Bridging the Gap, 9/e Brenda Smith Chapter 4: Main Idea Bridging the Gap, 9/e Brenda Smith © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

In This Chapter You Answer the Questions: What is the difference between a topic and a main idea? What are the strategies for finding stated and unstated main ideas? What are the functions of major and minor supporting details? What is a summary? © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

The person, place, or thing the text is about. What is a Topic? Similar to a title General term, rather than specific Unifies details The person, place, or thing the text is about. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Clues for Identification Appears as a heading or title Appears in special type such as bold print, italics, or color Is repeated throughout the paragraph Appears at the beginning of the paragraph and is then referred to throughout the paragraph by pronouns

Example of a Topic Carrots Vegetables Lettuce (topic) Onions (details) Potatoes © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Sunglasses, towel, sun block Bat, mitt, ball, Create a Topic Sunglasses, towel, sun block Bat, mitt, ball, Notebook, backpack, pencils p. 150/148 © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Practice http://www. wisc- online. com/objects /ViewObject. aspx Practice http://www.wisc- online.com/objects /ViewObject.aspx?I D=RDG708 © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

What is a Main Idea? Central message Condenses thoughts & details into a general statement All inclusive (has the topic within) The most important thing you are supposed to understand about the topic. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Labels for Main Idea Main point Central point Gist Controlling idea Central thought Thesis © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

What are Supporting Details? Support, develop, & explain a main idea Details can include: Reasons Incidents Facts Examples Steps Definitions © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Major & Minor Details Major Main Support ideas Explain Describe Minor [supports the main idea] Minor Major Support Details Explain Describe [supports the major details] © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Reader’s Tip: Signals for Significance Key words for major details: One First Another Furthermore Also Finally Key words for minor details: For example To be specific That is This means Pg. 153/151 Pg. 154 © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Reader’s Tip: Using Questions to Find the Main Idea Determine the topic. Who or what is this reading about? Identify details. What are the major supporting details? Find the main idea. What is the message the author is trying to convey about the topic? Pg. 160/157 © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Stated Main Ideas The main point is directly stated in the reading. It provides overview of material. It is also called a topic sentence or thesis statement. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Location of Stated Main Ideas An introductory statement of the main idea is given at the beginning of the paragraph. A concluding statement of the main idea appears at the end of the paragraph. Details are placed at the beginning to arouse interest, followed by a statement of main idea in the middle of the paragraph. Both the introductory & concluding sentences state the main idea. Details combine to make a point, but the main idea is not directly stated. Pg. 162-168/159-162 More practice- 162-164 © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Unstated Main Ideas Pg. 175 &177/ 168-174 Details combine to make a point, but the main idea is not directly stated. The main idea is hinted at or implied. This happens often in narrative, media, movies, and photographs. What is implied by this image? Pg. 175 &177/ 168-174

Reader’s Tip: Getting the Main Idea of a Longer Selection Think about the title. Read the first paragraph or two to find a statement of the topic of thesis. Read the subheadings and glance at the first sentences of some of the paragraphs. Look for clues that indicate how the material is organized. As you read, organize the paragraphs into subsections. Determine how the overall organization and subsections relate to the whole. p. 186/178 © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Summary Writing: A Main Idea Skill A summary is a series of brief, concise statements, in your own words, of the main idea and the significant supporting details. The first sentence should state the main idea or thesis. Minor details should be omitted. It should be in a paragraph form. Pg. 169-173/182 © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Why Summarize? For textbook study Useful in anticipating answers for essay exam questions For writing research papers © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Reader’s Tip: How to Summarize Keep in mind the purpose of your summary. Decide on the main idea the author is trying to convey. Decide on the major ideas and details that support the author’s point. Do not include irrelevant or repeated information. Use appropriate transitional words and phrases. Use paragraph form. Do not add your personal opinion. Pg. 191-194/ 184 © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers