1. Bridging the Gap, 9/e Brenda Smith
Chapter 4: Main Idea
Bridging the Gap, 9/e Brenda Smith
© 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2. In This Chapter You Answer the Questions:
What is the difference between a topic and a main idea?
What are the strategies for finding stated and unstated main ideas?
What are the functions of major and minor supporting details?
What is a summary?
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3. The person, place, or thing the text is about.
What is a Topic?
Similar to a title
General term, rather than specific
Unifies details
The person,
place, or thing the
text is about.
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4. Clues for Identification
Appears as a heading or title
Appears in special type such as bold print, italics, or color
Is repeated throughout the paragraph
Appears at the beginning of the paragraph and is then referred to throughout the paragraph by pronouns

5. Example of a Topic
Carrots Vegetables Lettuce (topic) Onions (details) Potatoes
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6. Sunglasses, towel, sun block Bat, mitt, ball,
Create a Topic
Sunglasses, towel, sun block
Bat, mitt, ball,
Notebook, backpack, pencils
p. 150/148
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7. Practice http://www. wisc- online. com/objects /ViewObject. aspx
Practice online.com/objects /ViewObject.aspx?I D=RDG708
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8. What is a Main Idea? Central message
Condenses thoughts & details into a general statement
All inclusive (has the topic within)
The most important thing you are supposed to understand about the topic.
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9. Labels for Main Idea Main point Central point Gist Controlling idea
Central thought
Thesis
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10. What are Supporting Details?
Support, develop, & explain a main idea
Details can include:
Reasons
Incidents
Facts
Examples
Steps
Definitions
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11. Major & Minor Details Major Main Support ideas Explain Describe Minor
[supports the main idea]
Minor
Major Support
Details Explain
Describe
[supports the major details]
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12. Reader’s Tip: Signals for Significance
Key words for major details:
One
First
Another
Furthermore
Also
Finally
Key words for minor details:
For example
To be specific
That is
This means
Pg. 153/151
Pg. 154
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13. Reader’s Tip: Using Questions to Find the Main Idea
Determine the topic. Who or what is this reading about?
Identify details. What are the major supporting details?
Find the main idea. What is the message the author is trying to convey about the topic?
Pg. 160/157
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14. Stated Main Ideas The main point is directly stated in the reading.
It provides overview of material.
It is also called a topic sentence or thesis statement.
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15. Location of Stated Main Ideas
An introductory statement of the main idea is given at the beginning of the paragraph.
A concluding statement of the main idea appears at the end of the paragraph.
Details are placed at the beginning to arouse interest, followed by a statement of main idea in the middle of the paragraph.
Both the introductory & concluding sentences state the main idea.
Details combine to make a point, but the main idea is not directly stated.
Pg /
More practice
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16. Unstated Main Ideas Pg. 175 &177/ 168-174
Details combine to make a point, but the main idea is not directly stated.
The main idea is hinted at or implied.
This happens often in narrative, media, movies, and photographs.
What is implied by this image?
Pg. 175 &177/

17. Reader’s Tip: Getting the Main Idea of a Longer Selection
Think about the title.
Read the first paragraph or two to find a statement of the topic of thesis.
Read the subheadings and glance at the first sentences of some of the paragraphs.
Look for clues that indicate how the material is organized.
As you read, organize the paragraphs into subsections.
Determine how the overall organization and subsections relate to the whole.
p. 186/178
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18. Summary Writing: A Main Idea Skill
A summary is a series of brief, concise statements, in your own words, of the main idea and the significant supporting details.
The first sentence should state the main idea or thesis.
Minor details should be omitted.
It should be in a paragraph form.
Pg /182
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19. Why Summarize? For textbook study
Useful in anticipating answers for essay exam questions
For writing research papers
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20. Reader’s Tip: How to Summarize
Keep in mind the purpose of your summary.
Decide on the main idea the author is trying to convey.
Decide on the major ideas and details that support the author’s point.
Do not include irrelevant or repeated information.
Use appropriate transitional words and phrases.
Use paragraph form.
Do not add your personal opinion.
Pg / 184
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