Topics and Controlling Ideas

 THESIS Statements have topics and controlling

Ideas.
 THE TOPIC is a broad based element
 THE CONTROLLING IDEA is that particular aspect
of the topic that will be discussed in the essay.
 Ex: I will not support a new restaurant being opened
in my locality.
Here, the writer will not discuss ‘a new restaurant in
my locality’ but she will definitely will discuss ‘I will
not support’
The rest of the essay will be based on the controlling
idea
Topics
and Controlling Ideas
 TOPICS AND CONTROLLING IDEAS DIFFERENT ESSAYS
 ‘Agree or Disagree’
 Sample: Do you agree or disagree with the following
statement? The best way to travel is in a group led by a tour
guide. Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.
 Sample Thesis: I disagree with the statement that the best
way to travel is in a group with a tour guide.
 Here, the rest of the essay will be based on the underlined
portion
Topics
and Controlling Ideas
 TOPICS AND CONTROLLING IDEAS DIFFERENT
ESSAYS
 ‘Stating your Preference’
 Sample: Some people like to travel with a
companion. Other people prefer to travel alone.
Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your choice.
 Sample Thesis: I prefer traveling with a companion
to traveling alone.
 The rest of the essay will be based on the underlined
portion
Topics
and Controlling Ideas
 TOPICS AND CONTROLLING IDEAS DIFFERENT
ESSAYS
 ‘Making a Choice’
 Sample: Your city has decided to build a statue or
monument to honor a famous person in your
country. Who would you choose? Use reasons and
specific examples to support your choice.
 Sample Thesis: I would choose Jim Carrey as the
person to be honored by a monument or statue.
 The rest of the essay will be based on the underlined
portion
Topics
and Controlling Ideas
 TOPICS AND CONTROLLING IDEAS DIFFERENT ESSAYS
 Giving reasons and causes for a thing or Phenomenon’
 Sample: Moviesare popular all over the world. Explain
why movies are so popular. Use reasons and
specific examples to support your answer.

 Sample Thesis: Movies are popular due to several reasons

which I will attempt to identify and analyze in the following
paragraphs.
 The rest of the essay will be based on the underlined portion
Topics
and Controlling Ideas
 TOPICS AND CONTROLLING IDEAS DIFFERENT ESSAYS
 ‘Describing Important characteristics of someone/something’
 Sample: What are the important qualities of a good son or
daughter? Have these qualities changed or remained the same
over time in your culture? Use specific reasons and examples
to support your answer.

 Sample Thesis: The important qualities of a good son or

daughter are manifold and I will attempt to identify and analyze
them in the following . However, I would like to unequivocally
state that these qualities have not changed at all in my culture
over time. .
 The rest of the essay will be based on the underlined portion

Topics
and Controlling Ideas
 TOPICS AND CONTROLLING IDEAS DIFFERENT
ESSAYS
 ‘Supporting or Opposing a plan/thing’
 Sample: It has recently been announced that a new
high school may be built in your community. Do you
support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific
reasons and details in your answer.
 Sample Thesis: I would definitely support the
building of a new high school in my community.
 The rest of the essay will be based on the underlined
portion

Topics
and Controlling Ideas
 THUS, THE CONTROLLING IDEA PLAYS
AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE ESSAY
BECAUSE THE REST OF THE ESSAY IS
BASED UPON IT.
 AN ESSAY LOSES COHERENCE AND
ADDRESSAL IF THE ESSAY IS NOT
BASED ON THE CONTROLLING IDEA OF
THE THESIS STATEMENT