- overall main idea of the essay (focus)
- usually one sentence
- usually appears at the end of the introduction
- Overall main idea of a paragraph
- Usually one sentence
- Usually appears as first sentence
- Provides the supporting points within the sentence
- Supports thesis statement (position)
- Topic: What your paper is about
- Position: What you want to say about the topic
- Support: evidence that proves your point (why you hold your position)