Sentence Starters for Essays

A sentence starter is a word or phrase that gets your sentence going when you feel stuck. Good sentence starters link one thought to the next. They also tell the reader what kind of sentence is coming. Without them, your writing can sound choppy, and your reader may lose the thread.

This guide shows when to use sentence starters and which type fits each job. They work in all essays, from short responses to long term papers. You will find more than 100 examples you can copy, sorted by purpose. You will also get a before-and-after sample, a list of common mistakes, and short answers to questions students ask most.

Note: To learn more about word choice in academic writing, you can read our guide: Words to Use in an Essay

What sentence starters do and why they matter

In academic writing, sentence starters connect one thought to the next. They glue your text together so it makes sense and is easy to read. Think of them as signposts. They tell the reader where the argument is heading before the sentence is even finished.

You can use them between sections, and you can use them inside a single body section. Used well, they make your writing flow and sound more unified. Used badly, they make it sound stiff. Most students only need a handful of reliable starters, not a huge list.

Sentence starters vs. linking words

Many writers mix up the two. A sentence starter is simply the first few words of a sentence. A linking word shows how two thoughts relate. Some starters do both jobs, such as “However” or “For example.” Others only open a sentence. “The data shows that…” starts a sentence but links nothing.

This page covers starters of every kind. For words whose only job is to link, check our separate list of transition words. Writing centers such as Harvard’s also stress that a good link shows the logical step, not just a change of topic.

When to use sentence starters

You do not need one in every sentence. Add an opener when your sentences feel choppy or when two thoughts need a bridge. Overuse makes writing repetitive and distracting.

Consider an opener in these cases:

• To move from one section of your paper to the next
• To introduce a new point at the start of a section
• To open your final section and wrap up
• To stress something important
• To hook the reader in your first lines
• To clarify a claim or give brief background

If you cannot decide, it is usually best to leave it out. When your writing already flows, move on with your essay writing.

Which sentence starters fit which job

Use this table to pick fast. Each row gives the job, a few starters, and the best place for them. The sections below give full lists.

Quick guide to sentence starters by job

Job	Sample starters	Where they go
Hook the reader	Did you know that… / Just as…	First sentence of the introduction
State your thesis	In this paper, I will show that…	End of the introduction
Open a body section	One key factor is… / The first thing to note is that…	Topic sentence
Add proof	For instance,… / The data shows that…	Middle of a section
Analyze a source	This suggests that… / This matters because…	Right after the proof
Contrast or concede	On the other hand,… / Admittedly,…	Counterargument section
Wrap up	In conclusion,… / Overall,…	Final section

Essay starters for your introduction

The opening of a paper has three jobs. It must hook the reader, give background, and state your main claim. These essay starters help with each one.

Sentence starters for hooks

A strong opening makes the reader want to keep going. Pick an opener that matches the type of hook you plan to use:

• Did you know that… (for a fact)
• When I was… (for an anecdote)
• Just as… (for an analogy)
• According to… (for a statistic)
• Imagine that… (for a scenario)

Sentence starters for giving background

Background sentences give the reader the context they need. Keep them short and specific. Skip empty phrases like “as everyone knows,” because they say nothing and invite doubt.

• As previously mentioned,…
• For many years,…
• In recent studies,…
• Historically,…

Sentence starters for a thesis statement

Your thesis statement is the main claim of your paper. It says what you plan to prove. Use words that name your claim in a direct way:

• This paper will discuss…
• The purpose of this paper is to…
• In this paper, I will argue that…
• The findings point to…
• I believe that…

Paragraph starters and topic sentence starters

Paragraph starters tell the reader what the next block of text will cover. The first line is your topic sentence. It states the main point of the body paragraph. Topic sentence starters should be plain and specific.

