates of the Caribbean due to its similar cast.

Topic Sentence #11: Hollywood’s portrayal of pirates’ appearances is quite similar to historical accounts of what pirates actually looked like.

Topic Sentence #12: Many sea shanties sung by pirates can also be compared to Irish drinking songs.

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Why these compare and contrast essay topic sentences work

Compare and contrast essays examine similarities and differences, so it only makes sense that your topic sentences do the same. Notice that each of the topic sentences includes both items to be used for comparison.

For instance, #11 compares Hollywood’s portrayal of pirates to historical accounts of what pirates really looked like.

This type of topic sentence construction provides a clear path for readers. It allows them to see the exact points to be compared in the upcoming paragraph.

BONUS TIP:

A compare and contrast essay is unique because it uses transitional words to clearly identify and connect similarities and differences.

Here are a few transitions you might use in your own writing:

• Compared to
• Like
• Similarly
• Despite
• Even though
• A clear difference
• Likewise
• In contrast

Interested in seeing how other writers have used topic sentences and transitions in compare and contrast essays? Take a look at these example essays.

The End of Your Voyage

Congratulations! You’ve navigated the raging waters of topic sentences and have safely reached the end of your voyage, my friend.

Now that you’ve got sea-worthy skills for writing good topic sentences, make sure you keep your paragraphs anchored to those topic sentences so that each paragraph supports your thesis statement.

And if you’re still not seasick and would like additional suggestions for choosing the perfect words for your topic sentences, check out these resources:

• The Ultimate Guide to the Perfect Word Choice for Your Essay
• Why Eliminating Wordiness Is So Important for Your Essay

Worried that your professor might make you walk the plank if you turn in your current draft? Let our expert editors help with revision to ensure you’ve written good topic sentences.

To steer your readers through the curves and straightaways of your essay, it helps to give them signposts along the route. An important one is the topic sentence.

When woven throughout your argument, these important guides put your readers in the fast lane and help them arrive at your conclusion.

In this blog post, I’ll explain what a topic sentence is, teach you how to write one, and give a few examples of how it’s done.

What Is a Topic Sentence?

It’s simple enough. A topic sentence is the one sentence in a paragraph—usually the first—that informs readers of what’s to come.

Your topic sentence is like a mini-thesis statement. It provides important context and lets the reader anticipate what’s ahead. It introduces the main idea of a paragraph and supports the details that follow.

Before you set off on a journey, though, you need to know where you’re going and how to get there. The thesis statement is your map: it gives you a high-level view of where you’re going.

The topic sentence, then, is like a road sign along the way, revealing the next leg of the journey. It defines what’s immediately ahead.

The topic sentence is like a road sign. It reveals the next leg of the journey.
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And because each of your supporting paragraphs will support your main thesis—that specific claim or argument you’re hoping to make with your essay—your topic sentences will include both the topic of your paper and the main point you’re hoping to make about it to support that claim.

Your Topic Sentence = Your Topic + A Main Point

Got that? If not, it’s okay. Read on to see how it’s done.

Topic Sentence in Action: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Let’s come up with a strong thesis statement for your hypothetical paper:

While some may find the prospect terrifying, the rise of self-driving cars will ultimately benefit society as they will reduce accidents, ease traffic congestion, and eliminate parking.

Here, we’re arguing that self-driving cars will ultimately reduce car accidents, lower time spent in traffic, and eliminate the need for parking.

But how do you turn these main points into topic sentences? Easily—with that equation above: Your Topic + A Main Point.

Your Topic Sentence = Your Topic + A Main Point
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Let me show you how that looks in action with these three basic topic sentences:

1. Self-driving cars will reduce accidents on the road.
2. Self-driving cars will ease traffic congestion.
3. Self-driving cars will eliminate the need for driving block by block at 3 a.m. looking for on-street parking while banging your head into the steering wheel.

The Nuts and Bolts of Topic Sentences

Now let’s take it further.

Your topic sentence has to go beyond simply stating what it is that you’ll be discussing. It’s not so much about the what as it is about the why. So let’s go back to that equation: Your Topic + A Main Point.

There are a few elements that make for a good topic sentence. Let’s cover each of these with examples.

Example 1: Make it thorough

A good topic sentence is thorough. It gives you enough content and context to provide a full discussion in the rest of the paragraph.

      The first true self-driving cars appeared in the 1980s.

This statement refers to your what—self-driving cars—so why isn’t it a good one?

Because it’s not thorough. It’s simply stating a fact. It doesn’t contain a real point of discussion on which you can elaborate in the rest of the paragraph.

Let’s try this topic sentence instead:

Technological advancements in the 1980s ushered in the first true self-driving cars.

This one includes that same fact—that self-driving cars appeared in the 1980s—but also a point of discussion—the technological advancements that drove that appearance. You can back this up with facts that elaborate how this came to be.

Example 2: Make it precise

A good topic sentence is precise. Avoid making vague or big statements that don’t clearly move your readers forward in their understanding of your discussion.

      I am going to explain how self-driving cars are better for the environment.

Again, you’ve got that main topic—but this statement is a broad declaration. It lacks any precise point of discussion. The words “I am going to explain” also just add unnecessary filler to your sentence.

While self-driving cars do not eliminate pollutants, their improved efficiency is a huge step toward a cleaner future.

This sentence gives you a lot to discuss.

(Need help with wordiness? Read Why Eliminating Wordiness Is So Important for Your Essay.)

Example 3: Make it brief

A good topic sentence is brief. Help your readers out by sticking to one main point. You’ll have the rest of your paragraph to add the details that expand, prove, or describe your topic.

Self-driving cars should be a priority because they’re better than environment-polluting gas-guzzlers, and in just a few years, traffic will become so awful that no one will be able to get to where they need to.

Pant, pant. This sentence is so convoluted. It’s difficult to know where to start. The main idea is not clear. Worse, there’s no one main point to support. And there’s too much to address in one paragraph.

Let’s try this topic sentence instead:

Given how much self-driving cars could positively impact society, the automotive industry should make research and funding a priority.

By focusing on one main idea, your topic sentence can direct the supporting sentences within the paragraph.

Topic Sentence Checklist

Here are some quick questions to ask yourself about your topic sentences:

• Is your main idea clear?
• Can your topic sentence direct the other sentences in your paragraph?
• Can you address your main idea in one paragraph?
• Does it provide a transition from the previous paragraph?
• Is your topic sentence thorough yet precise, and brief?

If you answered yes, consider this your green light to proceed.

Next Stop: Check under the Hood

Now that you’ve populated each of your supporting paragraphs with a fleshed-out topic sentence, don’t forget to thoroughly review your essay for grammar mistakes, misspellings, and sentence structure errors.

If you need help, Kibin’s editors are familiar with essays of all makes and models. The last thing you want is to start your road trip only to find that you have a bad alternator.

Revved Up for More Help with Your Topic Sentences?

Get more help from Grammar Girl, who wrote a great blog post on the magic of a good topic sentence. To learn more about perfect paragraph structure in general, refer to this handout from the UNC-Chapel Hill Writing Center.

For help with your overall thesis statement, try Kibin’s easy Thesis Statement Builder. Learn better by example? See how other students have tackled their topic sentences in these example essays.

Pedal to the metal, writers!