1. Stage One: Introduction
When writing an essay, students often confuse between the topic sentence and the thesis
statement. This uncertainty can be clarified once a close look is taken at either: the thesis
statement and the topic sentence.
Before we differentiate; however, we must know what an essay is. An essay is a short
composition that has one main idea. It may require research, and it often contains the writer’s
opinion, as well.
o Steps to Follow When Writing Essays
Read the topic carefully.
Define your main idea. Organize the essay intently.
o An Essay’s Four Parts
o
o Thesis Statement VS. Topic Sentence
2 3 3
Introduction
-is the 1st
paragraph
-begins with the general
statement
-states the thesis statement
Title
-should be descriptive
-sets the tone for the whole
essay
Middle
-explains the main idea
-is of several paragraphs long,
each having a topic sentence
Conclusion
-is the last paragraph
-restates the thesis statement

2. N.B. As a result of the above information, an essay has one thesis statement and several topic
sentences.
Topic Sentence
-is general
-is one sentence in each body
paragraph
-tells what the paragraph is
about
Thesis Statement
-is specific
-is one or two-summary
sentence
-tells what the whole essay is
about