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Sentence Starters for Essays
A sentence starter is simply a word or a phrase that will help you to get your sentence going when you feel stuck, and it can be helpful in many different situations. A good sentence starter can help you better transition from one paragraph to another or connect two ideas. If not started correctly, your sentence will likely sound choppy, and your reader might not be able to follow your thoughts.
Below, we will explain when sentence starters for essays are used and what types of them exist. We will then give you plenty of examples of sentence-starter words and phrases that you can use in your writing.
Note: To learn more about word choice in academic writing, you can read our guide: Words to Use in an Essay
Why you need good sentence starters
In academic writing, sentence starters are usually used to connect one idea to another. Sentence starters make your essay coherent as they are often used to transition from one paragraph to another. In other words, they glue your writing together so that it makes sense and is easy to read.
You can also use sentence starters inside paragraphs. This will help you to better transition from one idea to another. It can make your writing flow better and sound more unified if done correctly.
When sentence starters are used
You don’t have to use them in every sentence, but they can be helpful if you feel like your ideas are choppy or you want to connect two thoughts. If overused, sentence starters can make your writing sound repetitive and distracting to the reader.
Here’s a list of cases where you should consider using sentence starters:
- To transition from one paragraph or section of your writing to another
- To introduce a new idea at the start of your essay or paragraph
- To start the final paragraph and conclude the entire essay
- To emphasize something important
- To create a hook and grab your reader’s attention
- To clarify something or give brief background information
These are just some common situations for using sentence starters, and this list is not definitive. If you can’t decide whether or not to use a sentence starter, it’s usually best to err on the side of not using one. If your paragraph flows nicely, don’t overthink it and move on with your essay writing .
What are the different types of sentence starters?
Sentence starters vary based on what you want to achieve in the sentence you’re starting. Here are some of the most common purposes that define what sentence starter you need to apply, along with some examples.
Starters for hooks
If you want to grab your reader’s attention in the first paragraph and make them want to read your essay, you need to use introduction sentence starters that are attention-grabbing and interesting. Some common sentence starters for essay hooks are:
- Did you know that… (for a fact)
- When I was… (for an anecdote)
- Just as… (for an analogy)
- According to… (for a statistic)
Starters to start a thesis statement
The thesis statement is the main idea of your essay. It’s what you want to prove or argue in your essay. You will need to use sentence starters that introduce your essay topic in a clear and concise way. For example:
- This essay will discuss…
- The purpose of this essay is to…
- In this essay, I will argue that…
- In my opinion…
- I think that…
Starters for topic sentences
A topic sentence is the first sentence at the beginning of each body paragraph that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. You will want to use body paragraph starters that state the main idea of the paragraph in a clear and concise way. Some specific examples:
- One reason why…
- The most important thing to remember is that…
- Another important factor to consider is…
- The first thing to note is that…
- It’s important to remember that…
- Besides the previous point,…
Starters for concluding
When you’re concluding your essay , you need to use conclusion sentence starters that emphasize the main points of your argument and leave your reader with a strong impression. Here are some examples:
- In conclusion,…
- To sum up,…
- Overall,…
- To conclude,…
- Finally,…
- In the final analysis,…
Starters for lists
If you’re listing ideas or items, you will want to use sentence starters that introduce each item clearly. Some common list starters are:
- The first…
- The second…
- Thirdly,…
- Next,…
- Lastly,…
Starters for comparing and contrasting
If you’re writing an essay that compares and contrasts two or more things, you will need to use sentence starters that introduce each item you’re discussing and emphasize the similarities and/or differences. For example:
- Similarly,…
- However,…
- In contrast to…
- On the other hand,…
- Compared to…
- Despite the fact that…
Starters for elaborating
If you want to elaborate on an idea, you need to use sentence starters that introduce the detail you’re going to include and how it relates to the main idea. Some common starters for elaborating are:
- For example,…
- In other words,…
- That is to say,…
- To elaborate,…
- Another way to put it would be…
- To put it more simply,…
Starters for giving background information
If you want to give some brief background information in your essay, you need to use sentence starters that introduce the information and explain why it’s relevant. For example:
- As previously mentioned,…
- As everyone knows,…
- In today’s society,…
Starters for giving an example
If you want to give an example in your essay, you need to use sentence starters that introduce the example and explain how it supports your argument. For example:
- For instance,…
- To illustrate,…
- Thus,…
- In this case,…
Starters for introducing a quotation
If you want to include a quotation in your essay, you need to use sentence starters that introduce the quotation and explain its relevance. Some examples:
- As John Doe said,…
- According to Jane Doe,…
- As the old saying goes,…
- In Jane Doe’s words,…
- To put it another way,…
Starters for introducing evidence
If you want to include evidence in your essay, you need to use sentence starters that introduce the evidence and explain its relevance. For example:
- The data shows that…
- This proves that…
- This suggests that…
- The evidence indicates that…
Starters for bridging
If you want to create a bridge sentence between two paragraphs, you need to use sentence starters that introduce the second paragraph and explain how it relates to the first. For example:
- This leads to the question,…
- This raises the issue,…
- Another important point to consider is…
- This brings us to the question of…
Starters to show causation
If you want to show causation in your essay, you need to use sentence starters that introduce the cause and explain its relationship to the effect. For example:
- Because of this,…
- As a result,…
- Consequently,…
- Due to the fact that…
- Therefore,…
Starters to emphasize a point
If you want to emphasize a point in your essay, you need to use sentence starters that draw attention to the point and make it clear why it’s important. Examples of sentence starters to add emphasis:
- Importantly,…
- Significantly,…
Starters to express doubt
If you want to express doubt about an idea in your essay, you need to use sentence starters that make it clear you’re not certain and explain why you have doubts. For example:
- It’s possible that…
- It’s uncertain whether…
- Some people might argue that…
- There is evidence to suggest that…
- Although it is debatable,…
- It might be the case that…
Key takeaways
- Sentence starters are especially important in academic writing because they can help you make complex arguments and express yourself clearly.
- There are many different types of sentence starters, each with its own purpose.
- You need to choose the right sentence starter for the specific task you’re writing about.
- When in doubt, err on the side of caution and choose a simpler sentence starter.
Now that you know the different types of sentence starters and how to use them effectively, you’ll be able to write clear, concise, and well-organized essays.
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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.
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Ashley Shaw
Ashley Shaw is a former editor and marketer/current PhD student and teacher. When she isn't studying con artists for her dissertation, she's thinking of new ways to help college students better understand and love the writing process.
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Crafting Compelling Sentence Starters for Essays
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on mastering sentence starters for essays. Ever wondered how some writers effortlessly hook their readers from the first line, smoothly transition between ideas, and leave a lasting impression?
The secret lies in the artful use of sentence starters. These short phrases are more than just transition words; they're the key to making your paper engaging, coherent, and sophisticated.
In this blog post, we'll shed light on the importance of good sentence starters, provide examples, and guide you on how to use them effectively in different parts of your essay. Whether you're writing an introduction, body paragraph, or conclusion , we've got you covered. But that's not all.
We'll also delve into common mistakes to avoid when using sentence starters and how to adapt them for different types of essays. So, buckle up and get ready to elevate your essay writing skills to new heights. Let's get started!
Understanding the Importance of Good Sentence Starters
Whether you're crafting an academic text or writing a blog , the right sentence starter can make all the difference. It's not just about stringing words together; it's about choosing the right words that will hook the reader and keep them engaged. So, let's delve deeper into understanding the importance of good sentence starters and how they can elevate your writing.
Why Good Sentence Starters are Crucial for Your Writing
Good sentence starters are the backbone of compelling writing. They act as the gateway to your thoughts, guiding the reader through your narrative or argument. They're not just a fancy academic phrase or a tool to meet a word count. They're the key to making your writing flow, to connecting your ideas, and to keeping your reader engaged.
Imagine reading a text that jumps from one point to another without any clear transitions. It would be like trying to follow a map without any signposts. You'd likely get lost, frustrated, and give up. That's exactly what happens when you don't use sentence starters. Your readers can't follow your train of thought, and they lose interest.
When you use sentence starters effectively, you're laying out a clear path for your reader. You're telling them, "Pay attention, this is an important point," or "Here's a contrasting view," or "Let's move on to a new idea." You're hooking the reader, keeping them engaged, and making your writing more impactful.
Examples of Effective Sentence Starters
Here are some examples of effective sentence starters that can elevate your writing:
- "Despite the common belief, ..."
- "Drawing from the data, ..."
- "Contrary to what one might think, ..."
- "Given the circumstances, ..."
- "Taking into account the evidence, ..."
- "As a matter of fact, ..."
- "In light of recent events, ..."
- "Considering the implications, ..."
- "Reflecting on the situation, ..."
- "From a different perspective, ..."
