1. PowerPoint by JoAnn Yaworski and Mimi Markus
Chapter 4: Main Idea
Bridging the Gap, 8/e Brenda Smith
PowerPoint by JoAnn Yaworski and Mimi Markus
© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

2. In this Chapter You Will Learn about:
Topic
Main Idea
Supporting Details
Summaries
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3. © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman
What Is a Topic?
A topic is a word, name, or phrase that labels
the subject but does not reveal the specific
contents of the passage.
Similar to a title
General term, rather than specific
Unifies details
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4. © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman
Example of a Topic
Topic
Vegetables
Details
Carrots
Lettuce
Onions
Potatoes
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5. © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman
What Is the Main Idea?
Contains the central message
Condenses thoughts and details into a general statement
Is all-inclusive of the author’s point
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6. Other Names for Main Idea
Main point
Central point
Gist
Controlling idea
Central thought
Thesis
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7. What Are Supporting Details?
Support, develop, and explain a main idea
Include:
Reasons
Incidents
Facts
Examples
Steps
Definitions
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8. Major and Minor Details
Main Support
ideas Explain
Describe
Minor
Major Support
Details Explain
Describe
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9. Importance of Prior Knowledge in Main Idea
Familiar with Subject
Main idea is effortless
Main idea is automatic
No information overload
Unfamiliar with Subject
Unfamiliar words
Confusing
Unable to make predictions
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10. “Informed” Expert Reader
Strategy 1
Preview
Predict
Strategy 2
Summarize or reduce information
Stop and reflect
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11. “Uninformed” Expert Readers
Strategy 1
Read the material
Decide on a Ttopic
Create a main idea statement
Strategy 2
Review for key terms and concepts
Create main idea statement
Strategy 3
Propose a main idea statement
Revise the main idea statement
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12. Steps to Determine Main Idea
Familiar Material
Determine topic
Identify key terms
Find main idea
Unfamiliar Material
Identify key terms
Determine topic
Find main idea
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13. © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman
Stated Main Idea
Main point directly stated
Provides overview of material
Called topic sentence or thesis statement
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14. Location of Stated Main Ideas
Beginning, middle, or end of a paragraph
Beginning and concluding sentences of passage can be combined for main idea statement
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15. Find Unstated Main Ideas
Determine general topic
Determine what the key terms suggest
Create main idea sentence that brings concepts together
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16. Getting Main Idea of Longer Selections
Think about significance of title
Read first paragraph or two for statement of topic or thesis
Read subheadings and first sentences of paragraphs
Look for clues that indicate how material is organized
Determine how subsections and overall organization relates to whole
© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

17. © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman
What Is a Summary?
A summary is a condensed version of
a passage. It consists of brief, concise
statements of the main idea and the
significant supporting details.
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18. © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman
Why Summarize?
For textbook study
For anticipating answers for essay exam questions
For writing research papers
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19. Summary Writing: A Main Idea Skill
First sentence states main idea or thesis
Remaining sentences include significant details
Minor details are omitted
Transition words and phrases show relationship between points
Summary is shorter than the material being summarized
Personal opinion is omitted
Paragraph form is used
© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

20. Visit the Longman English Pages
Take a Road Trip to the Maine Woods,
the St. Louis Arch, and Ellis Island!
Be sure to visit the Main Idea and Supporting Details modules in your
Reading Road Trip CD-ROM
for multimedia tutorials, exercises, and tests.
© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman