Main Idea

Presented by: Professor L. Street

Main ideaWhat is the key point

Journal Activity

http://www.slideshare.net/libyan/carrots-eggs-and-coffee

KEY TERMSTERM DEFINITION

Main Idea The most important idea.

Topic Sentence The most important point of a paragraph when directly stated

Thesis The most important point of an essay or longer reading.

Explicit (main idea) The most important point expressed in one sentence in the reading

Implied (main idea) The most important point hinted at in the paragraph.

Main idea (each paragraph) Identifying the main idea provides the

opportunity to gain the full understanding of the text.

Who/what is important in the story? What is being talked about the most/focused on?

Topic + controlling thought = Main idea Main idea is a lot like using tweeter. You

want to keep your ideas short and to the point, leaving out the unnecessary.

Topic Sentence

Topic sentence often placed at the beginning of a paragraph that directly states or suggest the Main Idea/Topic of the text.

Topic – the topic is the subject matter being discussed in the reading selection.

It will be no longer than 2-3 words. A topic is not the title.

SUPPORTING DETAILS

Supporting details are statements that support a topic sentence. They explain, describe, define, or give information about the main idea.

TWO TYPES OF SUPPORTS MAJOR DETAIL – This detail directly

supports and explains the central main idea

MINOR DETAIL – Clearly supports and explains the major detail.