Which term describes the main idea that is expressed clearly and directly in the text?

• A. Implicit
• B. Explicit
• C. Thesis
• D. Purpose

Answer: (B)

Explicit describes the main idea that is clearly stated in the text. When the author puts the point directly into words for you to see, that idea is explicit. This is different from ideas that are suggested or hinted at and must be inferred—that would be implicit. While a thesis is the central claim in many essays and can be stated clearly, the general term for a plainly expressed main idea in any text is explicit. The purpose, on the other hand, concerns why the author wrote the piece, not the main idea itself.