Main Idea

What is the main idea?

• A list of topics covered in a text

• The most important point an author is making

• A detailed explanation of a topic

• A summary of all the points in a paragraph

What is the topic in the paragraph about Hope?

• Swimming and hiking

• Being a good friend

• Having a bad day

• Hope, the dog

What are supporting details?

• Information that explains or proves the main idea

• The main idea of a paragraph

• Questions about the main idea

• Unrelated facts about the topic

Where can the main idea often be found?

• In the first sentence

• In the middle of the paragraph

• At the end of the paragraph

• Outside the paragraph

What was the main idea of the paragraph about Ross?

• Ross rode his bike to school

• Ross was dirty, wet, and cold

• Ross missed the bus

• Ross was having a terrible day

Why is understanding the main idea important when you write?

• To include as many details as possible

• To send a clear message to the reader

• To confuse the reader

• To make the text longer

What sentence did NOT belong in Luke's paragraph about spaghetti?

• I think macaroni is good too

• It is believed to have been invented in China

• Americans enjoy eating spaghetti in nearly every household today

• Marco Polo brought the idea of spaghetti back to Venice, Italy

What should every sentence in your writing be?

• A humorous addition

• An unrelated fact

• A new topic

• A supporting detail for your main idea

What does a supporting detail do?

• Explains, defines, or proves the main idea

• Introduces a new idea

• Contradicts the main idea

• Summarizes the paragraph

What is the topic?

• A detailed list of events

• The person, place, thing, or idea being written about

• The main idea of a text

• The conclusion of a story