A thesis statement is a pivotal and indispensable part of an essay or academic paper. It encapsulates the crux, motive, and direction of the entire document. Synonyms for thesis statement include central idea, main argument, claim, hypothesis, proposition, theory, postulation, assumption, and premise. These synonyms are often used interchangeably, and they reflect the fact that the thesis statement is the foundation of the paper. Furthermore, the thesis statement encompasses the purpose of the paper, and it steers the reader through the paper's organization. A thesis statement often includes a discussion of the issues to be covered, the methodology to be used, and the supporting evidence that backs up the argument.