Ideas and Support

In an argumentative text, an author states a claim. The author provides facts or examples to prove the claim is true. Sometimes an author includes an opinion.

• True

• False

Why is it important to identify supporting details in an informational text?

• Supporting details in an informational text are irrelevant and can be ignored.

• Identifying supporting details in an informational text is a waste of time.

• Supporting details in an informational text only confuse the reader.

• Supporting details in an informational text provide evidence and examples that support the main idea or thesis of the text.

What are some strategies for identifying supporting details in an informational text?

• Look for specific examples, facts, statistics, evidence, and transitional words or phrases.

• Skip over any unfamiliar words or terms

• Rely solely on personal opinions and experiences

• Read the text quickly without paying attention to details

Where are the best places to check for main ideas in a paragraph? (Check all that apply)

• In the first sentence

• In the title

• In the last sentence

• In the middle of the paragraph

What is the implied main idea? When I was a little girl, I took piano lessons every Monday after school. I walked to Mrs. Siever's house with my tattered sheet music in my school lunch-stained hands. She taught me the scales, the proper way to hold my small fingers, and the theme song from The Pink Panther. She also taught me much more. From her, I learned the necessity of practice, the importance of patience, and the joy of achieving a goal after hard work. She also gave me the gift of music. All of that was learned in a half-hour lesson on Monday afternoons in Hamel, Illinois.

• The author loves playing the piano.

• Mrs. Siever taught the author how to play The Pink Panther theme song.

• Mrs. Siever taught lessons about life as well as the piano.

• The author took piano lessons for half an hour every Monday.

What details support the main idea in this passage?

• From her, I learned the necessity of practice.

• I walked to Mrs. Siever's house every Monday.

• Mrs. Siever taught me scales and the proper way to hold my fingers.

• She also taught me much more.

Find the supporting details.

• The coastline is long and people enjoy walking there.

• The beach is fun for people of all ages.

• Children play in the surf.

• It is a beach with light-colored sand.

How well do you think this lesson went as far as increasing your understanding of main idea and supporting details?

• Great, I understand it completely and am ready to test!

• I am pretty confident but would like to practice more.

• I kind of get it but am not ready to test yet.

• Main Idea what?!!! Supporting details who?!!

  New phone, who dis?

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!
What is the main idea?

• Sometimes people feel sad.

• You should do good things for others.

• We're not always happy.

• There are many ways to make yourself feel better. 

Which term best describes the main idea of a piece of writing?

• supporting detail

• central point

• broad topic

• statement of opinion