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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: 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.

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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.

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Sentence Starters: Ultimate List to Improve Your Essays and Writing

Ashley Shaw

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

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

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

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

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

What Is a Good Sentence Starter for an Essay Introduction?

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

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

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

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

Here are some examples:

Spider webs were once used as bandages.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Do I Use Transitions in an Essay?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Are Emphasis Transition Words?

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

How Do You Use Addition Transitions?

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

How Can I Use Transitions to Contrast Ideas?

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

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

How Do I Order Ideas in My Essay?

A good first step is using order transition words.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are some more phrases like this:

As shown in the example,

As a result of this,

After the meeting,

While this may be true,

Though researchers suggest X,

Before the war began,

Until we answer this question,

Since we cannot assume this to be true,

While some may claim Y,

Because we know that Z is true,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Try the Repeats Report with a free ProWritingAid account.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Take your writing to the next level:

20 Editing Tips from Professional Writers

Whether you are writing a novel, essay, article, or email, good writing is an essential part of communicating your ideas., this guide contains the 20 most important writing tips and techniques from a wide range of professional writers..

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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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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

Sunday 30th of April 2023

This great gift thank you forever

Wednesday 7th of December 2022

thank that helped m out alot

Thursday 1st of December 2022

Amazing list. It helps change up how you start your sentence, and it helps for writers to keep readers engaged.

Friday 27th of May 2022

so i think that there should be more expansion so we can tell the reader a bit more about what is happening

Wednesday 6th of April 2022

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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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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.

Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 21+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster.  

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How to Begin an Essay: 13 Engaging Strategies

ThoughtCo / Hugo Lin

• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

An effective introductory paragraph both informs and motivates. It lets readers know what your essay is about and it encourages them to keep reading.

There are countless ways to begin an essay effectively. As a start, here are 13 introductory strategies accompanied by examples from a wide range of professional writers.

State Your Thesis Briefly and Directly

But avoid making your thesis a bald announcement, such as "This essay is about...". 

"It is time, at last, to speak the truth about Thanksgiving, and the truth is this. Thanksgiving is really not such a terrific holiday...." (Michael J. Arlen, "Ode to Thanksgiving." The Camera Age: Essays on Television . Penguin, 1982)

Pose a Question Related to Your Subject

Follow up the question with an answer, or an invitation for your readers to answer the question.

"What is the charm of necklaces? Why would anyone put something extra around their neck and then invest it with special significance? A necklace doesn't afford warmth in cold weather, like a scarf, or protection in combat, like chain mail; it only decorates. We might say, it borrows meaning from what it surrounds and sets off, the head with its supremely important material contents, and the face, that register of the soul. When photographers discuss the way in which a photograph reduces the reality it represents, they mention not only the passage from three dimensions to two, but also the selection of a point de vue that favors the top of the body rather than the bottom, and the front rather than the back. The face is the jewel in the crown of the body, and so we give it a setting." (Emily R. Grosholz, "On Necklaces." Prairie Schooner , Summer 2007)

State an Interesting Fact About Your Subject

" The peregrine falcon was brought back from the brink of extinction by a ban on DDT, but also by a peregrine falcon mating hat invented by an ornithologist at Cornell University. If you cannot buy this, Google it. Female falcons had grown dangerously scarce. A few wistful males nevertheless maintained a sort of sexual loitering ground. The hat was imagined, constructed, and then forthrightly worn by the ornithologist as he patrolled this loitering ground, singing, Chee-up! Chee-up! and bowing like an overpolite Japanese Buddhist trying to tell somebody goodbye...." (David James Duncan, "Cherish This Ecstasy." The Sun , July 2008)

Present Your Thesis as a Recent Discovery or Revelation

"I've finally figured out the difference between neat people and sloppy people. The distinction is, as always, moral. Neat people are lazier and meaner than sloppy people." (Suzanne Britt Jordan, "Neat People vs. Sloppy People." Show and Tell . Morning Owl Press, 1983)

Briefly Describe the Primary Setting of Your Essay

"It was in Burma, a sodden morning of the rains. A sickly light, like yellow tinfoil, was slanting over the high walls into the jail yard. We were waiting outside the condemned cells, a row of sheds fronted with double bars, like small animal cages. Each cell measured about ten feet by ten and was quite bare within except for a plank bed and a pot of drinking water. In some of them brown silent men were squatting at the inner bars, with their blankets draped round them. These were the condemned men, due to be hanged within the next week or two." (George Orwell, "A Hanging," 1931)

Recount an Incident That Dramatizes Your Subject

"One October afternoon three years ago while I was visiting my parents, my mother made a request I dreaded and longed to fulfill. She had just poured me a cup of Earl Grey from her Japanese iron teapot, shaped like a little pumpkin; outside, two cardinals splashed in the birdbath in the weak Connecticut sunlight. Her white hair was gathered at the nape of her neck, and her voice was low. “Please help me get Jeff’s pacemaker turned off,” she said, using my father’s first name. I nodded, and my heart knocked." (Katy Butler, "What Broke My Father's Heart." The New York Times Magazine , June 18, 2010)

Use the Narrative Strategy of Delay

The narrative strategy of delay allows you to put off identifying your subject just long enough to pique your readers' interest without frustrating them. 

"They woof. Though I have photographed them before, I have never heard them speak, for they are mostly silent birds. Lacking a syrinx, the avian equivalent of the human larynx, they are incapable of song. According to field guides the only sounds they make are grunts and hisses, though the Hawk Conservancy in the United Kingdom reports that adults may utter a croaking coo and that young black vultures, when annoyed, emit a kind of immature snarl...." (Lee Zacharias, "Buzzards." Southern Humanities Review , 2007)

Use the Historical Present Tense

An effective method of beginning an essay is to use historical present tense to relate an incident from the past as if it were happening now. 

"Ben and I are sitting side by side in the very back of his mother’s station wagon. We face glowing white headlights of cars following us, our sneakers pressed against the back hatch door. This is our joy—his and mine—to sit turned away from our moms and dads in this place that feels like a secret, as though they are not even in the car with us. They have just taken us out to dinner, and now we are driving home. Years from this evening, I won’t actually be sure that this boy sitting beside me is named Ben. But that doesn’t matter tonight. What I know for certain right now is that I love him, and I need to tell him this fact before we return to our separate houses, next door to each other. We are both five." (Ryan Van Meter, "First." The Gettysburg Review , Winter 2008)

Briefly Describe a Process That Leads Into Your Subject

"I like to take my time when I pronounce someone dead. The bare-minimum requirement is one minute with a stethoscope pressed to someone’s chest, listening for a sound that is not there; with my fingers bearing down on the side of someone’s neck, feeling for an absent pulse; with a flashlight beamed into someone’s fixed and dilated pupils, waiting for the constriction that will not come. If I’m in a hurry, I can do all of these in sixty seconds, but when I have the time, I like to take a minute with each task." (Jane Churchon, "The Dead Book." The Sun , February 2009)

Reveal a Secret or Make a Candid Observation

"I spy on my patients. Ought not a doctor to observe his patients by any means and from any stance, that he might the more fully assemble evidence? So I stand in doorways of hospital rooms and gaze. Oh, it is not all that furtive an act. Those in bed need only look up to discover me. But they never do." ( Richard Selzer , "The Discus Thrower." Confessions of a Knife . Simon & Schuster, 1979)

Open with a Riddle, Joke, or Humorous Quotation

You can use a riddle , joke, or humorous quotation to reveal something about your subject. 

" Q: What did Eve say to Adam on being expelled from the Garden of Eden? A: 'I think we're in a time of transition.' The irony of this joke is not lost as we begin a new century and anxieties about social change seem rife. The implication of this message, covering the first of many periods of transition, is that change is normal; there is, in fact, no era or society in which change is not a permanent feature of the social landscape...." (Betty G. Farrell, Family: The Making of an Idea, an Institution, and a Controversy in American Culture . Westview Press, 1999)

Offer a Contrast Between Past and Present

"As a child, I was made to look out the window of a moving car and appreciate the beautiful scenery, with the result that now I don't care much for nature. I prefer parks, ones with radios going chuckawaka chuckawaka and the delicious whiff of bratwurst and cigarette smoke." (Garrison Keillor, "Walking Down The Canyon." Time , July 31, 2000)

Offer a Contrast Between Image and Reality

A compelling essay can begin with a contrast between a common misconception and the opposing truth. 

"They aren’t what most people think they are. Human eyes, touted as ethereal objects by poets and novelists throughout history, are nothing more than white spheres, somewhat larger than your average marble, covered by a leather-like tissue known as sclera and filled with nature’s facsimile of Jell-O. Your beloved’s eyes may pierce your heart, but in all likelihood they closely resemble the eyes of every other person on the planet. At least I hope they do, for otherwise he or she suffers from severe myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), or worse...." (John Gamel, "The Elegant Eye." Alaska Quarterly Review , 2009)

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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:

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.

Last Updated on August 9, 2023

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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. 

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Enhance Clarity with These Essay Sentence Starters: 100+ Examples

• Author Dr. Kaitlyn Matt
• Published May 29, 2024

Writing an effective essay requires more than simply putting thoughts onto paper. It involves carefully writing each sentence and paragraph to convey your arguments and ideas in a logical, cohesive manner. For many students, this can be an overwhelming challenge – staring at a blank page, struggling to translate their swirling stream of thoughts into precise, academic prose. However, there is a valuable tool that can help streamline this process: essay sentence starters.

Table of Contents

Essay sentence starters are strategic phrases that allow writers to seamlessly progress from one idea to the next, maintaining clarity and flow throughout their work. By employing these transitional expressions at strategic points, students can guide their readers effortlessly through their essays, from engaging introductions to well-structured body paragraphs to impactful conclusions. Rather than abrupt shifts between points, sentence starters create bridges that connect concepts and analyses in a coherent, academic style.

Beyond just transitions, these linguistic devices serve a multitude of rhetorical functions vital to effective academic writing. They can introduce evidence and examples, insert concessions or counterarguments, highlight logical relationships between ideas, and much more. When utilized skillfully, essay sentence starters elevate the sophistication and persuasiveness of students’ compositions, transforming meandering first drafts into polished, compelling arguments worthy of high scholastic merit.

For students at all levels grappling with the challenges of communicating complex ideas and analyses through the written word, mastering the adept usage of essay sentence starters is an indispensable skillset. By doing so, they acquire a robust tool for enhancing the clarity, structure, and overall quality of their academic writing.

Situations When Students Should Utilize Essay Sentence Starters

Introducing a new point or idea.

One of the most crucial functions of essay sentence starters is to clearly signpost when a new point or idea is being introduced. This establishes a solid organizational framework that allows the reader to follow along with the progression of arguments and concepts. Without these linguistic cues, an essay can lack cohesion and feel haphazard, leaving the audience confused about how the points interrelate.

When beginning a new section to present a fresh argument or claim, transitional phrases like “To begin with,” “First and foremost,” and “The first point to consider is…” act as beacons for the reader. They signal that the previous idea or paragraph has been closed out and that the forthcoming sentences will shift to address a new topic or dimension of the overarching thesis. This allows audiences to mentally shift gears and properly contextualize the upcoming discussion point.

Furthermore, these types of starters can also convey a sense of logical sequencing and hierarchy to the ideas being expressed. For example, using “The initial factor to examine is…” implies there will be subsequent factors analyzed in a numbered or stepwise fashion. This hierarchical organization can be reinforced by following up with “Additionally,” “Secondly,” “The next key point,” and so on for each new concept introduced.

Not only is consistent use of new idea sentence starters beneficial for the reader’s comprehension, but it is also valuable for the writer themselves. When composing an essay, having these go-to transitional phrases helps think through the logical flow and nuggets that must be methodically unpacked. The starters embed a built-in organizational structure that enables more focused, coherent development of the overarching analysis.

