words to start a paragraph with in an essay

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How To Start A Paragraph: 200+ Important Words And Phrases

by Kerri-Anne Edinburgh | Last updated Jun 27, 2024 | First published on Aug 3, 2022 | 0 comments

There’s a lot to get right when you’re writing an essay. And a particularly important skill is knowing how to start a paragraph effectively. That first sentence counts!

Luckily for you, we’ve compiled HEAPS of advice, example phrases and top connective words to help you transition between paragraphs and guide your reader with ease.

So read on for a pick ’n’ mix of how to start a paragraph examples!

Paragraphs: the lowdown

So why exactly are paragraphs such an important tool for writing effectively ? Well:

• They’re an important part of keeping your reader captivated
• They help your reader to follow your argument or narrative
• And they keep your writing in easily digestible chunks of information!

And an important part of all that is nailing the start of your paragraphs . Honestly!

Start off strong and your reader will know exactly what you’re going to do next and how your information interrelates. Top marks here you come – and for the low, low cost of some clever vocab!

Start your paragraphs off weakly however, without setting up effective signposting and transitions , and they’ll get lost and ( horror !) might have to re-read your essay to make sense of it. Ugh.

What should your paragraphs contain?

If you’re writing an academic essay, there are a lot of popular conventions and guides about what a paragraph should include.

Academic writing guides favour well-developed paragraphs that are unified, coherent, contain a topic sentence, and provide adequate development of your idea. They should be long enough to fully discuss and analyse your idea and evidence.

And remember – you should ALWAYS start a new paragraph for each new idea or point .

You can read more about paragraph break guidelines in our helpful what is a paragraph article! If you’re wondering how long your paragraphs should be , check out our guideline article.

Paragraph structure (the PEEL method)

Academic paragraphs often follow a common structure , designed to guide your reader through your argument – although not all the time ! It goes like this:

• Start with a “topic sentence”
• Give 1-2 sentences of supporting evidence for (or against) your argument
• Next, write a sentence analysing this evidence with respect to your argument or topic sentence
• Finally, conclude by explaining the significance of this stance, or providing a transition to the next paragraph

(A quick definition: A “topic sentence” introduces the idea your paragraph will focus upon and makes summarising easy. It can occur anywhere but placing it at the start increases readability for your audience. )

One popular acronym for creating well-developed academic paragraphs is PEEL . This stands for Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link . Using this method makes it easy to remember what your paragraph should include.

• I.e. your point (the topic sentence), some evidence and analysis of how it supports your point, and a transitional link back to your essay question or forwards to your next paragraph.

NOTE : You shouldn’t start all your paragraphs the same way OR start every sentence in your paragraph with the same word – it’s distracting and won’t earn you good marks from your reader.

How to create clarity for your readers

Paragraphs are awesome tools for increasing clarity and readability in your writing. They provide visual markers for our eyes and box written content into easily digestible chunks.

But you still need to start them off strongly . Do this job well, and you can seamlessly guide your readers through the narrative or argument of your writing.

The first sentence of your paragraph is an important tool for creating that clarity . You can create links with the surrounding paragraphs and signal the purpose of this paragraph for your reader.

• Transitions show the links and relationships between the ideas you’re presenting: addition, contrast, sequential, conclusion, emphasis, example/citation
• Connective words help you to join together multiple paragraphs in a sequence
• Note: there is quite a lot of overlap in vocabulary! Some transitions are also great signposts etc.

Tip : Don’t overuse them! These techniques can make your writing sounds more professional and less like spoken language by smoothing over jarring jumps between topics. But using too many will make your writing stilted.

A common term that encompasses these three tools is “ sentence starter ”. They are typically set apart from the body of your sentence by a comma.

You can learn more about these key skills in our two helpful articles linked above – or explore a range of other writing skills advice, such as how to start an essay , structure an essay , and proofread an essay effectively!

Picking the right tone

It is important that the paragraph-starting phrases and connective words you choose complement the style of your writing and the conventions of the subject you are writing for .

For example, scientific papers usually have much clearer and expected structure and signposting conventions than arts and humanities papers.

If you’re unsure, it’s best to check some of the sources you’ve researched for your essay, explore the relevant academic style guide, or get help from a teacher – ask them for some examples!

Getting your grammar right

Grammatical conventions can be a minefield, but they’re worth remembering if you want to get top marks!

If you’re looking to increase the clarity of your writing and paragraphs, make sure you pick the right spot for your commas and colons .

For example, when you’re starting a new paragraph, many of the common signposting words and phrases require a comma. These include: however, therefore, moreover, what’s more, firstly, secondly, finally, likewise, for example, in general … (and more!).

These phrases should always be followed by a comma if it’s at the start of a sentence, or separated with a comma before and after like this if placed mid-sentence:

However, we cannot say for sure what happened here. We know, for example, that X claims to have lost the icon.

A word about “ this ” (a tip for really great writing)

As you start writing your paragraphs (and even sentences), you might be tempted to kick off with the word “ this” – as in the classic “ this shows that … ”.

But that’s not a great idea.

Why ? Academic essays aim should aim for maximum clarity, and “ this ” is just vague !

What’s important is that the connections that are clear to you , the writer (who is – hopefully – intimately familiar with your argument), are ALSO clear to your reader , who has probably never read your essay before.

Just imagine, your reader might be muttering “this what??” as they read, and then having to re-read the paragraph and the paragraph before to check … which is not ideal for getting good marks.

In complex documents (especially essays and theses) where a lot of information is presented at once, the points you’re referencing might be spread across several paragraphs of evidence and argument-building. So, unless your sentence/paragraph-starting “this” follows on immediately from the point it references, it’s best to try a different phrase.

And all it really takes is a little signposting and clarification to avoid the vagueness of “ this shows that ”. Ask yourself “ this WHAT shows that? ” And just point out what you’re referencing – and be obvious ! 

Here’s some examples:

You can also do a similar exercise with “ they ” and other demonstrative pronouns (that, these, those).

Specifying what your pronouns refer to will great help to increase the clarity of your (topic) sentences . And as an added bonus, your writing will also sound more sophisticated!

What type of paragraph are you starting?

When it comes to essay writing, there’s usually an expected structure: introduction, body (evidence and analysis) and conclusion .

With other genres of writing your paragraphs might not conform to such

Consider the structure of your paragraph. What do you want it to do? What is the topic? Do you want to open with your topic sentence?

How to start an introductory paragraph

Nailing the introduction of your essay is simultaneously one of the most important and hardest sections to write . A great introduction should set up your topic and explain why it’s significant.

One of the primary goals of an effective introduction is to clearly state your “ thesis statement ” (what your essay is about, and what you are setting out to achieve with your argument).

A popular (and easy) technique to start an introduction is to begin your first paragraph by immediately stating your thesis statement .

Here’s some examples of how to start a paragraph with your thesis statement:

• This paper discusses …
• In this paper, you will find …
• This essay argues that …
• This thesis will evaluate …
• This article will explore the complex socio-political factors that contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire between the reign of Constantine (312-337AD) and the fall of Rome in 476AD .

However, starting your introductory paragraph effectively is not all about immediately stating your thesis!

So head over to our great article on how to start an essay , for lots of more advice and examples on how to kick off your introductions and capture your reader’s attention with style!

How to start a body paragraph

Unless you’re writing an introduction or conclusion, you’ll be writing a “body paragraph”. Body paragraphs make up the majority of your essay, and should include all of your main points, data, evidence, analysis, deductions and arguments.

Each paragraph should have a particular purpose and be centred around one idea . Your body paragraphs might be analytical, evidential, persuasive, descriptive etc.

To help your reader make sense of the body of your essay, it’s important to guide them with signposts and transitions. These usually occur at the start of your paragraphs to demonstrate their relationship to preceding information.

However, that means there are LOTS of different techniques for starting your body paragraphs! So for 200+ words and phrases for effectively starting a body paragraph, simply keep reading!

How to start a concluding paragraph

Concluding paragraphs are a little different to other paragraphs because they shouldn’t be presenting new evidence or arguments . Instead, you’re aiming to draw your arguments together neatly, and tie up loose ends.

You might find them as part of a smaller sub-section within a longer academic dissertation or thesis. Or as part of the conclusion of your essay.

When starting your conclusion it’s always a great idea to let your reader know they’ve arrived by signposting its purpose . This is especially true if your essay doesn’t contain any headers!

Here are some examples of how to kick off your concluding paragraph:

• In conclusion, this paper has shown that …
• In summary, we have found that …
• A review of these analyses indicates that …
• To conclude, this essay has demonstrated that we must act immediately if we want to halt the drastic dwindling of our global bee population.

How to start a paragraph: 200+ top words and phrases for a winning first sentence

Choosing the best start for your paragraph is all about understanding the purpose of this paragraph within the wider context of the preceding (and following) paragraphs and your essay as a whole.

Where does it fit into the structure of your essay? Is it:

• Opening a new topic or theme?
• Providing explanations or descriptions?
• Continuing a list or sequence?
• Providing evidence?
• Presenting a different opinion or counter-argument?
• Beginning an analysis?
• Highlighting consequences?
• Drawing a conclusion?

It’s important to be direct in how you start each paragraph – especially if you’re struggling to get your point across!

The best way to craft a killer first sentence is to be clear on what you want it to do . We’ve covered 12 options below, packed with vocab and examples to get you started …

And don’t forget to consider when you should start a new paragraph , and how long you want your paragraphs to be . Where you place your paragraph breaks will have a big effect on the kind of starting sentence you need !

Finally – remember that the best time to craft effective opening sentences is after you’ve written your first draft and decided on your paragraph breaks! You should already have all your ideas arranged into a logical order.

Showing structure and presenting concepts

This first type of paragraphs are commonly found throughout your essay, whether you’re introducing your ideas, providing evidence and data, or presenting results.

There a lots of useful types of connective words and phrases to help you kick off your paragraphs with clarity:

Most notable are the sequential signposting words , which you can use throughout your essay to guide your reader through the steps of your argument, or a list of related evidence, for example.

If you’re looking for something a little more specific, read on for four sets of example academic phrases to use to start a paragraph!

1.       Starting or continuing a sequence

One of the most important types of transitional phrases to help you start a paragraph is a sequential transition . These signposting transitions are great for academic arguments because they help you to present your points in order, without the reader getting lost along the way.

Sequential connectives and transitions create order within your narrative by highlighting the temporal relationship between your paragraphs. Think lists of events or evidence , or setting out the steps in your narrative .

You’ll often find them in combination with other paragraph-starting phrases ( have a look at the examples below to spot them !)

Why not try out some of these examples to help guide the readers of your essay?

• Before considering X, it is important to note that …
• Following on from Y, we should also consider …
• The first notion to discuss is …
• The next point to consider is …
• Thirdly, we know that Y is also an important feature of …
• As outlined in the previous paragraph, the next steps are to …
• Having considered X, it is also necessary to explore Y …

2.       Providing evidence, examples or citations

Once you’ve made your claims or set out your ideas, it’s important to properly back them up. You’ll probably need to give evidence, quote experts and provide references throughout your essay .

If you’ve got more than one piece of evidence, it’s best to separate them out into individual paragraphs . Sequential signposting can be a helpful tool to help you and your reader keep track of your examples.

If your paragraph is all about giving evidence for a preceding statement, why not start with one of these phrases:

• For example, X often …
• This stance is clearly illustrated by …
• Consider the example of Y, which …
• This concept is well supported by …

If you want to quote or paraphrase a source or expert, a great way to start your paragraph is by introducing their views. You can also use phrases like these to help you clearly show their role in your essay:

• [Author], in particular, has argued that …
• According to [source], Y is heavily influenced by …
• [Source] for example, demonstrates the validity of this assertion by …
• This [counter-] argument is supported by evidence from X, which shows that …

Always remember to provide references for your sources in the manner most appropriate for your field ( i.e. footnotes, and author-date methods ).

3.       Giving emphasis to your point

Not all points and paragraphs in an essay are made equal. It’s natural you’ll want to highlight ideas and evidence for your reader to make sure they’re persuaded by your argument !

So, if you want to give emphasis to what you’re about to discuss, be obvious ! In fact, you may need to be more direct than you think:

• This detail is significant because …
• Undoubtedly, this experience was …
• Certainly, there are ramifications for …
• The last chapters, in particular, are revealing of X …

4.       Acknowledging uncertainty

In academia it’s common to find a little uncertainty in your evidence or results, or within the knowledge of your field . That’s true whether you’re a historian exploring artefacts from Ancient Greece, or a social scientist whose questionnaire results haven’t produced a clear answer.

Don’t hide from this uncertainty – it’s a great way to point ahead to future research that needs to be done. In fact, you might be doing it in your essay!

Why not try one of these examples to highlight the gaps in your academic field or experiment?

• Whether X is actually the case remains a matter of debate, as current explorations cannot …
• Although not proven, it is commonly understood that X …
• Whilst the likelihood of X is debateable …
• Given the age of the artifacts, it is impossible to say with accuracy whether Y …
• Although we cannot know for sure, the findings above suggest that …
• Untangling the causes of X is a complex matter and it is impossible to say for sure whether …

Showing the relationships between your points

As your essay progresses you will need to guide your reader through a succession of points, ideas and arguments by creating a narrative for them to follow. And important part of this task is the use of signposting to demonstrate the relationship between your paragraphs . Do they support each other? Do they present opposite sides of a debate?

Luckily there are lots of agreement , opposition and contextual connectives to help you increase your clarity:

Read on for four more sets of example academic phrases to help you present your ideas!

5.       Making a new point

If there’s no connection between your new paragraph and the preceding material, you’re probably starting a new topic, point or idea.

That means it’s less likely ( although not impossible ) that you’ll need transitional phrases . However, it’s still important to signpost the purpose and position of this new paragraph clearly for your reader.

• We know that X …
• This section of the essay discusses …
• We should now turn to an exploration of Y …
• We should begin with an overview of the situation for X …
• Before exploring the two sides of the debate, it is important to consider …

You can find some great ideas and examples for starting a new topic in our how to start an essay article. Whilst they’re definitely applicable to introductions, these strategies can also work well for kicking off any new idea!

6.       Presenting accepted concepts

If you’re aiming to take a new stance or question an accepted understanding with your essay, a great way to start a paragraph is by clearly setting out the concepts you want to challenge .

These phrases are also an effective way to establish the context of your essay within your field:

• It is commonly believed that …
• The accepted interpretation of X is …
• Until recently, it was thought that …
• Historically, X has been treated as a case of …
• Over the past two decades, scholars have approached X as an example of …
• The most common interpretation of Y is …

7.       Adding similar points

Agreement connectives are an important tool in your arsenal for clearly indicating the continuation or positive relationship between similar ideas or evidence you’re presenting.

If you’re looking to continue your essay with a similar point, why not try one of these examples:

• Another aspect of X is …
• Another important point is …
• By the same token, Y should be explored with equal retrospection for …
• Moreover, an equally significant factor of X is …
• We should also consider …
• Proponents of Y frequently also suggested that …

8.       Demonstrating contrast

In contrast, if you’re looking to present a counter-argument, opposite side of a debate, or critique of the ideas, evidence or results in your preceding paragraph(s), you’ll need to turn to contradiction and opposition connectives.

These phrases will help you to clearly link your paragraphs whilst setting them in contrast within your narrative:

• A contrary explanation is that …
• On the other side of this debate,  X suggests that …
• Given this understanding of X, it is surprising that Y …
• On the other hand, critics of X point to …
• Despite these criticisms, proponents of X continue to …
• Whilst the discussion in the previous paragraph suggests X to be true, it fails to take into consideration Y …

Note : some paragraph-opening sentences can be modified using connective words to show either agreement or contrast! Here are some examples:

• It could also be said that X does [not] …
• It is [also] important to note that X … OR It is important, however, to note that X …
• There is [also/however], a further point to be considered …

Presenting analyses, arguments and results

An important stage of any essay is the analysis – that’s when you bring your own arguments to the table, based on your data and results.