These sentence starters are not just words or phrases; they are the hooks that grab your reader's attention. They are the bridges that connect your thoughts and ideas, making your academic text more coherent and engaging. So, the next time you sit down to write, pay close attention to your sentence starters. They might just be the key to taking your writing to the next level.
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Sentence Starters for Essay Introductions
In this section, we will explore how to use sentence starters effectively in essay introductions, providing you with practical tips and examples.
How to Use Sentence Starters in Essay Introductions
The art of crafting an engaging essay introduction lies in the strategic use of sentence starters. These are not just any random words, but carefully chosen transition words, short phrases, or clauses that guide the reader into the narrative. They serve as a bridge, connecting the title to the body of the essay, and setting the tone for what's to come.
To use a sentence starter effectively, you need to understand its purpose. It's not just about starting a sentence; it's about creating a smooth transition that guides the reader from one idea to the next. It's about shedding light on the purpose of your research, and preparing the reader for the arguments you're about to present.
The goal is to make your paper as readable and engaging as possible. So, don't overuse sentence starters. Use them sparingly, and only when necessary to enhance the clarity and coherence of your essay.
Examples of Sentence Starters for Essay Introductions
Here are some examples of sentence starters that can be used in essay introductions:
- "The purpose of this research is to..."
- "This essay will shed light on..."
- "In answer to the top question..."
- "To paraphrase the research findings..."
- "The essay introduction starters are designed to..."
- "Using a sentence starter, we can..."
- "With the use of transition words, we can..."
- "A short phrase can make your paper more engaging..."
- "Here's a starter example to illustrate..."
- "This sentence starter example will clarify..."
These starters not only grab the reader's attention but also provide a clear roadmap for the essay. They can be used to introduce a new argument, create a smooth transition between paragraphs, or emphasize key ideas. Remember, the goal is to make your writing more compelling and engaging for the reader.
Sentence Starters for Body Paragraphs
Understanding how to use these paragraph starters effectively is crucial in crafting a well-structured essay. They not only introduce new ideas but also create a seamless connection between the previous and the upcoming content.
How to Use Sentence Starters in Body Paragraphs
In essay writing, sentence starters for essays are the secret sauce that adds flavor to your content. They are the transition phrases that guide your reader from one idea to the next, ensuring a smooth journey through your thoughts. When it comes to body paragraphs, these starters play a pivotal role in maintaining the flow and coherence of your essay.
A good paragraph starter doesn't just introduce the next idea, it also ties in with the previous one. It's a bridge that connects the two, making your paper feel like a cohesive whole rather than a collection of disjointed thoughts. So, when you start a body paragraph, consider the content of the previous one and choose a transition that will smoothly carry your reader forward.
Sentence Starters for Essay Conclusions
Wrapping up an essay or research paper with a strong conclusion is just as important as having a compelling introduction. The conclusion is your final chance to leave a lasting impression on your reader, and using the right sentence starters can make all the difference.
These conclusion sentence starters not only help you summarize your findings but also add a touch of sophistication to your writing. They serve as a bridge, connecting your final thoughts and the main body of your work, ensuring a smooth transition that enhances the overall readability of your paper.
Whether you're looking to paraphrase research findings or shed light on the broader implications of your work, the right sentence starter can help you achieve your goal. So, let's delve into the art of using sentence starters for essay conclusions.
How to Use Sentence Starters in Essay Conclusions
When it comes to wrapping up your research paper or essay, the use of conclusion sentence starters can be a game-changer. These short phrases or transition words can help you summarize your findings, restate your thesis, and leave a lasting impression on your reader.
The key to using these sentence starters effectively is to use them sparingly. Overuse can make your paper sound repetitive and unprofessional. Instead, use them to introduce a new idea or to transition smoothly between thoughts.
Another effective way to use a sentence starter is to highlight something important. A well-placed sentence starter can draw the reader's attention to a key point or finding in your research.
Examples of Sentence Starters for Essay Conclusions
Here are some examples of conclusion sentence starters that can be used to wrap up your research paper or essay:
- "In conclusion, it is evident that..." This starter is a classic way to summarize your findings. For instance, "In conclusion, it is evident that the purpose of this research was to shed light on the effects of climate change."
- "Based on the findings, it can be concluded that..." This phrase is perfect for emphasizing the results of your research. For example, "Based on the findings, it can be concluded that regular exercise contributes to improved mental health."
- "Overall, this research sheds light on..." This sentence starter is great for highlighting the broader implications of your work. For instance, "Overall, this research sheds light on the importance of early intervention in education."
The use of a sentence starter or transition word can make your paper more coherent and impactful.
Sentence Starters for Different Types of Essays
Let's explore the specifics of using sentence starters in different types of essays. Whether you're crafting an argumentative, descriptive, or narrative essay, we'll provide you with a starter example to shed light on how to make your paper more compelling. Let's dive in!
Sentence Starters for Argumentative Essays
- "Despite the prevailing belief, I argue that..."
- "The evidence strongly suggests that..."
- "To shed light on this issue, consider the following..."
- "The purpose of this research is to challenge the notion that..."
- "One cannot ignore the fact that..."
- "Drawing upon the data, it becomes clear that..."
- "This argument is further strengthened by the fact that..."
- "In response to this argument, one might assert that..."
- "The crux of the matter is that..."
- "This line of reasoning leads us to conclude that..."
- "In the face of such compelling evidence, it is hard to dispute that..."
Sentence Starters for Descriptive Essays
Here are some sentence starters that can be effectively used in descriptive essays:
- "As I stepped into the room, ..."
- "The first thing that caught my eye was ..."
- "I was immediately struck by ..."
- "The sight that greeted me was ..."
- "I couldn't help but notice ..."
- "The aroma of ... filled the air."
- "The sound of ... echoed in the distance."
- "The taste of ... lingered on my tongue."
- "The touch of ... sent shivers down my spine."
- "The feeling of ... was overwhelming."
These sentence starters can help you set the scene and engage your reader's senses right from the start. Remember, the purpose of a descriptive essay is to paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind. Using these sentence starters can help you achieve that.
Sentence Starters for Narrative Essays
- Setting the Scene : "The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the park as children's laughter echoed in the distance..."
- Introducing a Character : "Meet John, a man of few words but with a story that could fill volumes..."
- Creating Suspense : "As she turned the corner, her heart pounded in her chest, not knowing what she would find..."
- Describing an Event : "The concert was a whirlwind of lights, music, and energy that swept everyone off their feet..."
- Presenting Dialogue : "'I've never seen anything like it,' he whispered, his eyes wide with awe and wonder..."
- Sharing an Inner Thought : "She couldn't help but wonder if this was the right decision, if she was on the right path..."
- Ending with a Cliffhanger : "As the door slowly creaked open, he braced himself for what was to come..."
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Sentence Starters
It's not just about knowing a variety of good sentence starters, but also about knowing when and how to use them to hook the reader and emphasize important points. Let's explore these common mistakes and learn how to avoid them.
Overusing the Same Sentence Starters
One of the most common pitfalls when using sentence starters is overusing the same phrase or word. It's like a song on repeat; after a while, it loses its charm. This is especially true in academic texts, where the goal is to hook the reader and keep them engaged.
A good sentence starter can be a great way to introduce a new idea or point. However, if you use the same starter example repeatedly, it can make your writing sound monotonous and uninteresting. It's important to pay attention to this as it can detract from the important points you're trying to make.
Remember, variety is the spice of life, and this holds true for sentence starters as well. Mixing up your sentence starters not only makes your writing more engaging but also helps to maintain the reader's interest.
So, the next time you write, be mindful of the sentence starters you use. Try to incorporate different ones to keep your writing fresh and engaging. This is a great way to ensure that your writing is always at its best.
Using Inappropriate Sentence Starters
One of the most common mistakes that writers make is using inappropriate sentence starters. This usually happens when the writer is not fully aware of the context or the tone of the text. For instance, using a casual sentence starter in an academic text can disrupt the flow and confuse the reader.
It's important to pay attention to the type of text you're writing. If it's an academic paper, using academic phrases as sentence starters is a great way to maintain the formal tone. On the other hand, if you're writing a blog post or a novel, you might want to use more casual or creative sentence starters to hook the reader.
Another important point to remember is that not all sentence starters are suitable for all types of sentences. For example, using a contrasting sentence starter in a sentence that's supposed to add information can lead to misunderstandings.
Final Thoughts on Mastering Sentence Starters for Essays
Mastering the use of sentence starters is a crucial skill for any writer. These transition words and phrases serve as bridges, guiding your reader through your thoughts and arguments. They not only enhance the flow and coherence of your writing but also hook the reader's attention, making your work more engaging and compelling.
However, remember that the effective use of sentence starters requires balance.
Overuse can lead to redundancy, while inappropriate use can confuse your reader. Therefore, it's essential to understand the context and purpose of each sentence starter to use it appropriately.
In the end, the art of using sentence starters is about making your paper more readable and persuasive. So, keep practicing, and soon, you'll find that these handy tools have become an integral part of your writing toolkit.
