Author:
Sara Rhodes
Date Of Creation:
18 February 2021
Update Date:
28 June 2024
Content
In an essay, the thematic sentence becomes the basis of the entire paragraph. Each paragraph should be composed of coherent, thoughtful sentences that develop one idea or theme that needs to be conveyed to the reader. Begin each paragraph with a thematic sentence to introduce the main topic and to make it easier for you to read the rest of the text. How do I write a strong sentence with a theme? First of all, think over the outline of the entire paragraph, clearly state the main idea, and also captivate the reader with an exciting story.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: How to Formulate a Topic
1 Plan a thematic proposal to support the thesis. For most essays, it is the thesis that sets the key argument in the introduction, which, as a rule, consists of several provisions. After the introduction, a series of ordered paragraphs follows, each of which concretizes the thesis. The subject sentence of each paragraph reintroduces such an idea. - Before starting to write the text, it is necessary to collect all the available information and decide what information belongs to the central idea. Review all sources, thoughts and opinions, and then select the main points not based on quantity, but on quality. Fewer well-rounded ideas are always better than an abundance of poorly researched, unsubstantiated claims.
- Each paragraph should begin with a kind of local "mini-thesis". Since one paragraph is one idea, the topic sentence should be simple and straightforward, covering the topic of this paragraph. Let the reader know what they will have to deal with in a particular paragraph.
2 Arrange key ideas in a logical order. The new idea must logically flow from the previous thought. Arrange information in such a way that the reader does not get lost in the flow of text. Feel free to rearrange paragraphs to provide a logical narrative. Think over the general outline of the paragraph. Every idea should become a necessary cog in a large machine. - Typically, the first and last paragraphs of the main body of the essay cover the two most powerful ideas. You don't need to hide the most important arguments in the middle of the text. If the first argument that immediately follows the introduction meets the reader's expectations for the thesis, then he is more likely to continue reading the essay. If the final argument sums up the rest of the text with a powerful revealing idea, then the reader's impressions will be much more enthusiastic.
- Follow an order of ideas that is easy for the reader to follow. Always consider the information that needs to be communicated to the reader before presenting the next point, and also do not forget about the logical order. For example, if you want to use the high cost of meat products as an argument in considering the effects of the summer drought, first describe the meat industry, and in the next paragraph, describe the effects of the drought.
- Consider the order of the arguments. Your ideas will sound more convincing if they are organized in a certain way.Reflect on thematic suggestions and write down all the options for the sequence of ideas so that you can choose the best solution later.
3 Consider paragraph transitions. Thematic sentences become a tool that ensures the correct structure of the text. They help the reader follow your thoughts, which are woven into more complex conclusions. Finish explaining one idea and go back from the particular to the general to start a new thought. - Having trouble connecting paragraphs organically? Re-order the main ideas. How optimal is this sequence?
4 Use transitions to articulate arguments. Each paragraph can end with a transitional sentence: write a few words connecting the key idea of the paragraph with the subsequent argument. This point is especially important if the connection between the two ideas is not at all obvious. - In an essay on fast food, when moving from a paragraph on systemic obesity to a paragraph on industrial farming methods, you can write: livestock and chickens whose meat is used to prepare such dishes are also artificially fattened for slaughter without taking into account healthy weight indicators; the diet of animals does not correspond to natural needs at all; they are kept in overcrowded dark cages and pens, where they do not see white light and dutifully await dispatch for slaughter. "
- You don't have to use a transitional sentence at the end of every paragraph. You can describe the final thought in the final sentence, and then move on to the topic sentence of the next paragraph. A topic sentence helps you make sure your thoughts are in the best possible sequence, but in some cases, a transitional sentence at the end of a paragraph and a subsequent sentence with a topic can lead to redundancy and verbosity.
5 Make sure the thematic proposal is clear. In an ideal essay, it is enough to read the thesis and thematic sentences of each paragraph to get an idea of the entire essay. Such sentences should be simple, clear and concise. Finish the text and re-read all the thematic sentences. Keep your main messages clear and coherent.
