Read the paragraph. the thesis statement is highlighted. general george washington the american revolution did not promise a simple victory, and nobody expected washington and the colonists to win. fortunately, washington was a great patriot and an effective leader. although his troops were fewer in number than the british forces, he proved to be a gifted strategist. for these reasons, he succeeded against the odds. washington married martha custis, a wealthy widow. which sentence is outside the focus of the paragraph? for these reasons, he succeeded against the odds. fortunately, general george washington was a great patriot and an effective leader. although his troops were fewer in number than the british forces, he proved to be a gifted strategist. washington married martha custis, a wealthy widow.