If you need professional writing help , try Strategically AI for free today.
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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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Sentence Starters: Definition, Rules and Remarkable Examples
Sentence starters, also known as transition words or phrases, are vital tools for essay writing. They play a key role in formulating an interesting and well-written introduction, providing smooth transitions between sentences and paragraphs, and writing a proper conclusion that summarizes the main points covered. Sentence starters are one of the essential tools of a skilled writer.
Table of Contents
What Are Sentence Starters and Why Are They So Important?
The main function of sentence starters is to tie together words, sentences, and paragraphs in an essay so that the writing flows logically. The sentence starters will help the readers comprehend the content more easily and absorb the meaning. The writing will be well-organized and cohesive.
Reading an essay containing well-placed and thoughtful sentence starters will be much easier, more interesting, and far less tedious. Most readers will be comfortable reading the material and will understand the writer’s intent. Students who use sentence starters expertly can expect to receive higher grades on their essays and exams.
What Are Some Examples of Sentence Starters?
Sentence starters for introductions.
- This essay discusses…
- The definition of…
- In my opinion…
- A popular subject of debate lately has been…
- Until now, I believed…, then I found out that…
- Most people assume that…
- The most recent data suggests that…
- A popular topic for discussion recently has been…
- Recent headlines have shown…
Sentence Starters for Transitioning Between Sentences and Paragraphs
- In contrast,
- Furthermore,
- In addition,
- On the other hand ,
- Consequently,
- As a result,
- Additionally,
- Even though,
Examples of Sentence Starters Used in Sentences
In contrast , Representative Smith supported the new bill enthusiastically.
Moreover , data from a follow-up study found an even better outcome for patients who used this treatment.
Furthermore , other researchers had similar promising results.
Similarly , Dr. John Blake, Professor of Political Science at Stanford University, agreed with Dr. Johnson’s findings.
While the news was positive, experts were cautious about becoming overly optimistic at this point.
On the other hand , the lead engineer, Edward Boswell, disagreed with the proposed remodeling plans.
Although Rachel Turner was against the tentative schedule, she compromised with the rest of the committee .
Whereas Fairfield amended its town ordinance, Weston decided to postpone the action indefinitely.
Sentence Starters for Conclusions
- In summary,
- In closing,
- Ultimately,
- In the final analysis,
- In essence,
- All in all,
Examples of Sentence Starters in Conclusions
- In summary , this analysis shows promising possibilities for new treatments and better outcomes.
- In closing , there are substantive arguments on both sides of the issue. However, I believe that passing this legislation would be the best course of action.
- To sum up , there needs to be more extensive research on these proposals in order to make a sound decision.
- Ultimately , the voters will decide whether the downtown transformation is in the best interests of the city.
- In the final analysis , I believe that Morgan’s proposal is the most promising.
- In essence , Dr. Jackson is advocating for increased spending now which will compromise the town’s future goals.
- All in all , it seems that the proponents of the project have more evidence than does the opposition.
Sentence Starters | Infographic
Sentence Starters: Useful Words and Phrases
Sentence Starters! When writing an essay in the English language , it is very important that your writing flows and sounds good. There are a variety of ways in which you can do this, one such way is by using sentence starters. In this article, we are going to be looking at some sentence starters which you can use as a way of creating much more interesting and engaging written work in English.
Sentence Starters
What is a sentence starter.
In the most simple terms, a sentence starter is a phrase that is used at the beginning of a sentence and can introduce information contained within it. There are thousands of different sentence starters that you can choose and one of the most important rules is to avoid using the same words at the beginning of each sentence. This will allow you to create work that sounds much more interesting and not at all repetitive . You can achieve this by using the extensive list of sentence starters whenever you are writing an essay or other sort of work in English.
There are various ways of using sentence starters, so before we begin looking at some examples we are going to take a look at some useful tips for getting the most out of your sentence starters.
- As we mentioned, avoid using the same word repeatedly at the start of multiple sentences.
- Think about what type of sentence you are writing. Is it an information sentence? Does it ask a question? Does the sentence compare or contrast existing information? Is the sentence putting something in order? Does it conclude something? By working out the type of sentence it is, you will be able to better decide on your sentence starter.
- You should also ask yourself how the sentence relates to the previous one. This will allow you to further choose a relevant sentence starter.
- Once you have finished writing your essay, or other pieces of writing, it is very important that you go over it and make any necessary edits and adjustments. This will help you to make the most of sentence starters and ensure that there is no repetition and that each sentence starter has been sued correctly. You should initially write without thinking too much about it and then make changes when you edit.
Examples Of Sentence Starters
As we mentioned, there are thousands of sentence starters that you can use when writing in English, we are now going to look at some of the most common and useful ones. We will do this by category to better help you select the right one.
Introduction Sentence Starters
If your sentence is being used to introduce some information, you can use one of the following sentence starters.
- The essay discusses…
- In this essay/article/document…
- The theme of this essay/article…
- We will be discussing…
Conclusion Sentence Starters
When writing a concluding sentence, you might consider one of the following options.
- In conclusion …
- To summarise…
- We have seen that…..
- It has been demonstrated that…
- To sum up…
Comparison and Contrast Sentence Starters
If you are writing a sentence to compare or contrast, then these sentence starters will get you off on the right foot.
- However …
- Nevertheless…
- That being said…
- Then again…
- On the other hand …
- Although…
- In comparison…
- Whereas…
- On the one hand…
- Other than…
- Outside of…
- Rather…
- Still…
Cause And Result Sentence Starters
If you are looking to write a sentence which shows the result or cause then you might consider using one of the following sentence starters.
- As a result…
- For this reason…
- For this purpose…
- Otherwise…
- Since…
- So that/then…
- Subsequently…
- This means that…
- Therefore …
- That is why…
- Because …
- Due to the fact that…
Sentence Starters To Emphasise
When you are writing a sentence which requires a little emphasis, you could use one of these sentence starters to achieve that.
- Above all…
- As usual…
- Generally speaking…
- For the most part…
- In this situation…
- No doubt…
- Obviously…
- As a rule…
- Especially…
Sentence Starters For Additional Ideas
When you are writing a sentence which will add new information, you might choose one of these sentence starters.
- Furthermore …
- Also …
- Then…
- In addition …
- Moreover…
- As well as…
- Coupled with…
- Another reason…
- Indeed…
- Identically…
- Likewise…
- Additionally …
Sentence Starters For Rare Or Common Ideas
When you are adding information which is either very common or extremely rare, you may want to indicate this within your sentence starter. This can be done in one of the following ways.
- A few…
- Rarely…
- Unusually…..
- Seldom…
- On occasion…
- Quite often…
Inconclusive Sentence Starters
If you are presenting information which is not conclusive, you could use one of these sentence starters.
- Perhaps…
- There is some evidence to suggest that…
- It may be…
- It could be…
- It is possible that…
Sentence Starters To Show Examples
When you are writing a sentence which will give an example of something, there are many sentence starters you could use. Let’s take a look at some of these now.
- For example …
- Such as…
- For instance…
- As an example…
- You might consider…
- For one thing…
- As an illustration…
- To illustrate this…
- Markedly…
- In this case…
- This can be seen…
- Specifically…
Sentence Starters To Show Time And Order
If you need to show order or time within a sentence then you should use one of these sentence starters to do this.
- Firstly, secondly, thirdly…
- Earlier…
- Afterwards…
- First of all…
- Finally…
- In addition…
- In the first instance…
- After this…
- Additionally…
- With this in mind…
- To begin with…
Learn more with the useful list of transition words in English.
Using a well-selected sentence starter when writing an essay in the English language can bring many benefits. It will allow you to create a piece of writing which is coherent, interesting and above all, diverse. It will depend greatly on the type of sentence that you are writing as to which sentence starter you use and using a good variety within your essay will make it much more engaging for the reader. Once you have finished writing, it is a good idea to go back over your work and check that your sentence starters make sense and are being used correctly.
Sentence Starters Infographic
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Useful Sentence Starters For Academic Writing
In academic writing, sentence starters play a vital role in organizing your ideas, conveying your arguments effectively, and maintaining a flow throughout your research paper. In this blog post, we will explore various sentence starters that can elevate the quality of your academic writing and provide examples tailored to research-based essays.
Why are sentence starters useful
Sentence starters are particularly helpful in introductions to grab the reader’s attention and provide a clear roadmap for the research essay. They can be employed when introducing a new argument or point, creating a smooth transition between paragraphs, or when emphasizing key ideas. Additionally, sentence starters are beneficial in conclusions to summarize key findings, restate the thesis, and leave a lasting impression on the reader.
Moreover, sentence starters are valuable in comparisons to highlight similarities or differences, in sequences or lists to provide a structured flow of ideas, and in elaboration to expand on points or introduce new evidence. They can also be used to express uncertainty or doubt when discussing conflicting perspectives or limitations in the research. Overall, sentence starters add coherence, clarity, and sophistication to academic writing, making it more compelling and engaging for the reader .
