Main Ideas and Supporting Details

​Reading skills

main idea and supporting details​

​What do you think the different between main idea and supporting details?

​what is main idea and supporting details

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Everything we read has a main idea, or theme, and details.

The main idea is what the writing is mostly about. Details in the writing support the main idea.

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Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

A main idea is...

• OPINION BASED evidence

• The main point or most important idea that the writer is communicating

• The key points, examples, evidence to support or elaborate on the main idea.

• A summary of a text  that only includes factual information.

Multiple Choice

Supporting Details are...

• OPINION BASED evidence

• The main point or most important idea that the writer is communicating

• The key points, examples, evidence to support or elaborate on the main idea.

• A summary of a text  that only includes factual information.

Multiple Choice

The main idea does not need supporting details.

• True
• False

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A paragraph also tells one main idea. Read the following paragraph. Underline the details, and answer the questions that follow.

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The bullfrog is the largest frog in North America. It can grow to 18 inches long and weigh over one pound. But, as grand as the bullfrog may seem, the African giant frog is the king of frogs. This huge amphibian can grow as long as 26 inches. Even more impressive, it can tip the scales at over 10 pounds. Try picking up a 10-pound bowling ball next time you go to a bowling alley.

Bowling balls can weigh as much as 16 pounds. If there were a crown for the king of frogs, the African giant frog would surely be wearing it.

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3. What is the paragraph mostly about?___________________________________

4. Cross out the sentence that does not support the main idea.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​write two details that support the main idea below

​Alexander works hard to learn to play different instruments.

Some text here about the topic of discussion

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Multiple Choice

The ice cream cone was invented in 1904. It all started at the St. Louis World's fair when an ice cream vendor ran out of dishes for his ice cream. A man named Ernest Hamwi was selling waffles in the booth next to him. He helped his neighbor out by making cone-shaped waffles to hold the ice cream. The rest is history.

What is the main idea?

• Ernest Hamwi is important to history.

• Ice cream is a very popular treat.

• The ice cream cone was invented in 1904.

• The World Fair in St. Louis ran out of ice cream.

Multiple Choice

4. Which of the following is a supporting detail of this paragraph?
Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests. Sumo wrestling is a sport that started in Japan. It takes place in a ring. Two players try to score points by holding each other down or pushing each other out of the ring. Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans. The robot that scores the most points wins.

• Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests
• Robots sumo contests are better than human sumo contests.
• Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans.
• Watching robot sumo is boring.

Multiple Choice

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!

What is the main idea?

• Sometimes people feel sad

• You should do good things for others

• We're not always happy.

• There are many ways to make yourself feel better.

Multiple Choice

What is one supporting details from the text?
Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. They nurse their babies. They protect them from danger. And they teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas.

• Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies.
• They teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas.
• Baby gorillas need their mothers a lot.
• Mother gorillas prefer to keep their babies safe.