beginning words for essays

Use These Sentence Starter Tips to Strengthen Your Writing

In general, a sentence starter is a quick word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence to help the reader transition, such as the phrase “in general.” Without them, writing can be disorganized, disconnected, and therefore hard to read. But knowing which ones to add—and when —is not always obvious. 

In this article, we discuss sentence starters quite similar to “in this article.” We explain a bit about when and how to use them, and then give specific examples of sentence starters you can use in your writing, divided into categories for quick reference like “topic sentence starters for essays” or “good sentence starters for emphasis.” 

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What is a sentence starter?

Sentence starters are the words or phrases that 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 longer academic writing texts, sentence starters are essential for unifying the entire work. Because each sentence essentially has its own individual topic, these writings frequently jump from point to point, sometimes abruptly. Sentence starters help ease the process for the reader by smoothing over jarring transitions and preparing the reader for the next topic. 

That principle also applies to paragraphs , which jump from topic to topic. Paragraph starters fulfill that same role, typically providing an organizational signpost via introduction sentence starters to bridge the gap between the previous and current topics. 

Although they’re common in fiction, sentence starters are most useful for nonfiction, in particular essay writing . While fiction unifies the writing through the narrative, nonfiction often incorporates a variety of facts, which sentence starters coalesce for the reader. In other words, if you think nonfiction is dry, imagine if it were merely a list of facts! 

When to use sentence starters

Sentence starters are not necessary for every sentence. In fact, using them too much can distract your reader. Here are some situations where a sentence starter works best: 

• It’s unclear how one sentence is connected to others.
• You’re introducing a new idea, such as at the beginning of an essay or of a paragraph
• You’re presenting a conclusion or summary, for instance at the end of an essay.
• You want to add emphasis to a particular sentence or point.
• You want to write a hook to captivate readers.
• The sentence requires certain context, such as background information.

There’s no hard rule for when to use sentence starters and when to avoid them. If you’re having trouble deciding, try rereading your last few lines and see how they sound. If your sentences flow together nicely, you don’t need sentence starters. If something seems off, jarring, or missing, try adding one to see if it helps. 

Below you’ll find examples of sentence starters relevant to specific contexts.

Topic sentence starters for essays

Topic sentences are like the sentence starters of an entire essay—they introduce what the paragraph or entire text is about so the readers know what to expect. 

• This paper discusses . . .
• In this paper . . .
• Here, we discuss . . .
• Below, you will find . . .

Conclusion sentence starters for essays

Conclusions and summaries always act a little differently than other sentences and paragraphs because they don’t present new information. When you’re writing a conclusion , remember that sentence starters can cue the reader that you’re about to “wrap things up” so they don’t expect any new points or evidence. 

• In summary . . .
• To summarize . . . 
• Putting it all together . . .
• In conclusion . . .
• To wrap things up . . .
• To review . . .
• In short . . . 
• All in all . . .
• All things considered . . .
• By and large . . .
• Overall . . .
• On the whole . . .

Good sentence starters for sequences or lists

Sentence starters are quite useful for lists of instructions or explaining a series of events. These items aren’t always related in obvious ways, but sentence starters link them together, and in the right order, so that your reader can organize them properly in their head. 

• First . . ., Second . . ., Third . . ., etc. 
• Subsequently . . .
• After that . . .
• Afterwards . . .
• Eventually . . . 
• Later . . .
• Moving on . . .

Good sentence starters for comparisons

Use sentence starters to show that two things are related or alike. Although the topics may be similar to yours, your reader may not yet understand the connection. 

• Similarly . . .
• In the same way . . .
• Along those lines . . .
• Likewise . . .
• Again . . .

Good sentence starters for elaboration or adding new points

For times when one sentence isn’t enough to fully explain your point, adding sentence starters to the subsequent sentences can tie them all together. 

• Additionally . . .
• Moreover . . .
• Furthermore . . .
• Even more important . . .
• Just as important . . .

Good sentence starters for introducing examples

Especially for essays, you want to use evidence to support your claims. Sentence starters ease the transition from explaining the big picture to showing those same ideas at work in the real world. 