Introduction sentence starters for essays
These sentence starters introduce what the paragraph or entire text is about so the readers know what to expect.
- “This study aims to…”
Example: This study aims to investigate the correlation between social media usage and mental health among teenagers.
- “In recent years, research has shown…”
Example: In recent years, research has shown a growing interest in the potential therapeutic benefits of mindfulness practices.
- “The purpose of this research is to…”
Example: The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of climate change on biodiversity in tropical rainforests.
Conclusion sentence starters
These sentence starters are helpful to hint at the reader that you’re about to wrap things up so they don’t expect any new points or evidence.
- “In conclusion, it is evident that…”
Example: In conclusion, it is evident that the implementation of renewable energy sources is crucial for mitigating the effects of global warming.
- “Based on the findings, it can be concluded that…”
Example: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that regular exercise contributes to improved cognitive function in older adults.
- “Overall, this research sheds light on…”
Example: Overall, this research sheds light on the importance of early intervention programs for children with learning disabilities.
Good sentence starters for comparisons
These sentence starters show that two things are related or alike.
- “Similarly,…”
Example: Similarly, both studies observed a significant decrease in cholesterol levels among participants who followed a Mediterranean diet.
- “In contrast to…”
Example: In contrast to previous research, this study found no significant relationship between caffeine consumption and sleep disturbances.
- “Like X, Y also…”
Example: Like previous studies, this research also highlights the impact of air pollution on respiratory health.
Good sentence starters for sequences or lists
Sentence starters for sequences are used to begin or relate lists of instructions or explaining a series of events.
- “ Firstly, …”
Example: Firstly, the survey gathered demographic information from participants.
- “ Secondly, …”
Example: Secondly, the data analysis involved statistical techniques to identify patterns and trends.
- “Finally, …”
Example: Finally, the study proposed recommendations for future research in this field.
Good sentence starters for elaboration or adding new points
These sentence starters ease the transition from explaining the larger picture to showing examples of minute details.
- “ Moreover, …”
Example: Moreover, this research emphasizes the importance of incorporating ethical considerations in clinical trials.
- “Additionally, …”
Example: Additionally, previous studies have identified socioeconomic factors as influential determinants of educational attainment.
- “Furthermore, …”
Example: Furthermore, the research findings highlight the need for more extensive sample sizes to draw generalizable conclusions.
Good sentence starters to show uncertainty or doubt
These sentence starters help in explaining to the reader that there is an upcoming contrasting idea or thought.
- “ Although the results suggest…”
Example: Although the results suggest a positive correlation, further investigation is warranted to establish a causal relationship.
- “It is plausible that…”
Example: It is plausible that the observed variations in results could be attributed to differences in sample demographics.
- “It remains unclear whether…”
Example: It remains unclear whether the observed changes in behavior are transient or long-lasting.
In conclusion, sentence starters serve as valuable tools in academic writing, enabling you to structure your thoughts, enhance clarity, and guide readers through your research essays. Use them in abundance yet carefully, as they can enhance your quality of writing significantly.
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Sentence Starters For Essays: A Complete Guide
The best phase in your life is your college and school life, but this pretty phase also comes with multiple hurdles and challenges. Structuring essays for your school, educational institutes or other academic writing projects can sometimes be difficult for students. Most students from high schools and other senior-level schools have considered using suitable sentence starters for essays. Many of these students feel trapped in a maze when writing an essay using sentence starters.
But now, it’s time to ease the worries of the students. This blog will let you learn amazing ideas about how to pick good sentence starters for writing an effective essay. We have divided this blog into multiple subcategories to make this guide more comprehensive and understandable.
The Definition Of Sentence Starters
Sentence starters in essay writing can be defined as the collection of words or even phrases that we use at the start of a sentence in an essay. A sentence starter clearly indicates what your essay or paragraph is about and what main points it will focus on. Moreover, a sentence starter also explains the type of essay.
However, the sentence starters are not always meant to be astonishing and catchy. The tone of the sentence starters should be precise, and it should gain the reader’s attention. So, now you know what a sentence starter is, let’s move on to the next part and see what it is about.
The Significance Of A Sentence Starter
There is no doubt that sentence starters play an important role in writing an essay efficiently. The essay you are working on should clearly explain its purpose and vision to the readers. A sentence starter gains the reader’s attention at the start of an essay and makes the reader stay till the end by telling them about the article’s critical role.
The collection of good sentence starters comes with the most essential elements of writing an essay. These elements help the writers make the essay even more interesting for the readers and offer clues about what readers can expect next. Essay sentence starters have the right to bring cohesion to long writing pieces, especially in academic essays.
You can use good sentence starters in an essay to present an amazing transition from one paragraph to another. If you use the essay sentence introduction sentence starters at the start of the paragraph, it mostly enriches the quality of your essay.
The significance of sentence starters in an essay can never be underestimated; getting help from the best dissertation writing services or essay writing service providers can truly aid students in overcoming the difficulties of structuring an essay.
The Difference Between Sentence Starters & Transition Words
In simple terms, transition words are the collection of words or phrases that aid a writer in combining thoughts and ideas between two sentences or paragraphs. It will make things understandably easy.
Writers can use transition words as sentence starters for essays and vice versa. However, it should be noted that not all transition words can make sense in the category of essay sentence starters.
Some Useful Transition Words As University Sentence Starters For An Essay
For students who are willing to make their essay writing more creative and efficient, we have formed a list of some useful transition words:
- Alternatively
- At this time
- Consequently
- In effect of
- In contrast
- In other words
These transition words can easily be used as sentence starters for writing an essay or paragraph. It is also a great way to improve your writing style.
Until now, we have provided you with details like sentence starters, why it is important to use them in essays, and the difference between transition words and sentence starters in an essay. Now it’s time to enrich your knowledge of writing essays using sentence starters following some useful tips.
Useful Tips On Starting Sentence In An Essay
Structuring an essay is not only about presenting and expressing your ideas in words. There is a lot more that you can do. When writing an essay related to your academics, stay careful when using words in your essay.
However, the introduction is the most complex part of writing an essay. So, below, we have assembled some important and effective tips for students to structure essays properly, avoiding major mistakes.
- Create a rough draft of your ideas and how you will use them in writing.
- Select a catchy title for your essay.
- Form a list of good essay sentence starters. Make sure to go through the requirements of the essay to follow the guidelines properly.
- Arrange your points in a logical order.
- Align the sentences together; they should make sense of each other in the paragraph.
- Think of a strategy to grab the attention of the readers.
- The introduction part of the essay should define what exactly you will be writing in your essay and what’s your title about
- Never forget to write down the conclusion.
- You can use the examples of the essay as a reference; previously used examples can be mentioned too.
How To Search For Good Sentence Starters For Essay
The introduction paragraph matters a lot in an essay because it is the part that makes the readers stay and go through your whole essay, and it can also bore the readers with just one unattractive sentence. Maintaining the quality of your introduction paragraph will enhance the quality of the other paragraphs of your essay.
Moreover, to make your introduction paragraph attractive, you should create a catchy hook paragraph to excite readers so they keep reading your essay with interest. This is where good sentence starters can help you.
Here’s a way you can follow to pick the right starting sentence for your essay:
- Your language should be precise and clear
- You can do the addition of components of surprise
- Search for something that can aid you in bringing up the main topic
- Never use phrases like “I think” or “it may be”. You can replace these phrases with “believe” or “I am sure that”.
The Types Of Sentence Starters For Your Essay Topic
- This paper aims to
- Today’s topic covered in the paper includes
- This write-up focuses on
- One reason why
- The first thing to note is
The Ideas Of Sentence Starter To Close Sentences
Along with focusing and enriching the quality of your introduction paragraph, you should never underestimate the value of the closing sentence in an essay. Using the perfect writing tone to close your sentence in the paragraph is crucial. We have created a list of closing sentences from which you can take ideas while writing a closing paragraph.
- In light of what we have discussed
- Pieces of evidence and facts suggest that
- As conclusion
- To conclude
- To sum it up
- Taking everything into account
- In the final analysis
- On the whole
Paragraph Hook Starters
- Just as… [for an analogy]
- Do you know that…[for a fact]
- As per… [for a statistic]
EssayStarting Sentences For Indicating Orders/List
Sentence starters in essay for additional detailing .
