The main idea of the polar bears article was what
Although polar bears appear white, their fur is actually colorless.
What is the main idea of this passage:
On April 14, 1865, well-known actor and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth fatally shot President Abraham Lincoln while he was attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Because he was an actor, Booth was immediately recognized by many at the theatre.
President Abraham Lincoln was shot while he attended a theatre play.
A main idea is usually found in this part of a text
Beginning and/or End
Quicksand is real, but getting stuck in it is not fatal.
Which character archetype has a beef with society breaks all the rules?
Rebel
Polar bears have long outer hairs that are hollow and transparent
Booth, along with six co-conspirators, had been planning to kidnap President Lincoln and take him to the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, in an attempt to throw the government into disarray and save the Confederacy.
Booth had been planning to save the Confederacy by kidnapping President Lincoln.
The broad subject of a passage is not a main idea but a ...
Topic
What supporting detail helps us to understand what NOT to do when stuck in quicksand?
Panicking and flailing around will make you sink deeper
Which archetype is usually in need of rescue?
Damsel in distress?
What is the supporting detail that explains how polar bears can be green, blue, yellow or grey
the algae from the water that is trapped in the hollow outer hairs.
When Lincoln failed to show at the spot where his would-be kidnappers waited to nab him, Booth hatched a new plan. Heshocked Lincoln’s family and theatre-goers by shooting the President during the play, then escaping into the night.
When his kidnapping plan failed, Booth instead shot Lincoln at the theatre.
A question we can ask ourselves to find the main idea is...
What is the passage MOSTLY about?
What supporting detail helps us to understand how to stop sinking in quicksand?
Distribute your weight more evenly by laying back, you will sink less.
Which character archetype is usually acting like a clown and is often getting in trouble?
Fool / Jester
What is the supporting detail about how their fur helps polar bears live in the arctic?
Protects them from the harsh conditions and from predators.
News of the President’s assassination travelled quickly. Many who were still rejoicing over the end of the Civil War felt overwhelmed with shock and grief. By the end of the day, businesses were closed and flags were flying at half-mast.
People felt overwhelmed with shock and grief at Lincoln's death
"Some people smoke because they are addicted to nicotine" is not a main idea but a...
Supporting detail
What is the supporting detail that helps us understand what quicksand is?
Quicksand is a mixture of sand and water.
Which character Archetype must complete great feats of strength or skill?
Hero
Four inches of fat just under the skin keeps them warm in the water.
Booth’s broken leg was treated by Dr. Samuel Mudd, who waited 24 hours to contact authorities and report Booth’s visit. Mudd was imprisoned for conspiring to help Booth. Some people attribute the phrase, “Your name is mud” to the doctor who helped Lincoln’s assassin.
The “Your name is mud” expression comes from the Dr who treated Booth
Another name for a main idea in an essay is a __________ statement.
Thesis
What detail helps us understand what the "myth" about quicksand as seen in movies?
Unlike the movies, you won’t disappear underneath the sand and suffocate.
How are character archetypes related to the topic of Main Idea?