explicit thesis vs implicit

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• Locating and Evaluating Thesis Statements

The following video offers a definition of thesis statements, and guidance for finding thesis statements as you read.

Pay attention to the difference between explicit thesis statements and implicit (or implied ) thesis statements .

(This video was made for a specific class, so it will make references to assignments that won’t apply to you. You can also stop watching at 6:00, since the video then proceeds to writing thesis statements, which is not our focus at the moment.)

• Video: Locating and Evaluating Thesis Statements. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Locating, Evaluating, & Writing Thesis Statements. Authored by : H Ortiz. Located at : https://youtu.be/8a0T_ySxda8 . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Table of Contents

Instructor Resources (available upon sign-in)

• Overview of Instructor Resources
• Quiz Survey

Reading: Types of Reading Material

• Introduction to Reading
• Outcome: Types of Reading Material
• Characteristics of Texts, Part 1
• Characteristics of Texts, Part 2
• Characteristics of Texts, Part 3
• Characteristics of Texts, Conclusion
• Self Check: Types of Writing

Reading: Reading Strategies

• Outcome: Reading Strategies
• The Rhetorical Situation
• Academic Reading Strategies
• Self Check: Reading Strategies

Reading: Specialized Reading Strategies

• Outcome: Specialized Reading Strategies
• Online Reading Comprehension
• How to Read Effectively in Math
• How to Read Effectively in the Social Sciences
• How to Read Effectively in the Sciences
• 5 Step Approach for Reading Charts and Graphs
• Self Check: Specialized Reading Strategies

Reading: Vocabulary

• Outcome: Vocabulary
• Strategies to Improve Your Vocabulary
• Using Context Clues
• The Relationship Between Reading and Vocabulary
• Self Check: Vocabulary

Reading: Thesis

• Outcome: Thesis
• The Organizational Statement
• Self Check: Thesis

Reading: Supporting Claims

• Outcome: Supporting Claims
• Types of Support
• Supporting Claims
• Self Check: Supporting Claims

Reading: Logic and Structure

• Outcome: Logic and Structure
• Rhetorical Modes
• Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
• Diagramming and Evaluating Arguments
• Logical Fallacies
• Evaluating Appeals to Ethos, Logos, and Pathos
• Self Check: Logic and Structure

Reading: Summary Skills

• Outcome: Summary Skills
• How to Annotate
• Paraphrasing
• Quote Bombs
• Summary Writing
• Self Check: Summary Skills
• Conclusion to Reading

Writing Process: Topic Selection

• Introduction to Writing Process
• Outcome: Topic Selection
• Starting a Paper
• Choosing and Developing Topics
• Back to the Future of Topics
• Developing Your Topic
• Self Check: Topic Selection

Writing Process: Prewriting

• Outcome: Prewriting
• Prewriting Strategies for Diverse Learners
• Rhetorical Context
• Working Thesis Statements
• Self Check: Prewriting

Writing Process: Finding Evidence

• Outcome: Finding Evidence
• Using Personal Examples
• Performing Background Research
• Listening to Sources, Talking to Sources
• Self Check: Finding Evidence

Writing Process: Organizing

• Outcome: Organizing
• Moving Beyond the Five-Paragraph Theme
• Introduction to Argument
• The Three-Story Thesis
• Organically Structured Arguments
• Logic and Structure
• The Perfect Paragraph
• Introductions and Conclusions
• Self Check: Organizing

Writing Process: Drafting

• Outcome: Drafting
• From Outlining to Drafting
• Flash Drafts
• Self Check: Drafting

Writing Process: Revising

• Outcome: Revising
• Seeking Input from Others
• Responding to Input from Others
• The Art of Re-Seeing
• Higher Order Concerns
• Self Check: Revising

Writing Process: Proofreading

• Outcome: Proofreading
• Lower Order Concerns
• Proofreading Advice
• "Correctness" in Writing
• The Importance of Spelling
• Punctuation Concerns
• Self Check: Proofreading
• Conclusion to Writing Process

Research Process: Finding Sources

• Introduction to Research Process
• Outcome: Finding Sources
• The Research Process
• Finding Sources
• What are Scholarly Articles?
• Finding Scholarly Articles and Using Databases
• Database Searching
• Advanced Search Strategies
• Preliminary Research Strategies
• Reading and Using Scholarly Sources
• Self Check: Finding Sources

Research Process: Source Analysis

• Outcome: Source Analysis
• Evaluating Sources
• CRAAP Analysis
• Evaluating Websites
• Synthesizing Sources
• Self Check: Source Analysis

Research Process: Writing Ethically

• Outcome: Writing Ethically
• Academic Integrity
• Defining Plagiarism
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Using Sources in Your Writing
• Self Check: Writing Ethically

Research Process: MLA Documentation

• Introduction to MLA Documentation
• Outcome: MLA Documentation
• MLA Document Formatting
• MLA Works Cited
• Creating MLA Citations
• MLA In-Text Citations
• Self Check: MLA Documentation
• Conclusion to Research Process

Grammar: Nouns and Pronouns

• Introduction to Grammar
• Outcome: Nouns and Pronouns
• Pronoun Cases and Types
• Pronoun Antecedents
• Try It: Nouns and Pronouns
• Self Check: Nouns and Pronouns

Grammar: Verbs

• Outcome: Verbs
• Verb Tenses and Agreement
• Non-Finite Verbs
• Complex Verb Tenses
• Try It: Verbs
• Self Check: Verbs

