1. Finding the topic and the main idea

2. In short… TOPIC is what a text is about
MAIN IDEA is what the writer says about the topic
In between are supporting ideas, as examples, experiments, also introductory stories, discussion of controversial ideas…

4. A good text has a topic and main idea for the whole text and topics and main ideas for each paragraph
( learn to be a good writer! Use this technique, too!)

5. see whether one word is repeated in the paragraph.
How to find the topic of a paragraph:
see whether one word is repeated in the paragraph.
whether the author is using any synonyms for a word that might be the topic.

6. Diamonds are said to be a girl's best friend
Diamonds are said to be a girl's best friend. In fact, these beautiful sparkling stones may be a jeweler's best friend. In the United States it is customary for the male to give the female a diamond ring as a sign of engagement. These beautiful stones are often quite expensive.

7. What word is repeated the most in this paragraph, including any synonyms?
Diamonds.
The author's four references to the topic are:
                    1. diamonds
                    2. sparkling stones
                    3. diamond
                    4. beautiful stones
All of these words refer to the topic of diamonds.

8. Diamonds are said to be a girl's best friend
Diamonds are said to be a girl's best friend. In fact, these beautiful sparkling stones may be a jeweler's best friend. In the United States it is customary for the male to give the female a diamond ring as a sign of engagement. These beautiful stones are often quite expensive.

9. Adelie penguins are adorable
Adelie penguins are adorable. These are the penguins that are shown in most pictures of penguins. Adelies look like little bowling pins wearing tuxedos. They live in large groups in the south polar regions. At times they can be very funny. It is often enjoyable to watch them as they swim or slide in the snow on their bellies.

10. The topic is Adelie penguins.
The single word "penguins" would be too broad, because the author isn't writing about all different kinds of penguins. The author is only writing about Adelie penguins.

11. Adelie penguins are adorable
Adelie penguins are adorable. These are the penguins that are shown in most pictures of penguins. Adelies look like little bowling pins wearing tuxedos. They live in large groups in the south polar regions. At times they can be very funny. It is often enjoyable to watch them as they swim or slide in the snow on their bellies.

12. How to find the main idea of a paragraph:
The main idea is the point of the paragraph. It is the most important thought about the topic.
To figure out the main idea, ask yourself this question: What is being said about the person, thing, or idea (the topic)?
The main idea is usually a sentence, and it is usually the first sentence. The writer then uses the rest of the paragraph to support the main idea.

13. Main idea of a paragraph and main idea of the whole article:
The main idea of one paragraph is connected in some way to the main idea of the whole text.
 Finding out what function the content of one paragraph has in the whole text (e.g. introduction, results of an experiment, examples, controversial thoughts of another party, conclusion) helps you finding the main idea of the paragraph.

14. Summer is a wonderful time to spend at West Beach
Summer is a wonderful time to spend at West Beach. It is a beach with light- colored, soft sand. The coastline goes on for a long way and many people enjoy walking along it. Children like to play in the surf and walk along the rocks that are visible at low tide. This is a fun beach for people of all ages.

15. the topic is West Beach
the main idea is that summer is a wonderful time at West Beach

16. Summer is a wonderful time to spend at West Beach
Summer is a wonderful time to spend at West Beach. It is a beach with light- colored, soft sand. The coastline goes on for a long way and many people enjoy walking along it. Children like to play in the surf and walk along the rocks that are visible at low tide. This is a fun beach for people of all ages.

17. The movie Apollo 13 was a blockbuster for the summer of 1995
The movie Apollo 13 was a blockbuster for the summer of It is an exciting story about space exploration. In the movie, the astronauts get in trouble while they are trying to return to Earth. People in the audience are on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens. What makes it even more exciting is that it is a true story. 

18. the topic is the movie Apollo 13
the main idea is in the first sentence: Apollo 13 was a blockbuster for the summer of 1995

19. The movie Apollo 13 was a blockbuster for the summer of 1995
The movie Apollo 13 was a blockbuster for the summer of It is an exciting story about space exploration. In the movie, the astronauts get in trouble while they are trying to return to Earth. People in the audience are on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens. What makes it even more exciting is that it is a true story. 

20. Most teenagers and young adults do not know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. It is a big decision. There are a number of things you can do to narrow the choices. For example you can take an interest test, do some research on your own about a career, try volunteer work in the field in which you are interested, or "job-shadow", in which you spend a day with a person who is working in a field that interests you. These are just a few helpful ideas as you begin to choose a career.

21. the topic is jobs or career choices
the main idea is a few ideas to help the reader choose a career

22. Most teenagers and young adults do not know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. It is a big decision. There are a number of things you can do to narrow the choices. For example you can take an interest test, do some research on your own about a career, try volunteer work in the field in which you are interested, or "job-shadow", in which you spend a day with a person who is working in a field that interests you. These are just a few helpful ideas as you begin to choose a career.

23. Most teenagers and young adults do not know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. It is a big decision. There are a number of things you can do to narrow the choices. For example you can take an interest test, do some research on your own about a career, try volunteer work in the field in which you are interested, or "job-shadow", in which you spend a day with a person who is working in a field that interests you. These are just a few helpful ideas as you begin to choose a career.

24. The United States seems to be in love with the idea of going out to eat. Because of this, a real variety of restaurants has come about specializing in all kinds of foods. McDonald's is the king of a subgroup of restaurants called fast-food restaurants. Chances are, no matter where you live, there is a McDonald's restaurant near you. There are even McDonald's in the Soviet Union. Now McDonald's is trying something new. It is called McDonald's Express and there is a test site in Peabody, Massachusetts. It is part of a Mobil gas station. This allows you to fill up with gas and fill up on food at the same time. What will they think of next? 

25. the main idea is : McDonald's is the king of fast food
the topic is McDonald's 
the main idea is : McDonald's is the king of fast food 
Excerpted from:
Study Skills
A Landmark School Student Guide
by Diane Vener,
© 2002 Landmark School, Inc.

26. The United States seems to be in love with the idea of going out to eat. Because of this, a real variety of restaurants has come about specializing in all kinds of foods. McDonald's is the king of a subgroup of restaurants called fast-food restaurants. Chances are, no matter where you live, there is a McDonald's restaurant near you. There are even McDonald's in the Soviet Union. Now McDonald's is trying something new. It is called McDonald's Express and there is a test site in Peabody, Massachusetts. It is part of a Mobil gas station. This allows you to fill up with gas and fill up on food at the same time. What will they think of next? 

27. Watch a movie clip on topic and main idea:
Reference:
Excerpted from:
Study Skills
A Landmark School Student Guide
by Diane Vener,
© 2002 Landmark School, Inc.