Main Idea and Supporting Details

How to Find the Main Idea The main idea is what a passage is mostly about, or the author’s basic point. Sometimes the main idea is stated directly, but sometimes it is not so easy to identify. Ask yourself: What main idea do the supporting details explain? Look for supporting details that explain the main idea.2. 3.

Main Idea To find the main idea, ask yourself the questions on the following slide. The main idea of a passage is the most basic point the writer is making. If you asked most people what the most popular fruit in the world is, what would they say? Most people in the U.S. would say apple or banana. They would be wrong. The most popular fruit in the world is the mango. Worldwide, mangoes are eaten three times as often as bananas and ten times as often as apples. In the U.S., mangoes are considered to be an exotic fruit. In India, South Asia, China, and Latin America, the mango is a basic part of the diet. It is known as “the king of the fruits.” Probably the reason mangoes are not more popular yet in the U.S. is that not enough people have gotten used to eating them.

Main Idea 1. What subject do all the sentences talk about? 2. What is the passage mostly about? 3. Is there a sentence that states the main idea? If so, which sentence? If you asked most people what the most popular fruit in the world is, what would they say? Most people in the U.S. would say apple or banana. They would be wrong. The most popular fruit in the world is the mango. Worldwide, mangoes are eaten three times as often as bananas and ten times as often as apples. In the U.S., mangoes are considered to be an exotic fruit. In India, South Asia, China, and Latin America, the mango is a basic part of the diet. It is known as “the king of the fruits.” Probably the reason mangoes are not more popular yet in the U.S. is that not enough people have gotten used to eating them.

Main Idea 1. What subject do all the sentences talk about? 2. What is the passage mostly about? 3. Is there a sentence that states the main idea? If so, which sentence? the mango The mango is the most popular fruit in the world. yes — “The most popular fruit in the world is the mango.” If you asked most people what the most popular fruit in the world is, what would they say? Most people in the U.S. would say apple or banana. They would be wrong. The most popular fruit in the world is the mango. Worldwide, mangoes are eaten three times as often as bananas and ten times as often as apples. In the U.S., mangoes are considered to be an exotic fruit. In India, South Asia, China, and Latin America, the mango is a basic part of the diet. It is known as “the king of the fruits.” Probably the reason mangoes are not more popular yet in the U.S. is that not enough people have gotten used to eating them.

Main Idea Supporting details are given in sentences that explain or prove the main idea. If you asked most people what the most popular fruit in the world is, what would they say? Most people in the U.S. would say apple or banana. They would be wrong. The most popular fruit in the world is the mango. Worldwide, mangoes are eaten three times as often as bananas and ten times as often as apples. In the U.S., mangoes are considered to be an exotic fruit. In India, South Asia, China, and Latin America, the mango is a basic part of the diet. It is known as “the king of the fruits.” Probably the reason mangoes are not more popular yet in the U.S. is that not enough people have gotten used to eating them. To find the supporting details, first find the main idea. We have already determined that the main idea of this passage is: The most popular fruit in the world is the mango.

Main Idea If you asked most people what the most popular fruit in the world is, what would they say? Most people in the U.S. would say apple or banana. They would be wrong. The most popular fruit in the world is the mango. Worldwide, mangoes are eaten three times as often as bananas and ten times as often as apples. In the U.S., mangoes are considered to be an exotic fruit. In India, South Asia, China, and Latin America, the mango is a basic part of the diet. It is known as “the king of the fruits.” Probably the reason mangoes are not more popular yet in the U.S. is that not enough people have gotten used to eating them. Which sentences give details that support or explain the main idea?

Main Idea If you asked most people what the most popular fruit in the world is, what would they say? Most people in the U.S. would say apple or banana. They would be wrong. The most popular fruit in the world is the mango. Worldwide, mangoes are eaten three times as often as bananas and ten times as often as apples. In the U.S., mangoes are considered to be an exotic fruit. In India, South Asia, China, and Latin America, the mango is a basic part of the diet. It is known as “the king of the fruits.” Probably the reason mangoes are not more popular yet in the U.S. is that not enough people have gotten used to eating them. Which sentences give details that support or explain the main idea? Worldwide, mangoes are eaten three times as often as bananas and ten times as often as apples. It is known as “the king of the fruits.” In India, South Asia, China, and Latin America, the mango is a basic part of the diet.

Guided Practice with Main Idea and Supporting Details Read the paragraph below and answer the questions on the following slide. (1) What will a dog have to deal with in a family that has small children? (2) Parents teach children to be gentle with dogs, but very small children may take a while to learn the lesson. (3) They may be rough with the dog. (4) They may pet it too hard. (5) Children learning to walk may fall onto the dog or grab the dog. (6) Children are also naturally friendly and may hug the dog too hard. (7) Their little fingers may poke the dog in a sensitive area, such as the eye. (8) Children love to play. (9) When they get excited, they may pull the dog’s ears or tail. (10) Naturally, parents do not want a dog that is going to bite or nip children. (11) Therefore, when a family with small children chooses a dog, they need to find one with a calm personality that will put up with some hard petting and grabbing. (12) Jack Russell terriers are known for having lots of energy.

Guided Practice with Main Idea and Supporting Details 3. Which sentence does NOT support the main idea of the passage? A. (10) B. (2) C. (12) D. (9) 1. Which sentence states the main idea of the passage? A. (5) 2. Which sentences give details that support the main idea of the passage? A. (6), (8), and (12) B. (5), (7), and (11) C. (3), (6), and (9) D. (4), (10), and (11) B. (9) C. (1) D. (11)

Guided Practice with Main Idea and Supporting Details 3. Which sentence does NOT support the main idea of the passage? A. (10) B. (2) C. (12) D. (9) 1. Which sentence states the main idea of the passage? A. (5) 2. Which sentences give details that support the main idea of the passage? A. (6), (8), and (12) B. (5), (7), and (11) C. (3), (6), and (9) D. (4), (10), and (11) B. (9) C. (1) D. (11)

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