Grammar: Other Parts of Speech

• Outcome: Other Parts of Speech
• Comparing Adjectives and Adverbs
• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Conjunctions
• Prepositions
• Try It: Other Parts of Speech
• Self Check: Other Parts of Speech

Grammar: Punctuation

• Outcome: Punctuation
• End Punctuation
• Hyphens and Dashes
• Apostrophes and Quotation Marks
• Brackets, Parentheses, and Ellipses
• Semicolons and Colons
• Try It: Punctuation
• Self Check: Punctuation

Grammar: Sentence Structure

• Outcome: Sentence Structure
• Parts of a Sentence
• Common Sentence Structures
• Run-on Sentences
• Sentence Fragments
• Parallel Structure
• Try It: Sentence Structure
• Self Check: Sentence Structure

Grammar: Voice

• Outcome: Voice
• Active and Passive Voice
• Using the Passive Voice
• Conclusion to Grammar
• Try It: Voice
• Self Check: Voice

Success Skills

• Introduction to Success Skills
• Habits for Success
• Critical Thinking
• Time Management
• Writing in College
• Computer-Based Writing
• Conclusion to Success Skills

Developing a Thesis Statement

Many papers you write require developing a thesis statement. In this section you’ll learn what a thesis statement is and how to write one.

Keep in mind that not all papers require thesis statements . If in doubt, please consult your instructor for assistance.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement . . .

• Makes an argumentative assertion about a topic; it states the conclusions that you have reached about your topic.
• Makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of your paper.
• Is focused and specific enough to be “proven” within the boundaries of your paper.
• Is generally located near the end of the introduction ; sometimes, in a long paper, the thesis will be expressed in several sentences or in an entire paragraph.
• Identifies the relationships between the pieces of evidence that you are using to support your argument.

Not all papers require thesis statements! Ask your instructor if you’re in doubt whether you need one.

Identify a topic

Your topic is the subject about which you will write. Your assignment may suggest several ways of looking at a topic; or it may name a fairly general concept that you will explore or analyze in your paper.

Consider what your assignment asks you to do

Inform yourself about your topic, focus on one aspect of your topic, ask yourself whether your topic is worthy of your efforts, generate a topic from an assignment.

Below are some possible topics based on sample assignments.

Sample assignment 1

Analyze Spain’s neutrality in World War II.

Identified topic

Franco’s role in the diplomatic relationships between the Allies and the Axis

This topic avoids generalities such as “Spain” and “World War II,” addressing instead on Franco’s role (a specific aspect of “Spain”) and the diplomatic relations between the Allies and Axis (a specific aspect of World War II).

Sample assignment 2

Analyze one of Homer’s epic similes in the Iliad.

The relationship between the portrayal of warfare and the epic simile about Simoisius at 4.547-64.

This topic focuses on a single simile and relates it to a single aspect of the Iliad ( warfare being a major theme in that work).

Developing a Thesis Statement–Additional information

Your assignment may suggest several ways of looking at a topic, or it may name a fairly general concept that you will explore or analyze in your paper. You’ll want to read your assignment carefully, looking for key terms that you can use to focus your topic.

Sample assignment: Analyze Spain’s neutrality in World War II Key terms: analyze, Spain’s neutrality, World War II

After you’ve identified the key words in your topic, the next step is to read about them in several sources, or generate as much information as possible through an analysis of your topic. Obviously, the more material or knowledge you have, the more possibilities will be available for a strong argument. For the sample assignment above, you’ll want to look at books and articles on World War II in general, and Spain’s neutrality in particular.

As you consider your options, you must decide to focus on one aspect of your topic. This means that you cannot include everything you’ve learned about your topic, nor should you go off in several directions. If you end up covering too many different aspects of a topic, your paper will sprawl and be unconvincing in its argument, and it most likely will not fulfull the assignment requirements.

For the sample assignment above, both Spain’s neutrality and World War II are topics far too broad to explore in a paper. You may instead decide to focus on Franco’s role in the diplomatic relationships between the Allies and the Axis , which narrows down what aspects of Spain’s neutrality and World War II you want to discuss, as well as establishes a specific link between those two aspects.

Before you go too far, however, ask yourself whether your topic is worthy of your efforts. Try to avoid topics that already have too much written about them (i.e., “eating disorders and body image among adolescent women”) or that simply are not important (i.e. “why I like ice cream”). These topics may lead to a thesis that is either dry fact or a weird claim that cannot be supported. A good thesis falls somewhere between the two extremes. To arrive at this point, ask yourself what is new, interesting, contestable, or controversial about your topic.

As you work on your thesis, remember to keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times . Sometimes your thesis needs to evolve as you develop new insights, find new evidence, or take a different approach to your topic.

Derive a main point from topic

Once you have a topic, you will have to decide what the main point of your paper will be. This point, the “controlling idea,” becomes the core of your argument (thesis statement) and it is the unifying idea to which you will relate all your sub-theses. You can then turn this “controlling idea” into a purpose statement about what you intend to do in your paper.

Look for patterns in your evidence

Compose a purpose statement.

Consult the examples below for suggestions on how to look for patterns in your evidence and construct a purpose statement.

• Franco first tried to negotiate with the Axis
• Franco turned to the Allies when he couldn’t get some concessions that he wanted from the Axis

Possible conclusion:

Spain’s neutrality in WWII occurred for an entirely personal reason: Franco’s desire to preserve his own (and Spain’s) power.

Purpose statement

This paper will analyze Franco’s diplomacy during World War II to see how it contributed to Spain’s neutrality.