Signalling this clearly, therefore, is pretty important! Happily, there are plenty of connective words and phrases that can help you out:

Read on for four sets of example academic phrases to use to start your analysis, results and summary paragraphs!

9.       Conducting an analysis and constructing your argument

Once you’ve set out your evidence or data, it’s time to point out the connections within them. Or to analyse how they support the argument you want to make.

With humanities essays it is common to analyse the impact of your evidence as you present it. In contrast, sciences essays often contain a dedicated analysis section after the data has been presented.

You’ll probably need several analytical paragraphs to address each of your points. So, a great way to get started is to dive straight in by signposting the connections you want to make in each one:

• Each of these arguments make an important contribution to X because …
• In order to fully understand Y, we need to analyse the findings from …
• Each model of X and Y changed throughout the experiment because …
• Exploring this dataset reveals that, in fact, X is not as common as hypothesised …
• Notwithstanding such limitations, this data still shows that …
• Of central concern to Y, therefore, is the evidence that …
• This interpretation of X is …
• This critique implies that …
• This approach is similar to that of Y, who, as we have seen above, argues that …
• The resulting graphs suggest that …
• Whilst conducting the survey, it was discovered that …

10.   Presenting results

Having completed your analyses of any evidence (and hopefully persuaded your reader of your argument), you may need to present your results. This is especially relevant for essays that examine a specific dataset after a survey or experiment .

If you want to signpost this section of your essay clearly, start your paragraph with a phrase like these:

• The arguments presented above show that …
• In this last analysis, we can see that X has shown …
• As we have seen, the data gathered demonstrates that …
• As demonstrated above, our understanding of X primarily stems from …

11.   Demonstrating cause and effect

When writing an academic essay you may often need to demonstrate the cause and effect relationship between your evidence or data, and your theories or results . Choosing the right connective phrases can be important for showing this relationship clearly to your reader.

Try one of these phrases to start your paragraph to clearly explain the consequences:

• As a consequence, X cannot be said to …
• Therefore, we can posit that …
• Provided that X is indeed true, it has been shown that Y …
• As such, it is necessary to note that …
• For this reason, the decision was made to …
• The evidence show that the primary cause of X was …
• As a result of Y, it was found that …

12.   Summarising a topic or analysis

In general, summary paragraphs should not present any new evidence or arguments. Instead, they act as a reminder of the path your essay has taken so far.

Of course, these concluding paragraphs commonly occur at the end of an essay as part of your conclusion. However, they are also used to draw one point or stage of your argument to a close before the next begins .

Within a larger essay or dissertation, these interludes can be useful reminders for your reader as you transition between providing context, giving evidence, suggesting new approaches etc.

It’s worth noting that concluding your topic or analysis isn’t always the same as presenting results, although there can be some similarities in vocabulary.

Connect your arguments into summaries with clear linking phrases such as:

• Altogether, these arguments demonstrate that …
• Each of these arguments make an important contribution to our understanding of X …
• From this overview of X and Y, we can conclude that …
• We can therefore see that …
• It was hypothesised that X, however, as we have seen …
• Therefore, we can [clearly] see that …

Time to get writing your paragraphs!

And that’s it! You should now have a much-improved understanding of how to start a paragraph.

Whether you we’re worried about how to start your introductions or conclusions, or were wondering about specific types of body paragraphs, hopefully you’ve found what you need in the examples above .

If you need more writing advice to help you nail top marks for your essay, we’ve got a whole series of articles designed to improve your writing skills – perfect ! Have a read for top tips to for capturing easy marks 😊

You can learn:

• how to create effective paragraphs
• about the ideal length(s) for your paragraphs
• how to start an essay AND how to structure an essay
• the 70+ top connective words and phrases to improve your writing
• how to signpost your essay for top marks
• about improving clarity with easy proofreading tricks

Good luck completing your essay!

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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How To Write An Essay

Transition Words For Essays

Transition Words for Essays - An Ultimate List

12 min read

Published on: Jan 1, 2021

Last updated on: Jul 23, 2024

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Are you tired of reading essays that feel disjointed and difficult to follow? Do you find yourself struggling to connect your ideas smoothly and effectively? 

If so, then you're in luck, because today we're going to take a closer look at the magic of transition words.

In this blog, we'll cover different types of transition words and their precise usage, and how they can elevate your writing. By the end, you'll have the tools to captivate your readers and leave a lasting impression. 

Let's dive in!

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What are Transition Words?

Transition words are linking words used to connect sentences and ideas in the content. They help the audience move from one idea to another, building a coherent relationship within the document.

When  writing an essay , it is essential to make sure that the information provided is readable and understandable by the readers. For this purpose, explicit language, transition words, and phrases are used.

Moreover, these words set a base for the idea that is going to be discussed next.

Transition words can either make or break the entire essay. It is mandatory to keep in view that not every sentence in your essay needs a transitional phrase. 

Types of Transitions

Generally, there are three types of transitions that are used while drafting a piece of document. Depending on the length, complexity, and kind of text, transitions can take the following form:

• Transition Between Sections - When your document is lengthy, transition paragraphs are used to summarize a particular section for the readers. In addition to this, it also links the information that is to be shared next.

For example:

"In the following section..." "Moving on to..." "Now, let's explore..." "Turning our attention to..." "To delve deeper, we will now examine..."

• Transition Between Paragraphs -  The transition between paragraphs is when you logically connect the two paragraphs. This connection summarizes the paragraph’s primary concern and links it to the next idea of the other paragraph.

"Furthermore..." "On the other hand..." "Similarly..." "In contrast..." "Moreover..." "Additionally..." "In addition to..." "Conversely..." "Likewise..." "In a similar vein...

• Transition Within Paragraphs -  They act as cues for the readers to prepare them for what is coming next. They are usually single words or small phrases.

"For instance..." "In particular..." "To illustrate..." "Additionally..." "Moreover..." "Furthermore..." "On the contrary..." "However..." "In contrast..." "In other words..."

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Types of Transition Words

Here's a table showcasing different types of transition words and their corresponding functions:

	Furthermore, Moreover, Additionally, In addition to	Adds information or ideas
	However, On the other hand, In contrast, Conversely	Shows a difference or contradiction
	Similarly, Likewise, In the same way, Just as	Draws a parallel or similarity between ideas
	Consequently, Therefore, As a result, Thus	Indicates a cause-and-effect relationship
	Firstly, Next, Meanwhile, Subsequently	Orders ideas chronologically or in a sequence
	For example, For instance, To illustrate, Specifically	Provides specific examples or illustrations
	Indeed, Certainly, Without a doubt, Undoubtedly	Highlights or reinforces a particular point or idea
	In conclusion, Overall, To summarize, All in all	Summarizes the main points or ideas
	Namely, That is to say, In other words, Specifically	Provides further clarification or explanation
	Consequently, Accordingly, Hence, Thus	Shows the outcome or result of a previous statement or action

Transition Words For Different Types of Essays

Transitional words depend on the relationship you want to convey to the audience about the ideas and paragraphs. Below is a list of words and phrases that can be used to link different sentences, paragraphs, and sections.

Identify which transition expression you want to share for your logical relationship.

Transition Words for Argumentative Essay

• In the same way
• Equally important
• Furthermore
• Comparatively
• Additionally
• In addition
• Not only...but also

Transition Words for Compare and Contrast Essay

• In contrast
• Different from
• On the contrary
• In spite of

Transition Words for Informative Essay

• Provided that
• With this in mind
• For the purpose of
• In the hope that
• In order to
• With this intention

Transition Words for College Essays

• In other words
• By all means
• To demonstrate
• As in illustration
• To put it another way

Transition Words for Cause and Effect Essay

• As a result
• For this reason
• Because the
• Under those circumstances
• Accordingly
• Consequently

Transition Words for Expository Essay 

• Not long after that
• Specifically
• To begin with
• Without doubt
• Undoubtedly
• Due to circumstances
• In similar fashion

Transition Words for Different Parts of Essay

Here's a table listing transition words for different parts of an essay:

Starting a Paragraph	Firstly, To begin with, Initially, In the first place
First Body Paragraph	Firstly, To start, To begin with, Initially
Second Body Paragraph	Secondly, Next, Additionally, Furthermore
Third Body Paragraph	Moreover, Furthermore, In addition, Another key point
Last Body Paragraph	Lastly,  Overall, Ultimately, As a final point
	In conclusion, To summarize, Overall, Wrapping it up

How Transitions work

Transitions work by creating a bridge between ideas, sentences, paragraphs, or sections in your essay. They help to establish logical connections and guide the reader through the flow of your writing. 

Here's how transitions work:

• Coherence : Transitions create smooth connections between ideas, ensuring a coherent flow in your writing.
• Signal Relationships: Transitions clarify how ideas are related, such as cause and effect, comparison, contrast, or sequence.
• Guide the Reader: It acts as signpost, guiding readers through your essay and indicating the direction of your thoughts.
• Enhance Clarity: Transitions improve clarity by organizing ideas and helping readers understand logical progression.
• Improve Flow: It ensures a seamless flow between sentences, paragraphs, and sections, preventing choppiness.
• Emphasize Key Points: Transitions can be used strategically to highlight important ideas and make them more impactful.

Let's consider an example:

"The use of renewable energy sources is crucial for combating climate change. Solar power is one such renewable energy source. It harnesses the energy from the sun and converts it into electricity. Wind power is another significant renewable energy source. It utilizes wind turbines to generate electricity. Both solar and wind power have numerous environmental benefits."

In the above example, transitions like " one such source " connect the idea of solar power to renewable energy sources. " Similarly " then introduces the concept of wind power, creating a logical progression. These transitions help readers follow the flow of ideas and understand the relationships between different energy sources.

Tips to Use Transition Words in your Essay

Here are some tips to effectively use transition words in your essay:

• Understand the Purpose: Familiarize yourself with the different types and functions of transition words, phrases, or sentences. Recognize how they connect ideas, provide structure, and indicate relationships between different parts of your essay.
• Plan your Essay Structure: Before you start writing, outline the main sections, paragraphs, and points you want to cover. Consider where transition words can be used to improve the flow and coherence of your essay.
• Use Transition Words Appropriately: Ensure that the transition word you choose accurately reflects the relationship between ideas. Don't force a transition where it doesn't fit naturally.
• Vary Transition Words: Avoid repetitive or excessive use of the same transition word throughout your essay. Use a variety of transition words to maintain reader interest and enhance overall readability.
• Pay Attention to Placement: Place transition words at the beginning, middle, or end of sentences, depending on the desired effect. Consider the logical flow of your ideas and choose the appropriate placement for each transition word.
• Use Transitional Phrases: Instead of using single transition words, consider incorporating transitional phrases or clauses. These can provide more context and clarity, strengthening the connection between ideas.
• Revise and Edit: After completing your essay, review it for the effectiveness and smoothness of transitions. Ensure that they serve their purpose in guiding the reader and enhancing the overall coherence of your writing.
• Seek Feedback: Share your essay with others and ask for feedback, specifically on the use of transition words. Others' perspectives can help you identify any areas that need improvement or where transitions could be strengthened.

To sum it up! While mastering transition words may require time and practice, it is a skill well worth developing. These words are crucial for creating coherence and flow in your essays. Throughout this blog, we have explored various transition words and phrases that can greatly enhance your writing.

Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't hesitate to apply these newfound skills in your future essays. You can utilize an AI essay writer to enhance and refine your writing skills.

If you still need assistance or have further inquiries, our team at CollegeEssay.org is available to provide legit essay writing service . 

Contact us today, and let us be a part of your journey toward academic excellence!

Barbara P (Literature, Marketing)

Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

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50 Most Powerful Words To Start A Paragraph

Declan Gessel

Apr 25, 2024

Are you looking to enhance your essay writing skills? If so, learning about Words To Start A Paragraph could be invaluable. Understanding how to write an essay can be challenging, but using the right words to start a paragraph can make the process more manageable. 

By integrating these words into your writing, you can improve the flow of your arguments and make your ideas stand out more clearly. Being able to use these phrases will help you structure your work more effectively, making it easier for your reader to follow your arguments. So, why not continue reading to learn how to improve your essay-writing skills?

Table of Contents

What is a paragraph starter, categorize the sentence starters, 50 words to start a paragraph to improve your writing, choosing the right sentence starter for a good reading experience, write smarter words to start a paragraph with jotbot — start writing for free today.

Starting a paragraph the right way is vital to keeping your readers engaged and interested in what you have to say. The opening sentence sets the tone for the rest of the paragraph and can make all the difference in how your writing is received. A captivating opening can grab the reader's attention, making them more likely to continue reading.

A captivating opening sentence sets the tone for the rest of the paragraph. It can pique the reader's interest, making them want to know more about what you have to say. This is especially true if you are writing a persuasive or argumentative piece. The opening sentence can make all the difference in whether or not your reader is convinced by your argument.

The Benefits of Having a Variety of Sentence Starters

Having a variety of sentence starters is also essential to keeping your writing engaging and avoiding repetition. Using the same sentence starter over and over again can make your writing dull and uninteresting, and can even make it confusing. By varying your sentence starters, you can keep your reader engaged and make sure they understand exactly what you're trying to say.

Related Reading

• Persuasive Essay • Argumentative Essay • Essay Format • Expository Essay • Essay Outline • How To Write A Conclusion For An Essay • Narrative Essay • Transition Sentences • Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Let's delve on the following: 

Hooks: Grab attention and spark reader interest

Hooks are the opening sentences that are written to captivate the reader’s attention. When I write an article, I try to include a hook to spark the reader’s interest. This helps to pique the reader’s curiosity, encouraging them to keep reading. Hooks come in many forms depending on the goal of the piece. Whether it’s a surprising fact, a rhetorical question , or a bold statement, hooks are an essential part of writing a piece that keeps the reader engaged. A hook can be as simple as starting a sentence with “Did you know…” or “Imagine if…” or “Picture this…”

Transitions: Smoothly connected ideas or introduce new points

Transitional sentences are like bridges between paragraphs. They help to move the writing from one thought to another, guiding readers along the path of the argument. Transitions can take many forms, from simple words and phrases like “for example” or “in addition” to more complex ideas. I use transitions to make my writing more coherent and fluid. Transitions can be the same as using “Moreover, Furthermore, Further, or Additionally.” All variations can be used to link ideas effectively.

Examples: Illustrate concepts with specific cases

Examples are the lifeblood of any argument. They breathe life into your writing and give readers a tangible way to understand abstract ideas. The more specific the example, the more convincing your writing will be. Whether it’s a personal anecdote, a historical event, or a fictional scenario, examples can make or break your writing. There are many ways examples can be presented, such as “For instance, As an illustration, To demonstrate, or To illustrate.” These are all good ways to introduce examples that will clarify your point.

Statistics: Make an impact with data-driven support

Statistics are the hard facts that back up your argument. Whether you’re trying to persuade, inform, or entertain, statistics can add weight to your writing and make your argument more convincing. I use statistics quite often to build authority and credibility in my writing. Statistics can be presented in various ways such as “According to, The data shows, Research indicates, or Studies have shown.” All of these starting phrases introduce statistics effectively.

Figurative Language: Create vivid imagery and engage readers through figures of speech

Figurative language is the paint on the canvas of your writing. It brings your words to life and helps readers imagine the sense of your writing. Whether it’s a simile, metaphor, personification, or hyperbole, figurative language adds color to your writing. I often use figurative language to make my writing more engaging and entertaining. Figurative language can be presented in a variety of ways such as “Like a, As a, As if, or Just like.” These starting phrases introduce figurative language in a way that makes the reader more engaged with the writing.

