Starting an essay can be surprisingly difficult. You may know exactly what you want to say, but the first few words of the sentence just do not come easily. This is where useful essay starters can make writing less frustrating.
Sentence starters for essays are a doorway into an idea. They can introduce a topic, connect two points, give evidence, explain an example, or indicate that you are coming to a conclusion.
It’s not about rote learning a long list and repeating the same phrases over and over. Instead, choose a starter that fits the purpose of your sentence and the tone of your assignment.
In this guide, you’ll discover what sentence starters are, why they are important and how to use them in various types of essays. You will also see examples of how to write introductions, paragraphs, evidence, comparisons, counterarguments, history essays, articles and conclusions.
What Are Sentence Starters?
Sentence starters are words or short phrases that start a sentence and tell the reader what the sentence is going to do .
For example, you might start an explanation with “This indicates that…” or introduce evidence with “According to the study…”. These openings give the reader an idea of how the next point relates to the discussion.
They are a bit different from transition words for essays. A transition word such as “however”, “therefore” or “similarly” primarily indicates a relationship between ideas. A sentence starter can do this too, but it can also introduce evidence, explain a point, set up context, or develop an argument.
Why Do Sentence Starters Matter in Academic Writing?
Good sentence openings help make academic writing clearer, more organized and easier to follow.
An essay is not a random collection of sentences. Make sure each point builds logically on the one before it and flows into the next. Clear openings can help to reveal those connections.
They can help you write more accurately, too. Instead of just diving in with a quote or example, you can tell the reader why it’s important.
For example:
- “The evidence suggests that…”
- “This example demonstrates…”
- “A key reason for this is…”
- “In contrast, the research shows…”
Markers often look for a clear line of reasoning. Well-chosen starters can help you demonstrate that your ideas are connected rather than simply listed.
Sentence Starters for Essays by Type
The best sentence starter depends on the type of essay because different assignments have different purposes.
Argumentative Essay Starters
An argumentative essay needs to present a clear position and support it with reasons and evidence. Your openings should therefore help establish claims, introduce supporting points and address opposing views.
Useful examples include:
- One important argument is that…
- The strongest evidence for this view is…
- This position is supported by…
- A further reason to consider is…
- Although some may argue that…, the evidence suggests…
For example: “One important argument is that public transport should receive greater government investment because it can reduce congestion and pollution.”
Expository Essay Starters
An expository essay explains a topic rather than trying to persuade the reader to accept a particular opinion. Starters should introduce facts, explanations and relationships between ideas.
Try:
- One factor that contributes to this is…
- This process begins when…
- An important aspect of the issue is…
- The main reason for this development was…
- This can be explained by…
These openings work particularly well when you are breaking a complicated subject into smaller, understandable points.
Narrative and Descriptive Essay Starters
Narrative and descriptive writing allow more flexibility. The opening can establish a setting, introduce an event, or create curiosity.
Examples include:
- The moment I stepped outside, I realised…
- At first, everything seemed completely normal.
- Beyond the window, the streets were…
- I had never expected to see…
- By the time we arrived, the atmosphere had changed.
In this type of writing, avoid forcing academic phrases into every sentence. Natural and specific language usually creates a stronger effect.
How to Start Different Parts of an Essay
The purpose of the sentence should determine the opening you choose.
Sentence Starters for Introduction
A strong introduction should establish the topic, provide relevant context and lead towards the main argument or purpose of the essay writing.
Useful openings include:
- The issue of… has become increasingly important because…
- This essay examines…
- There are several reasons why…
- The debate surrounding… focuses on…
- Understanding this issue requires consideration of…
Do not make the introduction unnecessarily long. Once the reader understands the subject and direction of your essay, move towards the thesis statement.
Topic Sentence Starters
A topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph will focus on.
Examples include:
- One major factor is…
- A further issue concerns…
- Another important consideration is…
- The first reason for this is…
- A significant example of this can be seen in…
A good topic sentence should connect to your overall argument instead of introducing a completely unrelated idea.
Evidence and Example Starters
Evidence starters help you introduce research, statistics, quotations or examples without dropping them into the paragraph without context.
You could write:
- For example,…
- This is demonstrated by…
- Research by [author] indicates that…
- The findings show that…
- One clear example is…
After presenting evidence, explain it. Evidence is most useful when the reader understands how it supports your point.
Essay Paragraph Starters
Paragraph openings can help you move from one idea to another without making the essay feel like a list.
Useful essay paragraph starters include:
- Building on this point,…
- A related issue is…
- This argument can be developed further by considering…
- Another perspective is…
- The impact of this can be seen in…
You do not need a transition at the beginning of every paragraph. Sometimes a direct topic sentence is more natural.
Comparison and Contrast Starters
Use comparison starters when discussing similarities and differences between ideas, sources, theories or events.
- Similarly,…
- In the same way,…
- Both approaches suggest that…
- In contrast,…
- Unlike this view,…
- While both perspectives recognise…, they differ in…
These openings make the relationship between the two points immediately clear.
Counterargument Starters
Counterarguments are useful in an argumentative essay because they show that you have considered another position.
