G ROUNDWORK FOR C OLLEGE R EADING WITH PHONICS Fourth Edition John Langan © 2008 Townsend Press

Part II, Chapter Six: Finding Main Ideas THIS CHAPTER IN A NUTSHELL The main idea most often appears in the first sentence of a paragraph. The main idea may include such list words as various kinds and a number of. Supporting details may be introduced with such addition words as first of all, next, and finally. Sometimes the first sentence or two of a paragraph acts as an introduction to the main idea. The main idea then appears in the second or third sentence. Often a word like but or however signals such a main idea. The main idea may also appear in the middle or at the end of a paragraph.

LOCATION The main idea often appears at the beginning of a paragraph. It can also appear in other places in the paragraph. © The New Yorker Collection 1994 Bruce Eric Kaplan from cartoonbank.com

MAIN IDEA AT THE BEGINNING The main idea is often stated in the first or second sentence of the paragraph. The rest of the paragraph then supports the main idea with details. Supporting Detail Main Idea

MAIN IDEA AT THE BEGINNING Which sentence contains the main idea? Many people say they have a problem sleeping. But in many cases, sleep problems can be avoided by following a few simple guidelines. First, dont drink alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine close to bedtime. Next, do not exercise within three hours of bedtime. Finally, plan a sleep routine. Every day, go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time. As you read the paragraph below, look for the general idea.

MAIN IDEA IN THE MIDDLE Supporting Detail Sometimes the first few sentences of a paragraph act as an introduction to the main idea. The main idea then appears in the middle of the paragraph. Main Idea

MAIN IDEA IN THE MIDDLE Today we take world-wide communication for granted. Through TV and radio, we learn almost instantly what happens throughout the world. In Roman times, however, military leaders communicated with each other through a more down-to-earth methodpigeons. Homing pigeons have a strong instinct to return home from just about anywhere. The birds were kept in cages at the military camps. When a message had to be sent, a soldier strapped it to the birds leg. The bird was then released, and it flew home, delivering the message. As you read the paragraph below, look for the general idea. Which sentence contains the main idea?

MAIN IDEA AT THE END Supporting Detail Sometimes all of the sentences in the paragraph will lead up to the main idea, which is stated at the end. Main Idea

MAIN IDEA AT THE END One common belief is that damp weather or a chill causes people to catch a cold. The truth is that exposure to a cold virusnot weatheris what causes the sickness. A related idea is that vitamin C can help prevent the common cold. While vitamin C can help with other conditions, there is no evidence that it stops or relieves colds. Another medical myth is that chocolate causes acne. Researchers who have studied this skin condition have not been able to connect acne to a diet rich in chocolate. Finally, many people believe they should drink eight glasses of water a day for good health. But the only result you can expect from this much water is a need to visit the bathroom. Many popular ideas about health are simply false. The last sentence contains the main idea.

CHAPTER REVIEW In this chapter, you learned the following: The first place to check for the main idea is the first sentence. But the main idea can appear anywhere within a paragraph. At times the first sentence or two serve as an introduction to the main idea, which then appears in the second or third sentence. In such cases, a word like but or however often signals the main idea.