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A lot of students have good ideas but they aren’t explained clearly or well organised with topic sentences.
As a result the examiner can’t follow them clearly, and they lose a lot of marks.
In this article, I will explain why topic sentences are an easy and fast way to fix this.
If you want to see some topic sentences in action, you can read some of my world-famous sample answers here.
Dave
What are Topic Sentences?
The standard essay structure for a IELTS Task 2 essay is four paragraphs – an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion.
The topic sentence is the first sentence of each body paragraph.
It tells the examiner the main idea of the paragraph so it functions like a mini introduction.
Why are Topic Sentences Important?
Good topic sentences help to make your paragraphs clear and easy to read.
As you can see from the table below, clear paragraphs really help your coherence and cohesion score.
Band Score |
Official IELTS description(Coherence and Cohesion) |
What it means. |
7+ |
“logically organises information and ideas…presents a clear central topic within each paragraph.” |
Body paragraphs have one main idea.Topic sentences are clear. |
6 |
“arranges information and ideas coherently…uses paragraphing, but not always logically.” |
Body paragraphs don’t always have one main idea.Topic sentences are not always clear. |
5 |
“presents information with some organisation…may not write in paragraphs, or paragraphing may be inadequate.” |
Paragraphs are not used well.Topic sentences are not clear. |
How to Write a Good Topic Sentence?
A good topic sentence should be clear and simple, and the good news is they are pretty easy to write.
A basic topic sentence has two parts:
1. The topic.
2. The reason / main idea
Example Question
Global warming/Climate change are pressing problems that every country and the world will have to deal with in the future.
What are the causes of global warming?
What are some possible solutions?
Body paragraph 1 (the main cause of global warming):
Topic: the main cause of global warming
Reason/main idea: mass consumption of fossil fuels
So the topic sentence is:
The main cause of climate change is the mass consumption of fossil fuels.
Body paragraph 2 (a possible solution):
Topic: one possible solution for dealing with global warming
Reason/main idea: higher taxes on automobiles
So the topic sentence is:
One possible solution for dealing with climate change could be higher taxes on automobiles.
Topic Sentences Will Help you to Stay Married to One Main Idea
As we saw in the table above, you should “present a clear central topic within each paragraph”.
This means each body paragraph should be focussed on just one main idea.
Therefore planning for your topic sentence helps you to decide what is the main idea for that paragraph.
After that you should ONLY think of support for that idea. You are married to that main idea. You can’t cheat on it with another main idea.
So for the following topic sentence, you should only discuss the mass consumption of fuels:
The main cause of climate change is the mass consumption of fossil fuels.
A lot of my students spend nearly the whole paragraph discussing one main idea.
But then near the end, they seem to panic or get overexcited, and suddenly add a second unrelated idea e.g. deforestation or methane emissions from animals.
This is a very common mistake but as the table above showed this will lower your coherence and cohesion score.
Remember each paragraph can only have “one central topic”.
As part of your planning stage in the task 2 writing exam, you should write down your topic sentences.
This will make it easier when you start writing your essay to keep your supporting ideas clear, and focussed on your main ideas.
If you accidentally include a second main idea at the end – cross it out. Stay focused.
How to Practise Topic Sentences
Analyse sample essays
1. Look at some task 2 sample essays.
2. Highlight the topic sentence(s) – what is the topic? What is the main idea?
3. Read the body paragraph(s) – do all the supporting ideas relate to that idea?
Practise writing topic sentences for sample essays
1. Look at some task 2 sample essays (like this one on business).
2. Cover up the first sentence of the body paragraph(s)
3. Read the body paragraph – what is the topic and main idea?
4. Write a topic sentence for that paragraph, then compare it with the original one.
Analyse your own writing
1. Look back through your old task 2 essays
2. Are the topic sentences good ? If not, write new ones.
Practise writing topic sentences for new questions
1. Look at some sample task 2 questions (there is one below)
2. Analyse the question and brainstorm main ideas.
3. Choose the main topic and main idea for each body paragraph.
4. Write your topic sentences.
Now it’s your turn! Put your answers in the comments!
Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
BP1: It is thought that developing and enhancing railway infrastructures should be the primary concern on public investment, while roads must be placed on a second place. I strongly believe in this view point because by doing so governments can reduce traffic congestion and reduce CO2 emissions into the air.
BP2: Firstly, having reliable and efficient railway services would help to reduce traffic jam, especially during peak hours.
