• it is not an idea
• it does not express a point of view
• it is not a complete sentence

    Author's Point of view (APOV) about the Topic

•  express the point of view the author has about the topic
    Must be a complete sentence.

    Common Question
    What is the difference between a Main Idea (MI) and a THESIS?

     Answer
     They are basically the same, only Thesis is a larger MI.

• MI = the controlling idea of a Paragraph.
  Topic (of the paragraph) + APOV about the Topic of the paragraph
     The remainder of a paragraph supports\proves this one MI
• Thesis = the controlling idea of an Essay.
  Topic (of the essay) + APOV about the Topic of the Essay
       All MI of the paragraphs should support\prove this Thesis.

      How to create a Thesis

• Look at each MI in each paragraph; what do they tell you about the essay topic?
• Based on all these paragraph MI, come a conclusion about your Essay Topic.
• This conclusion is your THESIS.

       Examples

Topic of Essay  = Michael Jackson
 MI = (of one paragraph) = He is a very talented dancer.

 MI = (of one paragraph) He has been ridiculed for his immature childlike public persona.
 MI = (of one paragraph) In the 80's he had a legion of fans who adored him and followed his professional career.

 What conclusion can be reached based on these 3 MI = the THESIS.

 THESIS:

 Although talented and once popular, Michael Jackson is now somewhat of a joke to many people because of his 
 peculiar behavior and interests.

 

 

Topic of Essay  = Cell Phones
MI = (of one paragraph) = This new technology teaches young people to be rude in public places.

MI = (of one paragraph) = The cell phone can be a life saver when used for an emergency.
MI = (of one paragraph) =  is viewed by the majority of the population as indispensable.

What conclusion can be reached based on these 3 MI = the THESIS.

THESIS:

Cell phones are a very popular technology that can be very handy, but if used to excess or improperly can teach negative behaviors.