Explain a strategy for finding the main idea in a passage.
You can look at the topic sentence. Look for repeated words or concepts.
What are the 3 points of the Bermuda Triangle?
Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Miami
Capable of being trusted, dependable
Reliable
What do you think this expression means:
Spread like wildfire
A rumor or news is quickly known by everyone
There are also some paranormal theories that explain the odd disappearances in the Triangle. Some researchers think that there may be an extraterrestrial (alien) answer to the Triangle mystery. They believe that aliens may have caused the planes and ships to vanish.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Paranormal or alien activity caused the disappearances.
Name one possible reason for the disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle
One reason is that aliens caused the planes and ships to disappear
The land or area next to an ocean. Seashore.
Coast
What do you think this expression means?
Keep you posted
I'll keep in contact with you to let you know if anything changes
If the main idea is "Theories of the Bermuda Triangle" what do you think the rest of the paragraph will include?
Details about different theories to support the claim.
How did people find out about disappearances in the triangle? What sources did they read or watch?
Books were written and documentaries were made.
Beyond normal or acceptable limits
Outrageous
What do you think this expression means?
A little birdie told me
Someone told me something, but I can't say who it was
As the mystery around the Bermuda Triangle gained popularity, a librarian named Larry Kusche decided to investigate the claims surrounding the triangle. He found that many stories about the Triangle were actually false.
What details should be included after this topic sentence?
Details about false claims/stories.
In 1918, a US Navy ship called the USS Cyclops disappeared while it was carrying coal and 306 men. The ship and men aboard were never found.
When did this occur?
1918
Disappear suddenly; stop existing.
Vanish
What do you think this expression means?
Hear through the grapevine
A rumor has traveled through a few other people before it got to you.
What was the overall main idea of the Bermuda Triangle article?
How could a compass be affected in an area with strange magnetic fields?
It wouldn't align to the north.
Different from normal or usual, not typical
Abnormal
What do you think this expression means?
Hot off the press
This is brand new news you've got to hear.