CATEGORY 1: TOPIC, DETAIL OR MAIN IDEA?
What is a topic?
What the text is generally about.
A main idea is usually written as a word, phrase or complete sentence?
A complete sentence.
What is evidence?
A detail, quote or example from the text that supports an idea.
Is this a topic, detail or main idea?
Conflict
Topic.
Which is the strongest main idea?
A. Romeo and Juliet is about love.
B. Romeo and Juliet is about Verona.
C. Romeo and Juliet explores how love can become dangerous when it is shaped by conflict, secrecy and family pressure.
C
Which is stronger evidence for the idea that the families are in conflict?
A. Romeo talks about dreams.
B. The servants from each family begin a public fight.
B
Is this a topic, detail or main idea?
The Montagues and Capulets hate each other.
Supporting detail.
Why is this main idea too broad?
The play is about family.
It names a topic, but it does not explain what the play is saying about family.
Complete the sentence:
Evidence helps prove a main idea because...
It shows where the idea comes from in the text.
Is this a topic, detail or main idea?
Romeo and Juliet shows how family conflict can affect young people’s choices and relationships.
Main idea.
Why is this main idea too narrow?
The play is about Romeo going to a party.
It focuses on one event, not the whole play or a bigger idea.
What is wrong with using evidence that only mentions the same topic?
Example:
Main idea: The play shows the danger of family conflict.
Weak evidence: “Romeo is a Montague.”
The evidence is connected to the topic, but it does not clearly prove the danger or consequences of family conflict.
Why is “love” not a strong main idea for Romeo and Juliet?
Because it is only a broad topic. It does not explain what the text is saying about love.
Write a stronger main idea for this weak one:
The play is about fighting.
A stronger answer could be:
Romeo and Juliet shows how ongoing violence between families can lead to serious consequences.
Give one piece of evidence that supports this main idea:
Romeo and Juliet shows that the feud creates conflict in public and private life.
Possible answers: