© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Implied Main Ideas An implied main idea is a main idea that is not stated directly but is strongly suggested by the supporting details in the passage. There is no topic sentence, so the main idea must be implied. Ask the following questions: –What is the topic, or subject, of the passage? –What are the major supporting details? –What is the main idea the author is trying to get across?

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers What is the implied main idea of this passage? Employees with burnout feel tired all the time, and they often show symptoms of depression. The likelihood of burnout is increased if they feel trapped in the job. Burnout can also occur if the job demands an overload of work. Ongoing lack of social support, rigid rules, and unkind bosses also lead to burnout.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers What is the implied main idea of this passage? Employees with burnout feel tired all the time, and they often show symptoms of depression. The likelihood of burnout is increased if they feel trapped in the job. Burnout can also occur if the job demands an overload of work. Ongoing lack of social support, rigid rules, and unkind bosses also lead to burnout. Several factors can cause employees to burn out.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers The first step is to find the implied topic. Brushes Chalk Pens Ink Paints Beds A couch Easy chairs A dining table Bookshelves

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers The first step is to find the implied topic. Brushes Chalk Pens Ink Paints Beds A couch Easy chairs A dining table Bookshelves Art suppliesFurniture for a house

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers The next step is to use your own words to state the topic. Printer Monitor Keyboard Mouse CPU Church Mosque Synagogue Temple

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers The next step is to use your own words to state the topic. Printer Monitor Keyboard Mouse CPU Church Mosque Synagogue Temple Places of worship A personal computer

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers The next step is to look at the specific details and find the implied main idea. Emergency rooms treated over 8,000 fireworks injuries in the year Fireworks injuries include blindness, scarring, and amputation. Fireworks are made of gunpowder. The implied main idea is: –Fireworks are dangerous for several reasons. –Fireworks are fun because they are dangerous. –Fireworks are fun yet dangerous.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers The next step is to look at the specific details and find the implied main idea. Emergency rooms treated over 8,000 fireworks injuries in the year Fireworks injuries include blindness, scarring, and amputation. Fireworks are made of gunpowder. The implied main idea is: –Fireworks are dangerous for several reasons.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers You must state the implied main idea in your own words. Wisconsin has over 15,000 inland lakes, 43,000 miles of rivers, and 650 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. These Great Lakes are two of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, and they add nearly 6 million acres of water to Wisconsin. Thus, boating is a major part of life in Wisconsin’s great outdoors. The state also has nearly 500 public golf courses. Late summer and fall are some of the best times of the year to play Wisconsin’s golf courses. Finally, winter brings snow and the joys of snow skiing and snowboarding. What is the implied main idea?

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers You must state the implied main idea in your own words. Wisconsin has over 15,000 inland lakes, 43,000 miles of rivers, and 650 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. These Great Lakes are two of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, and they add nearly 6 million acres of water to Wisconsin. Thus, boating is a major part of life in Wisconsin’s great outdoors. The state also has nearly 500 public golf courses. Late summer and fall are some of the best times of the year to play Wisconsin’s golf courses. Finally, winter brings snow and the joys of snow skiing and snowboarding. Wisconsin offers a variety of outdoor activities.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Create One-Sentence Summaries More than 2 million Native Americans live in the United States. More than one-third live on reservations, on lands placed in trust for them, or in other areas set aside as Native American. One of every three persons lives in poverty. Sixteen percent of Native American homes do not have a telephone. This number is alarming when compared to the fact that only 6 percent of non-Native American homes do not have phones. 80% of the Navajos cannot have telephone service. The average person pays $100 for basic monthly service. Calls off the reservation are billed as long distance. Thus, an average phone bill can soar quickly past $200 a month. What is the implied main idea?

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Create One-Sentence Summaries More than 2 million Native Americans live in the United States. More than one-third live on reservations, on lands placed in trust for them, or in other areas set aside as Native American. One of every three persons lives in poverty. Sixteen percent of Native American homes do not have a telephone. This number is alarming when compared to the fact that only 6 percent of non-Native American homes do not have phones. 80% of the Navajos cannot have telephone service. The average person pays $100 for basic monthly service. Calls off the reservation are billed as long distance. Thus, an average phone bill can soar quickly past $200 a month. Many Native Americans who live on reservations either go without phones or pay extremely high fees for service.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Pictures as Details Pictures, drawings, or graphs are often used to make the relationship between the main ideas and supporting details clear.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers ReviewReview 1.A main idea that is not stated directly but is strongly suggested by the supporting details in the passage is an implied main idea. 2.The first question to ask to find the implied main idea is: What is the topic of the passage? 3.The second question to ask to find the implied main idea is: What are the major supporting details? 4.The third question to ask to find the implied main idea is: What is the controlling point the author is trying to get across? 5.Implied main ideas must be neither too general nor too broad.