Main Idea and Details

Front

What is the main idea of a passage?

Back

The main idea is the most important point or message that the author wants to convey in the passage.

Front

What are details in a passage?

Back

Details are pieces of information that support or explain the main idea.

Front

How can you find the main idea of a passage?

Back

You can find the main idea by looking for the topic sentence or by summarizing the key points.

Front

What does it mean to summarize a passage?

Back

To summarize a passage means to give a brief statement of the main points in your own words.

Front

What is a topic sentence?

Back

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main idea of a paragraph.

Front

Why are details important in understanding a passage?

Back

Details help to clarify, support, and provide evidence for the main idea.

Front

What is an example of a main idea?

Back

An example of a main idea could be 'Fireflies glow in the dark to attract mates.'

Front

What is an example of a detail?

Back

An example of a detail could be 'Fireflies produce light through a chemical reaction in their bodies.'

Front

How do you identify the main idea in a text?

Back

Look for repeated ideas, the first or last sentence of a paragraph, or ask yourself what the text is mostly about.

Front

What is the difference between the main idea and supporting details?

Back

The main idea is the overall message, while supporting details provide evidence and examples to explain that message.