1. Chapter 5: Topics, Main Ideas, and Topic Sentences
In Concert: An Integrated Reading and Writing Approach by Kathleen T. McWhorter
Chapter 5:
Topics, Main Ideas, and Topic Sentences

2. Chapter 5: Topics, Main Ideas, and Topic Sentences
Goal 1
Structure a paragraph
Goal 2
Identify the topic of a paragraph
Goal 3
Locate main ideas
Goal 4
Write effective topic sentences
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. Goal 1: Structure a Paragraph
Important Terms
Paragraphs are made up of topics, main ideas/topic sentences, and supporting details.
Topic
Main Idea
Topic Sentence
Supporting Details
Paragraph: a group of sentences (at least 4-5) that focuses on a single idea. They are made up of topics, main ideas/topic sentences, and supporting details.
Topic: the one thing a paragraph is about.
Main Idea: the point the paragraph makes about a topic.
Topic Sentence: The sentence that states the paragraph’s main idea. Topic sentences are usually general.
Supporting Details: The sentences that explain the topic sentence using examples, facts, and reasons. They will get more specific as your paragraph develops.
These elements of a paragraph provide an easy-to-follow structure for expressing ideas clearly. You can create an idea map (see page 145) to visualize how these pieces work together to develop a paragraph.
Activity: Use Exercise 5-2 on page 147. Ask students to provide specific examples for the general ones given. This may be done individually or in groups, and answers will vary.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

4. What is a Main Idea? A Main Idea is :
A general statement about the WHOLE passage that contains the TOPIC .
________________________________________________________________.
Main Idea sentence
topic

5. The main idea (or point) is that the man is a terrible pet owner.
The main idea is vividly supported by the dog’s three specific reasons.
The main idea (or point) is that the man is a terrible pet owner.
See page 23 in textbook.
POINT: The man is a terrible pet owner.

6. Goal 2: Identify the Topic of a Paragraph
How do I know the topic of a paragraph?
Consider:
What is the ONE idea the author discusses throughout the paragraph?
Look for repeated words or phrases
Every sentence in the paragraph is relevant to the topic. Look for repeated words, terms, and phrases in the paragraph. Ask yourself: what is the ONE main point or idea the author is expressing throughout the entire paragraph?
Activity: Either using your own paragraphs or those provided in Exercise 5-3 on pages 148–150, ask students to locate the main idea (multiple choice in exercise) of each paragraph. Additionally, ask students to keep track in a journal or online discussion post as to WHY they chose specific answers.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

7. Goal 3: Locate Main Ideas
Strategies to locate the main idea:
Identify the topic
Locate the most general sentence (topic sentence)
Use key words to identify and write main ideas and details
The main idea is about the WHOLE paragraph
Like we already learned, determine the general subject the paragraph is about.
This sentence is broad enough to include all the other ideas in the paragraph. It covers all the details and examples in the paragraph. Topic sentences are usually the first (most often) or last sentence in a paragraph. Sometimes an author will use the topic sentence at the beginning of a paragraph and reiterate it at the end for emphasis.
The main idea makes the rest of the paragraph meaningful. Every sentence, example, reason, and detail in the paragraph must relate back to the main idea.
Activity: Using your own paragraphs or the paragraphs in Exercise 5-4 on pages , ask that students identify the main idea/topic sentence in each paragraph. Additionally, ask students to explain WHY they chose their respective answers. This may be done as an in-class discussion or an online follow up exercise.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

8. 1. Find the topic first
The topic is the general subject of a selection. It can often be expressed in one or more words.
The main idea always contains the topic.
________________________________________________________________.
Main Idea sentence
topic
See page 29 in textbook.

9. What is the paragraph about?
Social psychologists have found that almost everyone gossips. Male or female, young or old, blue-collar or professional, humans love to talk about one another. All too often, such gossip is viewed as a frivolous waste of time.
What is the paragraph about?
See page 30 in textbook.
Gossip

10. 2. General vs Specific
Main ideas are general. Supporting details are specific

11. Specific
General

12. Specific
General

13. Attending college can help you make friends.
A college degree will help you get a higher paying job.
College has many beneficial outcomes.
A college degree helps you earn respect.
College will improve the way you think.

14. 3. Use key words to help you find the main idea.
First to note are list words, which tell you a list of items is to follow.
The main idea in the paragraph about gossip was stated like this:
However, gossip actually serves several important functions in the human community.
See page 34 in textbook.
The expression several important functions helps you zero in on your target: the main idea.

15. Here are some common word groups that often announce a main idea:
List Words
See page 34 in textbook.
Note that each of them contains a word that ends in s—a plural that suggests the supporting details will be a list of items.

16. Addition words are generally used right before a supporting detail.
Here is a list of words that often introduce major supporting details and help you discover the main idea:
Addition Words
See page 35 in textbook.
When you see this type of clue, you can assume that the detail it introduces fits under the umbrella of a main idea.

17. Tips and things to remember about main idea
Key words that SOMETIMES (not always) let you know a main idea is coming:
In conclusion
Thus
In other words
However
Clearly
Obviously
If the passage is discussing a study, research, survey, or experiment, the main idea will be the results or the outcome of that study
The main Idea is NEVER a question.

