For example, the first two topic sentences in a basic critical essay on the theme of Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 18’ might look like this: The first way in which Shakespeare explores the theme of ...

Effective topic sentences will often link this local claim back to the overall thesis of the essay. Transitions are verbal bridges that use language to make the logical movement and structure of an ...

Writing a strong topic sentence that establishes the subject of the paragraph Using "echo words" -- i.e., consistent terms for the concepts throughout Applying transitions to link sentences logically ...

Read each paragraph and then click on the sentence (or sentences) that you think is the topic sentence of that paragraph. Carpeting may initially be less expensive than installing hardwood floors.

Read those sentences one after another to see if you can follow the essay's flow. Add/clarify topic sentences or add/modify the transitions as needed. If too long, see if you have more than one idea ...

One way to do this is to look back at all the topic sentences from the paragraphs in your essay and bring them together. Your conclusion should leave the reader thinking about the significance of ...