1. Discovering the Implied Main Idea
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2. Copyright © Patricia Hutchison
What does implied mean?
not stated directly in the paragraph
suggested by the supporting details
you need to figure it out for yourself
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3. Ask yourself 3 questions as you read:
? Who or what is the paragraph about? (topic)
? What is the main point the author is trying to make about the topic?
? (once you have a main idea in mind) Do all of the details in the paragraph support the main idea?
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4. Use Key Words to locate Details
First, another, also, finally (number words)
Will help you find the important details
Underline them as you read
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Decide
What do all the details have in common?
What is the writer trying to tell me about?
What is important about it?
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6. Formula for Writing a Main Idea
Once you think you know the main idea, you must write it in a complete sentence:
Topic + verb+ what is important about it?
Start with the topic of the paragraph
Next, add a verb– what does the topic do?
Then add what is important about it
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7. Examples of how to use the formula:
Topic + verb+ what is important about it?
Trees (topic) give off (verb) oxygen. (what about it)
Students often ask important questions.
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Put it to the TEST
Is it a general statement?
Could it act as an umbrella for ALL the details in the paragraph?
Could it be written in the paragraph as a topic sentence (main idea)?
Is it a complete sentence?
Does it follow the formula?
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Practice:
Use the formula to write an implied main idea for this paragraph:
Using your senses is called observation. Use your sense of sight to look up into the sky. Notice what color it is. Do you see the sun shining? Are there clouds in the sky? Your sense of sight can also tell you about the wind. Look at the trees, are they standing tall, or bending over? Your sense of hearing can also tell you how hard the wind is blowing. If it is blowing hard, you might start to feel cool. A storm may be blowing your way. Your ears might hear thunder, even if you don’t see any lightning. Heavy rain, hail, and sleet make noise as they hit the roof or your window. What can your sense of touch tell you? You can feel the air. Is it warm or cold?
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Practice
Topic:
Verb:
What is important about it?
Write your implied main idea sentence.
Put it to the test:
Is it a general statement?
Could it act as an umbrella statement for all the other details in the paragraph?
Could it be written into the paragraph as a topic sentence?
Is it a complete sentence?
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