• For example . . .
• For instance . . .
• To illustrate . . .
• Specifically . . .
• We can see this in . . .
• This is evidenced by . . .
• Consider the [case/example] of . . .

Good sentence starters for contrasts and abrupt transitions

Sentence starters work best at times when you must change topics abruptly. Without them, the text becomes jarring and scattered, so use them to keep your reader on the right path, especially when contrasting topics. 

• However . . .
• Although . . .
• Otherwise . . .
• On the other hand . . .
• On the contrary . . .
• Nevertheless . . .
• Then again . . .
• Conversely . . .
• Notwithstanding . . .
• In contrast . . .
• Despite that . . .
• Rather . . .
• Still . . .
• Instead . . .

Good sentence starters to establish cause and effect

It’s common to use two different sentences to discuss a cause-and-effect relationship, as in something making something else happen. Sentence starters can make this relationship clear and show which sentence is the cause and which is the effect. 

• As a result . . .
• Accordingly . . .
• Consequently . . .
• Due to . . .
• For this reason . . .
• Hence . . .
• Therefore . . .
• This means that . . .
• That is why . . .

Good sentence starters for emphasis

In some situations, sentence starters aren’t necessary, but they help make a point stand out. Save these for the sentences you really want your readers to remember above all else. 

• Above all . . .
• As usual . . .
• Certainly . . .
• Indeed . . .
• Undoubtedly . . .
• Of course . . .
• Obviously . . .
• Namely . . .
• Generally speaking . . .

Good sentence starters for references

If you’re citing an idea other than your own, like in research papers, it saves space to put the attribution in the words to start a sentence. Use these sentence starters before a quote or concept from another work. 

• According to . . .
• Based on the findings of . . .
• As seen by . . .
• As explained by . . .
• With regards to . . .

Good sentence starters for historical or generally accepted concepts

Some sentences don’t make sense without context. This could be a popular, mainstream idea that the reader is unaware of, or some historical background that is not common knowledge. In these instances, sentence starters can provide that context without becoming a tangent. 

• Traditionally . . .
• Historically . . .
• Customarily . . .
• In the past . . .
• Conventionally . . .
• Initially . . .
• Recently . . .
• Until now . . .

Good sentence starters to show uncertainty or doubt

If you’re writing about facts, your reader will assume everything you write is a fact. In situations where something is unproven or uncertain, it helps to mention that there’s room for doubt so as not to misinform the reader. 

• Perhaps . . .
• Although not proven . . .
• It’s possible that . . .
• It may be that . . .
• Arguably . . .
• While debatable . . .

Ensure your sentences flow

In addition to using strong sentence starters, you want your entire essay to read smoothly and coherently. Grammarly can help. Our writing suggestions flag confusing sentences and provide feedback on how to make your writing clearer, helping you put your best ideas forward.

105 Best Words To Start A Paragraph

Chris Drew (PhD)

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

Learn about our Editorial Process

The first words of a paragraph are crucial as they set the tone and inform the reader about the content that follows.

Known as the ‘topic’ sentence, the first sentence of the paragraph should clearly convey the paragraph’s main idea. 

This article presents a comprehensive list of the best words to start a paragraph, be it the first, second, third, or concluding paragraph.

Words to Start an Introduction Paragraph

The words you choose for starting an essay should establish the context, importance, or conflict of your topic.

The purpose of an introduction is to provide the reader with a clear understanding of the topic, its significance, and the structure of the ensuing discussion or argument.

Students often struggle to think of ways to start introductions because they may feel overwhelmed by the need to effectively summarize and contextualize their topic, capture the reader’s interest, and provide a roadmap for the rest of the paper, all while trying to create a strong first impression.

Choose one of these example words to start an introduction to get yourself started:

• The debate surrounding [topic]…
• [Topic] has garnered attention due to…
• Exploring the complexities of [topic]…
• The significance of [topic] lies in…
• Over the past decade, [topic] has…
• The critical question of [topic]…
• As society grapples with [topic]…
• The rapidly evolving landscape of [topic]…
• A closer examination of [topic] reveals…
• The ongoing conversation around [topic]…

Don’t Miss my Article: 33 Words to Avoid in an Essay

Words to Start a Body Paragraph

The purpose of a body paragraph in an essay is to develop and support the main argument, presenting evidence, examples, and analysis that contribute to the overall thesis.