- For example
- To elaborate
- Another way to put it would be
- In simple words
Starters For Comparison
If you are looking forward to using sentence starters for your essay for comparison of two or multiple things, here are some fine examples for you:
- The flip side is
- Rather than
- In contrast to
- Compared to
- On the other hand
- Even though
Sentence Starters For Essay Effects
Here are some effective ways to start a sentence in your essay and explain the reason or effect of something:
- That’s why
- In that case
- This is the scenario
- So that’s why
- Subsequently
Essay Sentence Starters For Sharing Information Of The Background
Below is the list of amazing sentence starters for essays if you are writing about background information in excessive detail:
- As everyone knows
- In this age of
- As mentioned previously
Top-Notch Sentence Starters For Historical Concepts
Most of the time, sentences do not make sense in an essay without the context present in them. This is why most readers are unaware that historical background is not the common knowledge they are reading about. This is where sentence starters can make it easy for the readers to differentiate by putting up the context, such as:
- Traditionally
- Historically
- Customarily
- In the past
- Conventionally
Short Steps Of Writing An Essay Effectively
To write an authentic essay that is attractive to readers or your professors, there are multiple steps that you can follow to make your essay superior. We are going to write down short and simple steps that you should focus on while writing your essay; the steps are as follows:
- Preparation
Preparation:
This step is the very basic step of starting an essay. It comes with multiple sub-steps: define your essay topic, do thorough research, collect resources, present a thesis, and create the outline of the essay.
It is the second and most important step in writing your essay. The writing procedure comes with various steps: write down the introduction paragraph, structure the main body, divide it into two paragraphs, and never miss out on writing the conclusion.
The revision is the last part of the essay’s writing process; the revision part contains multiple essential methods that you should always keep in mind while revising your essay. The methods are to assess the overall organisation, revise each paragraph, double-check for grammatical mistakes and language issues, and, ultimately, go through the plagiarism checker.
Conclusion:
Now, we are at the point where we have to end this informative blog. I hope you have gathered all the essential details provided about using sentence starters in this blog. Make sure to keep all the methods and tips in mind when writing your essay.
Sentence Starters: Useful Words and Phrases You Can Use As Sentence Starters
Posted on Last updated: October 24, 2023
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Sentence Starters! Here you will find a useful list of common sentence starters that you can use in a discussion as well as in essay writing. Learn these sentence starters to improve your English speaking and writing skills.
Table of Contents
Sentence Starters
Sentence starters | common phrases.
- (The topic) has fostered a debate on …
- A sensible idea would be to…
- We all know that…
- It is said that…
- It is believed that…
- People assumed that…
- There is growing support for the notion that …
- The data gathered in the study strongly suggests that …
- The supposition drawn from this being that…
- Leading to the supposition that…
- This can be argued that..
- The source suggest…
- My own feeling on the subject is that …
- Generally speaking…
- As far as I know…
- As far as I am concerned…
- I believe that…
- The focus of discussion in this paper is …
- The premise of (the topic) seems to be based on …
- Latest research corroborates the view that …
- Most people would agree that…
- It is estimated…
- The reader supposed that…
- It is clear that…
- Everybody knows that…
- Surely you would agree that…
- This clearly shows that…
- I discovered…
- We always…
- This indicates…
- Demonstrating that…
- It is vital that…
- It wouldn’t be very difficult to…
- The real truth is that…
- Are we expected that…
- The fact is that…
- I felt as…
- I think/ I believe that…
- It seems to me that…
- We concluded that…
- My perspective is…
- I agree with…
- Have you thought about…
- In other words…
- I see what you mean but…
- I share your point of view on…
- In my opinion…
Transition Words Used as Sentence Starters
Words to add an idea
- In addition to
- For instance
- For example
- As an example
- Additionally
- Furthermore
- Another reason
- Coupled with
- Correspondingly
- In addition
- Identically
- One other thing
Words that show cause
- Accordingly
- As a result
- Consequently
- For this reason
- For this purpose
- Subsequently
- This is why
- Following this
- As you can see
- For all of those reasons
Words that show contrast
- Comparatively
- Different from
- Even though
- However ( however synonyms )
- In comparison
- Nevertheless
- In contrast
- On the one hand…
- On the other hand
- On the contrary
Words that add emphasis
- Generally speaking
- For the most part
- In this situation
- No doubt (undoubtedly)
- Particularly
- Unquestionably
Sentence Starters | Infographic
ALIYI Ahmad
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Amazing list. It helps change up how you start your sentence, and it helps for writers to keep readers engaged.
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so i think that there should be more expansion so we can tell the reader a bit more about what is happening
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Creative and Powerful Sentence Starters for Essays
Table of Contents
It can’t be said enough, first impressions matter. And it goes the same for essays because your starter sentences will be what sets the tone for an entire paragraph or piece. If done right, you can get your essay to have a smooth flow even if you tackle different ideas. Avoid dull sentence starters at all costs. Try out the powerful sentence starters we’ve listed for you instead. These are sure to get a hold of your reader’s attention instantly.
In this article, we will discuss sentence starters and why they are so important. We’ll also break down some great examples to help you get started. Let’s get into it!
What are Sentence Starters?
Sentence starters can be words or phrases that you can use at the start of a sentence. These are used to introduce a new idea or line of thought . They are usually brief and straightforward.
Think of them as a thread that knits different paragraphs and ideas together into a single coherent essay. They’re also sometimes called lead-ins. The use of sentence starters is very common in academic and technical writing.
The Importance of Using Sentence Starters
Without sentence starters, your essay will feel like a jumble of incoherent thoughts and sentences that do not entirely make sense. Sentence starters should not be all that different from the prompt itself. They should give the reader some sense of what your essay will be about.
They are an easy way of easing the reader into the piece and making things more interesting.
Uses of Sentence Starters
Sentence starters can be used as an intro to your essay. They can also be transitional phrases that lead the reader into the next paragraph.
Here are some of the different uses of sentence starters and examples.
1. As an Introduction
This is a more common use for sentence starters. You may have noticed this type of sentence starter in the introduction of this article. It’s a great way to pull in your reader and get them into the essay, where you can take them through your main points.
- In this article
- This paper will discuss
- We’ll be talking about
2. To Compare or Contrast
Sentence starters are also used to compare or contrast two different ideas. It’s a great way to transition into your argument seamlessly. Here are some starters you can utilize:
- On the other hand
- In the same manner
3. For Sequencing
When elaborating several concepts in an essay, paragraph, or section of a paper, you need to sequence them. These sentence starters are also helpful for narrating the order of a particular event.
- Subsequently
4. To Cite Examples
Listing examples in an essay can make your points easier to understand. It adds more weight to your arguments. Using sentence starters to cite examples can help your writing appear more professional and insightful.
- To help illustrate this
- For example,
- We can see this in
- These examples help support
5. To Make a Conclusion
You want to end your essay and sum up the essence of it. Start with a sentence starter and use it to conclude your sentence or sentence fragment.
- In conclusion
- To conclude
- In rounding up
How to Make Creative and Powerful Sentence Starters for Essay Hooks
The first sentence of your essay needs to be compelling and intriguing. This part is also sometimes referred to as the hook . Consider the audience you have in mind — are they academicians or online audience?
Think about how you can make your essay more interesting. If you find yourself stuck, here are some tips to help you out.
1. Start by Asking a Question
Spark their interest with an insightful question that’s relevant to your topic.
- Did you know that human brains don’t fully develop until age 25?
- How do people go about finding their style and purpose?
- Have you noticed that today’s media is largely saturated with selfies?
2. Lead with Facts
Trivial facts are always sure to get an audience hooked and keep them attentive.
- Glaciers and ice sheets hold 69% of the world’s freshwater.
- Mount Everest is much bigger now than when it was measured.
- There is only one land mammal on earth that cannot jump.
3. Use an Anecdote
An anecdote is a story about something you remember happening. It reflects sentiment about a topic, giving the reader a new point of view than the one they had before. If done correctly, anecdotes can be very powerful.
- Last year I didn’t think I would survive.
- I can still remember the sound of the sirens and the flashing lights.
- My first day at school was a nightmare.
4. Voice an Opinion
Opinions can be powerful sentence starters for essays because they allow the reader to start thinking about the discussed issue immediately. When written effectively and in the form of an essay, opinions can lead readers to think about the statement and form their own opinions.
- Everybody should act on climate change now.
- All bodies are beautiful.
- If we don’t change for the better, the world will suffer.
With powerful sentence starters, you can engage more effectively with your audience . Not only that, but it makes your essay flow more smoothly, bouncing off from different ideas to create cohesive prose. Try these sentence starters in your next essay and notice the difference.
Abir Ghenaiet
Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.
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Sentence Starters - How to Use with Examples
Have you been finding it difficult to find good sentence starters? Do you think you have ideas but have some starting trouble? There is nothing to worry about if you do. All that you need to do is learn how to do it and apply them when penning down or voicing out your thoughts and ideas. This article will introduce you to what sentence starters are, how to use them effectively to form well-structured and coherent sentences in a paragraph along with examples for you to analyse and comprehend how it works.
Table of Contents
What is a sentence starter, where and how to use a sentence starter – points to remember, list of commonly used sentence starters, frequently asked questions on sentence starters.