• The simile compares Simoisius to a tree, which is a peaceful, natural image.
• The tree in the simile is chopped down to make wheels for a chariot, which is an object used in warfare.

At first, the simile seems to take the reader away from the world of warfare, but we end up back in that world by the end.

This paper will analyze the way the simile about Simoisius at 4.547-64 moves in and out of the world of warfare.

Derive purpose statement from topic

To find out what your “controlling idea” is, you have to examine and evaluate your evidence . As you consider your evidence, you may notice patterns emerging, data repeated in more than one source, or facts that favor one view more than another. These patterns or data may then lead you to some conclusions about your topic and suggest that you can successfully argue for one idea better than another.

For instance, you might find out that Franco first tried to negotiate with the Axis, but when he couldn’t get some concessions that he wanted from them, he turned to the Allies. As you read more about Franco’s decisions, you may conclude that Spain’s neutrality in WWII occurred for an entirely personal reason: his desire to preserve his own (and Spain’s) power. Based on this conclusion, you can then write a trial thesis statement to help you decide what material belongs in your paper.

Sometimes you won’t be able to find a focus or identify your “spin” or specific argument immediately. Like some writers, you might begin with a purpose statement just to get yourself going. A purpose statement is one or more sentences that announce your topic and indicate the structure of the paper but do not state the conclusions you have drawn . Thus, you might begin with something like this:

• This paper will look at modern language to see if it reflects male dominance or female oppression.
• I plan to analyze anger and derision in offensive language to see if they represent a challenge of society’s authority.

At some point, you can turn a purpose statement into a thesis statement. As you think and write about your topic, you can restrict, clarify, and refine your argument, crafting your thesis statement to reflect your thinking.

As you work on your thesis, remember to keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times. Sometimes your thesis needs to evolve as you develop new insights, find new evidence, or take a different approach to your topic.

Compose a draft thesis statement

If you are writing a paper that will have an argumentative thesis and are having trouble getting started, the techniques in the table below may help you develop a temporary or “working” thesis statement.

Begin with a purpose statement that you will later turn into a thesis statement.

Assignment: Discuss the history of the Reform Party and explain its influence on the 1990 presidential and Congressional election.

Purpose Statement: This paper briefly sketches the history of the grassroots, conservative, Perot-led Reform Party and analyzes how it influenced the economic and social ideologies of the two mainstream parties.

Question-to-Assertion

If your assignment asks a specific question(s), turn the question(s) into an assertion and give reasons why it is true or reasons for your opinion.

Assignment : What do Aylmer and Rappaccini have to be proud of? Why aren’t they satisfied with these things? How does pride, as demonstrated in “The Birthmark” and “Rappaccini’s Daughter,” lead to unexpected problems?

Beginning thesis statement: Alymer and Rappaccinni are proud of their great knowledge; however, they are also very greedy and are driven to use their knowledge to alter some aspect of nature as a test of their ability. Evil results when they try to “play God.”

Write a sentence that summarizes the main idea of the essay you plan to write.

Main idea: The reason some toys succeed in the market is that they appeal to the consumers’ sense of the ridiculous and their basic desire to laugh at themselves.

Make a list of the ideas that you want to include; consider the ideas and try to group them.

• nature = peaceful
• war matériel = violent (competes with 1?)
• need for time and space to mourn the dead
• war is inescapable (competes with 3?)

Use a formula to arrive at a working thesis statement (you will revise this later).

• although most readers of _______ have argued that _______, closer examination shows that _______.
• _______ uses _______ and _____ to prove that ________.
• phenomenon x is a result of the combination of __________, __________, and _________.

What to keep in mind as you draft an initial thesis statement

Beginning statements obtained through the methods illustrated above can serve as a framework for planning or drafting your paper, but remember they’re not yet the specific, argumentative thesis you want for the final version of your paper. In fact, in its first stages, a thesis statement usually is ill-formed or rough and serves only as a planning tool.

As you write, you may discover evidence that does not fit your temporary or “working” thesis. Or you may reach deeper insights about your topic as you do more research, and you will find that your thesis statement has to be more complicated to match the evidence that you want to use.

You must be willing to reject or omit some evidence in order to keep your paper cohesive and your reader focused. Or you may have to revise your thesis to match the evidence and insights that you want to discuss. Read your draft carefully, noting the conclusions you have drawn and the major ideas which support or prove those conclusions. These will be the elements of your final thesis statement.

Sometimes you will not be able to identify these elements in your early drafts, but as you consider how your argument is developing and how your evidence supports your main idea, ask yourself, “ What is the main point that I want to prove/discuss? ” and “ How will I convince the reader that this is true? ” When you can answer these questions, then you can begin to refine the thesis statement.

Refine and polish the thesis statement

To get to your final thesis, you’ll need to refine your draft thesis so that it’s specific and arguable.

• Ask if your draft thesis addresses the assignment
• Question each part of your draft thesis
• Clarify vague phrases and assertions
• Investigate alternatives to your draft thesis

Consult the example below for suggestions on how to refine your draft thesis statement.

Sample Assignment

Choose an activity and define it as a symbol of American culture. Your essay should cause the reader to think critically about the society which produces and enjoys that activity.

• Ask The phenomenon of drive-in facilities is an interesting symbol of american culture, and these facilities demonstrate significant characteristics of our society.This statement does not fulfill the assignment because it does not require the reader to think critically about society.

Drive-ins are an interesting symbol of American culture because they represent Americans’ significant creativity and business ingenuity.

