PERT Practice Test 2025 – Comprehensive Study Guide for Postsecondary Education Readiness Success!

Question: 1 / 400

What does a thesis statement provide in an essay?

The main idea and direction of the essay

A thesis statement serves as the backbone of an essay by clearly articulating the main idea and direction the writer intends to take. It provides a focused argument or claim that the rest of the essay will support with evidence and analysis. By stating the main point upfront, the thesis statement helps guide the reader's understanding of what to expect in the ensuing paragraphs, enabling them to follow the argument logically and cohesively.

While summaries of conclusions, lists of sources, and definitions of key terms play important roles in academic writing, they do not fulfill the primary function of a thesis statement. The essence of the thesis is to present an argument that the writer will substantiate throughout the work, serving as a roadmap for both the writer and the reader.

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A summary of the conclusion

A list of sources

A definition of key terms

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