How do you start an academic sentence?

Academic sentences can be tricky to start, but there are some great tips and tricks you can use to get them going. Check out our quick guide on how to start an

How do you start an academic sentence?

The first sentence of the paragraph should outline the main idea (topic sentence). Each supporting sentence should directly explain, refer or build on the main idea using specific evidence and examples where possible. In some situations, sentence starters are not necessary, but they help to highlight a point. Save them for the phrases you really want your readers to remember above all else.

Sentence starters can clarify this relationship and show which sentence is the cause and what the effect is. So, to start polishing your own ability to write essays, try using the words on this list as an inspiring starting point. Needless to say (but we'll say it anyway) that there is a certain formality that comes with academic writing. To solve this, you can change the sentences to put the object first, add one of these transition sentence starters, or simply rephrase the sentence.

If you're quoting an idea that isn't your own, like in research papers, you save space by putting attribution in words to start a sentence. When you write a conclusion, remember that sentence starters can tell the reader that you are about to “finish things so they don't wait for new points or tests. In addition, academic words and phrases like the ones above are also especially useful for not repeating the word “also” too many times. Any of these sentence starting phrases will work, but persuasive writing sometimes focuses on the most common or emotionally charged language, avoiding words that sound more academically.

These academic words help introduce a sentence or paragraph that contains a very significant point in your essay. Including a quote that fits naturally into your work can be a little difficult, but these academic phrases provide a great way to do that. However, that can get monotonous and that's why I suggest you try using some of these sentence starters, or words from ing (called gerunds) or other types of phrases that come before the topic. While fiction unifies writing through narrative, nonfiction often incorporates a variety of facts, which sentence starters come together for the reader.

Although they are common in fiction, sentence starters are more useful for non-fiction, particularly for essay writing. The quality of your essay will improve dramatically only with the use of academic phrases and words such as “similar”, “as well”, etc.

Joseph Robbins
Joseph Robbins

Joe Robbins is a seasoned educational consultant and the Head of Consultancy at The Profs, a multi-award-winning education company based in the UK. With a Master’s degree in Security, Leadership, and Society from King’s College London (awarded with Distinction), Joe brings a deep understanding of academic integrity, strategic thinking, and global education standards.At The Profs, Joe led the creation of their Consultancy division—offering expert admissions support for competitive UK and US universities, academic mentoring, career guidance, and tailored educational strategies for students worldwide. With over a decade of experience in higher education, Joe is a trusted voice in academic planning, essay structuring, and application coaching.On Academic-Writing.net, Joe shares practical insights into academic writing conventions, formal style, third-person usage, and evidence-based writing techniques. His articles help students across disciplines improve clarity, coherence, and academic rigour in their essays, dissertations, and research papers.“Academic writing isn’t just a skill—it’s a gateway to critical thinking, strong communication, and future success.”Expertise: Academic writing, UK & US university admissions, essay structure, personal statements, research planning