Main Idea

What is the main idea of a reading selection?

• The supporting ideas in a text that show proof.

• What the text is mainly about.

• A conclusion statement

• A full and complete sentence.

What does the main idea of a story tell the reader?

• a specific detail from the story

• The conflict of the story

• What the story is about

• The universal truth, moral, or idea the author wants to express

Landon wanted to be a great skater. But he didn't want to spend the hours practicing. He wished he could just do the tricks easily. Landon's dream was to have everyone stop and stare when he entered the skate park. He wanted them to say, "Landon is the best skater in the whole world."

What is the main idea?

• Landon wants everyone to think he's a great skater without doing the hard work.

• Landon practices very hard to become a great skater.

• Landon is the best skater at the park.

• Landon wants to learn how to skate so he can compete.

Main Idea:
Frogs are amazing jumpers.

What supporting detail would go with this main idea?

• Frogs use their tongue to catch flies.

• A tadpole is the name of a young frog.

• Frogs have long, powerful legs which help them leaplong distances.

• The Fire-belly Toad has slightly warty skin.

Label this basic plot diagram.

a

b

c

d

e

Rising action

Introduction

Falling action

Climax

Resolution

What is the main idea of a paragraph?

• The main topic or point the paragraph is about

• The first sentence of the paragraph

• A minor detail in the paragraph

• The last sentence of the paragraph

Which sentence best expresses the main idea of a passage?

• A sentence that provides a specific example

• A sentence that summarizes the entire passage

• A sentence that introduces a new topic

• A sentence that concludes the passage

In a story, the main idea is often found in the...

• Title

• First paragraph

• Last paragraph

• Middle of the story

What is the main idea of a poem usually about?

• The rhyme scheme

• The poet's main message or theme

• The number of stanzas

• The poet's biography

How can you identify the main idea in a text?

• Look for repeated words or phrases

• Count the number of paragraphs

• Identify the longest sentence

• Find the most difficult word