Students may struggle to think of ways to start body paragraphs because they need to find appropriate transition words or phrases that seamlessly connect the paragraphs, while also introducing a new idea or evidence that builds on the previous points.

This can be challenging, as students must carefully balance the need for continuity and logical flow with the introduction of fresh perspectives.

Try some of these paragraph starters if you’re stuck:

• Building upon previous research…
• As [source] suggests, [topic]…
• Analyzing [topic] through [theory]…
• Considering the impact of [policy]…
• Delving deeper into [topic]…
• Drawing from [author]’s findings…
• [Topic] intersects with [related topic]…
• Contrary to popular belief, [topic]…
• The historical context of [topic]…
• Addressing the challenges of [topic]…

Words to Start a Conclusion Paragraph

The conclusion paragraph wraps up your essay and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

It should convincingly summarize your thesis and main points. For more tips on writing a compelling conclusion, consider the following examples of ways to say “in conclusion”:

• In summary, [topic] demonstrates…
• The evidence overwhelmingly suggests…
• Taking all factors into account…
• In light of the analysis, [topic]…
• Ultimately, [topic] plays a crucial role…
• In light of these findings…
• Weighing the pros and cons of [topic]…
• By synthesizing the key points…
• The interplay of factors in [topic]…
• [Topic] leaves us with important implications…

Complete List of Transition Words

Above, I’ve provided 30 different examples of phrases you can copy and paste to get started on your paragraphs.

Let’s finish strong with a comprehensive list of transition words you can mix and match to start any paragraph you want:

• Secondly, …
• In addition, …
• Furthermore, …
• Moreover, …
• On the other hand, …
• In contrast, …
• Conversely, …
• Despite this, …
• Nevertheless, …
• Although, …
• As a result, …
• Consequently, …
• Therefore, …
• Additionally, …
• Simultaneously, …
• Meanwhile, …
• In comparison, …
• Comparatively, …
• As previously mentioned, …
• For instance, …
• For example, …
• Specifically, …
• In particular, …
• Significantly, …
• Interestingly, …
• Surprisingly, …
• Importantly, …
• According to [source], …
• As [source] states, …
• As [source] suggests, …
• In the context of, …
• In light of, …
• Taking into consideration, …
• Given that, …
• Considering the fact that, …
• Bearing in mind, …
• To illustrate, …
• To demonstrate, …
• To clarify, …
• To put it simply, …
• In other words, …
• To reiterate, …
• As a matter of fact, …
• Undoubtedly, …
• Unquestionably, …
• Without a doubt, …
• It is worth noting that, …
• One could argue that, …
• It is essential to highlight, …
• It is important to emphasize, …
• It is crucial to mention, …
• When examining, …
• In terms of, …
• With regards to, …
• In relation to, …
• As a consequence, …
• As an illustration, …
• As evidence, …
• Based on [source], …
• Building upon, …
• By the same token, …
• In the same vein, …
• In support of this, …
• In line with, …
• To further support, …
• To substantiate, …
• To provide context, …
• To put this into perspective, …

Tip: Use Right-Branching Sentences to Start your Paragraphs

Sentences should have the key information front-loaded. This makes them easier to read. So, start your sentence with the key information!

To understand this, you need to understand two contrasting types of sentences:

• Left-branching sentences , also known as front-loaded sentences, begin with the main subject and verb, followed by modifiers, additional information, or clauses.
• Right-branching sentences , or back-loaded sentences, start with modifiers, introductory phrases, or clauses, leading to the main subject and verb later in the sentence.

In academic writing, left-branching or front-loaded sentences are generally considered easier to read and more authoritative.

This is because they present the core information—the subject and the verb—at the beginning, making it easier for readers to understand the main point of the sentence.

Front-loading also creates a clear and straightforward sentence structure, which is preferred in academic writing for its clarity and conciseness.

Right-branching or back-loaded sentences, with their more complex and sometimes convoluted structure, can be more challenging for readers to follow and may lead to confusion or misinterpretation.