Topic sentence starters

• One reason why…
• The most important thing to remember is that…
• A key factor to consider is…
• The first thing to note is that…
• It is worth remembering that…
• Beyond the previous point,…

Sentence starters for lists and sequences

When you share several points in order, begin each with a clear marker:

• The first…
• The second…
• Thirdly,…
• Next,…
• Lastly,…

Sentence starters for bridging

A bridge sentence joins two sections. It shows how the second one grows out of the first:

• This leads to the question,…
• This raises the issue of…
• This brings us to…
• With that in mind,…

Sentence starters for elaborating

Use these when a claim needs more detail. They signal that you are about to restate or expand what you just said:

• For example,…
• In other words,…
• That is to say,…
• To put it more simply,…
• More specifically,…

Sentence starters for giving an example

An example proves your point only when you link it to the claim. These starters open the example:

• For instance,…
• To illustrate,…
• Take the case of…
• In this case,…

Sentence starters for evidence and analysis

Strong academic writing does more than list facts. It brings in evidence, then shows what it means. Students often skip the second step. Starters help you do both.

Sentence starters for introducing a quotation

A quote needs a lead-in that names the source and sets up its purpose. Our guide on how to introduce quotations goes deeper. Here are some openers:

• According to Jane Doe,…
• In Jane Doe’s words,…
• As the author puts it,…
• As the old saying goes,…
• Doe writes that…

Sentence starters for introducing evidence

Name the type of proof before you give it. This helps the reader see why it matters. For more on choosing proof, read our page on body paragraph evidence.

• The data shows that…
• Studies suggest that…
• The evidence indicates that…
• A recent study found that…

Sentence starters for analysis

After the proof comes your analysis. This is where you show what the proof means. These starters help you understand and summarize a source, then tie it back to your claim:

• This suggests that…
• This matters because…
• The reason for this is…
• What this reveals is…
• Put simply,…
• This supports the claim that…

Sentence starters to show cause and effect

Use a cause-and-effect opener when one event leads to the next. Do not use these without a real link between the two:

• Because of this,…
• As a result,…
• Consequently,…
• Due to the fact that…
• Therefore,…

Sentence starters to emphasize a point

Save emphasis for the one or two points that deserve it. If every sentence shouts, none will stand out:

• Importantly,…
• Significantly,…
• Above all,…
• Most notably,…
• It is especially clear that…

Sentence starters for comparing and counterarguments

Sentence starters for comparing and contrasting

If you are writing a compare and contrast essay, you need starters that show likeness and difference:

• Similarly,…
• However,…
• In contrast to…
• On the other hand,…
• Compared to…
• Despite the fact that…

Sentence starters for counterarguments

A strong argumentative paper admits that others disagree. You name the opposing view, then answer it. This builds trust with the reader. Use these starters to concede a point, then push back:

• Some people might argue that…
• Critics often claim that…
• Admittedly,…
• It is true that…, but…
• Even so,…
• That view overlooks…

Sentence starters to express doubt

Sometimes the sources do not give a firm answer. Show that honestly:

• It is possible that…
• It is uncertain whether…
• There is evidence to suggest that…
• Although it is debatable,…
• It might be the case that…

Sentence starters for your conclusion

When you write a conclusion, restate your main points, summarize your case, and leave a strong final impression. Avoid bringing in new evidence here. These starters signal the end:

• In conclusion,…
• To sum up,…
• Overall,…
• To conclude,…
• Finally,…
• In the final analysis,…

How to structure a paragraph with sentence starters

A strong body section has four moves. Each move has its own kind of opener. Each paragraph should carry one main idea. Once you understand the pattern, you can build strong paragraphs fast, and students in every class use it.

1. Claim. Open with a topic sentence starter such as “The first thing to note is that…”
2. Support. Bring in proof with “For instance,” or “The data shows that…”
3. Analysis. Say what the proof means with “This suggests that…”
4. Link. Close with a bridge such as “This leads to the question…”

You do not need every move every time. A short section may skip the link, and another may merge proof and analysis. What matters is that the reader can follow the logic from one sentence to the next. Every essay is built from paragraphs like this one.

Sentence starters in a full paragraph: a worked example

Lists are useful, but you also need to see sentence starters at work. Here is a sample body paragraph from the kind of argumentative essays students write most. The starters are in bold.

Many students struggle to focus in first period. One cause is that teenagers naturally fall asleep later. Research on teen sleep suggests that a later bell improves alertness. For instance, a student who sleeps eight hours remembers more than one who sleeps six. Some critics argue that later schedules hurt after-school sports. Even so, the gain in learning outweighs that cost. In short, a later start helps students.

What each starter does in the sample

Starter	Job it does
One cause is	Gives a cause for the claim
Research on teen sleep suggests that	Introduces evidence
For instance,	Adds a concrete example
Some critics argue that	Names an opposing view
Even so,	Answers the opposing view
In short,	Sums up the point

Notice the pattern. The text moves from claim to cause, then to proof, example, counterpoint, reply and wrap-up. Each starter marks one move. Another sign of quality is that no two openers repeat.

Before and after: fixing a repetitive passage

Here is how starters change a flat passage. The left column has no linking at all. The right column adds a few well-chosen starters. The meaning stays the same.

The same text with and without sentence starters

Version	Text
Before	Remote work saves commuting time. Workers report less stress. Some managers say teams communicate less. Surveys show productivity stayed level.
After	Remote work saves commuting time, and as a result, workers report less stress. Some managers say that teams communicate less. However, surveys show that productivity stayed level.

Notice that the second version does not give every sentence a lead-in. It adds three, and each one does a job: it shows a result, it names an opposing view, and it marks a contrast.

Sentence starters for students in different classes

Each school subject has its own habits. Students in a literature class lean on interpretation. Students in a science class lean on results. Match your openers to the class, and your reader will see that you know the field. For longer analytical work, try our guides to the literary analysis outline and to analysis topics.

Sentence starters by class

Class	What the reader expects	Sample starters
Literature	Close reading of the text	The author uses… to show… / This line reveals…
History	Cause, context and sources	The primary source shows… / At the time,…
Science	Methods and results	The results indicate that… / One limitation of this study is…
Social science	Research and theory	Prior research has found… / These findings support…
Philosophy	Careful argument	One objection to this view is… / It follows that…

Fill-in templates you can copy

Templates give you a frame to adapt for your own essays. Replace the blanks with your own points. Do not copy them word for word, or your writing will sound generic.

• Many students believe ___, but the evidence shows ___.
• ___ argues that ___. This suggests ___.
• At first glance, ___ appears ___. Yet a closer look reveals ___.
• The most common view is ___. Another view holds that ___.
• Knowing ___ helps us understand ___.

Common mistakes with sentence starters

Even strong writers slip here. If you have ever reread a draft and heard the same opener three times, you know the problem. Watch for these:

• Starting every sentence the same way. Three “Additionally” openers in a row is a red flag. Vary the form of your sentences.
• Using the wrong job. “Therefore” needs a real cause. “However” needs a real contrast.
• Padding. Phrases like “It is important to note that” add words but no meaning. Cut them.
• Casual openers. In formal essays, avoid “So,” “Basically,” and “Anyway.”
• Burying the idea. A long opener can bury your main idea. Keep it short and put the point up front.
• Over-quoting the list. Do not copy a full list into one piece. Choose a few and use them well.

The Purdue OWL guide to sentence variety offers more ways to vary how your sentences begin.

How to use sentence starters in your writing

Knowing which words to use is half the battle. Knowing when to use it is the other half. These steps work for short essays and long term papers alike.

1. Write the draft first. Do not worry about openers yet. Get your ideas down.
2. Mark the sentences that feel choppy or abrupt.
3. Decide what each marked sentence must do. Does it add proof, show a contrast, or give a result?
4. Pick a phrase from the table above that matches that job.
5. Read the sentence aloud. If the phrase feels forced, delete it.
6. Check for variety. Use no opener more than twice in a row.

Key takeaways

• Sentence starters help you connect ideas and build complex arguments in your essays.
• Each type has its own purpose, so match each opener to its job.
• Vary your openers. Do not use the same one more than twice on a page.
• When in doubt, pick a simpler opener or none at all.

Sentence starters FAQ