Whether hoping to construct a tightly interwoven argumentative essay or clearly delineate the sections of a research paper, strategic deployment of new point sentence starters is paramount. Their implementation enhances both the objective readability and the author’s ability to fluidly connect concepts into a unified whole.

Sentence starters for introducing a new point or idea:

• Another key point is…
• Additionally…
• Moreover…
• Furthermore…
• Another aspect to consider is…
• It is also important to note that…
• An additional idea is…
• Equally important is…
• In addition to that…
• Another point worth mentioning is…
• Another factor to consider is…
• One more thing to note is…
• On another note…
• Besides that…
• Similarly…

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Providing Examples or Evidence

Substantiating claims and arguments with relevant examples and evidence is a critical component of effective academic writing. However, simply listing illustrations without proper framing can diminish their impact and leave the reader uncertain as to their purpose. This is where employing targeted sentence starters becomes invaluable. Phrases like “for instance,” “as an illustration,” “case in point,” and “specifically” serve as unmistakable signals that a supporting example or piece of evidence is about to be provided.

When a writer deploys one of these transitional expressions, it allows the reader to immediately shift their attention and contextualize the forthcoming information as evidence linked to the preceding assertion. The example then takes on heightened significance and persuasive value. Without such verbal cues, examples can feel disconnected from the main line of reasoning and their relevance may be missed.

Moreover, these evidentiary sentence starters create an inherent emphasis that highlights the importance of the stated example within the broader scope of the argument. By using “specifically” or “case in point,” the writer essentially issues a directive that directs concentrated attention on the upcoming illustration as a quintessential representation of the point being made. This focus can unlock deeper engagement with the evidence from readers.

From a structural perspective , effectively separating out examples through dedicated sentences integrates logical pause points. This facilitates the audience’s absorption of the material. If examples are grouped in rapid succession, the effect can be disorienting. However, when distinctly framed with appropriate starters, each piece of evidence becomes more digestible and impactful.

In research-intensive fields especially, where scholarly claims are expected to be rigorously validated, example sentence starters are critical tools for clarifying and underscoring the specific data or cases being marshaled in support of key points and hypotheses. Their usage leaves no doubt regarding the relationship between stated evidence and the broader theories being advanced.

Sentence starters for providing examples or evidence:

• For example, …
• For instance, …
• To illustrate, …
• An example of this is …
• This is demonstrated by …
• Specifically, …
• A case in point is …
• Evidence of this can be seen in …
• One example is …
• As shown by …
• This can be seen when …
• Such as …
• In particular, …
• To give an example, …
• An instance of this is …

Analyzing Causes and Effects

A key part of academic writing is the ability to articulate and dissect causal relationships between phenomena. It’s not enough to just describe events; you need to show how one thing leads to another. This means linking causes to their effects clearly. To accomplish this, writers must connect outcomes to their precipitating factors and reasons. This is where strategic use of causal sentence starters becomes important.

Transitional phrases like “therefore,” “consequently,” “as a result,” and “due to” serve as unmistakable linguistic mechanisms for explicitly linking an effect to its fundamental cause(s). When employed before stating an outcome or conclusion, these expressions ensure the reader recognizes the forthcoming point as a logical result rather than an incidental occurrence. The starter words signify that a causal connection is being drawn between the previous statement(s) and the one to follow.

For example, consider the impact of using “as a result” before presenting data: “Deforestation rates have increased by 30% over the last decade. As a result, hundreds of species have been pushed to the brink of extinction.” This construction leaves no ambiguity that habitat loss due to deforestation caused the endangerment of species. The causal starter frames the two statements in a definitively cause-and-effect relationship.

Conversely, identifying root causes typically follows an inverse pattern, with the starter phrases preceding the citation of reasons or explanatory factors. For instance: “Due to lax regulatory enforcement, many companies continued environmentally destructive practices.” Here, “due to” explicitly signals the cause that allowed the ensuing problematic outcome.

In fields that explore complexities like economics, political science, psychology, and more, proficient employment of causal starters is crucial for clearly delineating variables, motivations, inputs, and their respective impacts on systems, societies, and behaviors. This level of precise explanation forges deeper insights and facilitates nuanced policy or solution recommendations.

Causal sentence starters are also helpful when qualifying statements or introducing counterpoints. Phrases like “however, as a consequence” and “nevertheless, consequently” help maintain the cause-and-effect logic while adding more detail or acknowledging exceptions. This shows a deep understanding of the topic.

Sentence starters for analyzing causes and effects:

• As a result, …
• Consequently, …
• Therefore, …
• Due to …
• Because of …
• This led to …
• As a consequence, …
• This resulted in …
• One reason for this is …
• Thus, …
• Hence, …
• The cause of this is …
• Owing to …
• This effect can be attributed to …
• This is why …

Conceding a Counterargument

Concession starters like “admittedly,” “it could be argued,” and “granted” allow you to temporarily put aside your main position. Using one of these phrases signals to the reader that you are about to bring up a different or contrasting point of view. This shows that you are aware of counterarguments and are willing to engage with them in a fair and honest way before ultimately reasserting your primary stance.

For example, you could write “Admittedly, implementing stricter environmental regulations may initially hamper economic productivity for some industries.” This concedes the potential downside cost before you go on to argue for the overall benefits and necessity of such regulations. The starter word “admittedly” cues the reader that an opposing perspective is being acknowledged.

Similarly, “It could be argued that increased taxes lead to stifled economic growth.” Here, “it could be argued” verbally raises a counterpoint to your likely favored position of higher taxes serving the public good. You are conceding ground to consider a different argument before refuting or outweighing it.

By using these concession starters, you are essentially hitting the “pause” button on marshaling your own reasons momentarily in order to first directly recognize a counterargument’s existence and merit consideration. This builds credibility by not oversimplifying the issue at hand.

