The Difference Between Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences

The Difference between Thesis
Statements and Topic Sentences

Thesis Statement
 Writing a thesis statement:
 The thesis statement tells the reader what the rest of

the paper is about. A thesis statement is a fact you
want to prove or a fact you want to explain. The rest
of your paper’s job is to prove or explain what you
just wrote in your thesis statement.
 Example: There are several ways for college students to
improve their study habits.
 This thesis statement tells me a couple things:

 1. The paper is about college students’ study habits.
 2. The rest of the paper will show me ways to improve study habits.
Writing a topic sentence:
 The topic sentence is different from your thesis statement.

The thesis statement tells what the whole paper is about.
The topic sentence, however, shows only what the
paragraph it is attached to is about.
 Let’s look at the following example:
 Your thesis statement was “There are several ways for college students to
improve their study habits.” These are a few ideas of how college students
can improve their study:
 1. Study in a quiet environment.
 2. Pay attention in class.
 3. Manage their time well.

 All three of these ideas could be discussed further, and they all
explain the thesis statement.
What are the ways students can improve their study habits?
 By studying in a quiet environment, paying attention in class, and managing
their time well.
Each of these three ideas can become a topic sentence. This means that for each
idea, there will be a paragraph that explains it.
 Change each of the three ideas into a complete sentence

 Example: “Study in a quiet environment” can become “Studying in a quiet
environment helps students improve their study habits.”
 Look at the following example:

 “Studying in a quiet environment helps students improve their study habits. For
example, studying in a quiet place like a library allows students to get away from
distracting noises. Also, students are able to think better when they can hear their own
thoughts. Students will do better in their classes if they find a silent place to do their
homework.”
 The first sentence was the topic sentence. It told me what the paragraph was about, and
the rest of the sentences explained the topic sentence.
 Remember:
 The thesis is the main idea of your paper written in one sentence
at the beginning of your paper.
 The topic sentences begin each paragraph in the body of the

paper and explain why the thesis statement is true.
 There is only one thesis statement. There is one topic sentence

for each body paragraph you write.
 Instructions
 For each pair of sentences below, select the one that you think would make the more effective thesis
statement in the introductory paragraph of a short essay.
 1. (a) The Hunger Games is a science fiction adventure film based on the novel of the same name by
Suzanne Collins.
(b) The Hunger Games is a morality tale about the dangers of a political system that is dominated by the
wealthy.
 2. (a) There is no question that cell phones have changed our lives in a very big way.
 (b) While cell phones provide freedom and mobility, they can also become a leash, compelling users to
answer them anywhere and at any time.
 3. (a) Finding a job is never easy, but it can be especially hard when the economy is still feeling the effects
of a recession and employers are reluctant to hire new workers.
 (b) College students looking for part-time work should begin their search by taking advantage of job-finding
resources on campus.
 4. (a) For the past three decades, coconut oil has been unjustly criticized as an artery-clogging
saturated fat.
 (b) Cooking oil is plant, animal, or synthetic fat that is used in frying, baking, and other types of
cooking.
 5. (a) There have been over 200 movies about Count Dracula, most of them only very loosely
based on the novel published by Bram Stoker in 1897.

(b) Despite its title, Bram Stoker's Dracula, a film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, takes
considerable liberties with Stoker's novel.
6. (a) The bicycle was introduced in the nineteenth century and rapidly grew into a worldwide
phenomenon.
(b) In several ways, bicycles today are better than they were 100 or even 50 years ago.
 7. (a) There are several steps that teachers can take to encourage academic integrity and curtail
cheating in their classes.
 (b) There is an epidemic of cheating in America's schools and colleges, and there are no easy
solutions to this problem.
 8. (a) The iPad has revolutionized the mobile-computing landscape and created a huge profit
stream for Apple.
 (b) The iPad, with its relatively large high-definition screen, has helped to revitalize the comic
book industry.
 9. (a) Like other addictive behaviors, Internet addiction may have serious negative
consequences, including academic failure, job loss, and a breakdown in personal relationships.
 (b) Drug and alcohol addiction is a major problem in the world today, and many people suffer
from it.
 10. (a) Although many varieties of beans belong in a healthy diet, among the
most nutritious are black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, and pinto beans.
 (b) Although beans are generally good for you, some kinds of raw beans can
be dangerous if they're not well cooked.

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What is the difference between a thesis statement and a topic sentence?

How can students improve their study habits according to the passage?

The Difference between Thesis

Statements and Topic Sentences

 Writing a thesis statement:

 The thesis statement tells the reader what the rest of

 This thesis statement tells me a couple things:

 The topic sentence is different from your thesis statement.

 1. Study in a quiet environment.

 2. Pay attention in class.

 3. Manage their time well.

 Change each of the three ideas into a complete sentence

 The topic sentences begin each paragraph in the body of the

 There is only one thesis statement. There is one topic sentence

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