1. Main Idea and Supporting Details

2. Main Idea Every article or other informative text has a main idea.
The main idea tells you what the text is about.
The main idea is the most important part of a text or a paragraph.
Main ideas help readers remember important information.

3. Supporting Details
The other sentences in the paragraph are called supporting details. These details describe or explain the main idea.
They give more information and better understanding of the main idea.

4. Read the Paragraph and find the Main Idea
Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball. They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.

5. Choose the main idea Choose the main idea of the paragraph:
A) They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.
B) Soccer players learn how to dribble.
C) Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

6. Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.
Answer
Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

7. What is the Main Idea of this paragraph?
There are many fun things to do at the beach. Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe.

8. Think….
What is the main idea of this passage?
What was the passage about?

9. What are the supporting details of the paragraph?
Answer
Main Idea:
There are many fun things to do at the beach.
What are the supporting details of the paragraph?

10. The Supporting Details:
Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach.
Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed.
Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun.
It is also fun to look for shells.
Some people simply like to sunbathe.

11. Find the main idea
The movie Apollo 13 was a blockbuster for the summer of 1995.
It is an exciting story about space exploration.
In the movie, the astronauts get in trouble while they are trying to return to Earth.
People in the audience are on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens. What makes it even more exciting is that it is a true story.

12. In this paragraph: The topic is the movie Apollo 13
The main idea is in the first sentence: Apollo 13 was a blockbuster for the summer of 1995.

13. Review
Our texts would not make sense, if they did not include a main idea with supporting details.

14. Go to the following site and listen to the song.
Listen, learn and enjoy!
Go to the following site and listen to the song.

15. First Task
The first exercise is in the following website (click the link)

16. Second Task The second exercise is in the following website

17. Third Task The third exercise is in the following website

18. mquiz.asp?filename=jwildemainidea
Let’s Start….
It is time to check your understanding!
Click the following link and do the quiz.
The Quiz
mquiz.asp?filename=jwildemainidea

19. Great Job…. From Dalia, Your English teacher!
You Did It!
Great Job….
From Dalia,
Your English teacher!