Take these examples where I’ve highlighted the subject of the sentence in bold. Note that in the right-branching sentences, the topic is front-loaded.

• Right Branching: Researchers found a strong correlation between sleep and cognitive function after analyzing the data from various studies.
• Left-Branching: After analyzing the data from various studies, a strong correlation between sleep and cognitive function was found by researchers.
• The novel was filled with vivid imagery and thought-provoking themes , which captivated the audience from the very first chapter.
• Captivating the audience from the very first chapter, the novel was filled with vivid imagery and thought-provoking themes.

The words you choose to start a paragraph are crucial for setting the tone, establishing context, and ensuring a smooth flow throughout your essay.

By carefully selecting the best words for each type of paragraph, you can create a coherent, engaging, and persuasive piece of writing.

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ Free Social Skills Worksheets
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
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100+ Sentence Starters To Help You Write Better and Smarter (Practice Writing with a Custom Chatbot!)

Ausbert Generoso

Introduction

When you start writing, the first words you choose can shape everything that follows. Yet, we often overlook the power of these very first words. In writing, it is important to acknowledge that solid sentence starters hook the reader and build the momentum you need to keep them engaged.

Sentence starters might seem like a small detail, but they truly form important part of compelling writing. They help you find your rhythm, guide your reader, and create seamless transitions between ideas. In short, they’re the keys to keeping your writing fluid and focused. Let’s break down why these small beginnings matter so much.

Why Are Sentence Starters Important?

A strong sentence starter can be the difference between captivating your audience and losing their attention. They bring rhythm, helping your writing flow naturally while guiding your reader along. Here’s why they play a crucial role:

• They set expectations. Starting with intention gives your audience a preview of what’s coming, whether it’s an idea, a question, or a vivid description.
• They help combat writer’s block. Sometimes, the hardest part is starting. A well-chosen sentence starter can spark creativity and break the barrier of hesitation.
• They make transitions smoother. Great sentence starters guide readers through your thoughts without abrupt stops, making your writing feel cohesive and connected.
• They anchor your voice. The way you start a sentence reflects your tone, personality, and purpose, keeping your writing consistent and authentic.
• They keep the reader hooked. A strong opening to any sentence builds curiosity, setting the pace for a narrative, argument, or description.

How to Write Good Sentence Starters

Crafting good sentence starters can also mean feeling your words as they unfold. Here’s how you can break out of the ordinary and create something impactful:

• Talk or write to yourself. You’d be surprised how verbalizing or jotting down your thoughts forces clarity and reveals what’s truly worth saying.
• Start somewhere ridiculous. Begin with a bizarre phrase or idea, then reel it in. You might end up with the most unique way to set up your point.
• Channel your inner poet. Even if you’re writing a report, think about rhythm and flow. A lyrical starter can elevate even the most mundane topics.
• Imagine you’re writing to one person. Instead of writing for “an audience,” visualize a specific person. This makes your starter more personal and relatable.

Start Strong with These 100+ Sentence Starters in 9 Different Categories

Introductory sentence starters.

Starting off strong sets the tone for your writing. Whether you’re crafting an essay, delivering a speech, or even drafting an email, the right opening can grab attention and guide your audience into the heart of your message.

• To begin with,
• Let’s start by considering…
• In this discussion,
• The purpose of this essay is to…
• At the outset, it is important to note…
• In exploring this topic,
• Before delving into the details,
• To set the stage,
• It is widely acknowledged that…
• Starting with the basics,
• To provide some context,
• Let’s take a moment to reflect on…

Narrative Sentence Starters

Telling a story is all about creating an experience for your audience. The right narrative sentence starter can pull readers into your world, set the scene, and build intrigue. From quiet beginnings to sudden twists, these starters give your story the momentum it needs to keep your audience hooked.

• Once upon a time,
• As the day began,
• In the blink of an eye,
• Little did they know,
• With a deep breath,
• As the clock struck midnight,
• In the midst of chaos,
• Just as the sun dipped below the horizon,
• Long before anyone could imagine,
• In a small, quiet town,
• Suddenly, everything changed when…
• With trembling hands,
• Amid the laughter,
• It all began on a crisp autumn morning.

