1. Week 04
Topic and Main Idea

2. Table of Context Review Lesson Activity Wrap-up Additional Materials
Topic
Application
Main Idea
Activity
Wrap-up
Additional Materials
Table of Context

3. Review Previewing Scanning Skimming
Looking at something before reading
Scanning
Looking for something specific in a text
Skimming
Reading quickly to learn about content and organization
Review
Previewing
Scanning
Skimming

4. Lesson
Topic

5. Lesson - Topic What is a topic?
A topic is what the reading is about.
It is the most general thing about any text.
An article can have many topics because it is a broad idea.
It describes a text or article using one or two words.
Give examples of topics that interest you.

6. Application - Topic Look at this picture.
Flirting
Look at this picture.
What are some possible topics?
Humor
Love
Relationships
Romance
Proposals

7. Application - Topic
In small groups, brainstorm at least ten (10) topics for this picture.

8. Lesson
Main Idea

9. Lesson – Main Idea Studying English What is a main idea?
The main idea is the most important thing the writer has to say about a topic.
It expresses the author’s thoughts about the topic.
It’s usually a full sentence or several words.
It describes a topic to encourage someone to read the text.
What are some possible main ideas about this topic?
Studying English

10. Application School Shopping Friends Music Food
With a partner, choose one of these topics. List five (5) possible main ideas.
School
Shopping
Friends
Music
Food

11. Activity 1
Main Idea vs. Topic

12. Main Idea vs. Topic What is it? What do you see?
Use details and adjectives to describe what you see.
What is it?

13. Main Idea vs. Topic
How was the waffle an example of main idea and topic?
There was a picture of the whole, large waffle and a picture of the close up details.
Which one was the topic? Why?
The picture of the whole waffle was the topic because it showed the big picture but not the details.
Which one was the main idea? Why?
The close-up picture was the main idea because it showed the details and gave more information.

14. Main Idea vs. Topic What is it? What do you see?
Use details and adjectives to describe what you see.
What is it?

15. Main Idea vs. Topic What do you see?
Use details and adjectives to describe what you see.
What is it?

16. Activity 2
Find it!

17. Find it! Read the paragraph. What is the topic?
Cats/Kittens
What is the main idea? Kittens need ___.
Kittens need special care. You have to feed them twice a day. They have a lot of energy so you need to play with them often. Kittens will chew on almost anything they have so you have to watch them carefully.

18. Find it! Read the paragraph. What is the topic? What is the main idea?
The puppy began to eat, but then he stopped. He yawned and stretched. He chased his tail. He rolled over and barked. He licked his paw. Finally, he went back to his dish and finished eating.

19. Wrap Up
Topic – Main Idea

20. My English teacher is the best.
Wrap Up
A topic is the large idea or picture.
It is usually one or two words.
It’s what the text or reading is about.
The main idea narrows the topic into one specific point.
It’s usually several words or a sentence.
It’s what the author wants to tell the reader.
English
My English teacher is the best.

21. Wrap Up A topic has many possibilities for main ideas.
It can go in many different directions.
It can have many different main ideas.
The main idea narrows that topic into one specific point.
It focuses the topic.
It highlights the most important thing the author wants to share with the reader.

22. Additional Materials
Topic – Main Idea

23. Additional Materials Deadline for homework - April 19th
Reading Textbook – Chapter 04
Pages 38-39
For more practice finding topics and main ideas go to this website.
highered.mheducation.com