Among the types of drive-in facilities familiar during the twentieth century, drive-in movie theaters best represent American creativity, not merely because they were the forerunner of later drive-ins and drive-throughs, but because of their impact on our culture: they changed our relationship to the automobile, changed the way people experienced movies, and changed movie-going into a family activity.

While drive-in facilities such as those at fast-food establishments, banks, pharmacies, and dry cleaners symbolize America’s economic ingenuity, they also have affected our personal standards.

While drive-in facilities such as those at fast- food restaurants, banks, pharmacies, and dry cleaners symbolize (1) Americans’ business ingenuity, they also have contributed (2) to an increasing homogenization of our culture, (3) a willingness to depersonalize relationships with others, and (4) a tendency to sacrifice quality for convenience.

This statement is now specific and fulfills all parts of the assignment. This version, like any good thesis, is not self-evident; its points, 1-4, will have to be proven with evidence in the body of the paper. The numbers in this statement indicate the order in which the points will be presented. Depending on the length of the paper, there could be one paragraph for each numbered item or there could be blocks of paragraph for even pages for each one.

Complete the final thesis statement

The bottom line.

As you move through the process of crafting a thesis, you’ll need to remember four things:

• Context matters! Think about your course materials and lectures. Try to relate your thesis to the ideas your instructor is discussing.
• As you go through the process described in this section, always keep your assignment in mind . You will be more successful when your thesis (and paper) responds to the assignment than if it argues a semi-related idea.
• Your thesis statement should be precise, focused, and contestable ; it should predict the sub-theses or blocks of information that you will use to prove your argument.
• Make sure that you keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times. Change your thesis as your paper evolves, because you do not want your thesis to promise more than your paper actually delivers.

In the beginning, the thesis statement was a tool to help you sharpen your focus, limit material and establish the paper’s purpose. When your paper is finished, however, the thesis statement becomes a tool for your reader. It tells the reader what you have learned about your topic and what evidence led you to your conclusion. It keeps the reader on track–well able to understand and appreciate your argument.

Writing Process and Structure

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Getting Started with Your Paper

Interpreting Writing Assignments from Your Courses

Generating Ideas for

Creating an Argument

Thesis vs. Purpose Statements

Architecture of Arguments

Working with Sources

Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources

Using Literary Quotations

Citing Sources in Your Paper

Drafting Your Paper

Generating Ideas for Your Paper

Introductions

Paragraphing

Developing Strategic Transitions

Conclusions

Revising Your Paper

Peer Reviews

Reverse Outlines

Revising an Argumentative Paper

Revision Strategies for Longer Projects

Finishing Your Paper

Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist

How to Proofread your Paper

Writing Collaboratively

Collaborative and Group Writing

The Writing Center @ UVa

314 bryan hall, writing theses and claims.

Virtually all genres of academic writing rely to some degree on claims as the engine of arguments, whether as the main point of arguments (the central claim or thesis) or as supporting points (subclaims).

For this reason, writing effective claims is vital to success in academic writing. But what is a claim? How do you distinguish it from other statements. To understand claims, it can be helpful to distinguish them from facts and opinions, as follows.

What is a claim?

• Example: Vanilla ice cream is the highest selling flavor of ice cream in the United States . (This is a fact because it can’t be reasonably argued against. The sales figures are pretty ironclad.)
• Example: Vanilla ice cream is the best flavor of ice cream.  (This is an opinion because it isn’t arguable. It’s based solely in someone’s subjectivity, their preferences.)
• Example: The ubiquity of vanilla ice cream disconnects consumers from the complex and unethical agriculture practices that create it. (This is a claim because it can be argued with, and it can be supported with evidence)

Dispelling some myths about claims

Sometimes, people are given a set of rules about claims that don’t apply in all contexts. Here are some common beliefs about claims that aren’t necessarily true or are perhaps only true in some circumstances.

• NOT NECESSARILY TRUE. This may have been true in high school writing contexts, but in college and beyond different audiences have different expectations for where central claims will be located. Sometimes it’s after a few paragraphs. Sometimes it’s in the middle. Sometimes it’s at the end. At the college level, it’s time to start thinking more rhetorically (meaning thinking about audience expectations and impact) about where the central claim should go.
• NOT NECESSARILY TRUE. You can use a formula, but you don’t have to. And the formula’s you’ve learned previously may only be useful in the specific context you in which you learned them.
• NOT TRUE AT ALL. Central claims differ depending on the genre in which you’re writing. They look different in different disciplines (history, english, psychology, biology), and they look different in genres outside of academia, as well.
• NOT NECESSARILY TRUE. Again, they might be, but as writing becomes more sophisticated and topics more complex, it’s likely that you’ll come up with central or supporting claims that are more than one sentence long. That’s fine, potentially good even.

Two Types of claims

• Example: The University of Virginia should change its admissions practices in an effort to admit more low-income students.
• Example: The University of Virginia’s admissions practices create systemic hurdles to the admission of low-income students.

Two ways of doing claims

• Explicit – a claim that is clearly stated
• Implicit – a claim that is implied

Good claims have 3 features

• Focused – typically, the most specific a claim is the better
• Arguable – someone could reasonably argue against it
• This example is bad because it’s not focused enough. It’s technically a claim, but it’s too broad and not revelatory.
• This claim is better because it’s more focused and as a result more arguable and revelatory.

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Explicit vs. Implicit

What's the difference.