However, the purpose of conceding is not to pause between positions endlessly. The strategy works best when you reassert and reinforce your original stance after contemplating the opposition’s reasoning through such phrases as “while this is true…” or “nevertheless…”

Selectively deploying concession starters demonstrates you have carefully examined counterarguments rather than just ignoring or being unaware of them. This balanced approach elevates your argument’s sophistication. You are having a dialogue about different perspectives rather than just delivering a one-sided lecture.

Sentence starters for conceding a counterargument:

• Although it is true that…
• While some may argue that…
• Admittedly,…
• It is true that…
• Certainly,…
• Despite the fact that…
• While it is possible that…
• One cannot deny that…
• It is understandable that…
• Even though…
• Although some might say…
• To be fair,…
• Granted,…
• While this may be true,…
• I acknowledge that…

Comparing and Contrasting

Being able to compare and contrast different ideas, concepts, objects or situations is an important skill for academic writing. It shows you can analyze things closely and see the similarities and differences between them. Sentence starters are very helpful tools for clearly laying out these comparisons and contrasts.

Let’s look at the comparing starters first – “similarly” and “in the same way.” These phrases signal to the reader that you are about to point out something that two things have in common. For example, you could write “Apples and oranges are both fruits. Similarly, they grow on trees and contain vitamins.” The starter word “similarly” makes the connection clear that you are showing a way in which apples and oranges are alike.

On the flip side, the contrast starters like “conversely,” “on the other hand,” and “by contrast” let the reader know you are going to highlight how two things are different. You could say “Apples are sweet, conversely oranges have a tart citrus taste.” Using “conversely” emphasizes that you are shifting to indicate an opposite or contrasting point.

These comparing and contrasting transitions are useful for analyzing literature, discussing historical events, evaluating theories, or any topic where you need to draw parallels and distinctions. They provide clear signposts for the reader to know whether you are focusing on similarities or differences in that sentence.

It’s important to utilize both the comparing and contrasting sentence starters, as very few subjects are completely alike or completely different. Skilled writers can thoroughly analyze a topic by using transitions like:

“In the same way, both scientific theories attempt to explain human behavior. On the other hand, their approaches and conclusions differ significantly.”

Sentence starters for comparing and contrasting:

• Similarly, …
• In the same way, …
• Likewise, …
• Just as …, so too …
• Both … and …
• In comparison, …
• Compared to …
• On the other hand, …
• In contrast, …
• Unlike …
• While …, …
• Whereas …
• Conversely, …
• However, …
• Despite …

Adding Information or Building On a Point

When you are writing an essay or paper, you often need to provide more details or extra support for the claims and ideas you present. Sentence starters are very helpful for clearly connecting this additional information to what you have already stated. Using transitions like “additionally,” “moreover,” “furthermore,” and “along the same lines” shows the reader you are adding onto your previous point.

Let’s say you made a claim about climate change being caused by human activities. You could then follow it up with “Additionally, the burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.” The word “additionally” signals that you are bringing in more evidence to back up your original statement about the human causes of climate change.

Or you may want to build on an example you gave, so you’d say something like “Furthermore, deforestation in the Amazon has had devastating impacts on biodiversity and indigenous communities.” “Furthermore” indicates you are expanding on the point about deforestation impacts that you just mentioned.

These additive transitions not only cue the reader that extra information is coming but also help reinforce the flow and unity of your writing. By using “moreover” or “along the same lines,” you avoid having your additional details seem disjointed from the core idea. The reader understands you are stacking complementary points in a cohesive way.

It’s important not to overuse any one of these transitional phrases. Mixing them up by saying “additionally” in one place and then “moreover” in another creates more interesting paragraph variation.

Sentence starters for adding information or building on a point:

• Additionally, …
• Moreover, …
• Furthermore, …
• In addition, …
• Also, …
• Not only that, …
• Another key point is …
• Furthermore, it is important to note that …
• Moreover, it should be mentioned that …
• Additionally, it is worth considering that …
• Furthermore, it is essential to highlight …
• Another aspect to consider is …
• Moreover, one should also consider …
• Additionally, it is important to mention …
• Furthermore, it is crucial to remember that …

Concluding and Summarizing

After you have made all your key points and provided supporting evidence in the main body of an essay, it’s important to finish strong with a clear conclusion. This is where concluding and summarizing sentence starters come in handy. Transitional phrases like “in summary,” “ultimately,” and “to summarize” signal to the reader that you are about to restate and reinforce the main ideas one last time.

Let’s say your essay explored the impacts of social media on interpersonal relationships. As you near the end, you could write “In summary, while platforms like Facebook allow people to conveniently keep in touch, overreliance on digital connections can hamper the development of deeper human bonds.” Using “in summary” tells the reader you are concisely wrapping up the major takeaways.

Similarly, you may want to connect your conclusion back to the perspective or thesis you stated in the introduction. For this, “ultimately” works well: “Ultimately, finding the right balance between virtual and face-to-face interaction is crucial for sustaining meaningful relationships in the digital age.” This transition signals you are restating the paper’s overarching premise after discussing all the supporting points.

Sentence starters for concluding and summarizing:

• In conclusion, …
• Overall, …
• To sum up, …
• In summary, …
• To conclude, …
• All in all, …
• Ultimately, …
• In brief, …
• To recap, …
• In essence, …
• To summarize, …
• In Sum, …
• Taking everything into account, …
• To wrap up, …
• In short, …

Other Sentence Starters

Sentence starters to show doubt or uncertainity:

• “It is difficult to ascertain whether…” (discussing scientific theories)
• “While the evidence suggests…, one could argue…” (analyzing a historical event)
• “Reasonable minds may disagree on…” (exploring a controversial social issue)

Sentence starters for historical concepts:

• “Conventionally, it has been understood that…” (referencing economic principles)
• “As early philosophers posited,…” (discussing foundational ideas in ethics)
• “According to longstanding traditions,…” (describing cultural practices)

Sentence starters for references:

• “A recent study by [Author] demonstrated that…” (citing academic research)
• “As [Expert] has argued,…” (referencing an authority’s viewpoint)
• “Corroborating evidence can be found in [Source],…” (pointing to supporting data)