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Here are some of the examples of starter words: 

Hooks (Grab Attention)

1.imagine a world where... (sparks curiosity and sets a fantastical tone), 2.have you ever wondered... (prompts the reader to think and engage), 3. in the heart of a thriving city... (provides a vivid setting description), 4. what if, instead of... (prompts counterfactual thinking), 5. let's face it... (establishes a common ground with the reader), 6. a startling fact: ... (introduces a surprising statistic), 7. picture this... (invites the reader to visualize a scene), 8. fast forward ten years... (introduces a future scenario), 9. they say... (presents a common belief or saying), 10. can you believe... (expresses disbelief or highlights something unexpected), transitions (connect ideas), 11. building on the previous point... (connects to prior information), 12. in contrast, ... (introduces an opposing viewpoint), 13.furthermore, ... (adds additional support to a point), 14. this leads us to... (transitions to a new but related idea), 15. on the other hand, ... (presents a counterargument), 16. as a result, ... (highlights the consequences of something), 17. interestingly enough, ... (introduces a surprising connection), 18. similarly, ... (compares the current idea to a previous one), 19. notably, ... (draws attention to a specific detail), 20. to illustrate this point, ... (provides an example to clarify), examples (illustrate concepts), 21.for instance, take the case of... (introduces a relevant example), 22. a perfect illustration of this concept is... (emphasizes the example's connection), 23. consider the situation where... (presents a hypothetical scenario), 24. let's look at... (focuses on a specific case or object), 25. one example of this is... (provides a clear and direct example), 26. just like... (uses a familiar analogy to explain a new concept), 27. this can be seen in... (highlights an instance where the concept applies), 28. historical evidence suggests that... (uses historical examples for support), 29. in the real world, ... (connects the concept to practical applications), 30. take, for example, ... (introduces a specific example to elaborate), statistics (data-driven support), 31. a recent study found that... (provides data-driven support), 32. did you know that... (creates curiosity about a statistic), 33. shockingly, ... (highlights a surprising statistic), 34. statistics show that... (introduces relevant data), 35. it's estimated that... (presents an approximation based on data), 36. according to a survey, ... (references research findings), 37. in terms of numbers, ... (focuses on the quantitative aspect), 38. on average, ... (provides a general statistic), 39. data suggests that... (presents a conclusion based on analysis), 40. research indicates that... (highlights findings from research studies), figurative language (vivid imagery), 41. life is like a journey... (uses a metaphor to introduce a concept), 42. her voice was as smooth as silk... (uses a simile for description), 43. the city lights twinkled like a million fireflies... (creates a vivid image with a simile), 44. time seemed to crawl by... (uses personification to describe time), 45.the weight of expectation hung heavy in the air... (uses figurative language to create a sense of atmosphere), 46. her eyes sparkled with mischief... (uses figurative language to describe emotions), 47. the silence was deafening... (uses hyperbole to emphasize a point), 48. the forest floor was a carpet of fallen leaves... (uses a metaphor to describe a scene), 49. he fought like a lion... (uses a simile to describe courage),  50. the storm raged, waves crashing on the shore. (simple and direct description).

• Essay Structure • Types Of Essays • How To Write A Narrative Essay • Synthesis Essay • Descriptive Essay • How To Start Off An Essay • How To Write An Analytical Essay • Write Me A Paragraph • How To Write A Synthesis Essay

Different sentence starters serve different purposes, such as grabbing attention, connecting ideas, or illustrating points. When considering the opening sentence, think about how it relates to your writing goals and audience. Are you trying to introduce a new idea, provide an example, or summarize a point? I recommend selecting the best sentence starter based on these considerations.

Tips for Selecting the Best Sentence Starter

When it comes to selecting the best sentence starter for your paragraph, here is my advice:

Consider the purpose of your paragraph  

Is it meant to introduce a new idea, provide an example, or summarize a point?

Know your audience

What kind of tone and style are most likely to resonate with them?

Aim for variety

Don't overuse the same sentence starter repeatedly throughout your writing.

Choosing the right words to start a paragraph can help you set the tone for the rest of your work. Keep in mind, the goal is to engage your audience and keep them reading. So, take some time to think about the best sentence starter for your writing goals and audience.

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Sentence Starters: Ultimate List to Improve Your Essays and Writing

By Ashley Shaw

This blog post is going to be about … No. Too boring.

Today, I am going to talk to you about ... No. Too specific.

This is a blog post for all writers ... Nope. Too generic.

Has this ever been you while writing? I get it. Writing a good sentence can be hard, and when you have to string a whole lot of them together, the task can become daunting. So what do you do?

From the first sentence you write to the very last, you want each one to show your style and motivate your reader to keep reading. In this post, we are going to think about how you start your sentences.

What Is a Good Sentence Starter for an Essay Introduction?

What is a good sentence starter for a body paragraph, 25 useful transitions, can i repeat a sentence starter, how can i rephrase "in conclusion".

The first paragraph of a paper can make or break your grade. It is what gets your audience into the topic and sets the whole stage. Because of this, it is important to get your readers hooked early.

The first sentence of a paper is often called the hook. It shouldn’t be anything ordinary. It should have strong language and be a little surprising, with an interesting fact, story, statistic, or quote on the topic.

Because it is designed to pull the reader in and surprise them a little, it is often good to avoid pre-written sentence starter examples when writing your hook. Just get into it here, and worry about the flow later.

Here are some examples:

Spider webs were once used as bandages.

I taught myself to read when I was three. At least, that’s the story my parents tell.

Recent studies suggest that the average person lies at least once in every conversation.

“The world is bleeding and humans wield the knife,” or so says environmental scientist So Andso.

(P.S. Except for example 1, which is true, I just made all of these up to demonstrate my point. So, please don’t quote me on these!)

Once you jump right in with your hook, it is time to start working on ways to move sentences along. Here is where you may need some sentence starter examples.

In your first paragraph, you basically want to connect your hook to your thesis. You’ll do this with a few sentences setting up the stage for your topic and the claim you will make about it. To do that, follow the tips found in the next section on body paragraphs and general sentence starter tips.

Many of the tips I am about to discuss can be used anywhere in a paper, but they are especially helpful when writing body paragraphs.

Let’s start with one of the most important types of sentence starter in essay writing: transition words.

How Do I Use Transitions in an Essay?

If you want to start writing terrific sentences (and improve your essay structure ), the first thing you should do is start using transition words.

Transition words are those words or phrases that help connect thoughts and ideas. They move one sentence or paragraph into another, and they make things feel less abrupt.

The good thing about transition words is that you probably know a lot of them already and currently use them in your speech. Now, you just need to transition them into your writing. (See what I did there?)

Before we get into examples of what a good transition word is, let’s look at a paragraph without any transitions:

I went to the store. I bought bacon and eggs. I saw someone I knew. I said hello. I went to the cashier. They checked me out. I paid. I got my groceries. I went to my car. I returned home.

Yikes! That is some boring writing. It was painful to write, and I am sure it is even worse to read. There are two reasons for this:

• I start every sentence with the same word (more on this later)
• There are no signposts showing me how the ideas in the paragraph connect.

In an essay, you need to show how each of your ideas relate to each other to build your argument. If you just make a series of statements one after the other, you’re not showing your instructor that you actually understand those statements, or your topic.

How do we fix this? Transition words. Roughly 25% of your sentences should start with a transition word. If you can hit that number in your essay, you’ll know that you’ve made meaningful steps towards demonstrating your understanding.

Of course, hitting that number isn’t enough—those transitions need to be meaningful. Let’s look at the different types of transitions and how you can use them.

What Are Words Like First , Next , and Last Called?

You probably already use some transitions in your essays. For example, if you start a paragraph with firstly , you’ve used a transition word. But transitions can do so much more!

Here are 25 common transitional words and phrases that you could use in your essay:

• Additionally / In Addition
• Alternatively / Conversely
• As a result of
• At this time
• Consequently
• Contrary to
• First(ly), Second(ly), etc.
• In contrast
• Nonetheless
• On the other hand
• Particularly / In particular
• In other words

This list isn’t exhaustive, but it is a good start.

These words show different types of relationships between ideas. These relationships fall into four main categories: Emphasis , Contrast , Addition , and Order .

What Are Emphasis Transition Words?

These phrases are used when you want to highlight a point. Examples from my above list include clearly , particularly , and indeed . Want to see some more? Follow my bolded transitions: Undoubtedly , you understand now. It should be noted that you don’t need to worry.

How Do You Use Addition Transitions?

These words add on to what you just said. These are words like along with , moreover , and also . Here are some more: Not only are you going to be great at transitions after this, but you will also be good at writing sentences. Furthermore , everyone is excited to see what you have to say.

How Can I Use Transitions to Contrast Ideas?

This is the opposite of addition, and you use it when you want to show an alternative view or to compare things. Examples from my list include words like nonetheless , contrary to , and besides .

Here are some more: Unlike people who haven’t read this article, you are going to be really prepared to write great sentences. Even so , there is still a lot more about writing to learn.

How Do I Order Ideas in My Essay?

A good first step is using order transition words.

This set of transitions helps mark the passage of time or gives an order to events. From the list, think of things like first and finally . Now for some extras: At this time yesterday , you were worried about starting sentences. Following this , though, you will be an expert.

Now that you get the concept of transitions, let’s go back to that poorly written paragraph above and add some in to see what happens:

This morning , I went to the store. While I was there, I bought bacon and eggs. Then I saw someone I knew. So I said hello. After that , I went to the cashier. At that time , they checked me out. First , I paid. Next , I got my groceries. Following that , I went to my car. Finally , I returned home.

(Notice the use of commas after most of these transitions!)

This isn’t the best paragraph I’ve ever written. It still needs a lot of work. However, notice what a difference just adding transitions makes. This is something simple but effective you can start doing to make your sentences better today.

If you want to check your transition usage, try ProWritingAid’s Transitions report . You’ll see how many of each type of transition word you've used so you can pin-point where you might be losing your reader.

Sign up for a free ProWritingAid account to try it out.

What Are Some Linking Phrases I Can Use in My Essay?

As well as individual words, you can also use short phrases at the beginning of your sentences to transition between ideas. I just did it there— "As well as individual words" shows you how this section of the article is related to the last.

Here are some more phrases like this:

As shown in the example,

As a result of this,

After the meeting,

While this may be true,

Though researchers suggest X,

Before the war began,

Until we answer this question,

Since we cannot assume this to be true,

While some may claim Y,

Because we know that Z is true,

These short phrases are called dependent clauses . See how they all end with a comma? That's because they need you to add more information to make them into complete sentences.

• While some may claim that chocolate is bad for you, data from a recent study suggests that it may have untapped health benefits .
• Since we cannot assume that test conditions were consistent, it is impossible to reach a solid conclusion via this experiment .
• As a result of this, critics disagree as to the symbolism of the yellow car in The Great Gatsby .

The bolded text in each example could stand on its own as a complete sentence. However, if we take away the first part of each sentence, we lose our connection to the other ideas in the essay.

These phrases are called dependent clauses : they depend on you adding another statement to the sentence to complete them. When you use a sentence starter phrase like the ones above in your writing, you signal that the new idea you have introduced completes (or disrupts) the idea before it.

Note: While some very short dependent clauses don’t need a comma, most do. Since it is not wrong to use one on even short ones (depending on the style guide being used), it is a good idea to include one every time.

Along with missing transitions and repeating sentence structure, another thing that stops sentences from being great is too much repetition. Keep your sentences sharp and poignant by mixing up word choices to start your sentences.

You might start your sentence with a great word, but then you use that same word 17 sentences in a row. After the first couple, your sentences don’t sound as great. So, whether it is varying the transitional phrases you use or just mixing up the sentence openers in general, putting in some variety will only improve your sentences.

ProWritingAid lets you know if you’ve used the same word repeatedly at the start of your sentences so you can change it.

The Repeats Report also shows you all of the repeats in your document. If you've used a sentence starter and then repeated it a couple of paragraphs down, the report will highlight it for you.

Try the Repeats Report with a free ProWritingAid account.

Now that you have your introduction sentences and body sentences taken care of, let’s talk a little about conclusion sentences. While you will still use transitions and clauses as in the body, there are some special considerations here.

Your conclusion is what people will remember most after they finish reading your paper. So, you want to make it stand out. Don’t just repeat yourself; tell them what they should do with what you just told them!

Use the tips from above, but also remember the following:

Be unique. Not only should you vary the words you use to start different sentences, but you should also think outside of the box. If you use the same conclusion sentence starter everyone else is using, your ideas will blend in too.

Be natural. Some of the best writing out there is writing that sounds natural. This goes for academic writing, too. While you won’t use phrases like "at the end of the day" in essay writing, stilted phrases like "in conclusion" can disrupt the flow you’ve created earlier on.

Here are some alternatives to "in conclusion" you could use in an essay:

• To review, ... (best for scientific papers where you need to restate your key points before making your final statement)
• As has been shown, ...
• In the final analysis, ...
• Taking everything into account, ...
• On the whole, ...
• Generally speaking, ...

If you’re looking for more ways to rephrase "in conclusion," take a look at our complete list of synonyms you can use.

There may not be a set word or words that you can use to make your sentences perfect. However, when you start using these tips, you’ll start to see noticeable improvement in your writing.

If you’ve ever heard people talk about pacing and flow in academic writing, and you have no idea what they mean or how to improve yours, then this is your answer. These tips will help your writing sound more natural, which is how you help your ideas flow.

Take your writing to the next level:

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How to start a paragraph

Published March 31, 2021. Updated August 16, 2021.

There are a number of ways to start a paragraph, depending on its genre, subject, and placement within the larger work. A paragraph in a story won’t look the same as one in an academic essay. The introduction to your paper shouldn’t begin the same way that its body paragraphs do. This handout focuses on these body paragraphs, the heart of an argumentative essay.

So where should you start each new paragraph? The opening needs to transition from the previous paragraph and orient your reader with respect to what comes next. You need a strong topic sentence that focuses your paragraph from the very top.

Worried about your writing? Submit your paper for a Chegg Writing essay check , or for an Expert Check proofreading . Both can help you find and fix potential writing issues.

The topic sentence

What does this paragraph cover? What necessary piece of your argument does it provide? A topic sentence provides a mini-claim that the rest of the paragraph will address. It is to your paragraph what your thesis statement is to the paper as a whole.

Place the topic sentence right at the top of the paragraph. It should be your first or second sentence. Depending on how you are transitioning from the previous paragraph, it may also straddle the two.

How to transition between paragraphs

Transition words and phrases act as signposts for your reader, telling them where they’ve been and where they’re going. They help to connect the pieces of your paper, refining its logic as well as its flow.

The type of transition you’ll use depends on the relationship between the paragraphs. For example, do they introduce similar material?

Just as the previous generation’s technology shaped its dating rituals, so too does today’s digital world frame today’s romantic relationships.

Does the new paragraph demonstrate an effect of something established in the previous one?

Given today’s need for quick decisions in the face of multiple possibilities, many apps offer customers the option of immediately “swiping” a picture left or right in order to indicate whether or not they are interested.

Does the paragraph introduce material that qualifies or contrasts your previous statements?

However, other apps and sites slow things down, playing to consumers’ tendency to research before making a purchase.

A few examples of common transition words:

• Nevertheless
• In addition
• As a result

But there are tons of transitional words and phrases that you can use to move between paragraphs.

How to write the topic sentence

Write your topic sentence with an eye to your thesis. You can use your outline to identify the subclaims that your thesis demands and that your evidence supports.

For example, if you were writing a paper on dating technology, you might have the following thesis:

The dating technology of the twenty-first century uses the principles of digital marketing to structure romantic interaction.