Explicit and implicit are two contrasting concepts that are often used in various contexts. Explicit refers to something that is clearly stated, expressed, or communicated without any ambiguity or hidden meaning. It is direct and straightforward, leaving no room for interpretation or misunderstanding. On the other hand, implicit refers to something that is implied or understood without being directly stated. It involves underlying messages, suggestions, or assumptions that require the audience to infer or read between the lines. While explicit communication leaves no room for misinterpretation, implicit communication can be more nuanced and open to different interpretations.

Further Detail

Introduction.

When it comes to communication and understanding, there are two main approaches that can be employed: explicit and implicit. Both explicit and implicit methods have their own unique attributes and can be used in various contexts. In this article, we will explore the characteristics of explicit and implicit, highlighting their differences and similarities.

Explicit Communication

Explicit communication refers to the act of conveying information or ideas in a clear and direct manner. It involves being straightforward and leaving no room for ambiguity. In explicit communication, the message is explicitly stated, leaving little to no room for interpretation. This type of communication is often used in formal settings, such as academic or professional environments, where precision and clarity are crucial.

One of the key attributes of explicit communication is its transparency. By being explicit, individuals can ensure that their message is easily understood by the intended audience. This can help avoid misunderstandings and promote effective communication. Additionally, explicit communication allows for a more structured and organized exchange of information, as it leaves no room for assumptions or guesswork.

Another attribute of explicit communication is its ability to provide clear instructions. When instructions are explicit, individuals can follow them precisely, reducing the chances of errors or confusion. This is particularly important in fields where accuracy and precision are vital, such as medicine or engineering.

Furthermore, explicit communication can foster accountability and responsibility. By explicitly stating expectations and requirements, individuals can be held accountable for their actions or performance. This can lead to a more efficient and productive work environment, as everyone is aware of their responsibilities.

In summary, explicit communication is characterized by its clarity, transparency, structured nature, and ability to provide clear instructions and foster accountability.

Implicit Communication

Implicit communication, on the other hand, relies on indirect cues and non-verbal signals to convey meaning. It involves reading between the lines and understanding the underlying messages that are not explicitly stated. Implicit communication is often used in informal or interpersonal settings, where the context and relationship between individuals play a significant role.

One of the key attributes of implicit communication is its ability to convey emotions and attitudes. Through non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, or tone of voice, individuals can express their feelings without explicitly stating them. This can be particularly useful in situations where expressing emotions directly may be challenging or inappropriate.

Implicit communication also allows for a deeper level of understanding and connection between individuals. By relying on non-verbal cues and context, implicit communication can convey subtle nuances and shared meanings that may not be easily expressed through explicit means. This can foster empathy, trust, and stronger relationships.

Furthermore, implicit communication can be more flexible and adaptable to different cultural or social contexts. Different cultures may have varying norms and expectations regarding communication styles. Implicit communication allows individuals to navigate these differences by relying on non-verbal cues that are more universally understood.

In summary, implicit communication is characterized by its reliance on non-verbal cues, its ability to convey emotions and attitudes, its capacity for deeper understanding and connection, and its flexibility in different cultural contexts.

Comparing Explicit and Implicit

While explicit and implicit communication differ in their approaches, they also share some common attributes. Both methods aim to convey information and ideas, albeit through different means. Additionally, both explicit and implicit communication can be effective in their respective contexts.

However, explicit communication tends to be more precise and leaves little room for misinterpretation. It is particularly useful in formal settings where clarity and accuracy are essential. On the other hand, implicit communication allows for more nuanced and emotional expression, fostering deeper connections and understanding in interpersonal relationships.

Explicit communication is often associated with directness and transparency, while implicit communication relies on subtlety and non-verbal cues. Both approaches have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them depends on the specific situation and desired outcome.

It is important to note that neither explicit nor implicit communication is inherently superior to the other. They are simply different methods that can be employed based on the context, cultural norms, and individual preferences. The key is to recognize the attributes and advantages of each approach and utilize them effectively.

In conclusion, explicit and implicit communication are two distinct approaches that can be used to convey information and ideas. Explicit communication emphasizes clarity, precision, and directness, while implicit communication relies on non-verbal cues, context, and shared understanding. Both methods have their own unique attributes and can be effective in different contexts. Understanding the characteristics of explicit and implicit communication can help individuals choose the most appropriate approach for a given situation, leading to more effective and meaningful interactions.

Comparisons may contain inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. Please report any issues.

Implicit vs. Explicit: What’s the Difference?

Home » Implicit vs. Explicit: What’s the Difference?

There are many words in English that despite having very similar sounds have completely different meanings. This can lead to confusion and usage problems for native and non-native speakers alike, and the words implicit vs. explicit are no exception to this.

These two words have almost opposite meanings but are regularly confused because of their similar sound. Since they do have such different meanings, you want to be sure you’re using the right one. In this post, I want to go over the definitions of these words, explain their differences, and have you take a quiz on their meanings.

After reading this post, you won’t ever again ask yourself the question, “Is it explicit or implicit?”

When to Use Implicit

• There is a morality implicit in his writings.
• She implicitly said she likes white shoes by saying she likes all colors but tan.

In the first example, the writer may not have clearly or directly laid out a moral vision, but it is understood through the characters, their actions, and their experiences.

In the second example, the woman states that she likes all shoe colors but tan. While she doesn’t directly say she likes white shoes, she implicitly does because white is not tan.

When to Use Explicit

The definition of explicit is, “to fully and clearly express something, leaving nothing implied.” Something is explicit when it is cleared stated and spelled out and there is no room for confusion, as in the writing of a contract or statute. For example,

• The law was explicit in whose tax rates were to be raised.
• He said explicitly, you will not attend that concert.

In both of these examples, the word explicit is used to demonstrate something that has been clearly and unambiguously expressed or stated. There is no room for doubt because everything is clearly and directly communicated.

This is what separates these two words. Something is implicit when it is implied but not directly stated. Something is explicit when it is directly stated and leaves no room for uncertainty.

Quiz and Sentence Examples

• The speaker’s intentions were not made ______.
• The students found an ______ political statement in their teacher’s remarks.
• Let me be ______, I do not support this.
• We have not finalized the decision, but have an ______ agreement.

Display the answers below .

Tricks to Remember

Here is a handy trick to remember the difference between these words. Remember this and you won’t ever fall short when thinking, “Is it implicit or explicit?”

A good way to keep explicit vs implicit apart is to remember that I mplicit is an I mplied or I ndirect statement. Both of these start with the letter “I.”

E xplicit starts with an “E” and is Sp e ll e d Out, so there is no confusion.

Implicit and explicit have near opposite meanings, so it’s important to remember their difference.

Implicit is indirectly stated or implied.

Explicit is directly stated and spelled out. If you have any other questions about commonly misused English words, feel free to check out our other posts on affect/effect , principal/principle , and countless others.

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An Explication on the Use of 'Explicit' and 'Implicit'

What to Know Explicit describes something that is very clear and without vagueness or ambiguity. Implicit often functions as the opposite, referring to something that is understood, but not described clearly or directly, and often using implication or assumption. To help remember, ex plicit things are ex plained, im plicit things are im plied.

Both words share the same Latin root, 'plicare,' meaning "to fold."

Explicit and implicit are distinct adjectives having explicitly different meanings that are occasionally confused with each other, as shown in these examples:

Truitt was sent home from the hospital on March 19 without knowing her test results. She had implicit instructions to stay at home for 14 days, regardless of the test results. — The Valley Times-News (Lanett, Alabama) , 31 Mar. 2020 I asked a few friends if they had ever watched the film, or if they had heard about the claims that the film made. Most of their immediate reactions were something along the lines of, "You're watching a vegan propaganda film and taking to heart the facts given without further research?" My response was no. First and foremost, that is an explicit assumption, and second, the reason I was even asking around was to get a broader perspective. — Upbeat (Lamar University) , 6 Dec. 2017 For founders like Neumann, the new money offered an opportunity—or an imperative—to double down on unproven and money-losing business models on the theory they would suddenly turn profitable once all competitors had been forced by their own losses to throw in the towel. "The explicit assumption is if you get enough growth, it doesn't matter how much you lose," [Roger] McNamee says. "That clearly was the way both WeWork and Uber have been run." — The Los Angeles Times , 25 Sept. 2019

'Explicit' Meaning

To be explicitly clear, explicit and implicit are different words and, in some contexts, they are truly true antonyms . Explicit denotes being very clear and complete without vagueness, implication, or ambiguity. When something is said to be explicit, there is no question as to what is being expressed or conveyed—nothing is implied or assumed.

The students were given explicit instructions on how to record their test answers. Changes to the property cannot be done without the landlord's explicit consent. The law is very explicit about how these measures should be enacted.

'Implicit' Meaning

Implicit , on the other hand, denotes that something is understood although not clearly or directly expressed or conveyed—there is implication, assumption, or question. It often precedes a preposition, usually in and less frequently from , with , or within .

The genre of the restaurant cookbook is both large and varied, but the common denominator that underlies the majority of its titles is the implicit promise that you, too, can reproduce a chef's work in the confines of your home kitchen. Most of the time, this promise is patently false. But there are a number of notable exceptions, signature dishes that really can be made by home cooks with a command of basic kitchen techniques, as well as access to both adequate time and fairly common pantry staples. — Rebecca Flint Marx, Eater , 18 June 2020 An idea that's implicit in “Taste the Nation” is that the more we know about the cultural history of our food, the more that leads to cultural openness. — Padma Lakshmi, quoted in The New York Times , 3 Aug. 2020 Implicit within the call for compassion is the need for collaboration—the recognition that the problems we face are too big to be solved alone. — Anne Kingston, Maclean's , 19 June 2019

Other Meanings of 'Explicit' and 'Implicit'

Explicit and implicit also have distinct meanings unconnected to their antonymy. Explicit is used to describe such things as writing, lyrics, photography, or film that express or depict openly offensive or vulgar nudity, violence, or sexuality, or it can indicate an act or behavior that is queasily graphic or leaves nothing to implication or the imagination (e.g., "scenes of explicit violence and drug use"). Another sense of implicit is "not affected by doubt," a meaning shared by words like absolute and complete , as in "implicit confidence," and, in a sense, explicit (which connotes clarity and openness).

Basketball officiating requires an explicit trust that the men or women in the striped shirts will make the right call every time. — Anthony Salamone, The Express-Times (Easton, Pennsylvania) , 3 Jan. 2019 "There is an implicit trust that each of my teammates share as we navigate a season during this pandemic, and I broke that trust. In Chicago, I made the mistake of violating the protocols but the biggest mistake of all was not immediately coming clean to my teammates. I owe them better. I now realize that by even exposing myself to just one person more than necessary, I am putting myself, my teammates, the guys I compete against, the umpires, the staff, the Indians organization as well as the Game that I love at risk." — Mike Clevinger, quoted in Sports Illustrated , 11 Aug. 2020

Implicit can also describe something that is inherent or inextricably connected with another but not immediately manifest—for example, bugs are "implicit" in new computer applications.

