Main Idea and Supporting Details

The main idea is the essential piece of information the author wants to convey.

• TRUE

• FALSE

There are three ways to express the main idea: explicit, implicit, and exquisite.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Identifying the topic is the first process in evaluating and interpreting a text or a viewing material.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Supporting details are facts, statements, and examples--specifics that guide us to fully understand the main idea.

• TRUE

• FASE

Answering the questions raised by the main idea (who, what, when, why, or how) helps determine the supporting details.

• TRUE

• FALSE

It is also known as the central point or big picture in the story.

• Supporting Details

• Main Idea

• Topic

It is implied and not directly stated in the text

• Implicit main idea

• Explicit main idea

• supporting details

It is directly stated either in the beginning, middle, or end of the text

• Implicit main idea

• Explicit main idea

• supporting details

Choose two functions of supporting details.

• They limit the main idea.

• They illustrate the main idea.

• They state the central message of a material.

• They clarify specific points raised in a material.