Sentence starters for emphasis:

• “What is most striking is…” (highlighting a noteworthy point)
• “Arguably the most profound consequence is…” (underscoring a significant outcome/impact)
• “Undeniably, [concept] remains a driving force behind…” (strongly asserting an idea’s importance)

Sentence starters for lists or sequences:

• “The initial step involves…” (first in a series of steps/stages)
• “Another key factor to consider is…” (additional point in a list)
• “Finally, it is crucial to examine…” (final point before conclusion)

Sentence starters for essay conclusions:

• “In closing, the evidence upholds…” (succinctly restating your main thesis)
• “Ultimately, this issue underscores…” (connecting back to overarching implications)
• “As this examination has shown,…” (summarizing key findings/arguments)

Topic sentence starters for essays:

• “The concept of [topic] dates back to…” (introducing historical context)
• “In recent years, [topic] has garnered attention due to…” (framing current relevance)
• “At its core, the idea behind [topic] is…” (defining central premises/principles)

The strategic placement of sentence starters throughout an essay provides crucial signposts and connections for the reader. Using these transitional sentences starters in a skillful way creates a tightly woven piece of writing that flows smoothly from point to point. This level of structure, cohesion, and logical progression transforms an essay from just a bunch of random statements into a unified, easy-to-follow argument.

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Why are sentence starters important in essay writing?

Sentence starters improve an essay’s clarity, structure, and logical flow. Without transitional phrases to guide the reader, writing can seem disjointed and difficult to follow. Proper use of starters creates cohesive, well-organized analysis that is easy to comprehend.

Can overusing the same sentence starters become repetitive?

Varying your transitional phrasing and not relying too heavily on any one starter is important. Employ a variety of transitions to enhance flow and keep language fresh. Utilizing a strategic mix of sentence starters tailored for different rhetorical purposes results in focused, coherent academic writing that guides the reader through the logical progressions of your analysis.

Why use concluding/summarizing sentence starters?

Transitions such as “In summary…”, “Ultimately…”, “In conclusion…” reinforce the main takeaways and allow you to restate your thesis. They signal you are winding down and solidifying your overarching point.

Dr. Kaitlyn Matt

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Useful Words and Phrases to Use as Sentence Starters to Write Better Essays

By: Author Sophia

Posted on Last updated: October 26, 2023

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Useful words and phrases that can be used at the start of new paragraphs. The following lesson introduces the list of common words and phrases to write better essays with ESL images.

Useful Words and Phrases in English

Adding information.

Usage : To add to what has been previously stated

Linking Words:

• Additionally / an additional
• Furthermore
• As well as that
• In addition
• In addition to this
• Apart from this
• Additionally , the bus service will run on Sundays, every two hours.
• He said he had not discussed the matter with her.  Furthermore , he had not even contacted her.
• We are unable to repair this watch.  Also , this is the fourth time this has happened.
• I love wearing earrings. I design and make them  too .
• We went to the park today.  As well as that , we did some shopping.
• Along with  parties and parliaments, elections have lost their charm.
• I can’t afford to go to a concert. Besides , I don’t really like classical music.
• You haven’t paid the rent yet.   In addition , you owe me money.
• The report is badly presented.  Moreover , it contains inaccuracies.
• John’s grades are terrible because he has been so lazy these days.  In addition to this , his relationship to his parents got worse.
• Apart from this  paragraph, the report contains a number of sensible initiatives.

Contrasting Ideas

Usage : To show how things are different

Linking words:

• Nevertheless
• On the other hand
• Nonetheless
• Despite/ in spite of
• In contrast (to)
• Alternatively
• Differing from
• Contrary to
• Unlike  most systems, this one is very easy to install.
• There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law.  Nevertheless , it is important that we try.
• Laptops are convenient;  O n the other hand , they can be expensive.
• The problems are not serious.  Nonetheless , we shall need to tackle them soon.
• Despite/ In spite of  the rain, I went for a walk.
• In contrast to  the diligent bee, the butterfly flies hither and yon with no apparent purpose.
• The agency will make travel arrangements for you.  Alternatively , you can organize your own transport.
• Northern European countries had a great summer.  On the contrary/conversely , Southern Europe had poor weather .
• Even so , many old friends were shocked at the announcement.
• Differing from  his white colleagues, he preferred instructing his scholars to the ambition of acquiring personal renown.
• The situation in Ireland is quite  contrary to  this principle.

Emphasizing a Point

Usage : To put forward a point or idea more forcefully

• Undoubtedly
• Particularly/ in particular
• Importantly
• Without a doubt
• It should be noted
• Unquestionably
• Undoubtedly , the story itself is one of the main attractions.
• I don’t mind at all.  Indeed , I would be delighted to help.
• Obviously , we don’t want to spend too much money.
• I love silver earrings,  in particular  ones from Mexico
• The car is quite small,  especially  if you have children.
• Clearly , this will cost a lot more than we realized.
• More importantly , can he be trusted?
• He’s an  absolutely  brilliant cook.
• I  definitely  remember sending the letter.
• We still believe we can win this series  without a doubt .
• I’m  neve r  surprised at what I do.
• It should be noted  that   if you have something to note, then note it
• Unquestionably , teaching has been a paramount part of his career.
• Above all , this forest is designed for wear and tear.
• This is  positively  the worst thing that I can even imagine.

Giving Examples

Usage : To provide examples

• For example/ For instance
• In this case
• Proof of this
• There are many interesting places to visit in the city,  for example,/ for instance , the botanical garden or the art museum.
• I prefer to wear casual clothes,  such as  jeans and a sweatshirt.
• Including  Christmas Day and Boxing Day, I’ve got a week off work.
• We need to concentrate on our target audience,  namely  women aged between 20 and 30.
• I think I would have made a difference  in this case .
• This building is a living proof of this  existence, so we must preserve it.
• I also make other jewellery  like  rings and bracelets.

