How to write a critical essayHow to write effective topic sentences

What is a topic sentence?

A topic sentence is:

• a sentence at the beginning of a paragraph
• that states or suggests the main idea (or topic) of a paragraph

In your critical essay, your topics sentences should:

• link to the essay task
• mention the technique or device you are going to analyse

Topic sentences in a basic essay

If you find writing topic sentences tricky, it might be helpful to prepare a bank of topic sentence stems or starters.

You can keep it simple to begin with:

• The first way in which…
• The second way in which…
• The third way in which…
• The fourth way in which…
• The final way in which…

Completing the topic sentence

Once you have the topic sentence stems, you just need to complete the sentence by adding:

• the words of the task – what is the question asking you to explore or analyse?
• the technique/aspect from the text that you will be focusing on in the specific paragraph

Example of topic sentences

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 love is through word choice.
• The second way in which Shakespeare explores the theme of love is through extended metaphor.

This method can feel a bit mechanical. However, it will help you structure your response in a straightforward way.

Topic sentences in a developed essay

In a more developed essay, topic sentence stems might look like this:

• The writer establishes…
• The writer develops…
• The writer further explores…
• The writer continues…
• The writer concludes…

These sentence starters are helpful to use because they:

• signpost to your marker that your line of argument is progressing and building
• demonstrate an understanding of the text as whole (you know what happens at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the text)

Topic sentences in a detailed and insightful essay

You could start by referencing the poetic, literary, dramatic or filmic device that you are going to be focusing on in the paragraph.

Examples of topic sentences in a detailed and insightful essay

• Shakespeare’s use of rhythm enhances the exploration of romantic love.
• The novelist’s choice of second person narration proves interesting in the exploration of the theme of loss.
• In the play’s turning point, the dramatist draws attention to the protagonist’s inner conflict.
• In the film’s opening scene, the director makes effective use of editing to establish the futuristic setting of the story.

Challenge

Try applying these tips to a critical essay that you have written in class. Can you create a bank of topic sentences starters to use in your critical essay?