Finding main idea, supporting details, marking a textbook, and charts to organize information

 A reading, like an essay, has an introduction (usually the first paragraph), and a conclusion (the last paragraph).  Often, one sentence in the introduction gives the main idea of the reading.  The main idea is the most important idea.  It includes all of the smaller, more specific ideas of the reading.  Frequently, the main idea appears again in the conclusion.

 Sometimes you can find important details (specific points) quickly if you look for numbers or words such as first, second, next, finally (transition words).

 Sometimes you have a lot of reading to do, and there usually is not enough time to read a chapter several times.  You need to highlight the important information in a reading so that you can find it quickly later.

 Use one color for main ideas.  Use a different color for important details.  Be sure not to highlight too much information.  Sometimes you can highlight key words instead of highlighting an entire sentence.

 When you read a section of a textbook, you can often find the main idea for the reading in the introductory paragraph and in the concluding paragraph.  In the other paragraphs of a reading, the main idea of each paragraph is usually found in the first sentence. This is the topic sentence It’s a good idea to highlight the topic sentences as you read.

 Graphic organizers are useful study tools that can allow you to record information such as main ideas, important details, and examples from a reading.  They can allow you to see relationships among ideas.  One type that is good for note-taking is a chart.

QuestionDefinition or characteristics Examples What is biotechnology? What is genetic engineering? What can genetic engineering do? What is a gene? What is a protein? What are some examples of genetically modified products?

 Read Background Information on Biotechnology. (pages only)  As you read, highlight the following: ◦ The topic sentence of each paragraph ◦ Definitions or characteristics of important terms ◦ Examples Fill out the graphic organizer with the answers to the questions and examples from the reading. Some of the information you highlighted may help you with the chart.

 Share your findings with the rest of the class.  Using word, prepare a different chart with the remaining questions on the reading. (pages 59-62)  Save your document on your computer.