Main Idea

Pretest Directions: Read the following paragraph and use it to answer pretest questions 1-4. Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests. Sumo wrestling is a sport that started in Japan. It takes place in a ring. Two players try to score points by holding each other down or pushing each other out of the ring. Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans. The robot that scores the most points wins.

1. What is the main idea of this paragraph? a. Sumo wrestling is a sport that started in Japan. b. Sumo wrestling takes place in a ring. c. The robot that scores the most points wins. d. Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests.

d. Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests.

a. Incorrect. This supporting detail gives more information about sumo wrestling’s starting place. b. Incorrect. This supporting detail gives more information about where a sumo wrestling match takes place. c. Incorrect. This supporting detail gives more information about the scoring rules of sumo. d. Correct! This paragraph is mainly about robots being used in sumo wrestling contests.

2. Which term best describes the main idea of a piece of writing? a. A detail b. A central point c. A broad topic d. An aspect

b. A central point

a. Incorrect. Details support the main idea in a piece of writing. b. Correct! The main idea is the central point of a piece of writing. c. Incorrect. The main idea is not broad; it is specific and has a point. d. Incorrect. The main idea encompasses the whole subject not just an aspect of it.

3. Which term best describes the supporting details of a piece of writing? a. Structure b. Substance c. Majority d. Descriptive

d. Descriptive

a. Incorrect. Metaphorically, main ideas are the structure and supporting detail hold it up. b. Incorrect. They do give a piece of writing substance, but this answer is too vague. c. Incorrect. They do make up the majority of a paragraph, but this answer is too vague. d. Correct! Supporting details describe the main idea and give more information about it.

4. Which of the following is a supporting detail of this paragraph? a. Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests. b. Robot sumo contests are better than human sumo contests. c. Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans. d. Watching robot sumo is boring.

c. Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans.

a. Incorrect. This is the main idea of the paragraph. b. Incorrect. This is an opinion about robot sumo contests and not a supporting detail. c. Correct! This supporting detail gives more information about what robot sumo entails. d. Incorrect. This is an opinion about robot sumo contests and not a supporting detail.

Quick Notes: The main idea in a paragraph is the most important idea. It is the central point that an author is trying to get across to the reader. The supporting details describe the main idea. They make the main idea stronger and clearer. Keep in mind that the main idea is often the first or last sentence of a paragraph.

To find the main idea, answer two questions: (1) What is the paragraph mostly about? (2) Which sentence best tells what the paragraph is about?

Example: Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. They nurse their babies. They protect them from danger. And they teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas. (1) What is the paragraph mostly about? The paragraph is mostly about what mother gorillas do. (2) Which sentence best tells what the paragraph is about? The first sentence tells what the paragraph is about. It is the main idea.

Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. They nurse their babies Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. They nurse their babies. They protect them from danger. And they teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas. Main Idea Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. Supporting Detail #1 They nurse their babies. Supporting Detail #2 They nurse their babies. They protect them from danger. Supporting Detail #3 And they teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas.

Non-Example (What is SHOULDN'T look like) Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. They nurse their babies. They protect them from danger. And they teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas. (1) What is the paragraph mostly about? The paragraph is mostly about mother gorillas. (2) Which sentence best tells what the paragraph is about? Not sure which sentence best tells what the paragraph is about.

Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. They nurse their babies Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. They nurse their babies. They protect them from danger. And they teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas. Main Idea Mother gorillas love their babies. Supporting Detail #1 Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. Supporting Detail #2 They love their babies. Supporting Detail #3 They teach them things.

Non-example In this case, the main idea that is stated in the box is a broad and generalized statement about mother gorillas. It is not the main idea. This statement also cannot be found within the paragraph. The supporting details do not support the main idea. They are made up and cannot be found within the paragraph. Lastly, the supporting details neither make the main idea stronger nor does it make it any clearer.

Read and think about the following sample paragraphs, in which the main idea sentences are underlined.

Paragraph One It is often said that lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but this isn’t true. Go ask the forest rangers. Rangers who spend their summers as fire-fighters will tell you that every thundershower brings several bolts of lightning to their lookout stations. (Notice that the first sentence tells what the paragraph is about; the sentences that follow support the idea stated in the first sentence.)

Paragraph Two Costs were low that year and the output high. There was a good person for each job and the market remained firm. There were no losses from fire. All in all it was the best years in the history of the company. (Note that the first three sentences give details to explain why it was the best year in the company’s history.)

Paragraph Three There are great numbers of deer around here. This whole area is great country for hunters and fishermen. There are bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. To the east there are streams full of trout, and there are ducks and geese. (The author begins and ends with examples. The main idea is stated in the second sentence.)

Paragraph Four Advertising affects our lives everyday. Brand names are common household words. We start each day using the toothpaste, soap, and breakfast foods promoted by advertisers. Ads have made the cars we drive signs of our success. Our choices of food, dress, and entertainment are swayed by ads. Not one aspect of American life is untouched by advertising. (The main idea is stated at the beginning of the paragraph and then restated at the end.)

Paragraph Five Penicillin is one of the greatest of the wonder drugs. It has saved thousands of lives already and will save many more in the future. Unfortunately it has no effect at all on most of the ills of mankind. Penicillin is a very good drug, but it is certainly not a cure-all. (The author has split the main idea. This paragraph begins with positive comments on penicillin. The word but signals a shift in thought, and the paragraph ends with a statement of its limitations.)

Paragraph Six Do you wear glasses? Make sure your glasses fit well. The earpieces should be at eye level. Don’t try to adjust the earpieces yourself. Take your glasses for adjustments to the place you bought them. Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. This will prevent scratches. Keep the lenses clean. A soft cloth is best for cleaning. (The main idea is implied. All of the sentences in the paragraph give details about a main idea. In this paragraph the implied main idea is that taking care of your glasses involves many steps.)

PRACTICE Remember the different ways to identify the Main Idea are to look for the following: It’s the 1st sentence It’s the last sentence It’s any sentence in the text It’s in the beginning AND restated at the It’s a SPLIT point of view-says one point of view and then says a different/opposite point of view It is Stated or IMPLIED Remember to ask these two questions as you read! Who or what is the paragraph about? What aspect or idea about the ‘who’ or ‘what’ is the author concerned with?

Practice Answers & Reasons/Evidence First sentence: “People often refer to taxes in terms of their being much too high”. Last sentence: “Unlike man, the computer performs repetitive calculations without getting tired or bored”. First sentence: “The Louisiana Purchase proved to be one of the shrewdest [best] business pacts in the entire history of the United States”. SPLIT beginning pov “dog’s are man’s best friend; a coyote is his worst enemy”/end pov “ranchers find coyotes valuable” Implied- Before people spoke face to face. Then they were able to communicate via phone. However, face-to-face is the most personal and cannot be replaced. Beginning AND end: “attitudes toward gambling are [conflicting]”; “gambling laws are inconsistent”-both make the laws hard to enforce. A D C B