With this thesis in mind, this is how you might start one paragraph:

However, other apps and sites slow things down, playing to consumers’ tendency to research before making a purchase. Apps such as OkCupid invite customers to provide long profiles and supplementary material, allowing you to research prospective mates according to any number of criteria.

The first sentence transitions from the previous paragraph and connects this new material to the thesis. The second focuses the rest of the paragraph on the topic of extensive dating profile material.

However, just as when you craft your thesis, you should be open to a recursive writing process. In other words, as you write the actual body paragraph, you will often find that you can refine the topic sentences with which you started. At times, you may even want to launch into the evidence and analysis first, discovering your topic sentence in process.

Common topic sentence themes

The above section on transitions presents several common ways to structure a topic sentence. Transitions and topic sentences can be used for many themes, including the following:

• The paragraph shares the same theme as the previous one but shifts focus.
• The paragraph demonstrates an effect of the previous one.
• The paragraph provides an important contrast to the previous one (but still supports the central thesis).

Another common theme is sequence: the contents of the paragraph follow the previous one, either in time or in the train of logic.

After making first contact, OkCupid users often extend their research still further, engaging in lengthy correspondence before deciding to meet.

The sentence positions the paragraph with respect to the theme and timeline of the previous one.

Key terms and definitions

As you write both your thesis statement and your topic sentences, pay attention to key terms and context that you will have to clarify or provide. In the above examples, several phrases that would need clarification before the writer could really get into evidence and analysis.

One example is the phrase “today’s digital world.” What about it? This term is too broad without further refinement. The next sentence might say:

People live much of their lives online, where they have to contend with a constant and changing stream of information.

Instead of talking about the whole digital world, you’re focusing on the speed of uptake that personal engagement with the internet requires.

One common culprit is the word “society.” Teachers often groan when they see this word come up. “Society” means all people, all their organizations, and all their cultures. If you ever use this word, instantly clarify what aspect of society you intend to discuss.

Before you turn in that paper, don’t forget to cite your sources in APA format , MLA format , or a style of your choice.

Key takeaways

• You should start a new paragraph with a natural transition from the previous one.
• Paragraphs should have a clear topic sentence.
• A topic sentence should identify the subject and purpose of the paragraph.
• Clarify any ambiguous terms that you will use in the rest of the paper.

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11 Rules for Essay Paragraph Structure (with Examples)

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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How do you structure a paragraph in an essay?

If you’re like the majority of my students, you might be getting your basic essay paragraph structure wrong and getting lower grades than you could!

In this article, I outline the 11 key steps to writing a perfect paragraph. But, this isn’t your normal ‘how to write an essay’ article. Rather, I’ll try to give you some insight into exactly what teachers look out for when they’re grading essays and figuring out what grade to give them.

You can navigate each issue below, or scroll down to read them all:

1. Paragraphs must be at least four sentences long 2. But, at most seven sentences long 3. Your paragraph must be Left-Aligned 4. You need a topic sentence 5 . Next, you need an explanation sentence 6. You need to include an example 7. You need to include citations 8. All paragraphs need to be relevant to the marking criteria 9. Only include one key idea per paragraph 10. Keep sentences short 11. Keep quotes short

Paragraph structure is one of the most important elements of getting essay writing right .

As I cover in my Ultimate Guide to Writing an Essay Plan , paragraphs are the heart and soul of your essay.

However, I find most of my students have either:

• forgotten how to write paragraphs properly,
• gotten lazy, or
• never learned it in the first place!

Paragraphs in essay writing are different from paragraphs in other written genres .

In fact, the paragraphs that you are reading now would not help your grades in an essay.

That’s because I’m writing in journalistic style, where paragraph conventions are vastly different.

For those of you coming from journalism or creative writing, you might find you need to re-learn paragraph writing if you want to write well-structured essay paragraphs to get top grades.

Below are eleven reasons your paragraphs are losing marks, and what to do about it!

Essay Paragraph Structure Rules

1. your paragraphs must be at least 4 sentences long.

In journalism and blog writing, a one-sentence paragraph is great. It’s short, to-the-point, and helps guide your reader. For essay paragraph structure, one-sentence paragraphs suck.

A one-sentence essay paragraph sends an instant signal to your teacher that you don’t have much to say on an issue.

A short paragraph signifies that you know something – but not much about it. A one-sentence paragraph lacks detail, depth and insight.

Many students come to me and ask, “what does ‘add depth’ mean?” It’s one of the most common pieces of feedback you’ll see written on the margins of your essay.

Personally, I think ‘add depth’ is bad feedback because it’s a short and vague comment. But, here’s what it means: You’ve not explained your point enough!

If you’re writing one-, two- or three-sentence essay paragraphs, you’re costing yourself marks.

Always aim for at least four sentences per paragraph in your essays.

This doesn’t mean that you should add ‘fluff’ or ‘padding’ sentences.

Make sure you don’t:

a) repeat what you said in different words, or b) write something just because you need another sentence in there.

But, you need to do some research and find something insightful to add to that two-sentence paragraph if you want to ace your essay.

Check out Points 5 and 6 for some advice on what to add to that short paragraph to add ‘depth’ to your paragraph and start moving to the top of the class.

• How to Make an Essay Longer
• How to Make an Essay Shorter

2. Your Paragraphs must not be more than 7 Sentences Long

Okay, so I just told you to aim for at least four sentences per paragraph. So, what’s the longest your paragraph should be?

Seven sentences. That’s a maximum.

So, here’s the rule:

Between four and seven sentences is the sweet spot that you need to aim for in every single paragraph.

Here’s why your paragraphs shouldn’t be longer than seven sentences:

1. It shows you can organize your thoughts. You need to show your teacher that you’ve broken up your key ideas into manageable segments of text (see point 10)

2. It makes your work easier to read.   You need your writing to be easily readable to make it easy for your teacher to give you good grades. Make your essay easy to read and you’ll get higher marks every time.

One of the most important ways you can make your work easier to read is by writing paragraphs that are less than six sentences long.

3. It prevents teacher frustration. Teachers are just like you. When they see a big block of text their eyes glaze over. They get frustrated, lost, their mind wanders … and you lose marks.

To prevent teacher frustration, you need to ensure there’s plenty of white space in your essay. It’s about showing them that the piece is clearly structured into one key idea per ‘chunk’ of text.

Often, you might find that your writing contains tautologies and other turns of phrase that can be shortened for clarity.

3. Your Paragraph must be Left-Aligned

Turn off ‘Justified’ text and: Never. Turn. It. On. Again.

Justified text is where the words are stretched out to make the paragraph look like a square. It turns the writing into a block. Don’t do it. You will lose marks, I promise you! Win the psychological game with your teacher: left-align your text.

A good essay paragraph is never ‘justified’.

I’m going to repeat this, because it’s important: to prevent your essay from looking like a big block of muddy, hard-to-read text align your text to the left margin only.

You want white space on your page – and lots of it. White space helps your reader scan through your work. It also prevents it from looking like big blocks of text.

You want your reader reading vertically as much as possible: scanning, browsing, and quickly looking through for evidence you’ve engaged with the big ideas.

The justified text doesn’t help you do that. Justified text makes your writing look like a big, lumpy block of text that your reader doesn’t want to read.

What’s wrong with Center-Aligned Text?

While I’m at it, never, ever, center-align your text either. Center-aligned text is impossible to skim-read. Your teacher wants to be able to quickly scan down the left margin to get the headline information in your paragraph.

Not many people center-align text, but it’s worth repeating: never, ever center-align your essays.

Don’t annoy your reader. Left align your text.

4. Your paragraphs must have a Topic Sentence

The first sentence of an essay paragraph is called the topic sentence. This is one of the most important sentences in the correct essay paragraph structure style.

The topic sentence should convey exactly what key idea you’re going to cover in your paragraph.

Too often, students don’t let their reader know what the key idea of the paragraph is until several sentences in.

You must show what the paragraph is about in the first sentence.

You never, ever want to keep your reader in suspense. Essays are not like creative writing. Tell them straight away what the paragraph is about. In fact, if you can, do it in the first half of the first sentence .

I’ll remind you again: make it easy to grade your work. Your teacher is reading through your work trying to determine what grade to give you. They’re probably going to mark 20 assignments in one sitting. They have no interest in storytelling or creativity. They just want to know how much you know! State what the paragraph is about immediately and move on.

Suggested: Best Words to Start a Paragraph

Ideal Essay Paragraph Structure Example: Writing a Topic Sentence If your paragraph is about how climate change is endangering polar bears, say it immediately : “Climate change is endangering polar bears.” should be your first sentence in your paragraph. Take a look at first sentence of each of the four paragraphs above this one. You can see from the first sentence of each paragraph that the paragraphs discuss:

When editing your work, read each paragraph and try to distil what the one key idea is in your paragraph. Ensure that this key idea is mentioned in the first sentence .

(Note: if there’s more than one key idea in the paragraph, you may have a problem. See Point 9 below .)

The topic sentence is the most important sentence for getting your essay paragraph structure right. So, get your topic sentences right and you’re on the right track to a good essay paragraph.

5. You need an Explanation Sentence

All topic sentences need a follow-up explanation. The very first point on this page was that too often students write paragraphs that are too short. To add what is called ‘depth’ to a paragraph, you can come up with two types of follow-up sentences: explanations and examples.

Let’s take explanation sentences first.

Explanation sentences give additional detail. They often provide one of the following services:

Let’s go back to our example of a paragraph on Climate change endangering polar bears. If your topic sentence is “Climate change is endangering polar bears.”, then your follow-up explanation sentence is likely to explain how, why, where, or when. You could say:

Ideal Essay Paragraph Structure Example: Writing Explanation Sentences 1. How: “The warming atmosphere is melting the polar ice caps.” 2. Why: “The polar bears’ habitats are shrinking every single year.” 3. Where: “This is happening in the Antarctic ice caps near Greenland.” 4. When: “Scientists first noticed the ice caps were shrinking in 1978.”

You don’t have to provide all four of these options each time.

But, if you’re struggling to think of what to add to your paragraph to add depth, consider one of these four options for a good quality explanation sentence.

>>>RELATED ARTICLE: SHOULD YOU USE RHETORICAL QUESTIONS IN ESSAYS ?

6. Your need to Include an Example

Examples matter! They add detail. They also help to show that you genuinely understand the issue. They show that you don’t just understand a concept in the abstract; you also understand how things work in real life.

Example sentences have the added benefit of personalising an issue. For example, after saying “Polar bears’ habitats are shrinking”, you could note specific habitats, facts and figures, or even a specific story about a bear who was impacted.

Ideal Essay Paragraph Structure Example: Writing an ‘Example’ Sentence “For example, 770,000 square miles of Arctic Sea Ice has melted in the past four decades, leading Polar Bear populations to dwindle ( National Geographic, 2018 )

In fact, one of the most effective politicians of our times – Barrack Obama – was an expert at this technique. He would often provide examples of people who got sick because they didn’t have healthcare to sell Obamacare.

What effect did this have? It showed the real-world impact of his ideas. It humanised him, and got him elected president – twice!

Be like Obama. Provide examples. Often.

7. All Paragraphs need Citations

Provide a reference to an academic source in every single body paragraph in the essay. The only two paragraphs where you don’t need a reference is the introduction and conclusion .

Let me repeat: Paragraphs need at least one reference to a quality scholarly source .

Let me go even further:

Students who get the best marks provide two references to two different academic sources in every paragraph.

Two references in a paragraph show you’ve read widely, cross-checked your sources, and given the paragraph real thought.

It’s really important that these references link to academic sources, not random websites, blogs or YouTube videos. Check out our Seven Best types of Sources to Cite in Essays post to get advice on what sources to cite. Number 6 w ill surprise you!

Ideal Essay Paragraph Structure Example: In-Text Referencing in Paragraphs Usually, in-text referencing takes the format: (Author, YEAR), but check your school’s referencing formatting requirements carefully. The ‘Author’ section is the author’s last name only. Not their initials. Not their first name. Just their last name . My name is Chris Drew. First name Chris, last name Drew. If you were going to reference an academic article I wrote in 2019, you would reference it like this: (Drew, 2019).

Where do you place those two references?

Place the first reference at the end of the first half of the paragraph. Place the second reference at the end of the second half of the paragraph.

This spreads the references out and makes it look like all the points throughout the paragraph are backed up by your sources. The goal is to make it look like you’ve reference regularly when your teacher scans through your work.

Remember, teachers can look out for signposts that indicate you’ve followed academic conventions and mentioned the right key ideas.

Spreading your referencing through the paragraph helps to make it look like you’ve followed the academic convention of referencing sources regularly.

Here are some examples of how to reference twice in a paragraph:

• If your paragraph was six sentences long, you would place your first reference at the end of the third sentence and your second reference at the end of the sixth sentence.
• If your paragraph was five sentences long, I would recommend placing one at the end of the second sentence and one at the end of the fifth sentence.

You’ve just read one of the key secrets to winning top marks.

8. Every Paragraph must be relevant to the Marking Criteria

Every paragraph must win you marks. When you’re editing your work, check through the piece to see if every paragraph is relevant to the marking criteria.

For the British: In the British university system (I’m including Australia and New Zealand here – I’ve taught at universities in all three countries), you’ll usually have a ‘marking criteria’. It’s usually a list of between two and six key learning outcomes your teacher needs to use to come up with your score. Sometimes it’s called a:

• Marking criteria
• Marking rubric
• (Key) learning outcome
• Indicative content

Check your assignment guidance to see if this is present. If so, use this list of learning outcomes to guide what you write. If your paragraphs are irrelevant to these key points, delete the paragraph .

Paragraphs that don’t link to the marking criteria are pointless. They won’t win you marks.

For the Americans: If you don’t have a marking criteria / rubric / outcomes list, you’ll need to stick closely to the essay question or topic. This goes out to those of you in the North American system. North America (including USA and Canada here) is often less structured and the professor might just give you a topic to base your essay on.

If all you’ve got is the essay question / topic, go through each paragraph and make sure each paragraph is relevant to the topic.

For example, if your essay question / topic is on “The Effects of Climate Change on Polar Bears”,

• Don’t talk about anything that doesn’t have some connection to climate change and polar bears;
• Don’t talk about the environmental impact of oil spills in the Gulf of Carpentaria;
• Don’t talk about black bear habitats in British Columbia.
• Do talk about the effects of climate change on polar bears (and relevant related topics) in every single paragraph .

You may think ‘stay relevant’ is obvious advice, but at least 20% of all essays I mark go off on tangents and waste words.

Stay on topic in Every. Single. Paragraph. If you want to learn more about how to stay on topic, check out our essay planning guide .

9. Only have one Key Idea per Paragraph

One key idea for each paragraph. One key idea for each paragraph. One key idea for each paragraph.

Don’t forget!

Too often, a student starts a paragraph talking about one thing and ends it talking about something totally different. Don’t be that student.

To ensure you’re focussing on one key idea in your paragraph, make sure you know what that key idea is. It should be mentioned in your topic sentence (see Point 3 ). Every other sentence in the paragraph adds depth to that one key idea.

If you’ve got sentences in your paragraph that are not relevant to the key idea in the paragraph, they don’t fit. They belong in another paragraph.

Go through all your paragraphs when editing your work and check to see if you’ve veered away from your paragraph’s key idea. If so, you might have two or even three key ideas in the one paragraph.

You’re going to have to get those additional key ideas, rip them out, and give them paragraphs of their own.

If you have more than one key idea in a paragraph you will lose marks. I promise you that.

The paragraphs will be too hard to read, your reader will get bogged down reading rather than scanning, and you’ll have lost grades.

10. Keep Sentences Short

If a sentence is too long it gets confusing. When the sentence is confusing, your reader will stop reading your work. They will stop reading the paragraph and move to the next one. They’ll have given up on your paragraph.

Short, snappy sentences are best.

Shorter sentences are easier to read and they make more sense. Too often, students think they have to use big, long, academic words to get the best marks. Wrong. Aim for clarity in every sentence in the paragraph. Your teacher will thank you for it.

The students who get the best marks write clear, short sentences.

When editing your draft, go through your essay and see if you can shorten your longest five sentences.

(To learn more about how to write the best quality sentences, see our page on Seven ways to Write Amazing Sentences .)

11. Keep Quotes Short

Eighty percent of university teachers hate quotes. That’s not an official figure. It’s my guestimate based on my many interactions in faculty lounges. Twenty percent don’t mind them, but chances are your teacher is one of the eight out of ten who hate quotes.

Teachers tend to be turned off by quotes because it makes it look like you don’t know how to say something on your own words.

Now that I’ve warned you, here’s how to use quotes properly:

Ideal Essay Paragraph Structure Example: How To Use Quotes in University-Level Essay Paragraphs 1. Your quote should be less than one sentence long. 2. Your quote should be less than one sentence long. 3. You should never start a sentence with a quote. 4. You should never end a paragraph with a quote. 5 . You should never use more than five quotes per essay. 6. Your quote should never be longer than one line in a paragraph.

The minute your teacher sees that your quote takes up a large chunk of your paragraph, you’ll have lost marks.

Your teacher will circle the quote, write a snarky comment in the margin, and not even bother to give you points for the key idea in the paragraph.

Avoid quotes, but if you really want to use them, follow those five rules above.

I’ve also provided additional pages outlining Seven tips on how to use Quotes if you want to delve deeper into how, when and where to use quotes in essays. Be warned: quoting in essays is harder than you thought.

Follow the advice above and you’ll be well on your way to getting top marks at university.

Writing essay paragraphs that are well structured takes time and practice. Don’t be too hard on yourself and keep on trying!

Below is a summary of our 11 key mistakes for structuring essay paragraphs and tips on how to avoid them.

I’ve also provided an easy-to-share infographic below that you can share on your favorite social networking site. Please share it if this article has helped you out!

11 Biggest Essay Paragraph Structure Mistakes you’re probably Making

1.  Your paragraphs are too short 2.  Your paragraphs are too long 3.  Your paragraph alignment is ‘Justified’ 4.  Your paragraphs are missing a topic sentence 5 .  Your paragraphs are missing an explanation sentence 6.  Your paragraphs are missing an example 7.  Your paragraphs are missing references 8.  Your paragraphs are not relevant to the marking criteria 9.  You’re trying to fit too many ideas into the one paragraph 10.  Your sentences are too long 11.  Your quotes are too long

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Green Flags in a Relationship
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Signs you're Burnt Out, Not Lazy
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Toxic Things Parents Say to their Children

4 thoughts on “11 Rules for Essay Paragraph Structure (with Examples)”

Hello there. I noticed that throughout this article on Essay Writing, you keep on saying that the teacher won’t have time to go through the entire essay. Don’t you think this is a bit discouraging that with all the hard work and time put into your writing, to know that the teacher will not read through the entire paper?

Hi Clarence,

Thanks so much for your comment! I love to hear from readers on their thoughts.

Yes, I agree that it’s incredibly disheartening.

But, I also think students would appreciate hearing the truth.

Behind closed doors many / most university teachers are very open about the fact they ‘only have time to skim-read papers’. They regularly bring this up during heated faculty meetings about contract negotiations! I.e. in one university I worked at, we were allocated 45 minutes per 10,000 words – that’s just over 4 minutes per 1,000 word essay, and that’d include writing the feedback, too!

If students know the truth, they can better write their essays in a way that will get across the key points even from a ‘skim-read’.

I hope to write candidly on this website – i.e. some of this info will never be written on university blogs because universities want to hide these unfortunate truths from students.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Regards, Chris

This is wonderful and helpful, all I say is thank you very much. Because I learned a lot from this site, own by chris thank you Sir.

Thank you. This helped a lot.

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Boost Your English Writing with These Top Transition Words to Start a Paragraph

By: Author ESLBUZZ

Posted on Last updated: March 22, 2024

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If you’re learning English or trying to improve your writing skills, understanding how to use transition words is essential. Transition words can help you to write more clearly and effectively, making it easier for your reader to follow your ideas. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about transition words to start a paragraph, from their definition to their usage, and we’ll provide plenty of examples to help you master this important writing skill.

Transition Words to Start a Paragraph

Understanding Transition Words

What are transition words.

Transition words are words or phrases that indicate the relationship between sentences or ideas. They help readers follow your writing, making it more coherent and organized. Transition words can be used to show a contrast, addition, conclusion, comparison, time, and many other relationships between ideas.

Why are Transition Words Important?

Transition words are important because they help your writing flow smoothly. They make it easier for the reader to understand your ideas and follow your argument. Without transition words, your writing can sound choppy and disjointed, making it difficult to read and understand.

Examples of Transition Words

Here are some examples of transition words you can use to start a new paragraph:

Addition	Additionally, Furthermore, Moreover, In addition, Besides
Contrast	However, Nevertheless, On the other hand, In contrast, Conversely
Conclusion	In conclusion, To sum up, Therefore, Thus, Hence
Comparison	Similarly, Likewise, In the same way, Just as, Compared to
Time	Meanwhile, Afterwards, Next, Then, Before

Here are some example sentences that use transition words:

• Additionally, I would like to point out that…
• However, there are some drawbacks to this approach.
• In conclusion, it is clear that…
• Similarly, we can see that…
• Meanwhile, let’s take a closer look at…

Importance of Transition Words in Writing

Purpose of transition words.

The purpose of transition words is to guide the reader through your writing. They help the reader understand the relationship between ideas and how they are connected. Without transition words, your writing may seem disjointed and difficult to follow. By using transition words, you can create a clear and logical progression of ideas that makes your writing easier to understand.

Flow of Writing

Transition words are essential for maintaining the flow of your writing. They help you move smoothly from one idea to the next without abrupt changes or interruptions. When you use transition words, your writing becomes more cohesive and easier to read. This is particularly important when writing longer pieces, such as essays or research papers, where the reader needs to follow a complex argument.

Connecting Sentences and Paragraphs

Transition words are also useful for connecting sentences and paragraphs. They help you link one idea to the next, creating a seamless transition between different parts of your writing. This is particularly important when writing persuasive or argumentative pieces, where you need to build a strong case for your point of view.

Starting a paragraph can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to connect it to the previous one. That’s where transition words come in handy.

First Paragraph

When you’re writing the first paragraph of an essay or article, you need to introduce your topic and grab the reader’s attention. Here are some transition words that can help you achieve that:

Firstly	Used to introduce the first point
To begin with	Used to introduce the first idea
In the first place	Used to introduce the first argument
Initially	Used to introduce the first step
At the outset	Used to introduce the beginning

For example:

• Firstly, let’s discuss the importance of exercise for a healthy lifestyle.
• To begin with, we need to understand the history of the conflict.
• In the first place, the government needs to address the issue of poverty.
• Initially, we need to gather all the necessary information.
• At the outset, it’s important to establish the goals of the project.

Introducing a New Point

When you’re introducing a new point or idea in your writing, you need to use transition words that show the relationship between the previous and the new sentence. Here are some transition words that can help you achieve that:

Additionally	Used to add information
Furthermore	Used to add more information
Moreover	Used to add another point
In addition	Used to add to what has been said
Also	Used to add another point

• Additionally, we need to consider the environmental impact of our actions.
• Furthermore, the study found that the new treatment was more effective.
• Moreover, the company has seen a significant increase in profits.
• In addition, we need to take into account the cultural differences.
• Also, it’s important to note that the study had a small sample size.

Contrasting Ideas

When you’re presenting contrasting ideas in your writing, you need to use transition words that show the difference between the two ideas. Here are some transition words that can help you achieve that:

However	Used to show a contrast
Nevertheless	Used to show a contrast
On the other hand	Used to show the opposite side of an argument
In contrast	Used to show a difference
Nonetheless	Used to show a contrast

• However, some experts disagree with this approach.
• Nevertheless, the study found some positive results.
• On the other hand, some argue that the benefits outweigh the risks.
• In contrast, the previous study found no significant difference.
• Nonetheless, the company decided to proceed with the project.

Sequential Transition Words

When writing an essay or a report, it is important to use transition words to help guide the reader through your ideas. Sequential transition words are especially useful when you want to show a sequence of events or ideas.

The word “next” is often used to show that something is going to happen after something else. Here are some examples:

• I finished my homework. Next, I went to bed.
• We need to buy some milk. Next, we can go to the park.

“Secondly” is a more formal way of saying “next”. It is often used when you want to show that there are two or more points you want to make. Here are some examples:

• Firstly, we need to make sure we have all the ingredients. Secondly, we need to preheat the oven.
• There are two main reasons why I want to go on vacation. Firstly, I need a break from work. Secondly, I want to spend time with my family.

“Third” is used to show that something is happening after two other things. Here are some examples:

• First, we need to make a plan. Second, we need to gather our materials. Third, we can start building.
• There are three things I need to do today. First, I need to go to the bank. Second, I need to buy groceries. Third, I need to do laundry.

Subsequently

“Subsequently” is a more formal way of saying “afterward”. It is often used to show that something happened as a result of something else. Here are some examples:

• I missed my bus. Subsequently, I was late for work.
• The company lost a lot of money. Subsequently, many employees were laid off.

“Sequential” is an adjective that means “in sequence”. Here are some examples:

• We need to follow a sequential process to complete this project.
• The chapters in this book are arranged in sequential order.

Cause and Effect Transition Words

What are cause and effect transition words.

Cause and effect transition words are used to show the relationship between a cause and its effect. They are used to indicate why something happened (cause) and what happened as a result (effect). Some common cause and effect transition words include:

• Cause: because, since, as, due to, for this reason
• Effect: consequently, as a result, hence, therefore, thus

Examples of Cause and Effect Transition Words

Here are some examples of how cause and effect transition words can be used in a sentence:

• Due to the heavy rain, the streets were flooded. (Cause: heavy rain, Effect: flooded streets)
• Because the company invested in new technology, productivity increased. (Cause: investment in technology, Effect: increased productivity)
• As a result of the pandemic, many businesses closed down. (Cause: pandemic, Effect: business closures)
• The traffic was heavy, hence I was late for the meeting. (Cause: heavy traffic, Effect: late for meeting)

List of Cause and Effect Transition Words

Here is a list of cause and effect transition words that you can use in your writing:

Because	Consequently
Since	As a result
As	Hence
Due to	Therefore
For this reason	Thus

Tips for Using Cause and Effect Transition Words

When using cause and effect transition words in your writing, it is important to remember the following tips:

• Use them sparingly: While transition words are important, using too many can make your writing sound unnatural.
• Use them correctly: Make sure you are using the correct transition word to show the relationship between cause and effect.
• Vary your language: Try to use a variety of transition words to keep your writing interesting.

Contrast and Comparison Transition Words

When writing a paragraph, it is important to use transition words to help the reader understand the relationship between the ideas presented. One common type of transition word is the contrast and comparison transition word. These words are used to show the differences and similarities between two or more ideas. Here are some examples and meanings of contrast and comparison transition words:

However	Indicates a contrast between two ideas
Although	Indicates a contrast between two ideas
Though	Indicates a contrast between two ideas
On the other hand	Indicates a contrast between two ideas
Conversely	Indicates a contrast between two ideas
Despite	Indicates a contrast between two ideas
Whereas	Indicates a contrast between two ideas
In contrast	Indicates a contrast between two ideas
Notwithstanding	Indicates a contrast between two ideas

Example Sentences:

• However , the new policy has not been well received by employees.
• Although the company has experienced some setbacks, it remains profitable.
• The weather was bad, though we still managed to have a good time.
• We should invest in renewable energy. On the other hand , fossil fuels are becoming increasingly scarce.
• The company’s profits have increased. Conversely , its stock price has decreased.
• Despite the fact that he was tired, he went to the gym.
• The company’s sales have been declining, whereas its competitors’ sales have been increasing.
• The first book was boring. In contrast , the second book was exciting.
• Notwithstanding the challenges, we were able to complete the project on time.

Using contrast and comparison transition words can help make your writing more clear and concise. They allow the reader to easily understand the relationship between ideas, and can make your writing more interesting to read.

Emphasis and Addition Transition Words

Emphasis transition words.

Emphasis transition words are used to highlight the importance of a particular point. These words help you to draw the reader’s attention to a specific idea or argument. Some of the commonly used emphasis transition words are:

Above all	Most importantly
Equally important	Of the same importance
Indeed	Truly
In fact	Actually
Not only	As well as
But also	In addition to

• Above all , it is important to prioritize your health.
• Equally important , we need to consider the environmental impact of our actions.
• Indeed , the research shows that regular exercise can improve mental health.
• In fact , studies have found that social media can have a negative impact on mental health.
• Not only does smoking affect your health, but also it harms the environment.
• We need to reduce our carbon footprint, but also we need to find ways to reduce plastic waste.

Addition Transition Words

Addition transition words are used to add more information to your writing. These words help you to connect your ideas and to make your writing more cohesive. Some of the commonly used addition transition words are:

Moreover	In addition
Furthermore	Also
Additionally	Also
Likewise	Similarly
Further	Moreover

• Regular exercise can improve mental health. Moreover , it can also reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
• Social media can have a negative impact on mental health. Furthermore , it can also affect sleep patterns.
• We need to reduce our carbon footprint. Additionally , we need to find ways to reduce plastic waste.
• Likewise , we need to consider the impact of our actions on future generations.
• The research shows that smoking is harmful to health. Further , it can also harm the health of those around you.

Conclusion and Summarization Transition Words

In Conclusion

This phrase is commonly used to signal the final remarks in a piece of writing. It helps summarize the main points or findings that have been discussed throughout the text.

Example: In conclusion , it is clear that the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks.

This word is used to indicate a logical conclusion or result. It is often used to summarize the main argument of a piece of writing.

Example: Therefore , it is important to take steps to reduce carbon emissions to prevent climate change .

Example: Thus , it can be concluded that the research supports the hypothesis.

This word is used to indicate the outcome of a particular action or event. It is often used to summarize the main findings of a study or experiment.

Example: The result of the study showed that there was a significant improvement in the students’ test scores.

This word is used to indicate a brief summary of the main points or findings of a piece of writing.

Example: To summarize , the study found that there was a positive correlation between exercise and mental health.

This phrase is used to indicate a brief summary of the main points or findings of a piece of writing.

Example: In sum , the research supports the hypothesis that there is a link between stress and illness.

Example: In short , the study found that there was a significant improvement in the students’ reading comprehension.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective transition words for starting a new paragraph?

Some effective transition words for starting a new paragraph include “firstly,” “secondly,” “furthermore,” “moreover,” “in addition,” and “however.” These words help to connect ideas and make your writing more cohesive.

How can I use transition words to improve my writing?

Using transition words can improve your writing by making it more organized and easier to follow. They help to signal changes in thought and guide the reader through your writing. Make sure to use them appropriately and sparingly, as overusing them can make your writing sound forced or choppy.

What are some common transition words used in English writing?

Some common transition words used in English writing include “therefore,” “consequently,” “nevertheless,” “meanwhile,” and “likewise.” These words help to show relationships between ideas and make your writing more coherent.

Can transition words be used at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, transition words can be used at the beginning of a sentence. However, be careful not to overuse them, as this can make your writing sound repetitive or formulaic.

What are some examples of transitional phrases?

Some examples of transitional phrases include “in conclusion,” “on the other hand,” “as a result,” “in summary,” and “for instance.” These phrases help to signal changes in thought and guide the reader through your writing.

Some effective transition words for starting a new paragraph include \"firstly,\" \"secondly,\" \"furthermore,\" \"moreover,\" \"in addition,\" and \"however.\" These words help to connect ideas and make your writing more cohesive.