Words and phrases that start off a sentence or introduce a thought can be referred to as sentence starters. Sentence starters make your writing more connected and meaningful. When you are writing about a topic, it is not necessary that you mention your ideas that support it; there definitely will be points that you think are mention-worthy but contradictory. We use sentence starters to make the transition and flow from one point to another smooth. This is not just the case with sentences; the same technique can also be used to connect paragraphs as well.
When you sit down to write a speech, an essay or a report on a particular topic, you normally start by jotting down the points from the top of your head. To add to what you know, you might also research a little. It is only then that you put everything together. When you do this, it is very important that you compare and contrast your thoughts as well as all the points that you have collected as part of your research and put them together in a way that all of it makes complete sense. This is where sentence starters play a role.
Sentence starters prepare your target audience for what’s coming next. It lets you bridge the gap between a thought, its justification, its contradiction, its examples, affirming evidence and so on. Now, knowing a number of sentence starters alone will not help. You have to learn how and where to use them in order to make your writing or speech meaningful.
To help you make proper and effective use of sentence starters, here is a list of the kind of situations where the usage of a sentence starter will definitely prove beneficial.
- The first instance would be when you are introducing a new thought or idea; for example, the very first sentence that is used to begin a paragraph, an essay, a report or a story.
- Be it fiction or nonfiction, whatever you are writing about has to have an interesting beginning. A catchy thought and the way you use your words creatively is what will hook your readers.
- When backing a thought with some data or when providing information that support/justify your finding, you will need a sentence starter to make a connection to whatever you have spoken about previously.
- When you have two contrasting ideas placed next to each other, you will have to use a sentence starter.
- A sentence starter can also help you emphasise on whichever idea you think is important.
- A sentence starter is further used to transition from one paragraph to another.
- Finally, to conclude a writeup, you can use a sentence starter so that your audience knows that it is the end of your piece.
- As long as the punctuation of a sentence with a sentence starter is concerned, the only thing you will have to keep in mind is that a comma is usually placed after the sentence starter in case the sentence starter is a preposition, an adverb or a phrase.
Examples of Sentence Starters
Going through some examples of sentence starters can give you a deeper understanding of what they are and where all you can use them, so go through the following section and make use of the examples provided in your writing as and when required.
Take a look at the following examples of sentence starters that can be used in the various situations mentioned.
This essay discusses | In this essay/paper | This essay introduces | You will find |
The key aspect in this essay | The report enumerates | Emphasised are the | The central theme of this piece |
On the other hand | On the contrary | Similarly | In the same way |
Likewise | However | In comparison | Yet |
Whereas | While | Despite this | In spite of this |
Although | Still | Rather | Instead |
Keeping that aside | Then again | In contrast to | Notwithstanding |
Nevertheless | In the same manner | Contrary to this | Conversely |
Given below are | Here is a list of | The list of … given below | First..second..third |
Next | Firstly | Secondly | Eventually |
As a first step | Later | The next step is to | Finally |
The below table refers to | The table explains how | Given below is the table | Here is a table with the |
In addition to this | Also | Furthermore | Additionally |
Subsequently | Moreover | To elaborate | More importantly |
In the same way | Just as important | Equally important is | Besides |
Another instance | Then | As well as | To add to this |
As a result of this | Resulting from this | This results in | The outcome |
The evidence proves | Studies have shown | The results derived emphasises | This infers |
It can be seen that | After examining | Therefore | Hence |
So | All of these leads to the | With regard to previous studies | This reiterates the |
For example | An example of it is | The following examples | Given below are examples |
For instance | As an example | Such as | Namely |
Consider the example of | Specifically | To illustrate | The examples below explain |
Many studies show that | Numerous | A lot of | Most |
More than .. percent of the .. | Majority of the | Almost all | The whole … community thinks.. |
Commonly | Usually | Normally | The absolute choice is |
Few | A few people | Some studies show that | Not many are of the opinion that |
A rare case of this is | Rarely does this | Only on very few occasions | Scarcely |
Historically | Initially | In the … century | … years ago |
Centuries ago | Over time | Earlier | Formerly |
Originally | In the beginning | Conventionally | Prior to this |
Until now | In the past | Recent studies show | Customarily |
… suggests that | According to … | With reference to | Based on the ideas of.. |
… points out that | … challenges the idea of.. | … according to .. | The theory put forward by .. proves that.. |
… supports the idea… | As seen by | Based on the findings of | The research on … shows that |
As a result of .. | Due to the … | For this reason | This means that … |
This would result in … | Therefore | Hence | And so |
Certainly | Above all | To emphasise on this… | Undoubtedly |
Surely | Arguably | Of course | Obviously |
The obvious choice is.. | The important part is | What is important is .. | Most importantly |
To end it .. | Finally | A final thought | Thus |
In summary | To put it in a nutshell | In conclusion | To sum it all up |
In short | Overall | All things considered | To wrap things up |
On the whole | Putting it all together | To conclude | To summarise |
Hence | With all this in mind | In brief | Summing up all that has been discussed so far … |
What is a sentence starter?
Words and phrases that start off a sentence or introduce a thought can be referred to as sentence starters.
What are sentence starters used for?
Sentence starters make your writing more connected and meaningful. Sentence starters prepare your target audience for what’s coming next. It lets you bridge the gap between a thought, its justification, its contradiction, its examples, affirming evidence and so on.
Give some sentence starters for an essay.
Here are some examples of essay starters that you can use to begin your essay.
- The essay discusses
- In this essay
- This essay focuses on
- The essay will introduce you to
Give some examples of sentence starters to start a paragraph.
Given below are a few examples of sentence starters to start a paragraph.
- Studies show that
- In the era of
- There are more than
- The research emphasises
- With reference to
Give some examples of sentence starters to conclude your writing.
Here are a few examples of sentence starters to help you conclude your piece of writing.
- In conclusion
- To put it in a nutshell
- To summarise
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Get Talking with These Sentence Starters: The Ultimate Guide
Sentence starters are an essential tool for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills. They are words or phrases that help to introduce the rest of the sentence, typically set apart by commas. The words that start a sentence are some of the most important in writing: They introduce what the sentence is about so the reader knows what to expect.
In this article, we will explore the benefits of using sentence starters in your writing. We will provide you with examples of sentence starters that you can use in your own writing, and we will explain how to use them effectively. Whether you are a student looking to improve your essay writing skills, or a professional looking to enhance your communication skills, this article will provide you with the tools you need to succeed.
Sentence Starters
What are sentence starters.
As the name would suggest, sentence starters are any words or phrases that can be used to perfectly start a sentence. Every sentence is different, so every sentence requires a different starter to really convey a meaning. A common sentence starter like “however” has a very specific purpose. You wouldn’t just be able to throw the word “however” into the first sentence of an essay, for example, because it wouldn’t be compared against anything.
However, it is a good idea to figure out when is the best time to use certain sentence starters to really add something extra to your writing. It will be what separates you from the rest of the crowd when you get a better understanding of how it should all work.
The Importance of Variety in Sentence Starters
When it comes to writing, sentence starters play a crucial role in grabbing the reader’s attention and conveying the message effectively. However, using the same sentence starters repeatedly can make the writing monotonous and dull, leading to a loss of interest from the reader. This is where the importance of variety in sentence starters comes into play.
Using a mixture of different sentence starters can keep the reader engaged and interested in the content. It also adds emphasis to important points in the text and makes the writing more lively and enjoyable to read.
Additionally, using a variety of sentence starters can help the writer to convey different emotions and tones in their writing. For example, using a rhetorical question as a sentence starter can create a sense of curiosity and make the reader think deeply about the topic. On the other hand, using a declarative sentence as a starter can convey a sense of confidence and authority.
To achieve variety in sentence starters, writers can use a combination of techniques such as varying the length and structure of sentences, using different types of phrases, and incorporating transitional words. By doing so, the writing becomes more dynamic and engaging, making the reader want to keep reading.
Types of Sentence Starters
When it comes to writing, it’s important to have a variety of sentence starters in your arsenal. Different types of sentence starters can help you achieve different effects in your writing. In this section, we’ll cover three types of sentence starters: conjunction starters, adverb starters, and prepositional phrase starters.
Conjunction Starters
Conjunction starters are words that are used to connect two ideas or thoughts. They can be used to show contrast, addition, or cause and effect. Some common conjunction starters include:
Conjunction | Example |
---|---|
And | “She went to the store, and she bought some milk.” |
But | “He wanted to go to the party, but he had to work.” |
Or | “Do you want pizza or pasta for dinner?” |
So | “She missed the bus, so she had to walk to work.” |
Adverb Starters
Adverb starters are words that modify the verb in a sentence. They can be used to describe how, when, where, or to what extent something is happening. Some common adverb starters include:
- Nevertheless
- Furthermore
- Additionally
Here are some examples of adverb starters in use:
- “However, he didn’t let that stop him from pursuing his dreams.”
- “Nevertheless, she persisted in her efforts to make a change.”
- “Furthermore, the study found that the results were consistent across all age groups.”
- “Therefore, it is important to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.”
- “Additionally, the report showed that there was a significant increase in sales.”
Prepositional Phrase Starters
Prepositional phrase starters are words that are used to describe the relationship between two things in a sentence. They can be used to show location, time, or direction. Some common prepositional phrase starters include:
Here are some examples of prepositional phrase starters in use:
- “In the morning, she always enjoyed a cup of coffee.”
- “On the way to work, he listened to his favorite podcast .”
- “At the party, she met some new friends.”
- “With a little practice, he became an expert at playing the guitar.”
- “By the end of the day, she was exhausted from all the work.”
Examples of Sentence Starters
When it comes to writing, sentence starters can be incredibly useful. They can help writers get their thoughts flowing, organize their ideas, and make their writing more engaging. In this section, we’ll take a look at some examples of sentence starters that can be used for different types of writing.
For Storytelling
When telling a story, it’s important to hook your readers from the very beginning. Here are some sentence starters that can be used to do just that:
- Once upon a time…
- It all started when…
- In a far-off land…
- Long ago and far away…
- Deep in the heart of…
These sentence starters can be used to set the scene and draw the reader in. Once you’ve hooked your reader, you can use the following sentence starters to move the story along:
- Suddenly…
- Just then…
- Meanwhile…
- Later that day…
- The next morning…
When writing an essay, it’s important to clearly state your argument and support it with evidence. Here are some sentence starters that can help you do just that:
- According to…
- In contrast…
- Similarly…
- On the other hand …
- For example …
These sentence starters can be used to introduce evidence and support your argument. Additionally, you can use the following sentence starters to transition between paragraphs:
- Moving on to…
- In conclusion …
- Taking a closer look…
- Another important point…
- It’s worth noting that…
For Business Writing
When writing for business, it’s important to be clear and concise. Here are some sentence starters that can help you achieve that:
- As previously mentioned…
- To summarize…
- In other words…
- To put it simply…
- The bottom line is…
These sentence starters can be used to summarize information and make your writing more concise. Additionally, you can use the following sentence starters to make requests or give instructions:
- I would appreciate it if…
- Please be advised that…
- Kindly note that…
- In order to…
- It is imperative that…
By using these sentence starters, you can make your business writing more effective and efficient.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When it comes to using sentence starters, there are some common mistakes that writers should avoid. Here are a few to keep in mind:
Overusing the Same Sentence Starter
One of the most common mistakes writers make is overusing the same sentence starter throughout their writing. While sentence starters can be helpful in guiding the reader through your writing, using the same one repeatedly can make your writing sound repetitive and monotonous. To avoid this, try using a variety of sentence starters throughout your writing.
Using Sentence Starters Incorrectly
Another mistake writers make is using sentence starters incorrectly. For example, beginning a sentence with “and” or “but” can be effective in some cases, but it’s important to use these words appropriately. Additionally, some sentence starters may not be appropriate for certain writing styles or contexts. Make sure to consider the tone and purpose of your writing before using a particular sentence starter.
Failing to Vary Sentence Structure
Using sentence starters can be a great way to vary sentence structure and keep your writing engaging. However, it’s important to also vary the structure of your sentences themselves. Using the same sentence structure repeatedly can make your writing sound dull and uninteresting. Try experimenting with different sentence structures to keep your writing fresh and engaging.
Neglecting Punctuation
Finally, it’s important to remember that sentence starters are just one aspect of good writing. Neglecting punctuation can make your writing difficult to understand and detract from its overall effectiveness. Make sure to use punctuation correctly and consistently throughout your writing.
By keeping these common mistakes in mind, writers can use sentence starters effectively to improve the flow and readability of their writing.
In conclusion, sentence starters are an essential tool that writers use to make their work more organized, coherent, and easy to read. They help to create a smooth flow of ideas and thoughts, making it easier for the reader to follow the writer’s argument or story.
Good sentence starters can be used in different types of writing, including essays, articles, research papers, and even fiction. They help to introduce new ideas, provide evidence, summarize key points, and make transitions between paragraphs and sections.
The use of sentence starters can also help to improve the quality of writing by making it more engaging and captivating. They can be used to create suspense, add emphasis, and convey emotions. Additionally, sentence starters can help to make writing more concise and clear, avoiding ambiguity and confusion.
Overall, using sentence starters is an effective way to improve the quality of writing and make it more organized, coherent, and engaging. Whether you are a student, a professional writer, or someone who enjoys writing for fun, incorporating sentence starters into your work can help you achieve your writing goals and captivate your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some effective ways to start a sentence?
There are many effective ways to start a sentence, but it all depends on the context and purpose of your writing. Some common ways to start a sentence include using transitional words and phrases, such as “however,” “in addition,” or “meanwhile,” or starting with a strong subject or action verb. You can also use rhetorical questions, quotes, or interesting facts to grab the reader’s attention and set the tone for your writing.
How can sentence starters be used in persuasive writing?
Sentence starters can be very useful in persuasive writing because they can help you introduce your argument and provide evidence to support it. Some effective sentence starters for persuasive writing include “it is clear that,” “research shows that,” or “experts agree that.” These types of sentence starters can help you establish credibility and persuade your reader to agree with your point of view.
What are some common transition sentence starters?
Common transition sentence starters include “however,” “in addition,” “meanwhile,” “therefore,” and “consequently.” These words and phrases can help you connect ideas and create a smooth flow between sentences and paragraphs.
What are some sentence starters for creative writing?
Creative writing often requires more varied and imaginative sentence starters to create a unique and engaging story. Some examples of sentence starters for creative writing include “once upon a time,” “suddenly,” “in a far-off land,” or “the world was never the same again.” These types of sentence starters can help you set the scene, create suspense, or introduce a new character or plot twist.
How can sentence starters be used in speaking?
Sentence starters can be very useful in speaking because they can help you organize your thoughts and communicate your ideas more effectively. Some effective sentence starters for speaking include “I believe that,” “in my opinion,” or “from my experience.” These types of sentence starters can help you express your ideas clearly and confidently.
What are some sentence starters for providing evidence?
When providing evidence to support your argument, it’s important to use sentence starters that clearly indicate the source and relevance of your evidence. Some effective sentence starters for providing evidence include “according to,” “as demonstrated by,” or “for example.” These types of sentence starters can help you present your evidence in a clear and convincing way.
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- How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples
How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples
Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.
A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.
The main goals of an introduction are to:
- Catch your reader’s attention.
- Give background on your topic.
- Present your thesis statement —the central point of your essay.
This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.
The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by 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.
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Table of contents
Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.
Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.
Examples: Writing a good hook
Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.
- Braille was an extremely important invention.
- The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.
The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly why the topic is important.
- The internet is defined as “a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities.”
- The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education.
Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.
- Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a famous book from the nineteenth century.
- Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement.
Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.
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Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:
- Historical, geographical, or social context
- An outline of the debate you’re addressing
- A summary of relevant theories or research about the topic
- Definitions of key terms
The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.
How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:
Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.
This is the most important part of your introduction. A good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.
The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.
Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.
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As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.
For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.
When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.
It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.
To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .
You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.
Checklist: Essay introduction
My first sentence is engaging and relevant.
I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.
I have defined any important terms.
My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.
Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.
You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.
- Argumentative
- Literary analysis
This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.
The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.
This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).
In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.
If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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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 .
The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.
To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
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.
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.
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AP ® Lang teachers: looking to help your students improve their rhetorical analysis essays?
Coach Hall Writes
clear, concise rhetorical analysis instruction.
3 Ways to Use Sentence Starters in AP Lang Instruction
June 20, 2022 by Beth Hall
As an AP® Lang teacher, you work hard to help your students master essay writing. Did you know that sentence starters for essays can drastically improve your students writing?
Whether you call them sentence frames, sentence starters, or sentence stems – it’s all the same idea. Sentence stems help students be effective writers.
Why should you use sentence starters?
Sentence frames can be formulaic, but they also help students vary their syntax and improve their word choice. Some students get stuck writing the same types of sentences and using the same diction over and over. Sentence frames can put a stop to that.
Sentence stems also help students to articulate their ideas more effectively. Lots of students get stuck when writing. They don’t know where to start or how to expand on their ideas. The wording seems to evade them. Sentence stems can help solve this problem.
Here are three ways to use sentence starters for essays in your AP® Lang classroom.
Thesis Statement Practice
I love using sentence starters with thesis statements because they are extremely effective at assisting students to craft well-written statements. I often have students practice writing thesis statements as bell-work. The day after reading a passage, students will craft a thesis statement to a prompt as their warm-up.
As much as possible, I look over their thesis statements and give feedback. I’m particularly looking to see if the thesis is defensible. You can also have students look at each other’s statements and answer the same question: is this thesis defensible?
