GETTING THE
MAIN IDEA
Definition of Terms
Supporting
Main Idea. The
Idea. This is a Ideas/Details.
main idea is
thought or These are details
defined as the
suggestion as to in the text that
point the writer
a possible course help in the
expresses about
of action. formation of the
the topic.
main idea.
The main idea is the central, or most
important, idea in a paragraph or
passage.
WHAT IS
The main idea may be stated, or it may
MAIN
be implied.
IDEA?
When the main idea of a paragraph is stated,
it is most often found in the first sentence of
the paragraph. However, the main idea may
be found in any sentence of the paragraph.
Florida is full of beautiful scenery, but the vegetation
is exceptionally exquisite. Shopping plazas, residential
areas, and highway medians are often elaborately
decorated with grand palm trees and tropical plants. Of
the many types of vegetation found in Florida, one of the
most majestic s the royal palm. Growing to nearly ninety
feet tall, it towers over many shopping centers and hotels
with splendor. Hibiscus plants, with their picturesque
flowers, are a pleasing addition to any landscape. Adorned
with pink, red, or orange flowers, the hibiscus sets a
tropical scene to homes and businesses alike. Finally, the
saw palmetto, though it has a harsh sounding name,
works week as a buffer between roads and residences.
Supporting Details
The supporting details These supporting
are the things that details make the main
describe the main idea. idea stronger.
Topic Sentence.
• The topic sentence presents or describes th e point of the
paragraph; it is the main idea of the paragraph.
• It can be located at the beginning, middle, or last of the
paragraph.
MAIN IDEA – A THEME – the
few words on central meaning
TOPIC – the
what the story is or purpose to
subject of the
about (not as the story. A
story
detailed as generalization
paraphrasing) about life
MAIN IDEA VS. THEME VS. TOPIC
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.
The United States seems to be in love
with the idea of going out to eat. Because
of this, a real variety of restaurants has
come about specializing in all kinds of
foods. McDonald’s is the king of a
subgroup of restaurants called fast-food
restaurants. Chances are, no matter
where you live, there is a McDonald’s
restaurant near you. There are even
McDonald’s in the Soviet Union. Now
McDonald’s is tr ying something new. It is
called McDonald’s Express and there is a
test site in Peabody, Massachusetts. It is
par t of a Mobil gas station. This allows
you to fill up with gas and fill up on food
at the same time. What will they think of
next?
What is the main idea?
We’re often told “He who hesitates is lost,” but we’re
also warned to “look before you leap.” Most of us have
heard the saying, “Out of sight, out of mind,” but then
we hear “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Everyone talks about “love at first sight.” But then
someone reminds us, “Marry in haste, repent at leisure.”
It’s all very confusing.
Answer: There are many sayings in
our culture that contradict one
another or are very confusing.
What is the main idea?
The United States calls its basic unit of currency the
“dollar”. Australia and New Zealand have also measure
their currency by “dollars”. The money in Great Britain is
called the “pound”. Korea uses the “won”. In Russia you
spend “rubles”. Mexico and the Philippines use a “peso”.
And the country of Zaire calls its money unit a “Zaire”.
Answer: Different countries have
different names for currency.
Activity 1. Tell whether each of the following examples is a title (T) or
a topic sentence (TS) by writing T or TS.
____1. The benefits of college education
____2. The outstanding achievements of aviator Charles Lindber
____3. The president’s cabinet faced two major problems
____4. The basis of the Arab -Israeli conflict
____5. The Japanese diet is perhaps the healthiest diet in the world
____6. The astounding beau of the Rocky Mountain at dusk
____7. The finest sports car on the market
____8. Fast-food restaurants are popular with families
____9. The expense of maintaining car
____10. Maintaining a car is expensive
