Main Idea and Supporting Details Reading Intervention Mrs. Orso

What’s a main idea? Have you ever read a passage and then wondered, “What point is the author trying to get me to understand?” That “point” that you wondered about is the main idea or central message the writer is trying to get across to you. There are TWO types of main ideas

Stated Main Idea This is when the main idea is stated in one of the sentence of the paragraph. Let’s look at an example…

A Choosy Yorkie Breeder A friend of mine breeds and raises Yorkies. Although she raises them to sell, she is very particular about the people who buy the dogs. Because her dogs are so small and weigh only between three and five pounds when they are fully mature, she does a background check on the prospective owners. She won’t allow people with young children to purchase the dogs because they are too fragile to be handled by children younger than ten years old. What’s the main idea of this paragraph?

Look for one sentence that sums up what the paragraph is about. ANSWER: Although she raises them to sell, she is very particular about the people who buy the dogs. This sentence tells that she sells them but only to certain people. It is the stated main idea

Implied Main Idea Sometimes the paragraph won’t have the main idea stated; it will only be implied, or suggested without putting it in a sentence. The reader has to supply the implied main idea from what is said. Let’s look at an example…

Yorkie Characteristics Originating in Yorkshire, England, Yorkshire terriers are special little dogs. Known as “Yorkies,” they were bred to catch mice in the coal mines. They are extremely energetic and love to bark. Sometimes they bark at every little sound they hear. Yorkies are extremely loyal to their owners. Early in their lives, they will often bons with their owners and fiercely defend them. Yorkies love other people, too. As they get older, they usually love to be petted by everyone. What’s the main idea in this paragraph?

Is there one sentence that sums up what it’s about? The paragraph gives details about Yorkies, but no one sentence states the main idea. The implied main idea is that Yorkshire terriers are bred to be energetic and protective, and they make loving and loyal companions.

Things to Remember… A well-written paragraph will ALWAYS have a main idea. The main idea is what the story is MAINLY about. It can be stated directly in one of the sentences, or it can be implied. The main idea can be found anywhere in the paragraph, but it is usually the first or last sentence in the paragraph. Titles, when present, usually give a clue to the main idea.

Supporting Details The supporting details are the things that describe the main idea.The supporting details are the things that describe the main idea. These supporting details make the main idea stronger.These supporting details make the main idea stronger.

Supporting Details A good way to remember what a supporting detail is, is to think about building a house. Your main idea is the roof…it covers everything in the house. Your supporting details are all the 2x6’s that construction workers use to frame the house. Without your supporting details holding up your main idea, everything would crumble to the ground.

Find the Supporting Details The Erie Canal changed the way people moved goods in the 1800’s. The 363 mile canal connected Albany, New York to Lake Erie in Buffalo for the first time. When the Canal opened in 1825, building supplies and goods could be transported quickly and cheaply across New York State. Canal boats pulled by mules carried people and supplies across New York.The Erie Canal changed the way people moved goods in the 1800’s. The 363 mile canal connected Albany, New York to Lake Erie in Buffalo for the first time. When the Canal opened in 1825, building supplies and goods could be transported quickly and cheaply across New York State. Canal boats pulled by mules carried people and supplies across New York.

Question… Main Idea: Lake Erie changed the way people moved goods. What are the supporting details of this passage?What are the supporting details of this passage? Remember supporting details describe the main idea.Remember supporting details describe the main idea.

Answer… Supporting Details:Supporting Details: 1-The 363 mile canal connected Albany and New York for the first time.1-The 363 mile canal connected Albany and New York for the first time. 2-The canal boats pulled by mules carried people and supplies across New York State.2-The canal boats pulled by mules carried people and supplies across New York State. 3-The canal made a way for goods to be transported cheaply and quickly.3-The canal made a way for goods to be transported cheaply and quickly.

Last, but not Least! -Our stories would not make sense if they did not include a main idea with supporting details. -You will need to be able to select the main idea and the supporting details from everything you read.