Finding the Main Idea in a Text

What is a main idea?

• The lesson of the passage

• The moral of the story

• what the author wants you to learn

• the idea that the passage is about

What is the best question to ask yourself when you are trying to find the main idea?

• Who is the main character?

• What is the moral?

• What is one important detail?

• What do all the details point to?

Key details give important information to support the main idea.

• True
• False

The Power of Exercise

Why should you exercise? When you exercise, you lower your chances of getting sick. For example, exercise makes your heart healthier and your body stronger. It improves your mood and can make you feel calm. Regular exercise helps you think more clearly, so you can get more done during the day. Regular exercise can make your life better in many ways!

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What is the main idea of the passage?

• People who exercise regularly are happier.

• Excercise helps people feel better in many ways.

Smartphones

Smartphones are phones that are used for more than making calls and sending messages. People count on them for getting directions and finding information on the internet. People also have fun listening to music, taking pictures, and playing games on their phones. On the other hand, smartphones have some downsides. They can make it hard to keep your mind on important things, because of distracting notifications. Driving while using a phone puts people in danger. Smartphones are useful, but they can cause problems if not used safely.

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What is the main idea of the passage?

• Smartphones can be used in both good and bad ways.

• There are many good things about smartphones.

I can't wait until this weekend! We’re going to my grandparents’ house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted... but we still don’t want to leave!
What is the main idea?

• Weekends are times to travel.
• The author enjoys spending time with her family.
• The author's grandparents live far away.
• The author is sad to leave her cousins.

Many people have not heard giraffes make noises. Giraffes do not use sounds to “talk” with each other. When hurt, giraffes make a low moo, something like a cow. When frightened, they make a short, high sound.

What is the main idea?

• Giraffes do make noises

• Lots of people have heard giraffes talk.

• Cows and giraffes talk to each other.

Which sentence is a supporting detail that recycling is important?

• Separate your paper, cans, and glass jars before recycling.

• Recycling paper saves trees from being cut down.

• Clean jars before recycling them.

How is theme different from main idea?

• Main idea will have specific details, theme will not

• Theme will have specific details, main idea will not