Kentucky Paraeducator Assessment (KPA) Practice Test

Which term best defines the main argument presented in an essay?

1. Thesis statement

2. Characterization

3. Body

4. Analysis

The correct answer is: Thesis statement

The term that best defines the main argument presented in an essay is a thesis statement. A thesis statement articulates the central point or claim that the writer intends to make throughout the essay. It serves as a roadmap for both the writer and the reader, guiding the development of ideas and arguments within the text. This statement is typically concise, located in the introduction, and sets the tone for the entire discussion that follows. Characterization refers to the literary device used to create and develop characters in a story, which, while important in narrative writing, is not applicable to the main argument of an essay. The body of an essay comprises the paragraphs where evidence and support for the thesis are presented, rather than the main argument itself. Analysis involves breaking down concepts or ideas to better understand them but does not provide the main argument the essay is built around. Thus, the thesis statement encapsulates the core argument in a clear and straightforward manner.