​What is a Thesis?

• A thesis (also called a controlling idea or position statement) gives an essay's topic and the author's main idea about the topic. ​

• A thesis statement is the controlling idea of an informational essay. Or i​t is the author's main claim in an argumentative essay.

• On the STAAR test, you will be asked to find a thesis that has better wording and more strongly and clearly makes the author's claim or point. ​

Subject | Subject

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​​Step 1: Read the passage and Questions

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​How to Answer Thesis Statement Questions on the STAAR

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Step 2: Think about the Main Idea

• ​Study the information in the passage to figure out the controlling idea of the passage. Ask yourself these questions to help find the controlling idea:

• What is the topic of this paragraph?

• What is the main idea the author is trying​ to express about that topic?

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Step 3: Re-read Each Answer Choice

• Now that you know the topic and main i​dea being presented in the paragraph. You can now decide which answer choice best expresses the thesis better.

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