Sequencing Ideas

Usage : To indicate the order of what is being said

• First/ firstly (Second/ secondly, Third/ thirdly, Finally)
• At this time
• Subsequently
• Lastly and most importantly
• Last but not least
• First and foremost
• Firstly , I prefer the train because I can see the landscape.
• At this time , the young man leapt into the air and flew off towards the sunset.
• They arrived on Monday evening and we got there the  following  day.
• I had visited them three days  previously .
• Your name is  before  mine on the list.
• Subsequently , new guidelines were issued to all employees.
• Above all , keep in touch.
• Lastly, and most importantly , you should be optimistic.
• Last but not least , I find I seriously cannot relate to women.
• We will continue to focus on our players  first and foremost .
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Useful information

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

100 Last-Day-of-School Activities Your Students Will Love!

How To Use Sentence Stems (Plus 60+ Examples for Every Subject)

Sentence stems help students …

Some students have no trouble expressing their thoughts, whether verbally or in writing. Others, though, need some help to get started. Sentence stems—sometimes called sentence starters, sentence frames, or thinking stems—help them do just that. Here’s how they work.

How To Use Sentence Stems

Provide all students with a list of sentence stems they can use during discussions or when they’re writing. For fluent writers or speakers, these stems may not be necessary, but they’re always helpful to have on hand. You can give kids a handout, or post an anchor chart for them to refer back to.

Be sure to model them for kids, showing how to fill in the blanks. Practice both out loud and in writing, providing your own example and then asking for their take. It’s OK if they simply fill in the blanks when they first start using these stems. But over time, students should use them more as a jumping-off point, to delve deeper into the topic.

Tip: Don’t require sentence stems if students don’t need them. Some kids will do just fine having a discussion on their own, or getting started on a writing assignment. But encourage others to use them as much as they need to. Eventually, these stems will become automatic, giving students tools to help them become better communicators.

Language Arts Sentence Stems

• The author used this technique because …
• The narrator is reliable/unreliable because …
• Characters in this story started out … but changed to …

• The theme of this story is … which is shown by …
• This story reminds me of …
• If could change the end of this story, I would …
• I liked/disliked this character because …
• This story made me feel … when …
• [Character] and [character] are alike/different because …
• My favorite part was …
• The author wants us to believe …

• Based on this text …
• The author proves their point by saying …
• I didn’t understand why …
• When I read … what I pictured in my head was …

Social Studies Sentence Stems

• These events are alike/different because …

• If this happened today …
• If I lived then, I would have …
• This happened because …
• The effects of this were …
• I agree/disagree with … because …

• I was surprised to learn …
• I don’t understand why …
• History repeated itself when …
• I feel inspired by …

 Science Sentence Stems

• The data shows …
• This experiment proved … because …
• I believe … will happen because …
• I expect to see …

• The cause of this is …
• The effect of this is …
• I was surprised when …
• We can find out by …
• We could change the outcome by …
• I discovered …
• The pattern I observed was …

• My results show …
• I predict … because …
• The experiment was a success/failure because …

Math Sentence Stems

• To solve this problem, I need to …
• The important information is …
• I can check my work by …
• Another way to solve this problem is …

• First I … Then I … Finally I …
• I found the answer by …
• This problem reminded me of …
• I can use this skill in real life when …
• I got the wrong answer because …
• This solution makes/doesn’t make sense because …

Discussion Sentence Stems

• When you said … I felt …
• I used to think … Now I think …
• I feel … when …

• We are alike/different because …
• I respect your opinion, but I disagree because …
• From my point of view …
• What I’m hearing you say is …

• If that happened to me, I would …
• What if we …
• I need some help with …

How do you use sentence stems? Come share your thoughts and ask for advice in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, 40 must-have anchor charts for teaching writing of all kinds ., you might also like.

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College Essay Sentence Starters for Essays

May 23, 2022

6 min 55 sec read

Are you about to learn the fundamentals of English writing or enhance your skills in writing? One of the vital segments to improve the flow, coherence, and clarity is knowing how to start a sentence. The words or phrases called sentence starters are to set the tone and clarity of the rest of the sentence. They introduce what the next part of the sentence is about, so the reader can predict what to expect further. Typically they are separated by commas. The list of sentence starters for college essays is available on different websites. However, knowing which ones, when, and how to use them is not always apparent. Sentence starters facilitate the reading process by smoothing abrupt transitions and preparing the reader for the main subject of interest. This blog explains when and how to use them and then delivers specific categories and examples of sentence starters you can use in your writing.

When to Use Essay Sentence Starters

Undoubtedly, your writing can be disorganized, confusing, incoherent, and hard to read without sentence starters. However, using them too much can overwhelm your reader too. Therefore, our best essay writing service would like to clarify the cases where a sentence starter works soundest:

• It’s vague how one sentence belongs to others.
• You’re presenting a new idea at the beginning of an essay or a paragraph.
• You’re giving a conclusion or summary.
• You want to add priority to a particular verdict or issue.
• You need to contrast specific ideas or change topics abruptly.
• Your view requires bringing examples to support it.
• You need to establish a cause and effect relationship, why something causes something else to happen.

Note that opening phrases aren’t necessary for all the statements. It’s not rocket science to figure out when to avoid them. If you’re on the fence about deciding whether to use or avoid them, try rereading certain lines of your essay and see how they bond. If your sentences flow together pleasingly, you don’t need sentence starters. If something appears crude, jarring, or simply insufficient, try adding one to see if it supports. Below you’ll find examples of sentence starters relevant to specific categories.

Introduction Sentence Starters

Introduction or topic sentence starters are like the starters of an entire essay — they introduce a meaningful paragraph that is readable and expectable for the reader.

• This essay discusses.
• In this essay.
• Here, we discuss.
• Below, you will find.
• Views on…range from.
• The central theme.
• The key aspect discussed.
• The issue focused on.
• …are presented.
• …is explored.
• …is briefly outlined.
• …is examined/analyzed.
• …is justified.

