© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers The Skilled Reader (Updated Edition) by D. J. Henry Chapter 4: Topics and Main Ideas PowerPoint Presentation by Gretchen Starks-Martin St. Cloud State University, MN

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Topics  A topic is the general subject matter of a reading passage.  The topic is who or what the passage is about.  The topic can be stated in one word or a few words.  What is the topic of this paragraph? Our truck makes everyday life easier. In our truck, we can haul furniture, tools, camping equipment, and even trash. Most often we fill its bed full of the equipment used by the girls in our daughter’s hockey team. It also provides room to haul home a month’s worth of groceries.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers General and Specific Ideas  A general idea is a broad subject that needs specific ideas to support or explain it.  A specific idea is a point used to support or explain a general idea.  A skilled reader is able to see the difference between general and specific ideas.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Which is the general idea in each column? Set One  Sun screen  Beach chairs  Towels  Items for the beach  Surfboard  Beach umbrella Set Two  Starfish  Sea life  Whale  Dolphin  Tuna

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers What is the topic of this passage? Dog bites are very common. One insurance company states that of all injury claims filed, at least one third are related to dog bites. Any dog may be capable of biting. Even the well-loved family dog can suddenly turn into a biter for no known reasons. The most common breeds to bite are chows, cocker spaniels, pit bulls, and rottweilers. The most common victim is a child. Experts believe dogs go after children because of their size. a. dog bites b. dogs c. dog breeds that bite

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers What is the topic of this passage? The word pueblo is Spanish for “town.” It is also the name of a group of Native American Indians. The Pueblos live in Arizona and New Mexico. Some of the Pueblo Indians still carry out age-old rituals and customs. The Pueblos were too out-of-the-way to be controlled by the government.  ____Lack of control of the Pueblos  ____Native American Indians  ____Pueblo Indians

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers What is the topic of this passage? The word pueblo is Spanish for “town.” It is also the name of a group of Native American Indians. The Pueblos live in Arizona and New Mexico. Some of the Pueblo Indians still carry out age-old rituals and customs. The Pueblos were too out-of-the-way to be controlled by the government.  ____Lack of control of the Pueblos  ____Native American Indians  _X_Pueblo Indians

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Main Ideas & Topic Sentences  A main idea is the author’s most important point about the topic.  The topic sentence is a single sentence in a paragraph that states the author’s main idea.  The main idea is the frame of a house; the topic is the roof. Supporting details Supporting details Supporting details Main Idea (stated in a topic sentence)

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers What are the topic and main idea? 1 Camping is a challenging but fun activity. 2 Setting up and living in the campsite often seems to be a test of patience. 3 Pitching the tent can be a tussle with threading poles through the canvas tent and sinking stakes. 4 In addition, the wildlife, from thieving raccoons to buzzing bugs, always seems to present curious problems to solve. 5 The fun is found in days warm enough for swimming, hiking, and canoeing.  Topic? fun camping challenges campers  Main Idea? Sentence

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers What are the topic and main idea? 1 Camping is a challenging but fun activity. 2 Setting up and living in the campsite often seems to be a test of patience. 3 Pitching the tent can be a tussle with threading poles through the canvas tent and sinking stakes. 4 In addition, the wildlife, from thieving raccoons to buzzing bugs, always seems to present curious problems to solve. 5 The fun is found in days warm enough for swimming, hiking, and canoeing.  Topic? fun camping challenges campers  Main Idea? Sentence camping 2

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Supporting Details  Supporting details are specific ideas that develop, explain, support, or illustrate the main idea or controlling point.  The roof is the general idea; the main idea is the frame; the details are the rooms in the house. Supporting details Supporting details Supporting details Main Idea (stated in a topic sentence)

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers What are the supporting details? Camping is a challenging but fun activity. Setting up and living in the campsite often seems to be a test of patience. Pitching the tent can be a tussle with threading poles through the canvas tent and sinking stakes. In addition, the wildlife, from thieving raccoons to buzzing bugs, always seems to present curious problems to solve. The fun is found in days warm enough for swimming, hiking, and canoeing.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Topics in Headings  Headings in textbooks often identify the topic. Habitat The actual location or place where an organism lives is called its habitat. Because habitat describes a location, we can define it on many levels. Your habitat could be the country you live in, your state and city of residence, or the location of your home. Depending on your activity, such as eating, it could be your kitchen.  What is the topic?

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Topics in Headings Habitat The actual location or place where an organism lives is called its habitat. Because habitat describes a location, we can define it on many levels. Your habitat could be the country you live in, your state and city of residence, or the location of your home. Depending on your activity, such as eating, it could be your kitchen.  What is the main idea?

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Topics in Headings Habitat The actual location or place where an organism lives is called its habitat. Because habitat describes a location, we can define it on many levels. Your habitat could be the country you live in, your state and city of residence, or the location of your home. Depending on your activity, such as eating, it could be your kitchen.  What is one of the supporting details?

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Chapter Review 1. A topic is the general subject matter of a reading passage. 2. The topic can be stated in one word or just a few words. 3. A general idea is a broad subject that needs specific ideas to support or explain it.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Summary 4. A specific idea is a point used to support or explain a general idea. 5. The challenge for a skilled reader is to identify the topic, which should be neither too broad nor too narrow. 6. The main idea is the author’s most important point about a topic. 7. A topic sentence is a single sentence in a paragraph that states the author’s main idea.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Chapter Review 8. To find the topic, ask: “Who or what is the passage about?” 9. To find the main idea, ask: “What is the author’s controlling point about the topic?” 10. Supporting details are specific ideas that develop, explain, support, or illustrate the main idea.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Complete the Applications, Review Tests, and Mastery Tests for Chapter 4.