Main Idea Basics
What is the main idea of a paragraph or passage?
The central point or most important idea the author wants to convey.
What are supporting details used for?
To explain or prove the main idea.
What is a theme?
A lesson or moral the author wants the reader to learn.
What type of sentence usually contains the main idea in a paragraph?
The topic sentence.
Name two types of supporting details.
Facts, examples, statistics, reasons, descriptions.
Is this a theme or a main idea: “Working hard in school leads to success.”
Theme.
True or False: The main idea is always stated directly.
False. It can be implied.
Identify the supporting detail: "Because of rising temperatures, polar bears are losing their ice habitat."
Polar bears are losing their ice habitat.
Identify the main idea: “Lily practices the piano every day to prepare for her big recital.”
Lily is practicing hard for an important piano recital.
What question can you ask to find the main idea?
"What is the passage mostly about?"
Why do authors include supporting details?
To give readers more information to understand or believe the main idea.
Is this a theme or main idea: “Courage means doing the right thing even when you’re scared.”
Theme
Read this sentence: "Pollution is one of the biggest problems in cities today." What is the main idea?
Pollution is a major issue in urban areas.
Read this: “Tom always helped his classmates, shared his lunch, and stood up for others.” What’s the main idea and one supporting detail?
Main Idea: Tom is a kind person. Supporting Detail: He shared his lunch.
Which of the following is a theme: A) “Volcanoes erupt with lava.” B) “Honesty is always the best policy.”
B) “Honesty is always the best policy.”