Try:
- Some critics argue that…
- An alternative view is that…
- It could be argued that…
- However, this argument overlooks…
- Despite this criticism, the evidence indicates…
The important part is what comes after the counterargument. Do not mention an opposing view and leave it unexplained. Show why you accept, reject or qualify it.
Conclusion Starters
A conclusion should bring the main argument together rather than simply repeat every paragraph.
Useful openings include:
- Overall, the evidence suggests that…
- In conclusion,…
- Taken together, these points show that…
- The discussion demonstrates that…
- Ultimately, it is clear that…
Keep the conclusion focused on the question and the argument you have developed.
Sentence Starters for History Essays
History essays benefit from starters that connect evidence to chronology, causation, significance and historical interpretation.
Useful sentence starters for history essays include:
- A major cause of this development was…
- The event was significant because…
- This change can be linked to…
- Contemporary evidence suggests that…
- In the years that followed,…
- The actions of [historical figure] contributed to…
- However, this interpretation can be challenged by…
For example, instead of saying, “The war was important,” you might say, “The war was significant because it shifted the political balance of power and generated long-term economic pressures.”
Good history writing means good use of evidence. Source created. As it was when it was created. Why it’s important. Where it counts.
Article Sentence Starters Essay
Article sentence starters are often more direct and reader-focused than the openings used in academic essays.
An article may begin with a question, a surprising fact, a clear statement or a situation that readers recognise.
Examples include:
- Have you ever wondered why…?
- Here is what you need to know about…
- The good news is that…
- If you are struggling with…, start by…
- One simple way to improve… is to…
The tone can be more conversational, particularly in blogs and online articles. Academic essays generally require more formal and objective wording.
Formal vs Informal Sentence starters for essays
The right opening depends on the audience, purpose and level of formality.
| Informal | More formal |
| A lot of people think… | Many people argue that… |
| You can see this when… | This can be observed when… |
| The thing is… | The central issue is… |
| Plus,… | Furthermore,… |
| But… | However,… |
| I think… | The evidence suggests… |
Informal language is not always wrong. It may be suitable for a personal reflection, blog or narrative piece. However, formal academic assignments usually benefit from precise and objective wording.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Common problems are repetition, tone that is inappropriate, transitions that are unnecessary, and the use of starters with no regard for meaning.
Another error is to begin several sentences in a row with the same phrase. For instance, too much use of “Furthermore” can make a paragraph sound robotic.
Another problem is choosing a transition solely because it sounds academic. Thus words like “therefore” should be used only when the relation of the ideas really requires that meaning.
Students should not rely too much on generic phrases either. If it makes the sentence read better, delete the starter.
And last but not least, be careful of auto-generated writing. Too many phrases like “It is essential to remember that …” will make your essay start to sound formulaic.
Tips for Using Sentence Starters Effectively
In this connection it is a question of whether the law should acknowledge a right to be forgotten.
First, work out what the sentence is doing. Are you giving evidence, explaining a finding, comparing ideas, or making a new argument?
Then pick an opener that makes that purpose clear. Make sure you vary your choices throughout the essay so that it does not become repetitive.
After adding a starter check the full sentence. A phrase may be correct in itself, but makes an awkward or incorrect connection with the preceding sentence.
And most importantly, put meaning before complex vocabulary. A striking phrase that is incongruous is usually less effective than a plain beginning which shows the relation of ideas.
Conclusion
Good sentence starters for essays beginnings can make an essay easier to read, but they are no substitute for clear thinking and good evidence.
The best starters tell the reader what you are doing at each stage of the discussion. They can make a claim, explain evidence, link paragraphs, contrast views, respond to a counter-argument or conclude an argument.
You can use the same expression in every sentence. In fact, the overzealous avoidance of repetition can sound unnatural in writing. Choose an opening appropriate to the purpose of the sentence.
Varying your language and finding the right level of formality will help you to write more easily, as will making sure each paragraph supports your main argument. Think of the starters as tools to help you order your ideas, not formulas to follow.
FAQs
What is a good essay sentence starter?
A good sentence starter in an essay makes it clear what the sentence is doing. For example, “One important factor is…” is a good way to introduce a new reason. “The evidence suggests that…” is useful when talking about research or supporting evidence.
What are the 7 ways to start a sentence?
Seven useful approaches are starting with a subject, transition, dependent clause, question, prepositional phrase, description, or signposting phrase. The best choice depends on what you want the sentence to communicate.
How do you write a strong opening sentence for an academic essay?
The significance of knowing how to manage a business is that it is the backbone of our economy. Avoid generalizations or vague statements. Get right to the specific issue your essay will address.
What makes a good thesis statement to start an essay?
A good thesis should clearly and concisely state the main argument or position of the essay. This essay will explore the novel’s examination of the relationship between the individual and society, and how industrialization and class impact this relationship.
How can I avoid repeating the same sentence starters?
Vary your openings according to their purpose rather than substituting words arbitrarily. Or you can simply remove unnecessary starters. You can also find repeated phrases by reading your paragraphs aloud.