Opinion/Argumentative Sentence Starters

When you’re presenting your opinions or building an argument, how you begin is crucial. A strong sentence starter not only conveys confidence but also prepares your audience for a well-supported viewpoint. These examples are perfect for essays, debates, and any writing where you need to persuade or share your perspective.

• I strongly believe that…
• From my perspective,
• It is undeniable that…
• One could argue that…
• In my opinion,
• Based on the evidence,
• I am convinced that…
• Many would agree that…
• It seems clear to me that…
• The most logical explanation is…
• Personally, I think…
• This brings me to the conclusion that…
• The facts clearly show that…

Descriptive Sentence Starters

Descriptions are the backbone of vivid writing. They bring scenes to life and immerse readers in the world you’re creating. These descriptive sentence starters will help you add depth, color, and texture to your writing, ensuring your audience can see, hear, and feel every detail.

• The air was thick with…
• Beneath the shimmering stars,
• The golden light of dawn cast…
• With every step, the ground seemed to…
• A faint aroma of…
• Hidden behind the towering trees,
• The room was filled with…
• Along the winding path,
• The gentle rustle of leaves signaled…
• In the distance, the sound of…
• A sudden burst of color lit up the…
• The landscape stretched endlessly, dotted with…
• Shadows danced across the walls as…
• The icy chill of the wind bit at…
• Under the blazing sun,

Explanatory Sentence Starters

Clarity is key when explaining ideas or concepts. The right explanatory sentence starter can help break down complex thoughts into digestible pieces, ensuring your audience stays engaged and informed. Use these starters to make your writing more accessible and easy to follow.

• This means that…
• In other words,
• To put it simply,
• For example,
• To clarify,
• This can be explained by…
• What this suggests is…
• To illustrate this point,
• Specifically,
• This happens because…
• In essence,

Comparative Sentence Starters

Comparison is a powerful way to highlight similarities and differences. Whether you’re analyzing literature, exploring options, or debating topics, these comparative sentence starters help you smoothly transition into a balanced and insightful discussion.

• In the same way,
• Just like…,
• Compared to…,
• In contrast,
• On the other hand,
• While both share similarities,
• One key difference is that…

Convincing Sentence Starters

Convincing your audience requires a compelling beginning. These sentence starters are designed to engage emotions, provoke thought, and encourage your audience to see things from your perspective. Use them to build a strong case and inspire action.

• Imagine a world where…
• You must agree that…
• It’s hard to deny that…
• Have you ever considered…
• What if I told you that…
• Surely, it’s clear that…
• Let’s take a moment to think about…
• Now, picture this…
• The evidence strongly suggests that…
• Isn’t it obvious that…
• This is why it’s crucial to…
• You can’t overlook the fact that…
• It stands to reason that…

Persuasive Sentence Starters

Persuasion is an art, and the way you open a statement can set the tone for the entire argument. These persuasive sentence starters are crafted to grab attention, appeal to logic or emotion, and motivate your audience to act or agree with your stance.

• Imagine how much better life could be if…
• You owe it to yourself to…
• Don’t you think it’s time to…
• The time has come to…
• Isn’t it worth considering…
• You have the power to…
• Think about the benefits of…
• Let me show you why…
• By taking this step, you can…
• What’s stopping you from…
• Believe me when I say…
• It’s now or never; you should…
• Let’s work together to…
• This is your chance to…

Concluding Sentence Starters

A strong conclusion leaves a lasting impression. It ties together your points and reinforces your message, making sure your audience remembers what you’ve said. These concluding sentence starters will help you end your writing on a high note, with clarity and confidence.

• In conclusion,
• To summarize,
• As you can see,
• Ultimately,
• In the end,
• To wrap things up,
• On the whole,
• As a final thought,
• Taking everything into account,
• With this in mind,
• To bring it all together,
• In light of these points,

Practice Writing Good Sentence Starters with a Custom Edcafe AI Chatbot

Sometimes, the hardest part of writing is getting started. But don’t fret! With this Edcafe AI-created custom chatbot, you can practice creating strong, engaging sentence starters in real time. This chatbot is designed specifically to help you with:

• Sentence Starters: This chatbot can give you the beginning of a sentence, and you can complete it with your own words.
• Writing Prompts: It can suggest topics or scenarios for you to write about.
• Feedback: If you write something, it can help you refine it or suggest improvements.

You can ask anything, much like a personal ChatGPT, but with a focus on guiding you to write effective and engaging sentence starters.

If you’re a teacher , you can make use of Edcafe AI to create custom chatbots tailored to your specific teaching needs. This includes a chatbot specifically designed to guide students in writing strong sentence starters, among many other content generation tools for instructional planning, material creation, and assessments.

Just click on the Clone button,

and opt to login (if you have an account) or sign up for free! Edcafe AI’s Custom Chatbot feature is available at no cost, so feel free to explore!

Start creating teaching content in seconds, including custom chatbots, with Edcafe AI. Sign up for a forever free account 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

i like his book

Sentence Starters: Useful Words and Phrases

Sentence Starters! When writing an essay in the English language , it is very important that your writing flows and sounds good. There are a variety of ways in which you can do this, one such way is by using sentence starters. In this article, we are going to be looking at some sentence starters which you can use as a way of creating much more interesting and engaging written work in English.

What Are Sentence Starters?

In the most simple terms, a sentence starter is a phrase that is used at the beginning of a sentence and can introduce information contained within it. There are thousands of different sentence starters that you can choose and one of the most important rules is to avoid using the same words at the beginning of each sentence. This will allow you to create work that sounds much more interesting and not at all repetitive . You can achieve this by using the extensive list of sentence starters whenever you are writing an essay or other sort of work in English.

There are various ways of using sentence starters, so before we begin looking at some examples we are going to take a look at some useful tips for getting the most out of your sentence starters.

• As we mentioned, avoid using the same word repeatedly at the start of multiple sentences.
• Think about what type of sentence you are writing. Is it an information sentence? Does it ask a question? Does the sentence compare or contrast existing information? Is the sentence putting something in order? Does it conclude something? By working out the type of sentence it is, you will be able to better decide on your sentence starter.
• You should also ask yourself how the sentence relates to the previous one. This will allow you to further choose a relevant sentence starter.
• Once you have finished writing your essay, or other pieces of writing, it is very important that you go over it and make any necessary edits and adjustments. This will help you to make the most of sentence starters and ensure that there is no repetition and that each sentence starter has been sued correctly. You should initially write without thinking too much about it and then make changes when you edit.

Examples Of Sentence Starters

As we mentioned, there are thousands of sentence starters that you can use when writing in English, we are now going to look at some of the most common and useful ones. We will do this by category to better help you select the right one.

Introduction Sentence Starters

If your sentence is being used to introduce some information, you can use one of the following sentence starters.

• The essay discusses…
• In this essay/article/document…
• The theme of this essay/article…
• We will be discussing…

Conclusion Sentence Starters

When writing a concluding sentence, you might consider one of the following options.

• In conclusion …
• To summarise…
• We have seen that…..
• It has been demonstrated that…
• To sum up…

Comparison and Contrast Sentence Starters

If you are writing a sentence to compare or contrast, then these sentence starters will get you off on the right foot.

• However …
• Nevertheless…
• That being said…
• Then again…
• On the other hand …
• Although…
• In comparison…
• Whereas…
• On the one hand…
• Other than…
• Outside of…
• Rather…
• Still…

Cause And Result Sentence Starters

If you are looking to write a sentence which shows the result or cause then you might consider using one of the following sentence starters.

• As a result…
• For this reason…
• For this purpose…
• Otherwise…
• Since…
• So that/then…
• Subsequently…
• This means that…
• Therefore …
• That is why…
• Because …
• Due to the fact that…

Sentence Starters To Emphasise

When you are writing a sentence which requires a little emphasis, you could use one of these sentence starters to achieve that.

• Above all…
• As usual…
• Generally speaking…
• For the most part…
• In this situation…
• No doubt…
• Obviously…
• As a rule…
• Especially…

Sentence Starters For Additional Ideas

When you are writing a sentence which will add new information, you might choose one of these sentence starters.

