How is a thesis different from a topic sentence?
Many students confuse the terms “thesis statement” and “topic sentence.” The difference lies in the specificity and the arguability of the statement in question. A topic sentence is one that describes the general subject of the paragraph or essay but does not address what exactly the writer wants the reader to conclude about the topic. A thesis statement, on the other hand, is a much more specific and, at some level, controversial statement about the topic. It is a claim up for debate based on interpretation of evidence. And it is a statement that needs support and development to be persuasive. It is not inherently persuasive or accepted. The following examples illustrate the differences between topic sentences, statements of opinion, and thesis statements. EXAMPLE Topic Sentence: In my essay, I will address the significance of color imagery in The Great Gatsby, especially the colors green, white, and brown. Statement of Opinion: Gatsby is foolish for attaching so much significance to
