Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Main ideas are central concepts or points within an essay that support and elaborate on the thesis statement. They provide structure to paragraphs and guide readers through different aspects of the topic being discussed.
Related terms
Supporting details: Supporting details are specific pieces of evidence or examples that further explain or back up each main idea in an essay.
Body paragraphs: Body paragraphs make up most of an essay and contain information related to each main idea. They develop arguments using supporting evidence.
Subheadings: Subheadings are headings within sections of longer essays that indicate different main ideas covered in those sections.