WRITING
Writing Task 2 - Body Paragraphs 1: Topic Sentences
A topic sentence is the first sentence of a body paragraph. It immediately tells the reader what the central topic (main idea) of the paragraph is. Good topic sentences will help you score highly for Task Response, because they show that you are clearly and directly answering the question.
Let’s look at an example IELTS Writing Task 2 question, and then make some topic sentences for it.
Some people believe that public parks play an important role in a city, while others argue that they are a waste of taxpayer money.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
Here are the notes a candidate made:
There are lots of good ideas, so we can choose two of them for the essay. Our 1st body paragraph topic sentence might be:
Parks are vital to a city because they provide a place where citizens can exercise, play sports and enjoy other outdoor activities.
Then for our second body paragraph we can discuss the other side and talk about how expensive parks can be. Our topic sentence might be:
However, parks can also be expensive, and require a significant amount of taxpayer money to maintain.
These are both good topic sentences because they immediately show what the paragraphs will be about, and how the paragraph is relevant, referring to the importance of parks to the city (1st topic sentence), and the high cost of parks (2nd topic sentence).
Exercise:
Look at some more topic sentences based on the candidate’s notes above. Which topic sentences are not so good? Why?
1. Poor mental health is a growing problem in today’s fast paced world.
2. These days more and more people live unhealthy sedentary lives.
3. Public parks help to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of citizens.
4. In many countries, people face a cost of living crisis.
5. Funding public parks reduces the money available for other more important city projects.
6. Public parks are no longer needed as most people prefer indoor leisure activities.
7. Public parks are a safe place where children can play and run around.
8. In many cities, there is not enough space for housing, and as a result property prices are skyrocketing.
Activity:
Below you’ll find IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. Think of two main ideas for each, and write appropriate topic sentences for the body paragraphs.
Example:
Some people argue that we are born with a fixed personality while others argue that we develop our personality because of our experiences.
What do you think is the most important factor?
Topic Sentence BP1: Genetics appear to create a starting point or foundation for our personalities.
Topic Sentence BP2: However, despite the powerful influence of our genes, our experiences clearly play a massive role in the people we become.
1. Some people fail at school but are successful in life.
Why do you think this is the case?
What is the most important thing to succeed in life?
2. We all work or will work in our jobs with many different kinds of people.
In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a co-worker (someone you work closely with)?
3. Some people trust their first impressions about a person’s character. Other people do not judge a person’s character quickly because they believe first impressions are often wrong.
Which attitude do you agree with?
4. Some people believe that friends should have similar character traits, while others believe that other factors are more important in friendship.
What do you believe are the most important qualities of a good friend?
Exercise Answer Key:
Exercise: 1, 2, 4, 8 - although these topic sentences introduce ideas which are related to the question, it is not immediately clear why they are relevant.