1. Main Idea

2. What is a main idea?
The most important, or main, idea in the paragraph or passage.
Many times you will find it in the FIRST sentence, but it can be found anywhere in the paragraph. (TOPIC SENTENCE)
All the other sentences in the paragraph or passage are supporting details for the main idea.
Answers the question – “What is the author’s most important idea about the topic?”

3. How to test for the main idea…
When you think you have located the main idea sentence, see if it meets these criteria:
1. The sentence contains the topic.
2. The sentence tells the author’s most important
point about the topic.
3. The sentence makes complete sense by itself.

4. What is the main idea?
Arnie takes good care of his pet fish. He keeps its bowl filled with fresh water. He feeds it every morning. He keeps his cat away from the bowl. He takes the fish to the vet if it gets sick.

5. Arnie takes good care of his pet fish.
Ask yourself…
What is the most important, or main, idea in this paragraph?
Arnie takes good care of his pet fish. He keeps its bowl filled with fresh water. He feeds it every morning. He keeps his cat away from the bowl. He takes the fish to the vet if it gets sick.
Arnie takes good care of his pet fish.

6. Ask yourself… Where did I find the main idea?
Arnie takes good care of his pet fish. He keeps its bowl filled with fresh water. He feeds it every morning. He keeps his cat away from the bowl. He takes the fish to the vet if it gets sick.
Arnie takes good care of his pet fish is the FIRST sentence in the paragraph.

7. Ask yourself… What do we call this sentence?
Arnie takes good care of his pet fish. He keeps its bowl filled with fresh water. He feeds it every morning. He keeps his cat away from the bowl. He takes the fish to the vet if it gets sick.
Arnie takes good care of his pet fish is the TOPIC SENTENCE of this paragraph.

8. Ask yourself… What are the supporting details?
Arnie takes good care of his pet fish. He keeps its bowl filled with fresh water. He feeds it every morning. He keeps his cat away from the bowl. He takes the fish to the vet if it gets sick.

9. Ask yourself… What are the supporting details?
Arnie takes good care of his pet fish. He keeps its bowl filled with fresh water. He feeds it every morning. He keeps his cat away from the bowl. He takes the fish to the vet if it gets sick.

10. What is the main idea?
As the sun begins to sink below the horizon, the sky starts to change colors. Pink clouds fill the sky, becoming darker as the sun sinks lower. The waves reflect the changing colors as they break along the shore. Sunsets are so beautiful by the sea.

11. Ask yourself…
What is the most important, or main, idea in this paragraph?
As the sun begins to sink below the horizon, the sky starts to change colors. Pink clouds fill the sky, becoming darker as the sun sinks lower. The waves reflect the changing colors as they break along the shore. Sunsets are so beautiful by the sea.

12. Ask yourself… Where did I find the main idea?
As the sun begins to sink below the horizon, the sky starts to change colors. Pink clouds fill the sky, becoming darker as the sun sinks lower. The waves reflect the changing colors as they break along the shore. Sunsets are so beautiful by the sea.
Sunsets are so beautiful by the sea is the LAST sentence in the paragraph.

13. Ask yourself… What do we call this sentence?
As the sun begins to sink below the horizon, the sky starts to change colors. Pink clouds fill the sky, becoming darker as the sun sinks lower. The waves reflect the changing colors as they break along the shore. Sunsets are so beautiful by the sea.
Sunsets are so beautiful by the sea is the TOPIC SENTENCE of this paragraph.

14. Ask yourself…
What are the supporting details? As the sun begins to sink below the horizon, the sky starts to change colors. Pink clouds fill the sky, becoming darker as the sun sinks lower. The waves reflect the changing colors as they break along the shore. Sunsets are so beautiful by the sea.

15. Ask yourself…
What are the supporting details? As the sun begins to sink below the horizon, the sky starts to change colors. Pink clouds fill the sky, becoming darker as the sun sinks lower. The waves reflect the changing colors as they break along the shore. Sunsets are so beautiful by the sea.

16. Main Idea Chant (for fun)
It’s important that you find
The point the author has in mind.
The main idea is its name,
But “topic sentence” is the same.
The main idea is top-shelf;
It makes sense all by itself.
And never once should you doubt it:
Details all tell us more about it.
This sentence has the topic, too.
It gives a summary or overview.
Stated main ideas you can find,
So highlight them or underline.