What term describes the main topic that will be addressed in a text?

The term that describes the main topic that will be addressed in a text is indeed "headings." Headings serve as a title or a summary of the main ideas found in a section of the text, guiding the reader to understand what each part will cover. They are typically larger or bolded text at the beginning of a section, indicating the primary focus, which helps organize the information and makes it easier to navigate through the content.

In contrast, footnotes are supplementary notes at the bottom of the page that provide additional information or citations but do not indicate the main topics. Subheadings function similarly to headings but are used to break down topics further into more specific areas, rather than indicating the main overarching topic. Paragraphs are basic units of writing that contain sentences and develop ideas but do not themselves directly denote topics. Thus, headings effectively encapsulate the main topic, directing the reader's attention to what is to follow.