Main Ideas and Supporting Ideas

Your main idea will be included in your thesis; you should be able to re-write your main idea as a simple, succinct sentence.

Plant-life is necessary to maintain other forms of life on Earth.

Albrecht Durer’s mathematical theories have been applied to art since he wrote the books about mathematical theory in art.

Your supporting ideas are the ones you’ll use to prove that your main idea is logical. Most academic disciplines require at least three supporting points, but the number will differ depending on the text you’re writing and the argument you’re supporting.

Plants provide oxygen for air.

Plants keep us warm and dry.

Plants are pretty.

Durer’s mathematical theories have been used by Artist A in the 1600s, Artist B in the 1800s, and Artist C in the 1900s.