Part 2 of 2: How to write a topic sentence
1 State your main idea clearly. As a rule, a thematic sentence is the very first sentence of a paragraph, so it is so important to inform the reader about what to expect from the current part of the text without excessive verbosity and complexity of perception. - It is not enough just to state the topic. Don't flirt with the reader. “Now I'm going to talk about the benefits of recycling” is an example of an ineffective topical sentence due to too conversational style, lack of information content and inability to interest the reader.
- Be clear about your intentions, but not overly obvious. Present the topic by means of fact, description, or statement. Do not tell the reader that such and such a topic will be discussed further. Just start looking at this question.
2 Engage the reader. A competent thematic sentence can rivet the reader's attention to the paragraph and arouse interest in the topic. Convince the reader to ask questions, the answers to which can be found in the following text. One way to grab attention is to immediately put the reader in the thick of things: - Describe a real or fictional character. Indicate external ("Boris Petrov is a tall, muscular and broad-shouldered man, completely unlike a typical chess player") or emotional characteristics ("When his father told Boris Petrov that he was not capable of becoming an outstanding athlete, pride leaped in the boy, after all, for a long time his thoughts were occupied only with chess ").
- Describe a specific episode. Create a picture that will make the reader wonder "what happened next?" For example: "It was deep night when the fire started in the house."
- Use a compelling fact or statistic to convey the importance of a topic.If your essay is in a documentary or pseudo-documentary genre, start your sentence with a shocking “did you know?” Statement on the subject. For example: "Just think about it: every five minutes in the world, one child dies a violent death." Such facts should not be at variance with reality.
- Make a statement. In indicative and incentive essays, the thematic sentence may contain a statement that will be supported by evidence in the text of the paragraph. For example: "Pork is the main type of meat in the diet of the average Russian, but the pace of development of cattle breeding may lead to the fact that the population will have to reconsider their habits." Make a compelling case: the claim should be supported by research, not the other way around.
- Avoid rhetorical questions like "What is the meaning of life?" Encourage the reader to such questions, but do not voice them in the text. Do not address the reader directly: "Have you ever thought about the life of astronauts in orbit?"
3 Keep it short and clear. Clarity is the cornerstone of such a proposal. Don't write too long and don't try to grasp the immensity. Thematic sentence is a kind of gateway to the text of the paragraph: express yourself more specifically than in the thesis, but do not try to summarize all the information contained in the paragraph. Short sentences also contribute to ease of perception, as they do not intimidate the reader with verbosity. 
4 Make statements that can be reasoned about. The main text of the paragraph allows you to confirm a given topic. A topical proposal in a revealing or motivating essay should make an opinion or statement that you have strong evidence to support. Don't make unsubstantiated claims. - The sentence "If you grow aromatic herbs yourself, you will start cooking more often" a personal opinion is expressed, which will not convince the reader in any way, unless you give a number of illustrative examples of similar situations from real life.
- Use only such reliable facts that can captivate the reader or require further clarification. It is much more logical to use facts as arguments in the main text of the paragraph. Rate this information. Does it evoke interest or is it just a background to the main idea? "Every five minutes in the world, one child dies a violent death" - this sentence is able to interest. The shocking information is presented in simple terms and requires further consideration. The sentence "Banning the sale of alcohol at night should reduce the incidence of domestic violence" is less intriguing and less consistent with the main idea, so it is better to use this information as a supplement.
5 Support the intrigue with a second sentence. Use the second sentence to emphasize the idea of the topic sentence. If the sentence with the topic is too long, then combine it with a short but powerful continuation: "The number of beef cattle in Russia is about 690 thousand heads, excluding small farms; person for a month. It's irrational. " If the topical sentence is short and tense, then the next one needs to be saturated with information. If formal style is not a requirement, then feel free to think outside the box to keep the reader interested.
