The main point of the statement is conveyed through the verb phrase, specifically the modal verb "should." While the nouns identify the subject ("September 11") and its proposed new status ("a holiday"), the verb is the element that transforms the phrase from a mere topic into a proposition. It introduces the central argument by expressing a recommendation, obligation, or opinion about the subject's state of being.
Grammatically, the sentence is structured with "September 11" as the subject (a proper noun phrase). The predicate is "should be a holiday," which makes a claim about the subject. Within this predicate, "should be" is the verb phrase, and "a holiday" is the subject complement (a noun phrase that renames the subject). The verb "be" acts as a linking verb, but the modality is introduced by "should." This modal auxiliary verb is the critical component that signifies the sentence is not a statement of fact but a persuasive assertion advocating for a change in status.
Understanding the verb as the locus of the main point is fundamental for developing the article. It dictates that the article's purpose is not merely to describe the date or the concept of a holiday, but to construct a persuasive argument. The writer's primary task becomes justifying the "should" by presenting evidence, exploring the ethical or cultural reasoning, and addressing potential counterarguments to this specific recommendation. The entire thesis rests on the justification for this proposed action.
