What is typically found at the beginning of a passage and outlines its main point?

The correct answer is that a topic sentence is typically found at the beginning of a passage and outlines its main point. A topic sentence serves as a summary of the entire paragraph or section that follows, providing the reader with a clear idea of what to expect in that particular portion of the text. It establishes the focus of the paragraph, guiding the reader through the author's argument or narrative.

While a thesis statement also presents the main idea, it usually appears at the beginning of an entire essay or longer work, encapsulating the overall argument rather than being confined to a single paragraph. This distinction is important because while both a topic sentence and a thesis statement relate to the main point, the topic sentence specifically pertains to individual paragraphs.

The climax, meanwhile, refers to the point of highest tension in a narrative and does not function to outline a main point. The conclusion serves to summarize and wrap up the discussion but occurs at the end of the passage rather than the beginning. Understanding the role of a topic sentence enhances comprehension of organizational structure in writing.