IELTS Writing Task 2 topic sentences: how to start every body paragraph
Write clear Task 2 topic sentences that state one main idea per paragraph, with examples and common mistakes to avoid.
By English Grader study guides · AI-assisted educational content · Official sources linked below
The short answer
Each body paragraph should open with one sentence that states the paragraph's single main idea—then everything else supports it.
What a topic sentence does
A topic sentence tells the examiner exactly what the paragraph will argue. It supports Coherence and Cohesion because the reader can follow your essay by reading the first sentence of each paragraph.
Related guide: Review the full essay structure
Weak vs strong topic sentences
A weak topic sentence announces the topic without a position; a strong one states a claim the paragraph will prove.
Weak → Strong
Weak: There are many things to say about technology in education. Strong: Technology improves education because it gives every student access to the same high-quality materials.
Mistakes to avoid
Avoid topic sentences that contain two ideas, copy the question wording, or include examples. Examples belong in the support, not the opening sentence.
- One idea per paragraph.
- Do not copy the question.
- No examples in the topic sentence.
- Match the paragraph that follows.
Put this into practice
Choose a Task 2 question, write one idea per paragraph, and use the feedback to check that each topic sentence is clear.
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Official sources and further reading
Practice examples and study routines are illustrative advice, not official band-scored answers or predictions of exam questions.