Final answer:
First, write a topic sentence conveying the main point and connect it directly to the thesis. Then, explain and develop this point by providing detailed evidence and analysis, ensuring you choose evidence that you can discuss insightfully and which ties back to your thesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first point that supports your focus statement when discussing The Lightning Thief should be a clear and well-developed argument that connects directly to your overall thesis. This involves writing a compelling topic sentence that states the main point. The topic sentence could, for example, highlight the effectiveness of the author's use of Greek mythology to connect with a modern audience. This would be followed by paragraphs that contain quotations and analyses that illustrate how the author's rhetorical strategies serve this purpose. Ensure these examples are tightly linked to demonstrating why your point strengthens the thesis statement.
It's crucial to introduce and explain one major point that supports your topic sentence. This could involve discussing specific plot elements or character development techniques which foreground the ancient myths in the context of a contemporary setting. Doing so essentially creates a bridge between the evidence and your thesis.
Select your evidence with care. Decide on supporting details that are most related to your thesis and which you can expansively interpret. Prefer engaging with a piece of evidence that might not be immediately obvious to all readers but can be elucidated through your analysis, thereby demonstrating your reasoning skills and unique perspective.