Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
A thesis statement is a clear and concise sentence that presents the main argument or point of an essay. It serves as a roadmap for the reader, outlining the direction and focus of the paper.
Related terms
Topic sentence: A topic sentence is similar to a mini-thesis statement. It introduces the main idea of a paragraph and sets the tone for what will be discussed in that specific paragraph.
Supporting evidence: Supporting evidence refers to facts, examples, statistics, or expert opinions that are used to back up and strengthen the arguments made in an essay.
Counterargument: A counterargument is an opposing viewpoint or argument that challenges or contradicts the main thesis statement. It helps acknowledge different perspectives and strengthens one's own argument by addressing potential objections.