BP3: Furthermore, train transportation is environmentally friendly.
BP4: Although it is necessary spending money in enhancing and keeping public roads in a good shape, there is no doubt that allocating enough funds on train means will definitely help to tackle the congestion on roads and decrease greenhouse gasses levels.
Good work! Some corrections:
BP1: It is often thought that developing and enhancing railway infrastructure should be the primary concern of public investment, while roads must be a lower priority. I strongly believe in this viewpoint because by doing so governments can reduce traffic congestion and reduce CO2 emissions.
BP2: Firstly, having reliable and efficient railway services would help to reduce traffic jams, especially during peak hours.
BP3: Furthermore, train travel is environmentally friendly.
BP4: Although it is necessary to spend money on enhancing and keeping public roads in a good shape, there is no doubt that allocating enough funds to train will definitely help to tackle congestion on roads and decrease greenhouse gas levels.
I have a confusion.
“Global warming/Climate change are(is) pressing problems that every country and the world will have to deal with in the future.What are the causes of global warming?What are some possible solutions?”You have clearly asked not to have more than 1 central idea/reason in a paragraph. And the standard format for task 2 (essay) is to have only 2 main body paragraphs. The question asks for ’causes’ and ‘solutions’. Meaning: we should have more than 1 ideas for both causes and solutions. How can we do that if it’s considered unwise to have more than 2 body paragraphs and you have recommended having only 1 central idea in a paragraph? How would that work?
I recommend that as an ideal, Kshitij.
Two main ideas is totally fine (and I do that in a lot of my essays too).
When it specifically asks for more than one solution or cause, then you must definitely have two.
Is that clear?
So how do we write topic sentence in paragraph have 2 ideas?
Hi Dave. My teacher taught me to write 2 main ideas for one body paragraph in task 2. I am hesitating how many ideas to write after reading your guideline. What do you recommend?
Better to write one and develop it fully.
There is no strict rule but if you check the band descriptors you will get a better task achievement score for developing your ideas fully, Abduqodir.
The main reasons government should spend funds on railway are reduction in traffic congestion and pollution from the fossil fuel
Great, Abiodun – keep putting your main ideas at the end of the sentence!
BP1: The main reason why government should put more resources on road because it has intermediary route between two or more communities or town.
Nice, Anthony!
Careful with your subject/verb agreement and plural/singular!
paragraph1 – Topic sentence – Governments are planning to invest more in railways instead of roads because rail transport is more cheaper .
Paragraph2 – Topic sentence – Increase in Railway transport will result in the welfare of society as well as the environment.
Sir please comment .
Sure, Shubham!
Good but I would recommend that for the second one you focus on just a single main idea so you can develop it fully – their the environment or society.
Keep it up!
BP1: Investing on building railways is a good idea for a country to reduce its carbon footprint.
BP2: Another point is that railway is a the public transport which can be easily made accessible for more people than road usage with its cheaper ticket price.
BP1: Government should invest more money on railways rather than roads because railways will be more accessible to everyone-young or old.
BP2: Secondly, investing more money on railways will help individual citizens to commute from one location to another, efficiently.
Hello Sir Dave, can you please amendments in my topic sentences (where you find it necessary).
Good work, Hibba!
The first one is great – but don’t use a hyphen – those are too informal.
The second one is great too – just cut out the last comma – it is not needed.
thank you for the feedback sir 🙂
You’re welcome, Hibba!
Hi i like this eassy .
Happy to hear that, Chatwinder!
Prioritizing government spending on railways over spending for roads will be good way to reduce CO2 emissions by cars.
Excellent topic sentence, Laurent!
Body paragraph 1
Railways are better off constructed by the government because the durability of the rails cannot be compared with the that of the road
Body paragraph 11
Roads tend to spoil easily because of the sub standard and inferior materials used by most construction companies.
Sentence formation
BP 1: The first reason a government invests in railways is to reduce growing traffic congestion.
BP2: Secondly, using the train, in addition to other means of public transport, can curb air and noise pollution.
Hi Dave. Please do comment on my topic sentence. Thank you.
Great – you put the ideas at the end of the sentence and that is what is crucial, Surendran!
Well, governments spend more funds on railways rather than roads because people use public transport rather than personal vehicles
Good but don’t start a sentence with ‘well,’ Deven – it’s too informal for writing!
I totally agree with it.
Topic sentences 1. Railway reduces air and noise pollution
Topic sentence 2. Railway reduces traffic congestion