What Is a Subtopic Sentence?

A subtopic sentence is the topic sentence of each body paragraph in an multi-paragraph essay. Subtopic sentences describe different smaller topics under the main topic of the essay, which is described in the thesis statement. Each subtopic sentence should be followed by a few sentences that have details about the subtopic.

A multi-paragraph essay has an introduction paragraph, several body paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph. The introduction paragraph has a statement of the topic of the essay and a preview of the subtopics of the main topic. Ideally, a multi-paragraph essay should include at least three subtopics. The introduction paragraph should begin with a hook that makes the reader interested in the topic of the essay. It should also provide necessary background about the topic. Each body paragraph should begin with a subtopic sentence and continue with at least three details about that subtopic. Each body paragraph should end with a restatement of its topic and a transition into the next topic. The conclusion paragraph should remind the reader of the main topic and the subtopics of the essay. It should also rephrase the thesis and summarize the argument. Essentially, the conclusion is a restatement of the introduction paragraph in reverse order.