Practicing Varied Syntax
As I mentioned before, some students struggle with varying their syntax. They get stuck in writing things the same way. I like to give my students sentence frames that convey the same idea, but use varied sentence structure.
A great practice for this is working as a class on one of the sentences. Craft the sentence together using one of the sentence frames. Then, have students work in groups or individually to take that same sentence and change it to fit a different sentence frame.
Through this, students can practice manipulating and moving pieces of the sentence to create a new structure. The challenge is to keep the same meaning!
Reinforcing Line of Reasoning
When my students are approaching a passage, I have them divide the text into chunks or sections. I like for them to identify the main purpose of these sections. Essentially, I want them to identify what the author is doing in the beginning, middle, and end of the passage.
Then, I have my students either write the main idea of each section, or I ask them to imagine they would write an essay about this passage and craft the topic sentences. I use sentence frames to help students craft the main idea or topic sentences.
Through this, I helped my students make connections between the author’s line or reasoning in the text and the line of reasoning for writing an essay–a powerful connection to make!
Looking for done-for-you sentence frames to add to your AP Lang instruction, check out Coach Hall’s AP Lang Sentence Frames here.
For more tips about teaching AP Lang, check out these 8 tips for AP Lang teachers.
AP® Lang Teachers
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Year 1 Writing Prompts
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Home > Resources > Primary Writing Prompts > Year 1
Here are 25 writing prompts that are perfect for Year 1 students!
These prompts are divided into sections to cover all styles of text formats encountered in Year 1.
Sentence starters
Super sentences.
- "I think" prompts
Journal prompts
General prompts.
Utilizing these free resources will provide continuous support and variety, helping to maintain your child's interest and progress in their writing skills.
Sentence starters are great tools for writing practice, especially in the early years, as they provide primary students with a structured beginning to their thoughts, making it easier to develop simple sentences. Sentence starters are similar to story prompts, and are often editable, so feel free to change them around based on your young writer’s learning level and interests!
- When I finish my schoolwork, I will…
- This weekend, I am looking forward to…
- My favorite place I have ever visited is…
- My favorite person to be with is…
- Once upon a time there was…
Super sentences are excellent for improving writing skills as they encourage students to practice sequencing their thoughts and ideas. By using specific word combinations, students can create coherent and engaging sentences that boost their overall writing proficiency. This is also a great technique for story starters,
- Write a sentence using the words: great, game, fun
- Write a sentence using the words: red, green, garden
- Write a sentence using the words: dog, cat, pet
- Write a sentence using the words: school, worksheets, learners
- Write a sentence using the words: flying, sky, fairy tales
‘I think’ prompts
'I think' prompts are effective tools for developing critical thinking and writing skills in students, especially in the early key stages. These prompts serve as organisers for thoughts, helping students articulate their opinions and reasoning. If your child is more of a visual learner, use picture prompts to help stimulate their ideas and support the writing process.
- Which game is the best?
- Why is reading important?
- What is the best type of food?
- Why should we eat fruit and vegetables?
- Where is the best place to go on holiday?
Journal prompts are a great way to encourage narrative writing by helping students reflect on personal experiences. You can make this activity more structured by using prompt cards and writing templates. This approach supports writing skills while making journaling more engaging and fun.
- Last weekend I…
- Write about a time that you went to the park.
- This summer, I will…
- I love my family because…
- Write about something fun you have done with your family.
General prompts are excellent for sparking creativity and improving writing skills. General prompts help students quickly engage with an idea, making writing more enjoyable and effective for everyone. You can write different prompts on flashcards and have your child choose randomly. Practice with creative thinking will help your child with story writing later in primary school.
- What would you do if you found a dog?
- Write about a time you were kind to someone.
- If you could have one wish, what would it be?
- What would you do if you could be invisible?
- What are your favorite fairy tales and why?
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
Good sentence starters to establish cause and effect. It's common to use two different sentences to discuss a cause-and-effect relationship, as in something making something else happen. Sentence starters can make this relationship clear and show which sentence is the cause and which is the effect. As a result . . .
Using sentence starters can: Improve the flow of your text, making it more readable. Help introduce new points and ideas clearly. Serve as transitions to guide your readers through your argument or story. Add variety and interest to your writing, keeping your audience engaged.
A sentence starter is simply a word or a phrase that will help you to get your sentence going when you feel stuck, and it can be helpful in many different situations. A good sentence starter can help you better transition from one paragraph to another or connect two ideas. If not started correctly, your sentence will likely sound choppy, and ...
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.
In essay writing, sentence starters for essays are the secret sauce that adds flavor to your content. They are the transition phrases that guide your reader from one idea to the next, ensuring a smooth journey through your thoughts. ... Setting the Scene: "The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the park as children's laughter echoed ...
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".
Sentence starters, also known as transition words or phrases, are vital tools for essay writing. They play a key role in formulating an interesting and well-written introduction, providing smooth transitions between sentences and paragraphs, and writing a proper conclusion that summarizes the main points covered. Sentence starters are one of the essential tools of a skilled writer.
Sentence Starters! When writing an essay in the English language, it is very important that your writing flows and sounds good.There are a variety of ways in which you can do this, one such way is by using sentence starters. In this article, we are going to be looking at some sentence starters which you can use as a way of creating much more interesting and engaging written work in English.
Introduction sentence starters for essays. These sentence starters introduce what the paragraph or entire text is about so the readers know what to expect. ... It remains unclear whether the observed changes in behavior are transient or long-lasting. In conclusion, sentence starters serve as valuable tools in academic writing, enabling you to ...
For many, getting started is the hardest part of anything. And that's understandable. First, because it turns whatever you're doing into a reality, which raises the stakes. Second, because where you start can easily dictate the quality of where you end up. College essays have their own special brand of DTDT.
Tips for Using Transition Words and Phrases. 1. Use a variety of transition words, not the same one. 2. Put a comma after the transition word. 3. Put the subject of the sentence after the comma.
Essay sentence starters have the right to bring cohesion to long writing pieces, especially in academic essays. You can use good sentence starters in an essay to present an amazing transition from one paragraph to another. If you use the essay sentence introduction sentence starters at the start of the paragraph, it mostly enriches the quality ...
so i think that there should be more expansion so we can tell the reader a bit more about what is happening. i like his book. Sentence Starters! Here you will find a useful list of common sentence starters that you can use in a discussion as well as in essay writing. Learn these.
Uses of Sentence Starters. Sentence starters can be used as an intro to your essay. They can also be transitional phrases that lead the reader into the next paragraph. Here are some of the different uses of sentence starters and examples. 1. As an Introduction. This is a more common use for sentence starters.
As long as the punctuation of a sentence with a sentence starter is concerned, the only thing you will have to keep in mind is that a comma is usually placed after the sentence starter in case the sentence starter is a preposition, an adverb or a phrase. ... Sentence starters make your writing more connected and meaningful. Sentence starters ...
Sentence starters can be very useful in persuasive writing because they can help you introduce your argument and provide evidence to support it. Some effective sentence starters for persuasive writing include "it is clear that," "research shows that," or "experts agree that.". These types of sentence starters can help you establish ...
Sentence Prompts. 1. The Beginning of Adventure: "The ice cream truck's jingle was suddenly drowned out by the roar of thunder, changing the course of the little girl's day." 2. A Mysterious Morning: "He woke up with icy fingers clutching his shoulder, only to find an empty room." 3.
To access a large on-line academic writing phrase bank go HERE Sentence starters, transitional and other useful words Adapted from the following source Manalo. E., Wont-Toi, G., & Bartlett-Trafford, J. (2009). The business of writing: Written communication skills for business students (3rd ed.). Auckland: Pearson Education New Zealand
View examples of essay starters, including body paragraph starters and sentence starters for essays. Learn ways to start a paragraph. Updated: 11/21/2023
Step 1: Hook your reader. Step 2: Give background information. Step 3: Present your thesis statement. Step 4: Map your essay's structure. Step 5: Check and revise. More examples of essay introductions. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
Abruptly switching topics in essays can be jarring; however, transition words can smooth the change for the convenience of the reader.Moreover, you can use essay transition words to start a paragraph, sentence, or clause more naturally.Additionally, essay transition words can connect new information to the previous statement so you don't have to say everything at once.
To help students improve their grammar and mechanics. Introduction sentence starters can help students focus on the content of their writing, rather than worrying about grammar and mechanics. This can free up their mental energy to focus on writing a clear and concise introduction. To help students build confidence.
A great practice for this is working as a class on one of the sentences. Craft the sentence together using one of the sentence frames. Then, have students work in groups or individually to take that same sentence and change it to fit a different sentence frame. Through this, students can practice manipulating and moving pieces of the sentence ...
Sentence starters are great tools for writing practice, especially in the early years, as they provide primary students with a structured beginning to their thoughts, making it easier to develop simple sentences. Sentence starters are similar to story prompts, and are often editable, so feel free to change them around based on your young writer ...