The implicit source of confusion with explicit and implicit is their shared Latin root, plicare , meaning "to fold," which gives them the same anglicized ending "-plicit." But one simply needs to look to their beginnings, their prefixes—respectively, ex- , meaning "out," and im- , "in, within"—to decipher their distinct meanings. Explicit can be interpreted as "to unfold" or "to lay out" (in other words, "to explain") and implicit can be translated as "to fold in," implying covering or containing (meaning) within.

True, the words have the same root and syllable count and are applied in similar contexts, but they are explicitly different in spelling and meaning. When in doubt, look to the prefixes: if you are describing something that is clearly ex plained or ex pressed, the word to use is explicit ; if you are describing something that is im plied, implicit is the word.

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Explicit vs implicit?

Explicit and implicit are adjectives with opposite meanings. If something is explicit , it’s clearly understood. If something is suggested or not clearly defined, it’s implicit.

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What is the difference between explicit and implicit ?

The words explicit and implicit may appear similar, but they actually have opposite meanings. As phrased by Merriam-Webster , the general definition of implicit is ‘ to understand without words ’ or ‘ to possess no doubt ‘ regarding inherent truths. 

In contrast, the word explicit is an adjective that describes something as ‘ so clear ’ that it ‘ leaves no doubt to the meaning .’ 

Understanding explicit vs implicit concepts

If you make a promise to someone, there’s an “ implicit trust” or an “ implicit code ” that you’ll keep your word. However, it’s also possible there’s an “ implicit distrust ” instead. From this example, we can see how implicit understandings are more subjective because they require individual interpretation. 

You see, implicit concepts are hidden or muted from surface-level communication, much like a parable’s underlying moral lesson or even a facial expression. For example, the explicit impression of a smile is “happiness,” right? But in a new context, such as a confrontation, the smile can implicitly convey nervousness or anger. 

Anything that is informative and objective is explicit . No matter the audience, there should be no other interpretation of explicit information. For instance, a user manual provides ‘explicit instructions ’ for use, while road signs provide explicit information on speed limits and geographic locations.

The word explicit diverges from its initial meaning when it references the quality of being graphic or openly viewable. A typical example includes the ‘ explicit content ’ warnings for movies or music that contain curse words ( i.e., “expletives” ), violence, or sexually graphic material. 

Math terms: explicit vs implicit

There is one other occurrence when the definitions of explicit vs. implicit are confusing: mathematics. When describing mathematical functions, keep the following definitions on hand:

• Implicit expressions contain dependent and independent variables on the same side of an equation. 
• Explicit expressions only contain independent variables.  

Sentence example: 

“… implicit multiplication is given higher priority than explicit multiplication or explicit division, in which those operations are written explicitly with symbols like × * / or ÷.” –– The New York Times

How to remember explicit vs implicit ?

Mnemonics are an easy way to remember the differences between terms like explicit and implicit . Since “explicit” information is outwardly apparent, try associating the letter “e” with “exterior.” Meanwhile, “implicit” information conveys inner meanings, so we can associate the letter “i” with “interior.” 

“ Explicit ” = E = “ Exterior ”

“ Implicit ” = I = “ Interior ”

What does explicit mean?

The word explicit is an adjective that describes an explanation or understanding as clear, developed, forthright, and/or unreserved. When something is “ explicit ,” it provides a transparent meaning in a way that is ‘fully revealed,’ and without an implied, vague, or suggested connotation. For example, 

“A house is an explicit example of a home.” “One hour is an explicit amount of time.” “There are explicit methods for baking because the recipes are precise.”  

Related terms of explicit include the adverb “ explicitly ” ( for ‘in an explicit manner’ ) or the noun “ explicitness ” ( the state of being explicit ). Sentence examples include, 

“She explicitly stated that she’s from New York.”  “I understand his explicitness as brutal honesty.” 

Lastly, we can define the adjective explicit as ‘openly observable’ or detailing sexually graphic content. For example, 

“The principal banned the novel because it contained explicit language.” 

Avowed, certain, completed, declared, definite, definitive, exact, literal, specific, unambiguous, unequivocal, univocal, unmistakeable. 

Ambiguous, circuitous, cryptic, enigmatic, equivocal, implicit, implied, indefinite, inexplicit, inferred, obscure, unintelligible, unspecific, vague. 

Etymology of explicit

According to The American Heritage Dictionary , the word explicit derives from Latin explicitus , the past participle of explicāre (‘ to unfold ’). In Modern English, we understand this term as the verb “ explicate ,” which means ‘ develop in detail ’ or ‘ to explain the meaning .’

What does implicit mean?

The word implicit is an adjective that describes a concept or explanation as implied, indirect, or nontransparent. When people describe something as “ implicit ,” they often reference an underlying or hidden meaning of something understood. For example,

“If someone yells ‘fire!’ the implicit meaning is to ‘get back’ or ‘stay away.’”  “There are several implicit methods for dating.”  “Literary texts often contain implicit information about an author’s life.” 

Similarly to “ explicit ,” we can use implicit for the adverb “ implicitly ” ( ‘in an implicit manner’ ) or the noun “ implicitness ” ( the state of being implicit ). Sentence examples include, 

“By noting the floor, she implicitly passed judgment on our cleanliness.”   “The implicitness of your tone sounds passive-aggressive.” 

Alternative meanings of implicit

The adjective implicit contains a few similar but alternative meanings. For instance, we can use implicit in describing how something is possible, but not a fact. For example, 

“All drivers face the implicit risk of car accidents.”

