1. Chapter 7: Understanding Implied Main Ideas
Essential Reading Skills
Third Edition Kathleen McWhorter
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2. What is an Implied Main Idea?
When an idea is implied, it is suggested, but not stated outright.
Example: I wouldn’t feed that dessert to a dog.
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3. General vs. Specific Ideas
A general idea applies to many items or ideas, whereas a specific idea refers to a particular item.
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4. Examples of General vs. Specific
Colors
Specific:
purple
yellow
red
General:
Shoes
Specific:
running shoes
high heels
sandals
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5. Specific Details Support the Main Idea
The wind was blowing at 35 mph.
The wind chill was 5 degrees below zero.
Snow was falling at the rate of 3 inches per hour.
A storm or blizzard is occurring.
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6. How to Find Implied Main Ideas in Paragraphs
Find the topic.
Figure out what is the most important idea the writer wants you to know about that topic.
Express this main idea in your own words.
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7. Finding Implied Main Ideas
Topic: Commercials
Details: (1) Star power; (2) Everyone’s buying it; (3)Visual appeal
Implied Main Idea: Commercials use a variety of persuasive devices to appeal to consumers.
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8. Self-Monitoring for Implied Main Ideas
Is it broad enough?
Does every sentence in the paragraph support the idea you have chosen as the main idea?
Does each sentence explain or give more information about the main idea?
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9. Is Your Idea Broad Enough to Be the Main Idea?
Details:
1920  divorce rate is one in seven marriages
1970  divorce rate is one in three marriages
2000  divorce rate is highest of any major industrialized nation
The divorce rate has increased dramatically since 1920.
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10. Implied Ideas from Details
Immigration has increased the U.S. mortality rate.
Immigrants have helped create a new middle class.
Immigration has contributed to population growth.
Immigration has affected the U.S. in a number of important ways.
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11. Working with Paragraphs
Paragraphs always have a topic and a main idea.
In some paragraphs the main idea is stated directly in a topic sentence.
In other paragraphs, the main idea is implied or suggested.
In all paragraphs, the main idea is backed up by details.
© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers.

12. Test-Taking Tip #7: Answering Questions About Implied Main Ideas
Concentrate on the details: “What do all these details mean when taken together?”
Main ideas are broad ideas, so choose a broad idea rather than a specific one.
Once you have chosen a statement as the implied main idea, reread each sentence. Check to see that each sentence supports or explains the implied main idea.
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13. Visit the Companion Website
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