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Some common transition words used in English writing include \"therefore,\" \"consequently,\" \"nevertheless,\" \"meanwhile,\" and \"likewise.\" These words help to show relationships between ideas and make your writing more coherent.

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Some examples of transitional phrases include \"in conclusion,\" \"on the other hand,\" \"as a result,\" \"in summary,\" and \"for instance.\" These phrases help to signal changes in thought and guide the reader through your writing.

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To make your writing flow better using transition words, try to use them sparingly and only when necessary. Make sure that they are used appropriately and that they help to connect your ideas in a logical and coherent manner. Additionally, try to vary your sentence structure and avoid using the same transition words repeatedly.

Here is a table of some common transition words with their meanings:

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Transition Word	Meaning
Firstly	Introducing the first point
Secondly	Introducing the second point
Furthermore	Adding more information
Moreover	Adding more information
In addition	Adding more information
However	Contrasting or showing a different perspective
Therefore	Showing a conclusion or result
Consequently	Showing a cause and effect relationship
Nevertheless	Contrasting or showing a different perspective
Meanwhile	Showing a simultaneous action
Likewise	Showing a similarity or agreement
In conclusion	Summarizing the main points
On the other hand	Contrasting or showing a different perspective
As a result	Showing a conclusion or result
In summary	Summarizing the main points
For instance	Providing an example

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How to Write a Topic Sentence? (Examples & Tips)

A topic sentence is an  important component of every well-structured paragraph . It introduces the main idea and sets the tone for the rest of the paragraph that follows.

Additionally, it is mandatory to structure introductory and supporting paragraphs for every kind of nonfiction writing, including ; essays, theses, blogs, articles, etc. So, perfecting the skill of writing strong topic sentences can be helpful to uplift your writing to the next level.

In this comprehensive blog post, we’re going to discuss useful tips and examples for writing a topic sentence.

What is a Topic Sentence?

A topic sentence refers to the first sentence of a paragraph that reflects its main points . The purpose of this sentence is to tell the readers about what information they are going to read in the rest of the paragraph. It usually comes at the start of a paragraph, though it can also be placed elsewhere.

A topic sentence is also known as;

• Introductory sentence.
• Focus sentence.
• Opening sentence.

This introductory/topic sentence tells the readers that the paragraph is about the health benefits of doing regular exercise.

Tips to Write a Strong Topic Sentence

Here are some useful tips to help you craft compelling topic/introductory sentences;

1. Determine the Main Idea

As aforementioned a topic sentence is solely focused on the main idea or key point of the paragraph. So, before you begin to write the focus sentence, there’s a need to identify the main idea first.

Useful Tips:

Below are some tips to help you determine the main idea of a paragraph;

• You should brainstorm the key points of a paragraph for which you’re going to craft the opening sentence. To do so, it would be helpful to jot down all the key details.
• Now, we suggest creating an outline to logically organize these points.
• Finally, narrow down to the specific idea that you think could enclose the essence of your paragraph.

, the focus/main idea might be that .

2. Start With a Hook

Let’s make your topic sentence compelling. For this, the next tip is to begin the opening sentence with a hook. By hook , we refer to the compelling/interesting statement that grabs the attention of readers.

Types of Hooks that You Can Include in A Topic Sentence:

Some commonly used hook types are lisG

ed below with examples for each;

• A hook line can be a surprising fact or impressive data , like; "Did you know that just 6 minutes of reading a day can cut your stress levels by up to 68%?”
• You can use a stimulating question as a hook statement, such as; " How can a simple , regular practice elevate your creative writing to the next level?”
• You can address a solved mystery in the hook line; for example; “ What ultimately convinced the senator to change their mind?”
• Also, you can use an anecdote or quote in the hook line, for instance; " Author Stephen King once said, 'Books are a uniquely portable magic.'"

3 . Write Something New and Interesting

Include something interesting and attention-grabbing in the introductory sentence. Avoid using statements that are obvious that everyone knows. So, to craft a topic sentence, write information in a new and unique way.

● ●

Tip: Avoid casual and unnecessary words or phrases, but you are required to use compelling, interesting, powerful, and trendy terms to draw readers in.

4. Balance Between Specific & General

Ensure that your main sentence strikes a good balance between the specific/narrow and the general/broad. Don’t write the topic sentence around too broad or vague an idea that is impossible to cover in a single paragraph.

Similarly, you shouldn’t write a too narrow statement that has nothing much to say in the supporting sentences.

Instead , you should maintain a good balance and write an idea that is neither too generic nor too specific. Below is an example of such a topic sentence;

✔️ “Incorporating technology into classroom learning can enhance student engagement and understanding without overwhelming traditional teaching methods.”

Pro Tip: Also, choose a particular writing style/tone of your paragraph in the sentence; Persuasive, Informative, Descriptive, Formal, etc . You should choose this according to the overall writing style of your content.

5. Write Concise and Clear

Another effective tip that can help you write a good topic sentence is to use concise and clear wording. You should write a sentence that is succinct and to the point. Also, it should convey the main idea clearly without any jargon, complexity, or unnecessary details.

All in all, you should aim for brevity and maintain a smooth flow in your paragraph.

For Examples:

Error-free and Innovative Way to Write a Topic Sentence

Following all the above tips are sufficient to help you write a good topic sentence. However, it may consume a lot of your time and effort, especially when you’re compiling them for long-form content with several paragraphs.

Also, there is a chance that you sometimes can’t come up with an accurate, relevant, and top-notch opening sentence. In this scenario, let me introduce an efficient, automatic, and perfectly precise way of sentence writing i.e., using AI sentence-generating tools. Here, we’ve come up with a handy solution: Editpad’s AI Sentence Generator .

It works on sophisticated AI, NLP, and Large Language models to promptly generate excellent sentences. You just need to provide the main idea or keyword, select the numbers, set the writing tone, and run the tool.

The AI Sentence Generator by Editpad will take no time to come up with well-structured and relevant sentences. You can “Copy” the suitable one from the output box, and use it as a topic sentence.

A Real-time Showcase:

We provided our main keyword; “Role of Mental Health”, and below are the sentences that we got from Editpad's AI sentence generator.

Output of Editpad AI Sentence Generator:

Demonstration:

Examples of Topic Sentences for Different Paragraphs

Let’s generate topic sentences for different types of paragraphs such as; persuasive, informative, Declarative, and others;

Example1: Persuasive Topic Sentence

We provided the below main idea of a persuasive paragraph into the sentence generator, selected the “Persuasive Tone”, and operated the tool .

“The Need for Comprehensive Health Education in Schools”

Results We Got:

Pictorial Demo of the Output:

Example2: Informal Topic Sentence

“Now, let’s create the focus sentence for an informal paragraph, with the help of the AI sentence generator of Editpad.”

Here’s the Main Idea of the Paragraph;

“How Exercise Can Boost Your Mood”

Focus Sentence We Got:

Image Showing the Output:

Example3: Academic Topic Sentence

In the third example, we gave the central idea of an academic paragraph, and ran the tool after selecting “Academic Tone”.

The Central Idea:

“The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity”

Academic Focus Sentences:

Output Image:

Example4: Topic Sentence for Professional Paragraph

For the last example, we’ll create a focus sentence for a professional paragraph. For this, we provided the below given main idea, chose the Professional Tone, and operated the tool. The Editpad’s sentence generator AI tool did real-time work and provided multiple results for the professional topic sentence.

The Key Idea:

“The Importance of Effective Leadership in Organizational Success”

Output by the Sentence Generator:

Image of the Output:

A strong topic sentence is an important component for crafting well-structured paragraphs in any non-fiction writing. It introduces the main idea, sets the tone, and guides the reader. In this blog post, we comprehensively explained the manual and automatic way to write a good topic sentence. with tips and examples that will help you write. We discussed the tips and examples along the way, for your better understanding.

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On Paragraphs

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What is a paragraph?

A paragraph is a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic. Learning to write good paragraphs will help you as a writer stay on track during your drafting and revision stages. Good paragraphing also greatly assists your readers in following a piece of writing. You can have fantastic ideas, but if those ideas aren't presented in an organized fashion, you will lose your readers (and fail to achieve your goals in writing).

The Basic Rule: Keep one idea to one paragraph

The basic rule of thumb with paragraphing is to keep one idea to one paragraph. If you begin to transition into a new idea, it belongs in a new paragraph. There are some simple ways to tell if you are on the same topic or a new one. You can have one idea and several bits of supporting evidence within a single paragraph. You can also have several points in a single paragraph as long as they relate to the overall topic of the paragraph. If the single points start to get long, then perhaps elaborating on each of them and placing them in their own paragraphs is the route to go.

Elements of a paragraph

To be as effective as possible, a paragraph should contain each of the following: Unity, Coherence, A Topic Sentence, and Adequate Development. As you will see, all of these traits overlap. Using and adapting them to your individual purposes will help you construct effective paragraphs.

The entire paragraph should concern itself with a single focus. If it begins with one focus or major point of discussion, it should not end with another or wander within different ideas.

Coherence is the trait that makes the paragraph easily understandable to a reader. You can help create coherence in your paragraphs by creating logical bridges and verbal bridges.

Logical bridges

• The same idea of a topic is carried over from sentence to sentence
• Successive sentences can be constructed in parallel form

Verbal bridges

• Key words can be repeated in several sentences
• Synonymous words can be repeated in several sentences
• Pronouns can refer to nouns in previous sentences
• Transition words can be used to link ideas from different sentences

A topic sentence

A topic sentence is a sentence that indicates in a general way what idea or thesis the paragraph is going to deal with. Although not all paragraphs have clear-cut topic sentences, and despite the fact that topic sentences can occur anywhere in the paragraph (as the first sentence, the last sentence, or somewhere in the middle), an easy way to make sure your reader understands the topic of the paragraph is to put your topic sentence near the beginning of the paragraph. (This is a good general rule for less experienced writers, although it is not the only way to do it). Regardless of whether you include an explicit topic sentence or not, you should be able to easily summarize what the paragraph is about.

Adequate development

The topic (which is introduced by the topic sentence) should be discussed fully and adequately. Again, this varies from paragraph to paragraph, depending on the author's purpose, but writers should be wary of paragraphs that only have two or three sentences. It's a pretty good bet that the paragraph is not fully developed if it is that short.

Some methods to make sure your paragraph is well-developed:

• Use examples and illustrations
• Cite data (facts, statistics, evidence, details, and others)
• Examine testimony (what other people say such as quotes and paraphrases)
• Use an anecdote or story
• Define terms in the paragraph
• Compare and contrast
• Evaluate causes and reasons
• Examine effects and consequences
• Analyze the topic
• Describe the topic
• Offer a chronology of an event (time segments)

How do I know when to start a new paragraph?

You should start a new paragraph when:

• When you begin a new idea or point. New ideas should always start in new paragraphs. If you have an extended idea that spans multiple paragraphs, each new point within that idea should have its own paragraph.
• To contrast information or ideas. Separate paragraphs can serve to contrast sides in a debate, different points in an argument, or any other difference.
• When your readers need a pause. Breaks between paragraphs function as a short "break" for your readers—adding these in will help your writing be more readable. You would create a break if the paragraph becomes too long or the material is complex.
• When you are ending your introduction or starting your conclusion. Your introductory and concluding material should always be in a new paragraph. Many introductions and conclusions have multiple paragraphs depending on their content, length, and the writer's purpose.

Transitions and signposts

Two very important elements of paragraphing are signposts and transitions. Signposts are internal aids to assist readers; they usually consist of several sentences or a paragraph outlining what the article has covered and where the article will be going.

Transitions are usually one or several sentences that "transition" from one idea to the next. Transitions can be used at the end of most paragraphs to help the paragraphs flow one into the next.

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Tips and hacks to write a college essay that deserves an a.

Chriss Bates

Friday, June 14, 2024

Image source – https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-colored-pencils-on-white-printer-paper-1158682/

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1 – Start Early

2 – brainstorm and research.

• Stay relevant to the subject.
• Consider the type of your assigned essay. (Should it be persuasive, narrative, argumentative, critical, compare-contrast, or other?)
• Choose a topic you understand and have something to say about.

3 – Outline It. No, Seriously

4 – find a perfect hook, 5 – use arguments and evidence.

6 – Mind Formatting and Citation Style

7 – use active voice, 8 – avoid cliches, 9 – revise several times before submission, ready to write.

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Explanatory Essay: Definition, Outline, Writing Steps & Samples

An explanatory essay informs readers about a specific topic or idea. It gives clear information without trying to change anyone's mind. This article will help you create a good explanatory essay. We'll cover what it is, how to plan it, and how to write your ideas clearly.

What Is an Explanatory Essay: Definition

An explanatory thesis is the main idea of this type of writing. It's a sentence that tells the reader what the essay is about. Explanatory essays need to present facts, not opinions. They use evidence and logic to explain things.

For example, if you're writing about climate change, your explanatory thesis might say: "Climate change is influenced by both natural events and human activities, and it affects the planet's ecosystems in many ways."

How to Start an Explanatory Essay: Important Steps

Knowing how to start an explanatory essay is important to get readers interested. Here's what to do:

• Pick an interesting topic
• Conduct thorough research
• Develop a clear thesis statement
• Create an outline

When choosing a topic, think about what your readers might like and what information you can find. For instance, if you're writing about clean energy, you could focus on new ways to use sunlight for power.

After you gather information, write your thesis statement. It should be specific and give a clear roadmap for your essay. For example: "Solar technology is changing how we produce and use energy around the world, offering both environmental and economic benefits."

Explanatory Essay Outline

A great outline helps you organize your thoughts and make your essay easy to follow. Here's a basic informational essay format:

1. Introduction

• A catchy hook
• Background information
• Thesis statement (Main idea)

2. Body Paragraphs (usually 3-5 sentences)

• Topic sentence
• Facts that support your idea
• Explanation
• Transition to the next point

3. Conclusion

• Restate main idea
• Sum up the main points
• Final thoughts

This structure helps keep your essay clear. Remember, each paragraph should focus on one main point that supports your main idea.

How to Write an Explanatory Essay

Now that you know the structure, let's talk about how to write explanatory essay well.

• Introduction: Start with something interesting—a surprising fact, a question, or a short story. Give some background on your topic and end with your main idea.
• Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should talk about one part of your topic. Use reliable sources to support your points, and explain how this information relates to your main idea. For example, when writing about solar energy, you might have paragraphs about how it helps the environment, how much it costs, and new ways to use it.
• Conclusion: How to write a conclusion for an explanatory essay: Sum up your main points and say your main idea again in a different way. Share some final thoughts about why your topic matters.

Throughout your essay, use words that help connect your ideas. This keeps readers interested and shows how your points are related.

Remember, the goal of an explanatory essay is to inform, not to argue. Stick to the facts, present them clearly, and let the information speak for itself.

Explanatory Essay Conclusion

How to write a conclusion for an explanatory essay is important to make your readers remember what you wrote. Your conclusion should:

• Restate your main idea but in a fresh way
• Go over the main points you talked about in your essay
• Give a final thought or suggest what to do next

For example, if you wrote about clean energy, you might end by stating the importance of continued research and investment in these technologies for a sustainable future.

Explanatory Essay Example

Here's a short example about artificial intelligence in healthcare:

Introduction: 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is bringing significant changes to various fields, with healthcare being a notable beneficiary. From diagnosis to treatment planning, AI is enhancing the capabilities of medical professionals and improving patient care outcomes.

Body Paragraph (example): 

One significant application of AI in healthcare is in medical imaging analysis. AI algorithms can now detect abnormalities in X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans with accuracy comparable to experienced radiologists. A 2020 study demonstrated that an AI system outperformed human experts in breast cancer detection, reducing false positives by 5.7% and false negatives by 9.4%. This technology not only improves diagnostic accuracy but also potentially reduces the workload on healthcare professionals, allowing them to focus on complex cases and patient care.