In other contexts, we use the adjective implicit to describe something as unquestioning or without reservations. For example,

“Family members possess an implicit love for one another.”  “All people share an implicit need for human connection.” 

Adj. [1]: Construed, hinted, implied, inferred, insinuated, interpreted, presumed, suggested, unsaid, unspoken.

Adj. [2]: Conceivable, hypothetical, imaginable, likely, plausible, possible, potential, thinkable. 

Adj. [3]: Assured, certain, clear, confident, decisive, resolute, sanguine, unwavering. 

Adj. [1]: Apparent, blatant, explicit, evident, expressed, stated, straightforward, unmistakable. 

Adj. [2]: Authenticated, confirmed, demonstrated, established, existent, factual, proven, substantiated. 

Adj. [3]: Doubtful, dubious, hesitant, indecisive, unassuming, vacillating. 

Etymology of implicit

The adjective implicit stems from Latin implicit or implicātus , the latter being the past participle of implicāre (‘ to entangle ’). The verb “ implicate ” shares etymological origins with implicit , as it describes the act of incriminating or entangling oneself or others in a situation. 

How to use explicit vs implicit in a sentence?

Since the words explicit and implicit are adjectives , they modify, identify, or describe other nouns . For example, 

“What is implicit bias?”  “ Explicit jokes may occur.” 

Outside of their grammatical function, the main trick to using explicit or implicit involves using the correct context. As a reminder:

• Use “implicit” to describe something as unspoken, indirect, or subtle. 
• Use “explicit” to describe something as forthright, clear, and/or graphic. 

“ Implicit ” sentence examples:

“Private pay systems embody an implicit tax that is more progressive than the federal government’s.” –– The New York Times  “Often it is subtle and implicit , not overt.” –– Boston Globe  “There are implicit crosswalks at most road intersections.” –– The Oregonian “Ocasio-Cortez delivered an implicit rebuke aimed at former Vice President…” –– AP News

“ Explicit ” sentence examples:

“The Louvre has withdrawn a large installation by a Dutch art and design collective for being sexually explicit… “ –– The New York Times  “ Explicit art was not scarce in the Roman Empire.” –– The Los Angeles Times “The United States has an explicit right under [UN] Security Council resolution 2231.” –– The Washington Post “An Italian rescue ship with 46 migrants on board has docked in the Italian port of Lampedusa against explicit ban.” –– AP News

Related reading: explicit vs implicit

The Word Counter regularly examines confusing words like explicit vs implicit . If you’re interested in learning more opposing terms, check out our recent posts on: 

• Affect vs effect?
• Concave vs convex?
• Fiancé vs. fiancée?

Test Yourself!

Test how well you understand the difference between explicit and implicit with the following multiple-choice questions. 

• True or false: Explicit is the opposite of implicit? a. True b. False
• Choose the correct word: “Wordpress ____________ denies responsibility for copyright infringements.”  a. Implicit  b. Explicitly c. Explicit d. Implicitly 
• Choose the correct word: “The accusation ____________ ties the senator to previous crimes.”  a. Implicit  b. Implies c. Implicate d. Implicitly 
• What is not an example of explicit information?  a. Tax rates b. Instruction manuals c. Road signs  d. Song lyrics
• What is not an example of implicit information?  a. Facial expressions b. Moral lesson c. Book title d. Parable
• “ Explicate .” Lexico , Oxford University Press, 2020.
• “ Explicit .” The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language , 5th ed., Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2020. 
• “ Explicit .” The Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster Inc., 2020.
• “ Implicate .” Lexico , Oxford University Press, 2020.
• “ Implicit .” The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language , 5th ed., Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2020. 
• “ Implicit .” The Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster Inc., 2020.
• Strogatz, S. “ That Vexing Math Equation? Here’s an Addition .” The New York Time s, 5 Aug 2019.

Alanna Madden

Alanna Madden is a freelance writer and editor from Portland, Oregon. Alanna specializes in data and news reporting and enjoys writing about art, culture, and STEM-related topics. I can be found on Linkedin .

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Video: Explicit Versus Implicit Thesis Statements

The following video defines the key terms explicit and implicit, as they relate to thesis statements and other ideas present in what you read.  It also introduces the excellent idea of the reading voice and the thinking voice that strong readers use as they work through a text.

To help keep you on your toes, the author of this video challenges you to find her spelling mistake in one of her cards along the way!

According to author Pavel Zemliansky,

Arguments then, can be explicit and implicit, or implied. Explicit arguments contain noticeable and definable thesis statements and lots of specific proofs. Implicit arguments, on the other hand, work by weaving together facts and narratives, logic and emotion, personal experiences and statistics. Unlike explicit arguments, implicit ones do not have a one-sentence thesis statement. Instead, authors of implicit arguments use evidence of many different kinds in effective and creative ways to build and convey their point of view to their audience. Research is essential for creative effective arguments of both kinds.

Even if what you’re reading is an informative text, rather than an argumentative one, it might still rely on an implicit thesis statement.  It might ask you to piece together the overall purpose of the text based on a series of content along the way.

• Video: Explicit Versus Implicit Thesis Statements. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Research Writing and Argument. Authored by : Pavel Zemliansky. Provided by : https://learn.saylor.org/mod/page/view.php?id=7163. Project : Methods of Discovery: A Guide to Research Writing. License : CC BY: Attribution
• explicit v implicit. Authored by : Michele Armentrout. Located at : https://youtu.be/eHjRogrFZ28 . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License