Main Idea

Front

What is the main idea?

Back

The main idea is what the passage is mostly about.

Front

What does it mean when we say a topic is the subject of a selection?

Back

A topic is the subject that the selection is all about.

Front

Is the main idea always clearly stated?

Back

No, the main idea is not always clearly stated.

Front

What are supporting details?

Back

Supporting details clarify, illuminate, explain, describe, and illustrate the topic sentence.

Front

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

Back

The main idea is the central point of the passage, while supporting details provide evidence and examples to back up the main idea.

Front

How can you identify the main idea in a passage?

Back

Look for the topic sentence or the sentence that summarizes the main point of the passage.

Front

What is an example of a main idea?

Back

Tom catches a snapping turtle while fishing.

Front

What role do supporting details play in understanding the main idea?

Back

Supporting details help to explain and elaborate on the main idea, making it clearer.

Front

True or False: A topic can be a single word or a phrase.

Back

True.

Front

True or False: The main idea can be inferred from the details in the passage.

Back

True.