Conclusion: 

As AI technology advances, its integration into healthcare promises to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline treatment plans, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. While challenges remain, the potential benefits of AI in medicine underscore the importance of continued research and responsible implementation in this field.

Concluding Words

Writing a well-structured, informative, and explanatory essay requires careful planning and a clear understanding of the topic you are writing about. If you follow the tips in this guide and practice regularly, you'll get better at writing exceptional explanatory essays about any topic.

For writers looking to simplify their essay-writing process, Aithor can provide valuable assistance in organizing ideas, suggesting relevant information, and ensuring clear, coherent prose. While the core of your essay should always come from your own understanding and research, such tools can enhance your writing efficiency and effectiveness.

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Body Paragraph for an Essay: Purpose, Components, Steps & Tips

Table of Contents

What Is a Body Paragraph? Its Purpose!

Components of strong body paragraphs, how to write the body of an essay 9 tips, need help for your essay we can help.

Body paragraphs are a common thread that runs through many forms of writing, from journals to academic essays. By learning more about how to write engaging body paragraphs, you can feel more connected to the larger writing community, all while supporting your project's central idea. But many of you find it difficult or get stuck with writing the body of an essay. Not anymore! We, Global Assignment Help, are all set to help you with it in the best way.

Moreover, this blog will help you learn about the meaning and purpose and tips on writing and components. Our experts know what information is crucial for you to write a fantastic body essay. So, go through this till the end and excel in your academic grades. So, let's get started with the definition and purpose.

The body paragraph, a crucial element of a part of the essay, follows the introduction and precedes the conclusion. Here, you illuminate and discuss the main topics, supporting them with logical and proper evidence, strengthening their importance. Furthermore, the body paragraphs in an essay outnumber the other two parts, necessitating a clear and concise explanation. Now, after learning its meaning, let's discuss its purpose.

Purpose of Body Paragraph

• Go through the points below and understand the purpose of writing a solid body in an essay. Let's begin
• It elaborates on a specific idea that supports the central essay's main thesis.
• Here, the body paragraph comes to life with The inclusion of examples, evidence, and counterarguments.
• These elements deepen the discussion and provide a comprehensive view of the topic.
• The body paragraph organizes and logically organizes the content of the essay and ensures clarity and coherence.
• The body paragraph seamlessly connects every thought in the essay by adding transitions. This ensures a smooth and uninterrupted reading experience for the reader.

So, hope you understand what the is body in an essay and its purpose. But is it enough? No! By continuing reading further, you can enhance your understanding of the tips and components of the body paragraph for your essay. Also, if you do not have a deadline, you can use our essay writing services .

Knowing the components of a solid body of an essay is crucial so that you can write a fantastic essay. Thus, this is the query of many of you as they do not know about it in detail. Moreover, when writing the middle part, you need to know the proper way to write it to make it the best one. Keeping that in mind, our experts are all set to help you with it. Also, for more clarification, you can also read our essay format  blog. Now, let's get started!

Transitions

To connect your body section with a new paragraph, you must add a few words at the beginning or end of the paragraphs. This is not just a technique but a necessity that creates a coherent flow through the writing, making it more readable and understandable.

Topic Sentence

It is essential to be specific in the topic sentence of each paragraph that states the focus of the paragraph, where you discuss the main idea about your topic. This specificity helps the reader understand the exact point you're discussing, contributing to a clear and focused discussion in your writing.

Reliable Evidences

As the body paragraph is the longest part of an essay, you need to have support for your arguments. There are various types you can use, such as evidence, logic, opinion, or testimonials. These can be further diversified with details, reasons, examples, pools, facts, percentages, and data from reliable sources.

Concluding Statement

As the writer, it is crucial for you to guide your reader in connecting the main idea and the thesis you have discussed above. Therefore, the concluding statement, the last sentence of the body paragraph, is a tool you can use to ensure your reader is actively engaged in understanding your essay's structure.

Follow this component in your writing to excel it as this can help to improve and know how to write the body of an essay. But still, there is a lot more to tell you! Now, moving further you will read about the best tips to write the body of an essay. So, let's delve into the next part.

Do you also face difficulties with writing or knowing how to start the body of an essay? Worry not, as this problem will soon come to an end! Here, you will read and get insightful knowledge about the tips that can help you write a fantastic body. Thus, to avoid all the hassle, you can use our essay typer  and get an instant solution. Now, without any further delay, it is the right time to begin reading the tips for the body part of the essay.

Begin with the Topic Sentence

Kicking off your body paragraph with a strong topic sentence is crucial. This sentence should guide the entire paragraph's content by focusing entirely on specific issues. Also, it must leave room for support and analysis by avoiding the use of direct quotations.

Discuss One Idea at Point

When writing your body essay, it's best to focus on a single aspect at a time. Why? Because if you try to juggle multiple thoughts, you and your reader may become confused. To avoid this, create a clear outline before you start writing. This will help you stay organized to write a body paragraph for an essay.

Break Paragraphs Evenly

Divide your body in the essay evenly to provide clarity to both you and your reader. However, don't forget to use transitions. These are like bridges that connect your paragraphs, making it easier for your reader to follow your train of thought. They also help your writing flow, keeping your reader engaged and interested.

Add Supporting Evidence

It is crucial to include evidence in your body paragraphs to support your thesis. After introducing the main arguments in the introduction, it's important to provide examples that can prove your point in the rest of the paragraph. However, it's equally important that these examples come from reliable sources, as this will give your writing credibility and your reader confidence in your argument.

Use Relevant Details Only

Many of you might get distracted by discussing small information in detail while writing the body of an essay. In addition, this will make you get away from the main topic or arguments and will also make it a difficult task for your reader to understand your point. Thus, it is good to give relevant ideas in your writing but keep it cut short and go back to your primary discussion.

Don't Repeat Information

When choosing the topics, many of you select the one that finds you captivating. Also, some of you don't have enough data to add, and in such cases, they end up repeating the same idea or information. This affects your body part of the essay and makes it waste as this will not be fascinating to read. Thus, try to bring new and unique thoughts into your writing.

Keep it Clear and Concise

Keeping the body of an essay clear and concise will help you stay on track with your writing. If you mix up your thoughts or do not clarify what you need to write, you will end up making a blunder. Moreover, this will have a massive effect on you because you will be unable to score A+ grades.

Ensure Proper Formatting

To understand the role of formatting is crucial in an essay. Thus, if you understand it, half of your stress will go away. However, how to structure it is the big question that revolves around many of your heads.

So, for this, you must read our how-to structure an essay blog and clarify all your doubts in no time. In addition, this will provide you with new ideas for your paper.

Polish and Revise

After writing the body in essay, you might forget or procrastinate to revise and polish your writing. Therefore, this leads to many mistakes in your paper, which can be easily visible to your professor. Moreover, in this case, it is best to proofread it and rectify all the errors before moving forward. This will create the best impression of yours.

Following the tips given above will help you write the body of an essay. Thus, if you follow this, you will never get stuck with how to write the body of an essay, and you can submit an A+ document. Moreover, you might be having more queries related to it or might be having a deadline to meet. So, to get out of it, you can read the next section and learn how our experts can help you out.

After absorbing all the information, you may feel equipped to tack the start of each paragraph. The tips and components we've covered are invaluable when you embark on the writing journey. However, mastering these skills can be overwhelming, especially if you're still learning the basics. The good news is you don't have to navigate this alone. Our experts, with their refined clarity, tone, and conciseness, can guide you. With our assignment help , your writing will be apparent, engaging, and polished, no matter the context.

Our assistance extends beyond essays to all types of papers, all at a competitive price. And rest assured, we don't rely on plagiarism or AI. Each document is crafted from scratch and delivered on time. So, don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity.

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• Morning Walk - Paragraph Writing Samples

Importance of Morning Walk- Paragraph Guide and Samples in 100, 200 and 300 Words

Starting the day with a morning walk has many benefits that help both the body and mind. Walking in the morning can make you feel more energetic and improve your health . It is a peaceful time to exercise before the day gets busy. Not only does it help with physical fitness, but it also lifts your mood and can help you be more productive throughout the day. In this essay, we will look at how a morning walk can make a big difference in your daily life and why it is a great habit to start.

How to Write a Morning Walk Paragraph?

When writing an essay or paragraph on the advantages of morning walk, include the following elements to ensure an engaging piece:

1. Introduction

Opening Statement : Begin with an engaging introduction that highlights the importance of physical activity.

Thesis Statement : Clearly state the main benefits of morning walks that will be discussed in the essay.

2. Physical Health Benefits

Improved Cardiovascular Health : Explain how walking in the morning can strengthen the heart and improve circulation.

Weight Management : Discuss how regular morning walks can aid in weight control and reduce the risk of obesity .

Enhanced Energy Levels : Describe how walking in the morning boosts energy levels and reduces fatigue throughout the day.

3. Mental Health Benefits

Reduced Stress and Anxiety : Highlight how morning walks can lower stress levels and alleviate anxiety.

Improved Mood : Explain how physical activity releases endorphins that can enhance mood and promote feelings of happiness.

Better Sleep Quality : Discuss how morning walks can contribute to better sleep patterns and improved rest.

4. Social Benefits

Opportunity for Social Interaction : Mention how morning walks can provide opportunities to connect with others and build social relationships.

Community Engagement : Describe how participating in group walks or joining a walking club can foster a sense of community.

5. Lifestyle and Productivity Benefits

Boosted Productivity : Explain how starting the day with physical activity can improve focus and productivity throughout the day.

Establishing a Routine : Discuss how incorporating a morning walk into a daily routine can promote discipline and consistency.

6. Environmental Benefits

Fresh Air and Nature : Highlight the benefits of breathing fresh morning air and enjoying natural surroundings.

Increased Awareness of the Environment : Explain how walking outdoors can foster a greater appreciation for the environment and nature.

8. Conclusion

Summary of Benefits : Recap the key benefits discussed in the essay.

Encouragement to Start : End with a motivating statement encouraging readers to incorporate morning walks into their daily routine for a healthier lifestyle.

Short Paragraph on Morning Walk in 100 Words

A morning walk offers numerous benefits that positively impact both physical and mental health. Starting the day with a walk helps boost energy levels, enhancing overall alertness and productivity. Regular morning walks improve cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate and circulation, reducing the risk of heart disease. They also aid in weight management by burning calories and maintaining a healthy metabolism . Mentally, a morning walk can reduce stress and anxiety, as it provides time for reflection and relaxation. The fresh air and natural light exposure improve mood and help regulate sleep patterns. Including a morning walk into your routine is a simple yet effective way to enhance overall well-being.

Morning Walk Paragraph in 200 Words

A morning walk is an excellent way to begin your day, offering numerous benefits for your physical and mental well-being. Starting the day with a walk helps to wake up your body and mind, providing a burst of energy that can last throughout the day. The fresh air you breathe in during your walk rejuvenates you, making you feel more alert and ready for the day ahead. The peaceful morning environment helps reduce stress and improve your mood, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day. Regular morning walks are beneficial for your health also. They help improve cardiovascular health by strengthening your heart and reducing the risk of heart disease. Walking also aids in managing weight by burning calories and improving metabolism. Exposure to morning sunlight helps your body produce vitamin D, which is crucial for strong bones and overall health. Additionally, a morning walk can enhance your mental clarity and focus, making you more productive throughout the day. Incorporating this simple activity into your routine can lead to better sleep, improved mood, and a stronger, healthier body, making it a valuable habit for a balanced lifestyle.

Morning Walk Paragraph in 300 Words

A morning walk is a wonderful way to start the day, offering many benefits that contribute to both physical and mental health. When you step outside early in the morning, you breathe in fresh air and enjoy the peace and quiet of the world waking up. This calm environment helps to reduce stress and set a positive mood for the rest of the day. The early morning light also helps regulate your body’s internal clock, which can improve your sleep patterns and overall energy levels. Walking in the morning is great for your physical health. It helps to improve cardiovascular fitness by strengthening your heart and lowering blood pressure. Regular morning walks can also help with weight management. They burn calories and boost your metabolism, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight. Moreover, walking increases your stamina and flexibility, which can enhance your overall physical well-being. Besides the physical benefits, morning walks have a positive impact on mental health. They offer a chance to clear your mind and focus on the day ahead. This quiet time for reflection can lead to improved mental clarity and reduced anxiety. Additionally, walking outdoors exposes you to sunlight, which helps your body produce vitamin D. This vitamin is essential for strong bones and can also improve your mood. Another benefit of morning walks is that they offer an opportunity for social interaction if you walk with friends or family. This social aspect can strengthen relationships and provide additional motivation to keep up with the habit. Overall, incorporating a morning walk into your daily routine is a simple yet effective way to enhance your physical fitness, mental health, and overall quality of life.

Review Your Understanding of the Importance of Morning Walks

I. choose the correct statements.

1. What is one of the primary physical benefits of taking a morning walk?

A) Increased risk of chronic diseases

B) Enhanced cardiovascular fitness

C) Decreased metabolism

D) Reduced flexibility

2. How does a morning walk affect your sleep patterns?

A) It disrupts your sleep cycle

B) It does not affect sleep

C) It helps regulate your body's internal clock

D) It decreases sleep quality

3. Which of the following is a mental health benefit of a morning walk?

A) Increased anxiety

B) Reduced mental clarity

C) Improved mood and reduced stress

D) Decreased focus

4. What role does sunlight play in the benefits of a morning walk?

A) It increases risk of skin damage

B) It helps produce vitamin D

C) It causes dehydration

D) It has no effect

5. How can walking with friends or family in the morning be beneficial?

A) It decreases motivation

B) It weakens relationships

C) It provides social interaction and motivation

D) It reduces exercise effectiveness

II. Write a paragraph on Morning Walk in 100 words

Check yanswers below:, i. choose the correct sstatements.

Answer 1: B) Enhanced cardiovascular fitness

Answer 2: C) It helps regulate your body's internal clock

Answer 3: C) Improved mood and reduced stress

Answer 4: B) It helps produce vitamin D

Answer 5: C) It provides social interaction and motivation

II. Paragraph on Morning Walk in 100 words

Morning walks are an excellent form of exercise. The fresh air, cool breeze, and chirping birds create a soothing start to the day. Regular morning walks help control blood pressure, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. A brisk walk in the morning benefits our health by promoting peace of mind and boosting our enthusiasm and confidence for the day. Daily walking aids in weight loss and keeps us fit. Consistent morning walks can help prevent diseases and support long-term health. They also improve self-control and elevate mood. Scientific research confirms that morning walks contribute to better health and a fresher, more vibrant body. Overall, morning walks are a valuable exercise for maintaining fitness and enhancing overall well-being.

Takeaways on This Page:

Physical Health : Morning walks improve cardiovascular fitness and boost metabolism.

Mental Well-being : They reduce stress, enhance mood, and improve overall mental clarity.

Sleep Improvement : Regular morning walks help regulate sleep patterns.

Vitamin D : Exposure to sunlight during walks supports vitamin D production .

Social Interaction : Walking with others can provide motivation and strengthen relationships.

FAQs on Morning Walk - Paragraph Writing Samples

1. What are the main physical benefits in benefits of morning walk paragraph?

Morning walks improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and enhance overall fitness.

2. How does a morning walk impact mental health?

It reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, and boosts mood and mental clarity.

3. How does a morning walk affect sleep quality in a short paragraph on morning walk?

Regular morning walks can help regulate sleep patterns and improve overall sleep quality.

4. Does walking in the morning provide any sunlight benefits?

Yes, exposure to morning sunlight helps with vitamin D production and improves mood.

