What is the best way to describe the similarity between a thesis statement and topic sentence?

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The key difference between thesis and topic sentence is that a thesis sentence contains the main idea of the paper or essay, whereas a topic sentence contains the main idea of a paragraph.

Both thesis and topic sentences should be specific, focused and clear. In addition, they are not questions or predictions. They are declarative statements and are necessary for the organization of an essay.

CONTENT

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Thesis Sentence
3. What is a Topic Sentence
4. Thesis vs Topic Sentence in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Thesis vs Topic Sentence

What is a Thesis Sentence?

A thesis sentence is the summary of the main points in a research paper or a thesis. It is a single sentence that is usually in the conclusion of the introductory paragraph. It helps to develop and organize the body of the thesis. It also contains the controlling idea of an essay and maintains its unity. Through this sentence, the opinions and the judgements of the writer too can be identified.

There are two types of thesis sentences: explanatory and argumentative. An explanatory sentence mentions the subject, whereas an argumentative sentence is a claim that the readers may agree or disagree with.

Features of a Good Thesis Sentence

• Brief
• Specific
• Precise
• Provide the direction of the paper
• Have evidence

How to Write a Thesis Sentence

1. Understands the topic
2. Limit the scope
3. Brainstorm

What is a Topic Sentence?

A topic sentence is a sentence that summarizes the main idea of a paragraph. It is also known as the focus sentence. This is the most important sentence in a paragraph. It can be anywhere in a paragraph, but usually, in academic essays, it is the first sentence.

The topic sentence is the main element in organizing a paragraph because the rest of the paragraph supports this sentence. This develops one main point in an essay. This not only summarizes the content of a paragraph but contains the main idea as well. A topic sentence maintains the coherence of paragraphs and the essay. There are two parts to a topic sentence. They are,

• The topic – subject of a paragraph
• Controlling idea – point of the paragraph. Guides and supports the paragraph. This may reveal the writer’s opinions as well.

Examples of Topic Sentences

• The world is very different now (John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech, 1961)
• Grandma’s room I regarded as a dark den of primitive rites and practices. (E.L. Doctorow, World’s Fair. Random House, 1985)
• You discover what it is like to be hungry. (George Orwell, Down and Out in Paris and London. Victor Gollancz, 1933)

Features of a Topic Sentence

• The first sentence or near the first sentence of a paragraph
• Introduces the paragraph
• Contains new information
• Specific
• General enough to explore
• Strong (usually without starting from ‘there is’ or ‘there are’)
• Affirmative

What is the Difference Between Thesis and Topic Sentence?

The key difference between thesis and topic sentence is that a thesis sentence contains the main idea of the paper or essay, while a topic sentence is a sentence that contains the main idea of a paragraph. Moreover, while a thesis sentence is broad, a topic sentence is narrow.

The following table summarizes the difference between thesis and topic sentence.

A thesis sentence is the summary of the main points in a research paper or a thesis. It occurs at the end of the introductory paragraph as the conclusion. It gives an insight into the essay or thesis. This statement should be based on evidence. A topic sentence, on the other hand, is a sentence that summarizes the main idea of a paragraph. Generally, it is the first sentence in a paragraph and contains the main idea. It maintains the coherence of paragraphs and the essay. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between thesis and topic sentence.

Reference:

1. “Thesis Statement.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
>2. “Topic Statement.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “4576720” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Writing essay” By Azikahkhan – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

Topic sentences and thesis statements are sentences that writers use to focus their ideas and express the main point of their writing. A strong set of topic sentences will work together to support a thesis. A thesis statement (the main point of a whole essay) is usually found at the end of an introduction.

What is the same as a thesis statement?

A hypothesis is a statement that can be proved or disproved. It is typically used in quantitative research and predicts the relationship between variables. A thesis statement is a short, direct sentence that summarizes the main point or claim of an essay or research paper.

How do you write a topic sentence for a thesis?

Topic sentences use keywords or phrases from the thesis to indicate which part of the thesis will be discussed. 3. Introduce the subject of the paragraph. They tell the reader what concept will be discussed and provide an introduction to the paragraph.

What’s the difference between a topic and a topic sentence?

The topic is the general subject of a paragraph or essay. Topics are simple and are described with just a word or a phrase. The main idea is a complete sentence; it includes the topic and what the author wants to say about it. If the author states the main idea in his paragraph it is called a “topic sentence.”

What is a good thesis statement example?

Example: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the best type of sandwich because they are versatile, easy to make, and taste good. In this persuasive thesis statement, you see that I state my opinion (the best type of sandwich), which means I have chosen a stance.

Can a thesis statement be a question?

Is a thesis statement a question? A thesis statement is not a question. A statement has to be debatable and prove itself using reasoning and evidence. A question, on the other hand, cannot state anything.

What is an example of a thesis?

Example: To make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you must procure the ingredients, find a knife, and spread the condiments. This thesis showed the reader the topic (a type of sandwich) and the direction the essay will take (describing how the sandwich is made).

Is a purpose statement a thesis?

Purpose statements are used to let the reader know what the paper is about and what to expect from it. You can tell a purpose statement by the way it’s written. A purpose statement, unlike a thesis statement, doesn’t discuss any conclusions. It must also be concise and specific.

What are 3 examples of a topic sentence?

Examples of Topic Sentence:

• In a paragraph about a summer vacation: My summer vacation at my grandparents’ farm was filled with hard work and fun.
• In a paragraph about school uniforms: School uniforms would help us to feel more unity as a student body.
• In a paragraph about how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich:

  What comes first thesis or topic sentence?

  The thesis is the main idea of your paper written in one sentence at the beginning of your paper. The topic sentences begin each paragraph in the body of the paper and explain why the thesis statement is true.

  What is an example of a topic sentence?

  Topic Sentence Examples Topic Sentence: There are many reasons why pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world. The topic is “pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world” and the controlling idea is “many reasons.”

  How do you start a thesis statement example?

  Does a thesis statement only have one sentence?

  Students are often taught that a thesis statement should only be one sentence in length. While one sentence is often ideal, it is undesirable to have an incredibly long, complicated sentence that will confuse your reader.

  What is a good thesis statement for an essay?

  A good thesis statement is the heart of an essay. It gives a gist of the thoughts a writer expresses in his essay. It determines the shape of the essay, predicts its content, and foreshadows its events. It narrates the whole story in just one sentence, provided the essay is a short one.

  What is the best definition of the thesis statement?

  In composition and academic writing, a thesis statement (or controlling idea) is a sentence in an essay, report, research paper, or speech that identifies the main idea and/or central purpose of the text. In rhetoric, a claim is similar to a thesis.

  How do you use the word thesis in a sentence?

  Sentence Examples After submitting a thesis on abelian functions, he received his doctorate in 1895 from the University of Strasbourg. The book’s central thesis is that propaganda influences the masses in important ways. Not only do I not classify myself as a birther, I specifically repudiate the birther thesis with two books and the film.