18. Goal 5: Write Effective Topic Sentences
The Function of Topic Sentences:
To make clear what the paragraph is about (the topic)
To express a view or make a point (about the topic)
Helpful Tip: Make sure topics are not too broad or too narrow
Topics should be general but provide enough details to interest the readers. Topics should not be too broad. Broad topics are topics that have too many examples and details that could be reasonably covered in your paper. Narrow topics are the opposite—topics so overly focused that you cannot provide enough details and examples. As you compose your sentences, review them to determine if they are manageable for the paper you must write. A topic like “Sports are my favorite activity” is too broad. “Football is my favorite sport” is a better topic because it is specific, but not so specific you cannot provide enough details.
Activity: Using your own topics or those in Exercise 5-8 on page 159, determine if the topic sentences are general or specific.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

19. Goal 5: Write Effective Topic Sentences
Strategies for Writing Effective Topic Sentences:
The topic sentence should state the main point of the paragraph
Choose a manageable topic
Make sure the topic sentence is a complete thought
Place your topic sentence first in the paragraph to begin
Avoid “announcing” your topic
Topic sentence should state main point of paragraph.
Manageable topic—not too broad or narrow as we discussed.
Avoid fragments and run-ons!
While we noted topic sentences can be anywhere in a paragraph, it is best to begin by making the topic sentence the first in your paragraph until you are more comfortable in your writing.
Do not state your topic directly (Example: “This paper will discuss….” or “The topic of this paper is….” or “I will explain….” Instead, state your main point (Example: “Texting and driving is a dangerous activity.”).
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

20. Goal 1: Structure a Paragraph Review Questions
Which of the following does NOT make up a paragraph?
Topics
Footnotes
Supporting Details
Main ideas/topic sentences
Answer: B—Footnotes
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

21. Goal 1: Structure a Paragraph Review Questions
Which of the following does NOT make up a paragraph?
Topics
Footnotes
Supporting Details
Main ideas/topic sentences
Answer: B—Footnotes
Copyright by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

22. Goal 2: Identify the Topic of a Paragraph Review Questions
True or False: Looking for repeated words and phrases in a paragraph is an effective strategy for identifying its topic. True or False: The author usually has two or three topics per paragraph.
Answers:
True
False: The topic is the ONE main idea the author is expressing in a paragraph. Two or three topics in a single paragraph would be unorganized and confusing.
Copyright by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

23. Goal 2: Identify the Topic of a Paragraph Review Questions
True or False: True: Looking for repeated words and phrases in a paragraph is an effective strategy for identifying its topic. True or False: False: The author usually has two or three topics per paragraph.
Answers:
True
False: The topic is the ONE main idea the author is expressing in a paragraph. Two or three topics in a single paragraph would be unorganized and confusing.
Copyright by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

24. Goal 3: Locate Main Ideas Review Questions
The main idea or topic sentence of a paragraph can be located:
At the beginning of the paragraph
At the end of the paragraph
Neither A nor B
Both A and B
Answer: D—the topic sentence is usually at the beginning of a paragraph, but can also be located at the end.
Copyright by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

25. Goal 3: Locate Main Ideas Review Questions
The main idea or topic sentence of a paragraph can be located:
At the beginning of the paragraph
At the end of the paragraph
Neither A nor B
Both A and B
Answer: D—the topic sentence is usually at the beginning of a paragraph, but can also be located at the end.
Copyright by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

26. Goal 4: Think Critically About Main Ideas Review Questions
True or False: The main idea of a paragraph is always fact. The author’s opinion can be the main idea of a paragraph.
Answers:
False
True
Copyright by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

27. Goal 4: Think Critically About Main Ideas Review Questions
True or False: False: The main idea of a paragraph is always fact. True: The author’s opinion can be the main idea of a paragraph.
Answers:
False
True
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

28. Goal 5: Write Effective Topic Sentences Review Questions
Which of the following is NOT an effective strategy for writing topic sentences?
Start your topic sentence, “This essay will discuss…”
B. To start, put your topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph
C. The topic sentence should be the main idea of the paragraph
D. Don’t choose a topic that is too narrow
Answer: A—avoid “announcing” your topic!
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

29. Goal 5: Write Effective Topic Sentences Review Questions
Which of the following is NOT an effective strategy for writing topic sentences?
Start your topic sentence, “This essay will discuss…”
B. To start, put your topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph
C. The topic sentence should be the main idea of the paragraph
D. Don’t choose a topic that is too narrow
Answer: A—avoid “announcing” your topic!
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

30. Main Idea = Topic Sentence
by the reader
by the writer

31. Which sentence contains the main idea?
As you read the paragraph below, look for the main idea. 4. Make sure the main idea is about the WHOLE passage
Today, most people in the Western world use a fork to eat. But before the eighteenth century, using a fork was highly discouraged. Most people in Europe ate with their hands. People from the upper class used three fingers, while the commoners ate with five. When an inventor from Tuscany created a miniature pitchfork for eating, Europeans thought that it was a strange utensil. Men who used a fork were often ridiculed and considered feminine. Priests called out against the fork, claiming that only human hands were worthy to touch the food God had blessed them with. One wealthy noblewoman shocked clergymen by eating with a fork she designed herself. Over dinner, they accused her of being too excessive. When the woman died from the plague a few days later, the priests claimed her death was a punishment from the heavens. They warned others that using a fork could bring them the same fate.
See page 38 in textbook.
ANSWER: The second sentence
The next slide shows and explains the answer.
Which sentence contains the main idea?

32. Topic: Getting enough sleep
Topic: Drinking Water
Topic: Getting enough sleep