Varying your sentence openers prevents your writing from sounding repetitive, making a text more pleasing to your audience. Therefore, having examples of introduction sentence starters before you while reviewing your paper would be beneficial.

Body Paragraph Starters

As the central part of an essay, body paragraphs may encompass myriad statements and thoughts. So let’s take a close look at the types of opening phrases depending on what they express.

Compare-contrast statements

Sentence openers compare or contrast information contained within the sentence with the information stated in the previous sentence. Some words and phrases in this class include “Yet,” “While this is the case,” “In comparison,” “On the other hand,” “In contrast,” “On the contrary,” Complementary to this,” “Nevertheless,” “Despite this,” “Similarly,” “Likewise,” or “Rather than.”

Subsequence and lists

Cases when bodies explain a series of events are frequent. If you want to link them together and arrange them in the proper order, the following sentence starters can be handy. The list includes “First…, Second…, Third…,” “Next,” “After that,” “Later,” and “Moving on.”

Statements that introduce examples or information

These words and phrases add information or evidence to support previously made claims. They include “Moreover,” “Likewise,” “For example,” “For instance,” “Along with,” “To illustrate,” and “Consider the example of.” They are helping to support your claims with evidence.

Phrases for citing an idea from another work comprise “According to,” “As seen by,” “Based on the research of,” and “With regards to.”

Cause and effect statements

Cause and effect statements are words indicating that the information in a sentence is a result of something stated in the previous sentence. Some examples of these essay sentence starters include “As a result,” “Consequently,” “Due to,” “Subsequently,” “This means that,” or “Obviously.”

Time indicators

These sentence openers show how long has passed or the opposite. This category includes phrases like “In the meantime,” “After a while,” “In a while,” and “Before long.”

Demonstrate doubt or hesitation

There are situations where something is uncertain and needs to be proved. Not to misinform your reader, use the words like “Arguably,” “Possibly,” “Perhaps,” and “Although not proven” to leave room for doubt.

Sentence starters aren’t necessary for some situations, but they help make a point stand out. Reserve the following phrases for the sentences you want your readers to remember better: “Above all,” “As usual,” “Certainly,” “Absolutely,” “Of course,” “Obviously,” “Apparently,” and “Generally speaking.”

Generally accepted notions and historical facts

Your reader can be oblivious of some generally accepted concepts or not-so-common historical facts. In these instances, good paragraph starters like “Traditionally,” “Initially,” “In the past,” or “Up to now” can provide that context. You need to be aware of whether your opening phrases serve their purpose of unifying the whole text or not.

Conclusion Sentence Starters

Though conclusions and summaries relate to the entire paper, they don’t deliver new information. So when you’re writing a concluding paragraph, remember that sentence starters can indicate to your reader that you’re about to wrap things up. That’s how they understand that you are summing up and don’t expect any new information:

• In drawing to a close;
• In summary;
• In light of this information;
• Putting it all together;
• In conclusion;
• To wrap it up;
• In a nutshell;
• All in all;
• All things considered;
• On the whole;
• To conclude;
• It has been shown that.

Note that the phrases above can fit regardless of your work paper type.

How to Implement Good Paragraph Starters

To be capable of making meaningful sentences, one must know how to start them. Here are some tips on using sentence starters to create smooth sentences.

• Assess your primary point. Taking your theme into account is essential for structuring the sentence. Do you want to emphasize the subject, an action, or something that is being done to the subject? These questions can help you determine how to construct your sentence.
• Scrutinize the previous sentence. Make sure your sentence is related to the context. Keep the last thought in mind when you’re drafting a new sentence. This way, you can efficiently implement good sentence starters for essays so that your writing conveys information impeccably.
• Use transitions. Depending on the prior sentence, you may need to start with transitional words to shift to a new idea in the new sentence. Transitional words include terms like “Hence,” “Besides,” “Thus,” and “Furthermore.”
• Imply prepositions . Prepositional phrases balance and regulate the relationship between all other parts of speech. You can skillfully use these phrases to open sentences.
• Test a subject opener. If you want to construct a simple sentence, try using a subject opener to start it off. Subject openers are sentences that open with the subject.
• Try a clausal opener. Clausal phrases are the following words – where, when, while, as, since, if, although . You can express your ideas in straightforward but complex ways by beginning your sentence with them.
• Use gerund. Gerunds can be used as good paragraph starters.
• Use past participles. You can also start a sentence with words that end in “ed” form to emphasize an emotional state of being that the subject is undergoing.
• Use an adverbial phrase. Adverbs are words that modify verbs. Therefore, if you want to emphasize the way an action is.

And last but not least, be minimalistic. If you’re going to apply a minimalist writing style, think about rephrasing your points in a short sentence.

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Sentence Starters: Words and Phrases [Complete Guide]

Sentence starters or sentence openers describe ways to start a sentence using words or phrases. With the right starter words, you’ll find it easier to communicate while talking or writing. Sentence starters are helpful for people who want to improve their writing too.

There are different writing styles, and therefore, there are different types of effective sentence openers for these writing types. Writing without good sentence starters leave your sentence void of structure and, sometimes, meaning.

This article will cover the meaning of a sentence starter and the various types of sentence starters. You’ll also get sentence starters examples that are easy to start using right away! So keep reading to learn all you need to know about sentence starters!

How To Start a Sentence

Starting a sentence could be difficult for a new English speaker. And sometimes, even for people who speak English as their first language, constructing a proper English sentence can be pretty tricky sometimes. “How do I start this sentence?” “What words do I string together?” These are typical concerns. And sometimes, you know what your thoughts whisper to you but can’t just seem to be able to get those thoughts on paper.

Knowing the right words to start a sentence with is essential because they show that you have a rich vocabulary and a good language proficiency level. However, with the right essay sentence starters, writing that essay should no longer be difficult! So, here are some sentence starting words that you can use to start your essay!

