Main Idea and supporting details

The main idea is a statement that tells what a passage is mostly about.

Supporting details are facts, examples, or descriptions that explain or enhance the main idea.

The main idea is that soccer players learn many skills.

This statement does not support the main idea about the peregrine falcon.

Supporting details provide evidence and context to help explain the main idea.

The main idea is that porpoises are interesting.

A fact is a statement that can be proven true or false.

An example of a supporting detail is 'The Statue of Liberty is 151 feet tall.'

To summarize a passage means to give a brief statement of the main idea and key details.

The main idea is the central point of a text, while supporting details provide additional information to back up the main idea.