Main Ideas and Their Support

Front

What is a main idea?

Back

The main idea is the central point or message that the author wants to convey in a text.

Front

What is a supporting detail?

Back

Supporting details are facts, examples, or descriptions that help explain or reinforce the main idea.

Front

How can you identify the main idea in a passage?

Back

Look for the sentence that summarizes the overall message or point the author is making.

Front

Why are supporting details important?

Back

Supporting details provide evidence and context that strengthen the main idea.

Front

What question should you ask to find the main idea?

Back

What point is the author trying to make?

Front

What is an example of a supporting detail?

Back

An example of a supporting detail is a fact or statistic that backs up the main idea.

Front

How do you differentiate between main ideas and supporting details?

Back

Main ideas express the primary message, while supporting details provide additional information that elaborates on that message.

Front

What role do transitions play in understanding main ideas?

Back

Transitions help connect supporting details to the main idea, making the text easier to follow.

Front

What is the relationship between main ideas and paragraphs?

Back

Each paragraph typically contains one main idea supported by several supporting details.

Front

Can a text have more than one main idea?

Back

Yes, a text can have multiple main ideas, especially in longer or more complex pieces.