Finding main idea and details in nonfiction text

What is main idea? The main idea is what the article, passage, or paragraph is mainly about.

Where can you find the main idea? First, check the first sentence. (The main idea sentence is often the first sentence in a paragraph.) Next, check the last sentence. (If it isn’t the first, it may be found at the end, to summarize the paragraph.) Finally, check the rest of the paragraph. (Sometimes it can be found in the middle of the paragraph.)

What are details? Details will give you more specific information about the main idea.

How can I recognize details? They may give examples about the main idea. They may describe the main idea. They may help to prove the main idea. They may explain the main idea.

Main Idea & Details Bats are very interesting animals. They are not birds, but they can fly. They are the only mammals that can do this. Their wings are like long fingers with skin stretched between them. I’d love to watch them some night!

Main Idea & Details Most bats have one baby at a time. It only takes most bat babies 50-100 days to develop and be born, unlike human babies who take 9 months. Baby bats can use their teeth and claws to cling to their mothers while the mothers fly. Because they are mammals, they drink milk from their mothers. Baby bats are amazing!