Thesis Statement and Related Concepts – EAPP Lecture

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the EAPP lecture on thesis statements, their types, parts, writing guidelines, and sample text concepts.

Thesis Statement

A sentence that presents the main idea of an essay and guides the entire discussion, prompting readers to ask “how?” and “why?”

Explicit Thesis Statement

A thesis whose central point is directly stated within the text.

Implicit Thesis Statement

A thesis whose main point is only implied; readers must infer it (often called the theme in literature).

Claim/Main Idea

The section of a thesis that states the writer’s core position or argument.

Road Map

The part of a thesis that lists the major supporting reasons developed in the body paragraphs.

Supporting Point

A specific reason, example, or detail that backs up the thesis claim.

Argumentative Thesis

A thesis that takes a clear stance on a debatable issue and previews the reasons for that position.

Persuasive/Proposal Thesis

A thesis aimed at convincing a particular audience to enact change, supported by stated reasons.

Informative/Expository Thesis

A thesis that introduces and explains a topic without expressing personal opinion or argument.

Analytical Thesis

A thesis that examines how or why something works while stating the writer’s viewpoint.

Expository/Explanatory Thesis

Another term for an informative thesis focused on explaining facts, ideas, or processes.

Debatable Issue

A topic about which reasonable people can disagree; essential for argumentative or persuasive theses.

Audience

The specific group of readers a writer addresses, crucial when crafting a persuasive thesis.

Supporting Details

Facts, examples, statistics, or explanations that develop and substantiate supporting points.

Announcement Thesis

A weak thesis that merely states what the essay will do (e.g., “In this essay I will discuss…”).

Question Thesis

A thesis phrased as a question, leaving the essay’s meaning for readers to decide.

Fact Thesis

A purely factual statement that is not arguable and offers little to prove or discuss.

Thesis Statement Formula

Claim/Main Idea + Road Map = Complete Thesis Statement.

MELC 4

The Most Essential Learning Competency requiring students to state the thesis statement of an academic text.

Podcasting

A digital audio broadcast that allows politicians (or anyone) to distribute messages; a powerful yet sometimes costly political tool.

Political Pundit

An expert or commentator who provides opinions and analysis on political matters, often amplified through technology.

Paracaidistas

Spanish for “paratroopers”; refers to urban squatters who occupy land illegally.

Jacales

Small, single-room, windowless shacks where squatters such as paracaidistas crowd at night.

Methamphetamine

A powerful stimulant that initially boosts sex drive but eventually causes severe physical, mental, and neurological damage.

Dopamine

A brain neurotransmitter involved in pleasure and reward; overstimulated and later depleted by methamphetamine use.