The Paragraph Signpost
Visual metaphor of a topic sentence.
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Your topic sentence points the way; the rest of the paragraph builds the path.
Understand and write topic sentences that act as the main claim controlling the paragraph.
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Teach topic sentence as the paragraph's main claim.
In an IELTS Task 2 essay, your topic sentence is the boss of your body paragraph. It is the very first sentence, and it tells the examiner exactly what specific claim the rest of the paragraph will prove.
Visual metaphor of a topic sentence.
Your topic sentence points the way; the rest of the paragraph builds the path.
Criteria for evaluating a topic sentence.
Does it answer the prompt clearly and directly?
Is the idea specific enough to actually mean something?
Can the rest of the paragraph genuinely support this idea?
Pick the topic sentence that is clear, relevant, and developable.
Prompt: 'Public transport should be free.' Goal: Write a body paragraph discussing environmental benefits. Which is the best topic sentence?
Learner rewrites vague topic sentences.
Write a single, academic sentence that acts as a clear signpost.
Explain how your rewrite passes the 'Good Topic Sentence Test'.
Recall the golden rule of paragraphing.