• Furthermore …
• Also …
• Then…
• In addition …
• Moreover…
• As well as…
• Coupled with…
• Another reason…
• Indeed…
• Identically…
• Likewise…
• Additionally …

Sentence Starters For Rare Or Common Ideas

When you are adding information which is either very common or extremely rare, you may want to indicate this within your sentence starter. This can be done in one of the following ways.

• A few…
• Rarely…
• Unusually…..
• Seldom…
• On occasion…
• Quite often…

Inconclusive Sentence Starters

If you are presenting information which is not conclusive, you could use one of these sentence starters.

• Perhaps…
• There is some evidence to suggest that…
• It may be…
• It could be…
• It is possible that…

Sentence Starters To Show Examples

When you are writing a sentence which will give an example of something, there are many sentence starters you could use. Let’s take a look at some of these now.

• For example …
• Such as…
• For instance…
• As an example…
• You might consider…
• For one thing…
• As an illustration…
• To illustrate this…
• Markedly…
• In this case…
• This can be seen…
• Specifically…

Sentence Starters To Show Time And Order

If you need to show order or time within a sentence then you should use one of these sentence starters to do this.

• Firstly, secondly, thirdly…
• Earlier…
• Afterwards…
• First of all…
• Finally…
• In addition…
• In the first instance…
• After this…
• Additionally…
• With this in mind…
• To begin with…

Learn more with the useful list of transition words in English.

Sentence Starters | Video

Using a well-selected sentence starter when writing an essay in the English language can bring many benefits. It will allow you to create a piece of writing which is coherent, interesting and above all, diverse. It will depend greatly on the type of sentence that you are writing as to which sentence starter you use and using a good variety within your essay will make it much more engaging for the reader. Once you have finished writing, it is a good idea to go back over your work and check that your sentence starters make sense and are being used correctly.

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20 Useful Vocabulary & Phrases to Start Your Essay

There are many ways to write a strong essay opening . It’s not always easy to write a good essay introduction. Using these essay opening phrases will help you to become an essay writing master.

Useful Vocabulary & Phrases to Start Your Essay

1. Today, Nowadays, These days:

Examples: ☛Today, many people do not know their neighbors in big cities. ☛Nowadays, there is a trend that the media focuses on problems and emergencies rather than positive developments. ☛These days most of the students are doing their assignments with the help of the internet.

2. In this day and age, at the present time, now:

☛In this day and age, companies have a much greater responsibility than the old mantra to do no evil.

3. In today’s modern world:

☛In this modern world Muslims are facing many challenges.

4. We live in an age when many of us are…

5. There is no denying that….

6. It is often said that…

7. It is a well-known fact that…

8. There is no doubt that…

9. It goes without saying that…

10. It is universally accepted that…

11. Recently, ….. has changed our life completely.

12. Recently, ….. has become an indispensable part of our lives.

13. Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports of …

14. Recent research indicates that the number of ……. who ……… is increasing.

15. Hardly a week goes by without another report of …………….. appearing in the media and this raises the issue of whether ……………..

16. People are divided in their opinion regarding…

17 . …. is one of the most important issues…

18. Whether …. or …. is a controversial issue…

19. Although most people would generally agree that …………… few would deny that …………….

20. Some people like to ….

Tips for starting your essay

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Sentence Starters: Ultimate List to Improve Your Essays and Writing

By Ashley Shaw

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

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

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

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

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

What Is a Good Sentence Starter for an Essay Introduction?

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

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

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

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

Here are some examples:

Spider webs were once used as bandages.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Do I Use Transitions in an Essay?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Are Emphasis Transition Words?

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

How Do You Use Addition Transitions?

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

How Can I Use Transitions to Contrast Ideas?

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

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

How Do I Order Ideas in My Essay?

A good first step is using order transition words.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are some more phrases like this:

As shown in the example,

As a result of this,

After the meeting,

While this may be true,

Though researchers suggest X,

Before the war began,

Until we answer this question,

Since we cannot assume this to be true,

While some may claim Y,

Because we know that Z is true,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Try the Repeats Report with a free ProWritingAid account.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Take your writing to the next level:

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..

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Ashley Shaw

Ashley Shaw is a former editor and marketer/current PhD student and teacher. When she isn't studying con artists for her dissertation, she's thinking of new ways to help college students better understand and love the writing process.

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