Main Idea & Supporting Details
What is a main idea?
The most important point the author wants to communicate.
What are the two essential elements of a summary?
Main idea + key supporting details.
What is the goal of skimming?
To understand the general idea of a text quickly.
What do you look for when scanning?
Specific information (dates, numbers, names, keywords).
What does synthesizing mean?
Combining ideas from two or more sources.
What are supporting details?
Facts, examples, or explanations that support the main idea.
Should summaries include your personal opinion?
No
Name one text feature that helps you skim.
Titles, subtitles, headings, first sentences.
Scan this sentence:
"In 2023, more than 7.3 million Venezuelans were displaced."
What number stands out?
7.3 million.
Which skill is most similar to synthesizing?
A. Highlighting
B. Connecting ideas
C. Memorizing
D. Translating
Identify the main idea:
"Many migrants struggle with finding stable housing due to documentation issues."
Migrants face housing challenges because of documen
Summarize this sentence into 5 words:
"Migrants leave their homes for safety, stability, and food."
Migrants leave seeking survival needs.
Skim this sentence:
"Millions of Venezuelans have left their country seeking safety, stability, and access to basic necessities."
What is the main point?
Venezuelans migrate for survival and better living conditions.
If you need to find a policy name in a text, which strategy do you use?
Scanning.
You read a TED Talk and an article about Venezuelan migration.
What is one way to synthesize them?
Connect personal stories to data/real challenges.
Question:
Which is NOT a supporting detail of “exercise improves mental health”?
A. Exercise reduces stress
B. Exercise improves sleep
C. Exercise costs money
D. Exercise increases energy
C. Exercise costs money
Question:
Choose the BEST summary:
A. “The text is about migrants and it has many details.”
B. “Migrants leave for many reasons, mainly for safety, basic needs, and better opportunities.”
B
When skimming, should you read every detail?
No — only the most essential parts.
Scan the paragraph to answer:
"Colombia has implemented several programs such as PEP, TPS, and inclusive school initiatives."
Name two programs.
PEP & TPS.
Question:
If two texts agree on a topic, what should your synthesis do?
Show how they reinforce or expand each other.
Text:
"Colombia’s support programs have helped thousands of migrant students enroll in school, but many still face barriers such as discrimination, lack of resources, and trauma."
Main idea?
While helpful, integration programs still do not fully eliminate the barriers migrant students face.
Summarize this idea:
"Venezuelan children entering Colombian schools often struggle with missing documents, emotional stress, and changes in curriculum, but many show resilience and adapt with support."
Venezuelan students face major obstacles but adapt with support.
Challenge:
You skim a 3-page article on global migration. Which parts do you read first?
Title, introduction, headings, first/last paragraph.
Challenge:
Scanning question:
Find the cause of migration in this line:
"Most families left due to food shortages and lack of medical care."
Food shortages & lack of medical care.
Combine:
Text A: “Migrants leave mainly for survival.”
Text B: “Migrants face emotional trauma when leaving their families behind.”
Synthesis answer: Migrants leave to survive, but the emotional cost of separation makes migration deeply challenging.