5. Can morning walks improve energy levels throughout the day as per the benefits of morning walk paragraph?

They boost overall energy levels and help combat fatigue.

6. Are there any benefits to walking with others in the morning?

Walking with others can enhance motivation and provide social interaction, which boosts mental well-being.

7. How long should a morning walk be to see benefits?

A 20-30 minute walk is generally sufficient to experience the benefits of improved health and mood.

8. Can morning walks be beneficial for people with joint problems?

Yes, walking is a low-impact exercise that can help maintain joint health and flexibility.

9. What are some tips for making the most out of a morning walk?

Wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, walk at a brisk pace, and enjoy the fresh air and surroundings.

10. Can morning walks help with weight management?

Yes, they boost metabolism and aid in burning calories, contributing to weight management.

Samantha Putterman, PolitiFact Samantha Putterman, PolitiFact

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• Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-warnings-from-democrats-about-project-2025-and-donald-trump

Fact-checking warnings from Democrats about Project 2025 and Donald Trump

This fact check originally appeared on PolitiFact .

Project 2025 has a starring role in this week’s Democratic National Convention.

And it was front and center on Night 1.

WATCH: Hauling large copy of Project 2025, Michigan state Sen. McMorrow speaks at 2024 DNC

“This is Project 2025,” Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, said as she laid a hardbound copy of the 900-page document on the lectern. “Over the next four nights, you are going to hear a lot about what is in this 900-page document. Why? Because this is the Republican blueprint for a second Trump term.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, has warned Americans about “Trump’s Project 2025” agenda — even though former President Donald Trump doesn’t claim the conservative presidential transition document.

“Donald Trump wants to take our country backward,” Harris said July 23 in Milwaukee. “He and his extreme Project 2025 agenda will weaken the middle class. Like, we know we got to take this seriously, and can you believe they put that thing in writing?”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, has joined in on the talking point.

“Don’t believe (Trump) when he’s playing dumb about this Project 2025. He knows exactly what it’ll do,” Walz said Aug. 9 in Glendale, Arizona.

Trump’s campaign has worked to build distance from the project, which the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, led with contributions from dozens of conservative groups.

Much of the plan calls for extensive executive-branch overhauls and draws on both long-standing conservative principles, such as tax cuts, and more recent culture war issues. It lays out recommendations for disbanding the Commerce and Education departments, eliminating certain climate protections and consolidating more power to the president.

Project 2025 offers a sweeping vision for a Republican-led executive branch, and some of its policies mirror Trump’s 2024 agenda, But Harris and her presidential campaign have at times gone too far in describing what the project calls for and how closely the plans overlap with Trump’s campaign.

PolitiFact researched Harris’ warnings about how the plan would affect reproductive rights, federal entitlement programs and education, just as we did for President Joe Biden’s Project 2025 rhetoric. Here’s what the project does and doesn’t call for, and how it squares with Trump’s positions.

Are Trump and Project 2025 connected?

To distance himself from Project 2025 amid the Democratic attacks, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he “knows nothing” about it and has “no idea” who is in charge of it. (CNN identified at least 140 former advisers from the Trump administration who have been involved.)

The Heritage Foundation sought contributions from more than 100 conservative organizations for its policy vision for the next Republican presidency, which was published in 2023.

Project 2025 is now winding down some of its policy operations, and director Paul Dans, a former Trump administration official, is stepping down, The Washington Post reported July 30. Trump campaign managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita denounced the document.

WATCH: A look at the Project 2025 plan to reshape government and Trump’s links to its authors

However, Project 2025 contributors include a number of high-ranking officials from Trump’s first administration, including former White House adviser Peter Navarro and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.

A recently released recording of Russell Vought, a Project 2025 author and the former director of Trump’s Office of Management and Budget, showed Vought saying Trump’s “very supportive of what we do.” He said Trump was only distancing himself because Democrats were making a bogeyman out of the document.

Project 2025 wouldn’t ban abortion outright, but would curtail access

The Harris campaign shared a graphic on X that claimed “Trump’s Project 2025 plan for workers” would “go after birth control and ban abortion nationwide.”

The plan doesn’t call to ban abortion nationwide, though its recommendations could curtail some contraceptives and limit abortion access.

What’s known about Trump’s abortion agenda neither lines up with Harris’ description nor Project 2025’s wish list.

Project 2025 says the Department of Health and Human Services Department should “return to being known as the Department of Life by explicitly rejecting the notion that abortion is health care.”

It recommends that the Food and Drug Administration reverse its 2000 approval of mifepristone, the first pill taken in a two-drug regimen for a medication abortion. Medication is the most common form of abortion in the U.S. — accounting for around 63 percent in 2023.

If mifepristone were to remain approved, Project 2025 recommends new rules, such as cutting its use from 10 weeks into pregnancy to seven. It would have to be provided to patients in person — part of the group’s efforts to limit access to the drug by mail. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge to mifepristone’s FDA approval over procedural grounds.

WATCH: Trump’s plans for health care and reproductive rights if he returns to White House The manual also calls for the Justice Department to enforce the 1873 Comstock Act on mifepristone, which bans the mailing of “obscene” materials. Abortion access supporters fear that a strict interpretation of the law could go further to ban mailing the materials used in procedural abortions, such as surgical instruments and equipment.

The plan proposes withholding federal money from states that don’t report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention how many abortions take place within their borders. The plan also would prohibit abortion providers, such as Planned Parenthood, from receiving Medicaid funds. It also calls for the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that the training of medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, omits abortion training.

The document says some forms of emergency contraception — particularly Ella, a pill that can be taken within five days of unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy — should be excluded from no-cost coverage. The Affordable Care Act requires most private health insurers to cover recommended preventive services, which involves a range of birth control methods, including emergency contraception.

Trump has recently said states should decide abortion regulations and that he wouldn’t block access to contraceptives. Trump said during his June 27 debate with Biden that he wouldn’t ban mifepristone after the Supreme Court “approved” it. But the court rejected the lawsuit based on standing, not the case’s merits. He has not weighed in on the Comstock Act or said whether he supports it being used to block abortion medication, or other kinds of abortions.

Project 2025 doesn’t call for cutting Social Security, but proposes some changes to Medicare

“When you read (Project 2025),” Harris told a crowd July 23 in Wisconsin, “you will see, Donald Trump intends to cut Social Security and Medicare.”

The Project 2025 document does not call for Social Security cuts. None of its 10 references to Social Security addresses plans for cutting the program.

Harris also misleads about Trump’s Social Security views.

In his earlier campaigns and before he was a politician, Trump said about a half-dozen times that he’s open to major overhauls of Social Security, including cuts and privatization. More recently, in a March 2024 CNBC interview, Trump said of entitlement programs such as Social Security, “There’s a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting.” However, he quickly walked that statement back, and his CNBC comment stands at odds with essentially everything else Trump has said during the 2024 presidential campaign.

Trump’s campaign website says that not “a single penny” should be cut from Social Security. We rated Harris’ claim that Trump intends to cut Social Security Mostly False.

Project 2025 does propose changes to Medicare, including making Medicare Advantage, the private insurance offering in Medicare, the “default” enrollment option. Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans have provider networks and can also require prior authorization, meaning that the plan can approve or deny certain services. Original Medicare plans don’t have prior authorization requirements.

The manual also calls for repealing health policies enacted under Biden, such as the Inflation Reduction Act. The law enabled Medicare to negotiate with drugmakers for the first time in history, and recently resulted in an agreement with drug companies to lower the prices of 10 expensive prescriptions for Medicare enrollees.

Trump, however, has said repeatedly during the 2024 presidential campaign that he will not cut Medicare.

Project 2025 would eliminate the Education Department, which Trump supports

The Harris campaign said Project 2025 would “eliminate the U.S. Department of Education” — and that’s accurate. Project 2025 says federal education policy “should be limited and, ultimately, the federal Department of Education should be eliminated.” The plan scales back the federal government’s role in education policy and devolves the functions that remain to other agencies.

Aside from eliminating the department, the project also proposes scrapping the Biden administration’s Title IX revision, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It also would let states opt out of federal education programs and calls for passing a federal parents’ bill of rights similar to ones passed in some Republican-led state legislatures.

Republicans, including Trump, have pledged to close the department, which gained its status in 1979 within Democratic President Jimmy Carter’s presidential Cabinet.

In one of his Agenda 47 policy videos, Trump promised to close the department and “to send all education work and needs back to the states.” Eliminating the department would have to go through Congress.

What Project 2025, Trump would do on overtime pay

In the graphic, the Harris campaign says Project 2025 allows “employers to stop paying workers for overtime work.”

The plan doesn’t call for banning overtime wages. It recommends changes to some Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, regulations and to overtime rules. Some changes, if enacted, could result in some people losing overtime protections, experts told us.

The document proposes that the Labor Department maintain an overtime threshold “that does not punish businesses in lower-cost regions (e.g., the southeast United States).” This threshold is the amount of money executive, administrative or professional employees need to make for an employer to exempt them from overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

In 2019, the Trump’s administration finalized a rule that expanded overtime pay eligibility to most salaried workers earning less than about $35,568, which it said made about 1.3 million more workers eligible for overtime pay. The Trump-era threshold is high enough to cover most line workers in lower-cost regions, Project 2025 said.

The Biden administration raised that threshold to $43,888 beginning July 1, and that will rise to $58,656 on Jan. 1, 2025. That would grant overtime eligibility to about 4 million workers, the Labor Department said.

It’s unclear how many workers Project 2025’s proposal to return to the Trump-era overtime threshold in some parts of the country would affect, but experts said some would presumably lose the right to overtime wages.

Other overtime proposals in Project 2025’s plan include allowing some workers to choose to accumulate paid time off instead of overtime pay, or to work more hours in one week and fewer in the next, rather than receive overtime.

Trump’s past with overtime pay is complicated. In 2016, the Obama administration said it would raise the overtime to salaried workers earning less than $47,476 a year, about double the exemption level set in 2004 of $23,660 a year.

But when a judge blocked the Obama rule, the Trump administration didn’t challenge the court ruling. Instead it set its own overtime threshold, which raised the amount, but by less than Obama.

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The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay | Steps & Examples

An academic essay is a focused piece of writing that develops an idea or argument using evidence, analysis, and interpretation.

There are many types of essays you might write as a student. The content and length of an essay depends on your level, subject of study, and course requirements. However, most essays at university level are argumentative — they aim to persuade the reader of a particular position or perspective on a topic.

The essay writing process consists of three main stages:

• Preparation: Decide on your topic, do your research, and create an essay outline.
• Writing : Set out your argument in the introduction, develop it with evidence in the main body, and wrap it up with a conclusion.
• Revision:  Check your essay on the content, organization, grammar, spelling, and formatting of your essay.

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Table of contents

Essay writing process, preparation for writing an essay, writing the introduction, writing the main body, writing the conclusion, essay checklist, lecture slides, frequently asked questions about writing an essay.

The writing process of preparation, writing, and revisions applies to every essay or paper, but the time and effort spent on each stage depends on the type of essay .

For example, if you’ve been assigned a five-paragraph expository essay for a high school class, you’ll probably spend the most time on the writing stage; for a college-level argumentative essay , on the other hand, you’ll need to spend more time researching your topic and developing an original argument before you start writing.

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Before you start writing, you should make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to say and how you’re going to say it. There are a few key steps you can follow to make sure you’re prepared:

• Understand your assignment: What is the goal of this essay? What is the length and deadline of the assignment? Is there anything you need to clarify with your teacher or professor?
• Define a topic: If you’re allowed to choose your own topic , try to pick something that you already know a bit about and that will hold your interest.
• Do your research: Read  primary and secondary sources and take notes to help you work out your position and angle on the topic. You’ll use these as evidence for your points.
• Come up with a thesis:  The thesis is the central point or argument that you want to make. A clear thesis is essential for a focused essay—you should keep referring back to it as you write.
• Create an outline: Map out the rough structure of your essay in an outline . This makes it easier to start writing and keeps you on track as you go.

Once you’ve got a clear idea of what you want to discuss, in what order, and what evidence you’ll use, you’re ready to start writing.

The introduction sets the tone for your essay. It should grab the reader’s interest and inform them of what to expect. The introduction generally comprises 10–20% of the text.

1. Hook your reader

The first sentence of the introduction should pique your reader’s interest and curiosity. This sentence is sometimes called the hook. It might be an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a bold statement emphasizing the relevance of the topic.

Let’s say we’re writing an essay about the development of Braille (the raised-dot reading and writing system used by visually impaired people). Our hook can make a strong statement about the topic:

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

2. Provide background on your topic

Next, it’s important to give context that will help your reader understand your argument. This might involve providing background information, giving an overview of important academic work or debates on the topic, and explaining difficult terms. Don’t provide too much detail in the introduction—you can elaborate in the body of your essay.

3. Present the thesis statement

Next, you should formulate your thesis statement— the central argument you’re going to make. The thesis statement provides focus and signals your position on the topic. It is usually one or two sentences long. The thesis statement for our essay on Braille could look like this:

As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness.

4. Map the structure

In longer essays, you can end the introduction by briefly describing what will be covered in each part of the essay. This guides the reader through your structure and gives a preview of how your argument will develop.

The invention of Braille marked a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by blind and visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

Write your essay introduction

The body of your essay is where you make arguments supporting your thesis, provide evidence, and develop your ideas. Its purpose is to present, interpret, and analyze the information and sources you have gathered to support your argument.

Length of the body text

The length of the body depends on the type of essay. On average, the body comprises 60–80% of your essay. For a high school essay, this could be just three paragraphs, but for a graduate school essay of 6,000 words, the body could take up 8–10 pages.

Paragraph structure

To give your essay a clear structure , it is important to organize it into paragraphs . Each paragraph should be centered around one main point or idea.

That idea is introduced in a  topic sentence . The topic sentence should generally lead on from the previous paragraph and introduce the point to be made in this paragraph. Transition words can be used to create clear connections between sentences.

After the topic sentence, present evidence such as data, examples, or quotes from relevant sources. Be sure to interpret and explain the evidence, and show how it helps develop your overall argument.

Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in nineteenth-century society. Text was one of the primary methods through which people engaged with culture, communicated with others, and accessed information; without a well-developed reading system that did not rely on sight, blind people were excluded from social participation (Weygand, 2009). While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination, blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability, and it was commonly believed that blind people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture (Weygand, 2009). This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time: without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted people for information and education.

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The conclusion is the final paragraph of an essay. It should generally take up no more than 10–15% of the text . A strong essay conclusion :

• Returns to your thesis
• Ties together your main points
• Shows why your argument matters

A great conclusion should finish with a memorable or impactful sentence that leaves the reader with a strong final impression.

What not to include in a conclusion

To make your essay’s conclusion as strong as possible, there are a few things you should avoid. The most common mistakes are:

• Including new arguments or evidence
• Undermining your arguments (e.g. “This is just one approach of many”)
• Using concluding phrases like “To sum up…” or “In conclusion…”

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

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Checklist: Essay

My essay follows the requirements of the assignment (topic and length ).

My introduction sparks the reader’s interest and provides any necessary background information on the topic.

My introduction contains a thesis statement that states the focus and position of the essay.

I use paragraphs to structure the essay.

I use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.

Each paragraph has a single focus and a clear connection to the thesis statement.

I make clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas.

My conclusion doesn’t just repeat my points, but draws connections between arguments.

I don’t introduce new arguments or evidence in the conclusion.

I have given an in-text citation for every quote or piece of information I got from another source.

I have included a reference page at the end of my essay, listing full details of all my sources.

My citations and references are correctly formatted according to the required citation style .

My essay has an interesting and informative title.

I have followed all formatting guidelines (e.g. font, page numbers, line spacing).

Your essay meets all the most important requirements. Our editors can give it a final check to help you submit with confidence.

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An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

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