18. what does a thesis statement do?\nit gives readers a general idea of what a reports topic is\nit shows…

18. what does a thesis statement do?\nit gives readers a general idea of what a reports topic is\nit shows readers that the writer knows the topic well.\nit tells readers what the report will show or prove.\nit tells the writer what topic should be researched.

18. what does a thesis statement do?\nit gives readers a general idea of what a reports topic is\nit shows readers that the writer knows the topic well.\nit tells readers what the report will show or prove.\nit tells the writer what topic should be researched.

Answer

Brief Explanations:

A thesis statement is a crucial element in academic writing. It serves as the central argument or main idea of a report. Its primary function is to inform readers about the purpose of the report, i.e., what the report will show or prove.

  • The first option ("It gives readers a general idea of what a report's topic is") is too vague. A topic is broader, and a thesis statement is more specific about the stance or argument within that topic.
  • The second option ("It shows readers that the writer knows the topic well") is not the main purpose. While a well - crafted thesis may imply some knowledge, its main role is not to showcase knowledge but to present the argument.
  • The fourth option ("It tells the writer what topic should be researched") is incorrect. Usually, the topic is already determined before formulating the thesis statement. The thesis statement is about the argument within the topic.

Answer:

It tells readers what the report will show or prove.