Words to Start a Sentence

Sentence starters can either come in words or phrases. If you need good ways to start a sentence, then this aspect of the article is for you! There are varieties of them, so you can be assured that you won’t be repeating the same thing over and over again. This article will cover different sentence starter words in various categories! But for now, here’s a list of sentence starters for you!

• To be very honest
• Once upon a time
• As a matter of fact
• Even though
• However, and lots more!

Good Sentence Starters

Since there are different types of sentences or scenarios where we use sentence openers, there is also the need for the numerous kinds of sentence starters. Do you plan on writing a summary, a commentary, an explanation? Whatever the case might be, there is a sentence opener for it. From paragraph openers to ending sentence starters, there’s something here for every category! So let’s look at different categories or types of sentence starters!

Types of Sentence Starters

Here’s a list of some of the types of sentence starters that you can find in the English language.

• Introduction Sentence Starters
• Time Connecting Sentence Starters
• Paragraph Sentence Starters
• Story/ Narrative Sentence Starters

Explanation Sentence Starters

• Closing/ Concluding Sentence Starters
• Comparison Sentence Starters

These types of sentence starters are easily defined based on their titles, but we would be examining a few of them.

Body Paragraph Sentence Starters

A paragraph starter or a paragraph opener is a word or a phrase that you can use to start a paragraph. Since paragraphs are primarily used in essays, we can refer to these as “essay openers.” This type of sentence starters for essays help you to transition smoothly between two paragraphs. They ensure that there is still a connection between the last sentence and the new sentence of a paragraph. Some examples might include:

• First and Foremost
• Some may say
• The fact is
• In my opinion
• We all know
• Without a doubt
• Additionally
• Furthermore

Story Sentence Starters

As the name implies, this sentence starter is commonly used to begin a story or a narrative essay. They can be used in the beginning, middle, or concluding part of a narrative essay. These different ways to start a sentence when telling a story to add variety to the story to make it more engaging and exciting. They are primarily used to specify the time when an event took place. Some of these great sentence starters include:

• In the twinkle of an eye
• To my greatest surprise
• A long time ago
• Let me tell you about
• It all began when
• There once lived

Closing Sentence Starters

These types of sentence starters are used when you want to round up your speech or essay. Ending sentence starters notify the listener or the reader that they are at the concluding paragraph of your work. This is why they cannot be used in other parts of your work except in the latter part of your writing. They can also be called summary sentence starters. Some examples of this type of sentence starter are:

• In conclusion
• As a result
• To sum it up
• At the end of the day
• After all has been said and done

Compare and Contrast Sentence Starters

This is another interesting type of sentence starter. It is used when making a comparison between 2 or more things. They can also be referred to as Comparison Sentence Starters. They are used to start sentences that point out the similarity or differences between two or more things. Some examples of this type of sentence starters include:

• In the same way
• As opposed to
• Alternatively
• On the other hand
• Complementary to this

These are sentence starters that are used when you are explaining. They are used when you need to explain formal or textual facts. They can also be used when you are explaining step-by-step procedures. They show coherence and ensure that the words transition properly. Some examples might include:

• Subsequently
• The following step
• That suggests
• Following that
• This proves
• This is because

Commentary Sentence Starters

Commentary sentence starters include:

• This reveals that
• It is evident from this information
• It is important to note that
• This conveys
• This fact states
• This demonstrates
• This forces the reader to
• This raises the question of

Uses of Sentence Starters

The importance of sentence starters cannot be overstated. They have many uses that range from giving structure to a sentence to simply adding context to sentences. The uses of these sentence starters in general include;

• We can use them to make emphasize. For example, sentence starters can emphasize the importance of an object in a sentence. Some of these sentence openers that show importance include; It is essential to state, In essence, Emphatically… and many more like this.
• They can also be used to show time connectives. Examples of time connecting sentence starters include; At first, Prior to, Formerly, Previously, Customarily… and many more like this.
• They make your speech or writing sound more authentic to native English readers or listeners.
• They make your writing more engaging and appealing to your reader.
• They can be used to introduce ideas to your audience. They tell your audience that they are about to hear an example, your opinion, or a statement. They are also called introduction sentence starters. Some examples of introduction sentence starters include; For instance, for example, Imagine that… and so on.
• They allow for your work to transition smoothly from paragraph to paragraph. This transition fosters coherence and understanding in your audience.

Sentence starters are very important to English learners. We encourage them to implement them more frequently in their spoken and written grammar. You can also get on the internet and search for more examples to widen your vocabulary.

Frequently Asked Questions

With over a decade of experience in the industry, Evelyn Henderson is a highly accomplished freelance translator, research writer, and essay writer. She has established herself as the best in the business; she has a reputation for delivering high-quality projects and ensures that she meets and exceeds the client’s expectations.

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The English Classroom

A GUIDE FOR PRESERVICE AND GRADUATE TEACHERS

Formulating Ideas: Sentence Starters

The situation.

Your students find it difficult to begin their writing.

The Solution

Sentence starters are a necessary part of the writing process and getting students to be success with showcasing their ideas.

Some students may find it difficult to generate the ideas that have in their mind into a response on the page. While some students can articulate themselves verbally, this does not always translate well to their work.

To respond to this struggle, students should be provided with a sentence starter to get the proverbial ball rolling.

A sentence starter, or stem, is merely the first half of a sentence that students need to finish themselves. It gives students the appropriate vocabulary to be independent with their writing.

At the start of my teaching career, I thought this was akin to giving students the answer; however, I now understand that it is about providing students with a starting point that they need to finish.

Consider the following question:

Based on your understanding of the first 2 stanzas of The Raven , what is this poem about?

Here are a number of sentence starters that you may choose to use and record on the whiteboard for students.

• Edgar Allan Poe’s  The Raven  is about…
• In the first stanza…
• In the second stanza…

You might like to generate some generic sentence starters for different types of thinking, such as we explored in Bloom’s Taxonomy . Check out this one that I found on Pinterest, which might be great to have on the wall in the classroom:

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4 thoughts on “ Formulating Ideas: Sentence Starters ”

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