Main Idea & Supporting Details The main idea is what something is mainly about. It is the general or overall idea presented in a passage. A main idea is the most important or central point of a passage. The main idea can usually be found in the topic sentence. The topic is the subject of the passage. The supporting details are small facts or individual pieces of information that support or give more details about the main idea.

Locating the Main Idea The main idea is usually found… in the first or last sentence of a paragraph. in the first or last sentence of a paragraph. in the first or last paragraph of a passage. in the first or last paragraph of a passage. Sometimes the main idea is not stated; however details (clues) are given throughout the passage to help the reader determine the main idea.

Everyone needs sleep, but the amount of sleep an individual needs varies according to age and health condition. A healthy baby usually sleeps about 18 hours a day. A child who is ten years old needs approximately ten hours of sleep a night. Physically fit adults typically need between seven and eight hours of sleep each day. Senior citizens, adults over the age of 55 or 60, can get by with about six hours every night unless they are in poor health or suffering from an illness. Everyone needs sleep, but the amount of sleep an individual needs varies according to age and health condition. A healthy baby usually sleeps about 18 hours a day. A child who is ten years old needs approximately ten hours of sleep a night. Physically fit adults typically need between seven and eight hours of sleep each day. Senior citizens, adults over the age of 55 or 60, can get by with about six hours every night unless they are in poor health or suffering from an illness.

Main Idea & Topic Sentence Everyone needs sleep, but the amount of sleep an individual needs varies according to age and health condition. A healthy baby usually sleeps about 18 hours a day. A child who is ten years old needs approximately ten hours of sleep a night. Physically fit adults typically need between seven and eight hours of sleep each day. Senior citizens, adults over the age of 55 or 60, can get by with about six hours every night unless they are in poor health or suffering from an illness.

Supporting Detail 1 Everyone needs sleep, but the amount of sleep an individual needs varies according to age and health condition. A healthy baby usually sleeps about 18 hours a day. A child who is ten years old needs approximately ten hours of sleep a night. Physically fit adults typically need between seven and eight hours of sleep each day. Senior citizens, adults over the age of 55 or 60, can get by with about six hours every night unless they are in poor health or suffering from an illness.

Supporting Detail 2 Everyone needs sleep, but the amount of sleep an individual needs varies according to age and health condition. A healthy baby usually sleeps about 18 hours a day. A child who is ten years old needs approximately ten hours of sleep a night. Physically fit adults typically need between seven and eight hours of sleep each day. Senior citizens, adults over the age of 55 or 60, can get by with about six hours every night unless they are in poor health or suffering from an illness.

Supporting Detail 3 Everyone needs sleep, but the amount of sleep an individual needs varies according to age and health condition. A healthy baby usually sleeps about 18 hours a day. A child who is ten years old needs approximately ten hours of sleep a night. Physically fit adults typically need between seven and eight hours of sleep each day. Senior citizens, adults over the age of 55 or 60, can get by with about six hours every night unless they are in poor health or suffering from an illness.

Supporting Detail 4 Everyone needs sleep, but the amount of sleep an individual needs varies according to age and health condition. A healthy baby usually sleeps about 18 hours a day. A child who is ten years old needs approximately ten hours of sleep a night. Physically fit adults typically need between seven and eight hours of sleep each day. Senior citizens, adults over the age of 55 or 60, can get by with about six hours every night unless they are in poor health or suffering from an illness.

MAIN IDEA & TOPIC SENTENCE Everyone needs sleep, but the amount of sleep an individual needs varies. S. DETAIL A healthy baby usually needs 18 hours a day. S. DETAIL Children need approximately ten hours a day. S. DETAIL Adults need between seven and eight hours sleep a day. S. DETAIL Senior citizens can get by with six hours a night if they are healthy.

What is the main idea? Take a drive through a state park. Enjoy watching the sun dance on the yellow, orange, and red foliage. At home, rake the dried, fallen leaves on your lawn into a huge pile, then jump in them the way you did when you were younger. Go to a high school football game, but make sure to take a jacket as the nights can become chilly. Roast marshmallows over an open fire, or drink hot chocolate under the harvest moon. Visit a pumpkin patch, or go to a storytelling festival where you will likely be entertained by some interesting characters.

There are many activities you can enjoy during the fall season in the South. Take a drive through a state park. Enjoy watching the sun dance on the yellow, orange, and red foliage. At home, rake the dried, fallen leaves on your lawn into a huge pile, then jump in them the way you did when you were younger. Go to a high school football game, but make sure to take a jacket as the nights can become chilly. Roast marshmallows over an open fire, or drink hot chocolate under the harvest moon. Visit a pumpkin patch, or go to a storytelling festival where you will likely be entertained by some interesting characters.