Stated Main Idea

What are the characteristics of a main idea sentence?

• Must always contain the topic

• Must always make complete sense by itself

• Must always be explicitly stated by the author

• Must be a general sentence that sums up the details in the paragraph

A stated main idea sentence can appear anywhere in the paragraph.

• True

• False

Identify the stated main idea sentence in the paragraph below;

Animals’ sleeping habits differ in a number of ways. They differ according to what time of day they sleep. Some animals sleep during daylight hours while others sleep during darkness. They also differ in the length of time they sleep. Other animals sleep for weeks or months at a time when they hibernate.

• They differ according to what time of day they sleep.

• Animals’ sleeping habits differ in a number of ways.

• Other animals sleep for weeks or months at a time when they hibernate.

Identify the stated main idea sentence in the paragraph below;

Passing fears are common in early childhood. Many 2- to 4-year-olds are afraid of animals, especially dogs. By 6 years, children are more likely to be afraid of the dark. Other common fears are of thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures.

• By 6 years, children are more likely to be afraid of the dark.

• Other common fears are of thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures.

• Passing fears are common in early childhood.

Identify the stated main idea sentence below;

Have you ever been to a restaurant and stood there next to an empty desk waiting to be seated? Or once you were seated, did you have to wait more than five minutes for a waiter to approach your table? Even after the meal, did you become frustrated trying to get the waiter’s attention so you could get your check? If you’ve experienced any of these things, then you know how important it is to have good customer service. Customers who have a poor experience at a restaurant or any other business are not likely to come back and may even tell their friends about it. Customer service is one of the most important factors in a business.

• If you’ve experienced any of these things, then you know how important it is to have good customer service.

• Customers who have a poor experience at a restaurant or any other business are not likely to come back and may even tell their friends about it.

• Customer service is one of the most important factors in a business.

Which sentence is the stated main idea sentence?

One way of investing money is to purchase real estate. Most people want to buy real estate not only as an investment but for a place to live. Others may want to lease out the property to renters so they can make money. But investing in real estate is like any other investment—there are no guarantees of making money. In fact, buying the wrong property or buying when real estate prices are going down can result in losing money. When there are not enough buyers or renters to match the fl ood of properties on the market, real estate won’t sell. Many people can get behind in their taxes and mortgage payments and lose their property to the banks who lent them the money to buy it

• One way of investing money is to purchase real estate.

• But investing in real estate is like any other investment—there are no guarantees of making money.

• Many people can get behind in their taxes and mortgage payments and lose their property to the banks who lent them the money to buy it

Identify the stated main sentence;

When a company or bank loans money to a borrower, it will often ask for something as “collateral.” This is usually some type of property such as a car or real estate that can be held until the loan is paid off. The lender will hold the title (ownership papers) of the car, or place a “lien” (a claim) on the real estate. Collateral is used to secure a loan to make sure that the lender receives some sort of repayment if a loan is not paid back. This means that the lender must be paid back first when the collateral is sold. If the borrower does not pay back the loan, or is late on payments for a certain number of months, the lender can keep the collateral.

• When a company or bank loans money to a borrower, it will often ask for something as “collateral.”

• Collateral is used to secure a loan to make sure that the lender receives some sort of repayment if a loan is not paid back.

• This is usually some type of property such as a car or real estate that can be held until the loan is paid off.

Identify the stated main idea sentence;

Tsunamis, large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, can be deadly and destructive. For example, in December 2004, an underwater earthquake triggered a massive tsunami throughout the Indian Ocean. The tsunami killed more than 200,000 people and caused billions of dollars of damage to the coasts of numerous Southeast Asian countries.

• For example, in December 2004, an underwater earthquake triggered a massive tsunami throughout the Indian Ocean.

• The tsunami killed more than 200,000 people and caused billions of dollars of damage to the coasts of numerous Southeast Asian countries.

• Tsunamis, large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, can be deadly and destructive.

Identify the stated main idea sentence;

In Africa, music is usually performed outdoors. There is spontaneous music making as well as performances by social and music groups at ceremonies and feasts. There is no musical notation (written music). African music tradition, like folklore and history, is transmitted orally. Music is a social activity in which almost everyone participates. Clearly, African music has several interesting characteristics.

• In Africa, music is usually performed outdoors.

• Music is a social activity in which almost everyone participates.

• Clearly, African music has several interesting characteristics

Identify the main idea sentence below;

When you listen to a speech, can it help you to focus on the speaker's strengths and weaknesses? By closely observing and listening to people when they give speeches, you can learn a great deal that will make you a more successful speaker. If the speaker is not effective, try to determine why. If he or she is effective, try to pick out techniques you can use in your own speeches. If the speaker is ineffective, avoid the errors the person made.

• When you listen to a speech, can it help you to focus on the speaker's strengths and weaknesses?

• By closely observing and listening to people when they give speeches, you can learn a great deal that will make you a more successful speaker.

• If the speaker is ineffective, avoid the errors the person made.