Are the main idea and the thesis statement the same thing?

Answer 1

Main idea and thesis come down to almost but not totally the same thing.

Yes, the thesis definitely embodies a main idea.

At the same time, a thesis should exude more energy and focus than a main idea.

How so?

What does a thesis have that a main idea may not have?

A thesis has an extremely pointed, sharp, emphatic position.

A thesis should contain energetic, vibrant words, especially verbs.

A thesis should act as a frequent emphatic reminder throughout an

entire essay of the main position.

A thesis should emerge extremely concise: no wasted, extra ("fat")

words.

Answer 2

The thesis statement expresses the main idea as a bus carries its passengers. It is the vehicle. The thesis statement is the sentence by which the author makes the reader aware of the main thing his or her writing is meant to prove or describe or inform about or discuss.