THE MAIN IDEA
● The main idea of a paragraph is the author's message about the topic.
● The main idea gives the overarching idea of what the paragraph or article is all about
and is supported by the details in subsequent sentences in the paragraph.
● It is a brief but all-encompassing summary of the paragraph or article.
TWO TYPES OF MAIN IDEA
1. Main idea that is directly expressed
This type of main idea is often found:
A. At the beginning or the topic sentence of a paragraph or in the thesis statement of an
article.
B. In the concluding sentence of a paragraph or last paragraph of an article.
Remember: The main idea can be expressed as a summation of the information in the
paragraph or a link to the information in the succeeding paragraphs.
2. Main idea that is inferred or implied
This type is more difficult to identify but can be found in several ways:
A. Several sentences in a paragraph can imply the main idea by introducing facts about the
topic before actually stating the topic. Implied main idea can be drawn from facts,
reasons, or examples that give hints or suggestions concerning the main idea.
B. Implied main idea can be gleaned at specific words, sentences, images that are used
and repeated—to deduce what the author is communicating.
Here is how a main idea is developed in a paper discussing the causes of war.
Topic:
● Causes of War
Introduction:
● Imperialism plays a role in conflict or war between countries.
Main idea:
● Constant competition for massive empires can lead to increasing tensions that will
eventually erupt into war.
Supporting details/ specific statements:
● Some specific tensions
● Who will be involved between tensions
● Why do countries seek additional empires
‘One paragraph might be dedicated to the role that imperialism played in the conflict. The main
idea of this paragraph might be something like: "Constant competition for massive empires can
lead to increasing tensions that will eventually erupt into war." The rest of the paragraph might
explore what are some of those specific tensions, who will be involved between tensions, and
why do countries seek additional empires. The main idea simply introduces the overarching
argument of the section.’
Identifying a Directly Expressed Main Idea
1) Read through the passage
Ask the question: Who or what is the paragraph about?
2) State the Topic
This part is just figuring out a topic like "cause of World War I" or "new hearing devices;"
3) Identify the argument made about the identified topic. This argument is the main idea.
4) Look at the First and Last Sentences of the Passage
Isolate the first and last sentences to see if they make sense as the overarching theme
of the passage. Be careful for words like but, however, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
These indicate that the second sentence is actually the main idea because these words
negate the first sentence.
Identifying an Implied Main Idea
5) If the main idea is not directly stated, read all the specific statements, reasons, examples
or supporting sentences.
6) Identify what is the topic or subject of discussion by looking into repeated words,
phrases or related ideas.
7) Think of a general claim, argument or a topic sentence that sums up the specific
statements. Summarize the passage in your own words, in one sentence or in just 10-12
words.
8) Test the topic sentence or main idea you made if the facts, examples and reasons
explained in the paragraph supports it. If they do, then you found the main idea, if not,
revise it.
Try the passage below to see if you can pick out the main idea.
"To many parents, the infant's crying may be mainly an irritation, especially if it continues for
long periods. But crying serves important functions for the child as well as for the
parents. For the child, crying helps improve lung capacity and the respiratory system. Perhaps
more important, the cry serves as a signal of distress. When babies cry, they indicate that they
are hungry or in pain, and this is important information for parents."
(Source: Columbia College (2022). Finding the main Idea. retrieved)
In the paragraph above, the main idea is directly expressed as the topic sentence which
is found at the beginning near the first sentence. The first sentence is not the main idea;
instead, the main idea is next to the first sentence. The clue here is the use of the
contrasting signal word, 'But' which directly negates the idea in the first sentence that
infants' crying may be mainly an irritation. Hence, the argument or main idea is that:
Crying serves important functions for the child as well as for the parents.
Here is another example. Try to identify the main idea by summarizing it into one sentence.
"A new hearing device uses a magnet to hold the detachable sound-processing portion in
place. Like other aids, it converts sound into vibrations, but it is unique in that it can transmit the
vibrations directly to the magnet and then to the inner ear. This produces a clearer sound. The
new device will not help all hearing-impaired people—only those with hearing loss caused by
infection or some other problem in the middle ear. It will probably help no more than 20 percent
of all people with hearing problems. Those people who have persistent ear infections, however,
should find relief and restore hearing with the new device."
(Source: Roel, Kelly (2019). How to find the main idea of a passage.ThoughtCo / Mary McLain. )
What does this paragraph repeatedly talk about? A new hearing device.
What does the paragraph tell about the topic, new hearing device?
available for some, but not all, hearing-impaired people.
What one-sentence claim can be formed?
A new hearing device is now available for some, but not all, hearing-impaired people.
The above claim or argument summarizes the paragraph into one sentence. It presents the
overarching theme or main idea of the paragraph.
