Text Analysis - Author’s Purpose and Main Idea

The Mode or TYPE tells us the Author’s Purpose Mode/TYPE  Author’s purpose T-T echnical/Informational  to inform, instruct, tell how Y-Y our Story/Narrative  to entertain P-Persuasive  to persuade, convince E-Expository  to inform, tell about, explain

Expository to explain, inform Technical to explain, describe steps Persuasive to persuade, convince Persuasive and Technical are types of Expository!

Identifying Persuasive Text 1. Are TWO sides presented? If NOT… 2. Is there another side/perspective? –Whose story is being told? –Whose story is NOT being told? –Why? Would some people disagree with the writer’s beliefs or arguments? 3. Do you agree or disagree with the things the writer would like you to believe? Why?

Topic, Main Idea, Supporting Details TOPIC: the subject of the whole paragraph TOPIC: the subject of the whole paragraph MAIN IDEA: the point that the whole paragraph makes MAIN IDEA: the point that the whole paragraph makes SUPPORTING DETAILS: the sentences that explain the main idea SUPPORTING DETAILS: the sentences that explain the main idea Identifying Main Ideas

What is a topic? "A topic is a word or phrase that tells what the author is writing about in a paragraph." (from Opening Doors, p.191) "The topic of a passage is a word or phrase that labels the subject but does not reveal the specific contents of the passage." (from Bridging the Gap: College Reading, p.124

What is the topic of the following? Nutrition is the process of taking in and using food for growth, repair, and maintenance of the body. The science of nutrition is the study of foods and how the body uses them. Many North Americans define nutrition as eating a healthful diet. But what is healthful? Our food choices may be influenced by fads, advertising, or convenience. We may reflect on the meaning of nutrition while pushing a cart down a supermarket aisle, or while making a selection from a restaurant menu.

What is a stated main idea? "A stated main idea is the sentence in a paragraph that contains both the topic and the author’s single most important point about the topic." (p.172, Opening Doors) "The main idea of a passage is the central message that the author is trying to convey about the material." (p.122, Bridging the Gap: College Reading)

To find the main idea of a paragraph or passage, ask yourself: What is the most important point the author wants me to understand about the topic?

Where can the main idea appear?  At the beginning of the paragraph  At the end of the paragraph  Within the paragraph  Implied in the paragraph

At the beginning of the paragraph: "Beginning a new job is always exciting and sometimes intimidating. There is an invigorating feeling of a fresh start and a clean slate. You face new challenges and draw on a renewed sense of energy as you approach them. But you may also feel apprehensive... " (p.196, Opening Doors)

At the end of the paragraph: “...Most Anglo-Americans, for instance, see the extensive family obligations of Hispanics as a burdensome arrangement that inhibits individual freedom. Hispanics, in contrast, view the isolated nuclear family of Anglo-Americans as a lonely institution that cuts people off from the love and assistance of their kin. This tendency to view one's own cultural patterns as good and right and those of others as strange or even immoral is called ethnocentrism." (p.197, Opening Doors)

Within the paragraph: " Jim always seems to score well on tests. How does he do it? Jim offers these tips for successful studying. The first step is to decide what to study. Find out what topics will be covered on the test. Next, organize your notes and other materials on these topics. Third, make study guides to use as memory aids. Your final step is to review your notes and study guides until you feel confident about taking the test." (from Becoming a Confident Reader, p.200)

"All organisms must insure that their offspring have a reasonable chance to survive and begin a new generation. Plants, however, face special challenges. Plants do not have nervous systems, and they are not able to run away from predators or pests. Because nearly all plants live in fixed positions, they must also manage to find mates without being able to move around. Therefore they have evolved strategies for dealing with these problems that are essentially passive. An important part of such strategies is a reproductive pattern enabling each individual to produce large numbers of offspring." (Levine and Miller, Biology, 1991)

General vs. Specific The main idea in a paragraph is a general idea. In contrast, the supporting information in a paragraph is made up of specific ideas and details. The main idea in a paragraph is a general idea. In contrast, the supporting information in a paragraph is made up of specific ideas and details. To improve your skill at finding main ideas, you need to practice distinguishing between general and specific ideas. To improve your skill at finding main ideas, you need to practice distinguishing between general and specific ideas. The general idea includes all the specific ideas. The general idea includes all the specific ideas.

General vs Specific: General ideas: broad ideas that apply to a large number of individual items General ideas: broad ideas that apply to a large number of individual items –Clothing –Pies Specific ideas or terms: more detailed or particular; referring to an individual item Specific ideas or terms: more detailed or particular; referring to an individual item –Scarf –Apple, cherry, chocolate cream Identifying Main Ideas

Check It Out… See if you can identify the general word in each group. See if you can identify the general word in each group. jealousy hatred emotion worry spiders cockroaches mosquitoes insects chemistry science physics biology

Which are general? Soda, coffee, beverage, wine Soda, coffee, beverage, wine Pounds, ounces, kilograms, weights Pounds, ounces, kilograms, weights Soap operas, news, TV programs, sports special Soap operas, news, TV programs, sports special Sociology, social sciences, anthropology, psychology Sociology, social sciences, anthropology, psychology

The main idea is the most general statement about the topic: People differ in numerous ways. They differ according to physical characteristics, such as height, weight, and hair color. They also differ in personality. Some people are friendly and easygoing. Others are more reserved and formal. People differ in numerous ways. They differ according to physical characteristics, such as height, weight, and hair color. They also differ in personality. Some people are friendly and easygoing. Others are more reserved and formal. Which is the most general statement? Identifying Main Ideas

Finding the Main Idea 1. Locate the Topic – one or two words (person, place, object, idea) 2. Locate the Most General Sentence --the topic sentence 3. Study the Details—all the sentences in a paragraph must relate/support/explain the main idea.

Inferring Implied Main Ideas 1. Find the topic. 2. Decide what the writer wants you to know about the topic. 3. Express this idea in your own words. Identifying Main Ideas