Main Idea
&
Thesis
Statement
MAIN IDEA
MAIN IDEA
• the “big point”, most important idea, or general
statement of the content of the paragraph that the
writer is communicating to the reader
• is like the heart of the text or a paragraph
• is the controlling idea
All the other supporting details in the text or within a
paragraph should tell us more about the main idea.
MAIN IDEA
•Read this short paragraph:
Engineers create wealth for society. So,
tennis is a game and the resources of the earth are
scarce. Have you gone mad? Thus, the only
solution is to educate the public on being socially
responsible.
DID THIS MAKE SENSE?
MAIN IDEA
MAIN IDEA
• provides order, progression, and unity to the paragraph
by tying together the sentences
• without it, the paragraph would be nothing but a
collection of unrelated ideas
MAIN IDEA
•Read this short paragraph:
The students had fun on their field trip.
They visited the Marine Museum. They were able
to tour a tug boat, and they bought souvenirs in
the gift shop. After the tours, they ate a picnic
lunch in the park and played with their friends.
This makes sense!
THESIS STATEMENT
THESIS STATEMENT
•one sentence statement that expresses the
overall main idea of the text
•an arguable statement that communicates the
author’s stance on a topic to the reader; makes a
claim that others might argue
THESIS STATEMENT
THESIS STATEMENT
• serves as a roadmap of the text you are reading
• can be seen at the beginning, middle, or end of the
text
• Beginning thesis statement + supporting details=
deductive order
• supporting details + thesis statement=inductive order
THESIS STATEMENT
Main Idea at the Beginning and End of the Paragraph
We are on our way to becoming cashless, checkless society, a trend that began
with the credit card. Now some banks are offering “debit cards” instead of the credit cards.
That costs of purchases made with these cards are deducted from the holder’s bank account
instead of being added at the monthly bill. And checking accounts, which are mainly used for
paying bills, are going electronic. Now some people can make computer transactions over their
pushbutton phones to pay bills by transferring money from their account to the account of
whomever they owe. Soon we may be able to conduct most of our business without
signing a check or actually seeing the money we earn and spend.
MAIN IDEAS:
Beginning of the paragraph: We are on our way to becoming cashless, checkless
society, a trend that began with the credit card.
End of the paragraph: Soon we may be able to conduct most of our business without
signing a check or actually seeing the money we earn and spend.
THESIS STATEMENT
Main Idea at the Middle/Within the Paragraph
It is preceded by one or more introductory sentence that may relate to the main idea to the
previous paragraph, arouse the reader’s interest or give background for the main reason.
Sample Text:
The physical complains of neurotics—people who are overly anxious, pessimistic,
hostile, or tense—were once largely ignored by physicians. Many doctors believed that the
frequent complaint of neurotic were exaggerations. However, new research shows that
neurotics are, fact, more likely to have physical problems. Specifically, researchers
found neurotics stand a greater chance of having five particular ailments: arthritis, asthma,
ulcer, headache, and heart disease. In addition, there is evidence that people who are
pessimistic in their teens and twenties are more likely to become ill or die in their forties.
MAIN IDEA: However, new research shows that neurotics are, fact, more likely to
have physical problems.
The two sentences before the topic sentence introduce the question of the physical health of
the neurotics. The topic sentence gives the writer’s main idea on the topic. The last two
sentences develop the main idea by giving specific details of the relevant research.
THESIS STATEMENT
Main Idea at the End of the Paragraph
A study at one prison show that owning a pet can change a hardened
prison inmate into a more caring person. Another study discovered that senior
citizens, both those living alone and those in nursing homes, became more
interested in life when they were given pets to care for. Even emotionally disturbed
children have been observed to smile and react with interest if there is a cuddly
kitten or puppy to hold. Animals, then, can be means of therapy for many
kinds of individuals.
MAIN IDEA: Animals, then, can be means of therapy for many kinds of individuals.
MAIN IDEA
•Read this short paragraph:
Radio Frequency ID (RFID) card is better than the usual printed ID. RFID
could easily monitor students’ tardiness and absences and will be instantly
relayed to the parents because it has a texting mechanism to inform every parent
regarding the in and out of students. On the other hand, the usual printed ID
doesn’t have this latest technology that would inform immediately the parents
regarding their children’s attendance upon tapping the said card to the system. It
is, then, an answer to our problem to the students who are at risk of dropping
out. Parents need to know instantly the status of their children to know if they are
really going to school or not. We are now in the technologically-advanced world.
Thus, we need to capitalize on this for a faster and more effective communication.
DEDUCTIVE ORDER
THESIS STATEMENT
Main Idea at the End of the Paragraph
A study at one prison show that owning a pet can change a hardened
prison inmate into a more caring person. Another study discovered that senior
citizens, both those living alone and those in nursing homes, became more
interested in life when they were given pets to care for. Even emotionally disturbed
children have been observed to smile and react with interest if there is a cuddly
kitten or puppy to hold. Animals, then, can be means of therapy for many
kinds of individuals.
MAIN IDEA: Animals, then, can be means of therapy for many kinds of individuals.
INDUCTIVE ORDER
THESIS STATEMENT
THESIS STATEMENT
• requires proofs or evidences to make your stand more
convincing and effective
• can be explicit or implicit
implicit thesis statements-do not clearly express the main idea of a
text; reader has to infer from all the details stated in the text
explicit thesis statements -express the main idea clearly and
directly in the text read
MAIN IDEA
•Read this short paragraph:
Radio Frequency ID (RFID) card is better than the usual printed ID. RFID
could easily monitor students’ tardiness and absences and will be instantly
relayed to the parents because it has a texting mechanism to inform every parent
regarding the in and out of students. On the other hand, the usual printed ID
doesn’t have this latest technology that would inform immediately the parents
regarding their children’s attendance upon tapping the said card to the system. It
is, then, an answer to our problem to the students who are at risk of dropping
out. Parents need to know instantly the status of their children to know if they are
really going to school or not. We are now in the technologically-advanced world.
Thus, we need to capitalize on this for a faster and more effective communication.
EXPLICIT THESIS STATEMENT
MAIN IDEA
•Read this short paragraph:
Implied Main idea
The Native Americans used the trees to build their houses. They hunted
and trapped animals in the forest for food. They found roots and berries that they
could eat. Some plants found in the forest were used for medicine.
MAIN IDEA: Native Americans used resources in the forest to survive.
The implied main idea is not stated in the paragraph. One needs to look at the
other sentences, and get their overall thought.
IMPLICIT STATEMENT
KEY
ELEMENTS
FOR A
STRONG
KEY ELEMENTS FOR A STRONG THESIS
STATEMENT
KEY ELEMENTS FOR A STRONG THESIS STATEMENT
1. It is not a fact.
A fact is irrefutable. Writing a fact as a thesis makes no argument.
Weak: Radio Frequency ID (RFID) card has a texting mechanism.
Strong: Radio Frequency ID (RFID) card is better than the usual printed ID in
detecting students’ attendance.
2. It is not a question.
A question simply does not express one’s claim or comment about a topic.
Weak: What are the advantages of keeping a pet at home?
Strong: Owning a pet makes your life happier.
KEY ELEMENTS FOR A STRONG THESIS
STATEMENT
3. It is not an announcement.
Avoid saying what you will discuss in the text.
Weak: This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of owning a pet.
Strong: Owning a pet brings good than burden because they can lower stress
levels, make one feels safe and teach their owners responsibility.
4. It is not too broad.
Avoid making vague and confusing thesis statements by making specific and focused
thesis.
Weak: Female learners are better than boys.
Strong: Female learners are better than boys in academic activities.
KEY ELEMENTS FOR A STRONG THESIS
STATEMENT
5. It is a complete sentence.
A phrase does not convey complete ideas or thoughts. Stating the
thesis in complete sentence makes it easier for the reader to
understand the main idea of the text.
6. It requires support.
To make your thesis statement persuasive, facts, surveys, reports
etc. should be used as proofs or evidences to support your claim or
opinion on the topic.
KEY ELEMENTS FOR A STRONG THESIS
STATEMENT
7. It takes a stand.
The thesis should clearly show your claim about a subject/topic.
8. It is arguable.
The thesis should be contestable, debatable or argumentative.
Again, the thesis statement should never be a factual statement.
TRY THIS!
Directions: Choose the most appropriate thesis statement on the following
topics and provide evidences to your answer based on the key elements for a
strong thesis statement.
On Wearing of School Uniforms
A. Wearing school uniforms promotes not just self-respect but also
respect to learning and educational institutions.
B. Wearing of school uniforms has advantages and disadvantages.
C. In this paper, I will explore the benefits of school uniform policy.
THANK
YOU!
God
