1. PowerPoint Presentation by JoAnn Yaworski CHAPTER 1 Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

2. It expresses the central message. It tells what the passage is about. It is the major point of a passage. CHAPTER 1: Comprehension Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. main idea Every reading passage has a main idea: Woman Lifts Car off Son Blizzard Paralyzes City Baseball Players Threaten to Strike

3. The first sentence of a paragraph The last sentence of a paragraph The middle sentence of a paragraph Suggested, but not stated directly in the paragraph CHAPTER 1: Comprehension Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. topic sentence The topic sentence contains the main idea of a paragraph. It is usually one of the following: (Continued)

4. CHAPTER 1: Comprehension Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. To find the topic sentence of a paragraph... Read the entire paragraph. Ask yourself, “What is the author writing about?” (This is the topic.) Ask yourself, “What is the author saying about the topic?” (This is the main idea.) Look for a sentence that generally states the main idea. (This is the topic sentence.) (Continued)

5. CHAPTER 1: Comprehension Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. main idea sentences A passage contains one or more main idea sentences. To find the main idea of a passage... (Continued) Read the entire passage. Ask yourself, “What is the author writing about?” (This is the topic.) Ask yourself, “What general statement about the topic is expanded in the passage?” (This is the main idea.) Look for a sentence or sentences that generally state the main idea. (They are the main idea sentences.)

6. CHAPTER 1: Comprehension Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. supporting details The main idea or topic sentence is always backed up by supporting details. They provide additional information that develops the main idea. They are specific statements relating to the passage’s central message. They provide a more complex picture of what the author is saying.

7. CHAPTER 1: Comprehension Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 1. Supporting examples Illustrate or explain the main idea Show the meaning of a general statement (Continued) 2. Supporting reasons Describe a viewpoint, an opinion, or an action

8. CHAPTER 1: Comprehension Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 3. Supporting facts Explain detailed information Explain accurate information Persuade you to agree with the author Persuade you to take a particular action (Continued) 4. Supporting descriptions Help you visualize a person, place, object, or event

9. CHAPTER 1: Comprehension Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Context clues Context clues help the you find the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases by seeing how they are used in sentences and paragraphs. John F. Kennedy had charisma. Old films of press conferences illustrate his magnetic, charming, personality. WHAT?

10. CHAPTER 1: Comprehension Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. THE END Chapter Review QuizGED Practice Quiz Practice the skills you learned in this chapter by taking the Chapter Review Quiz or the GED Practice Quiz.