2. The main idea is the general “umbrella” idea.
All the specific supporting material of the
passage supports the main idea.
To find the main idea ask “What point is the
author trying to make?”
The main idea typically appears at the
beginning but can be in the middle or end of
a passage.
3. Several kinds of Various causes A few reasons
A number of A series of Three factors
Four steps Among the results Several advantages
Look for list words that tell you a main idea is coming:
4. added information you
need to make sense of
the main idea.
reasons, examples, facts,
steps, or other kinds of
specific information.
the “pillars” for the “roof”
i.e. the main idea.
5. What is the main idea? Where is it stated?
What support does the man give for his
idea?
6. •The main idea is that the man’s job is
unbearable.
• The “reasons” (the supporting details)
for his statement that his job is
unbearable:
• he almost didn’t get a doughnut,
• he got put on hold for three minutes,
and
• he got a paper cut.
7. Can you identify the main idea and three major supporting
details?
Many people are strangely passive when they visit a doctor. First of all,
they often fail to provide the doctor with complete information about
their medical problem. They may barely describe their symptoms,
believing that a skilled doctor—like a master car mechanic—will
somehow easily be able to diagnose what is wrong with them.
Secondly, many people fail to ask their doctors for a full and clear
explanation of their condition. They don’t want to appear ignorant in
front of their “all-knowing” doctor, and they don’t want to take up too
much of this Important Person’s time, so they say little and ask almost
nothing. Last of all, they often fail to understand a doctor’s orders.
Studies show that many patients don’t understand why they should take
a certain medication or for how long they should take it. Incredibly
enough, some patients are not even sure, as they are about to be rolled
into an operating room, why they are having surgery!
8. Many people are strangely passive when they visit a doctor.
First of all, they often fail to provide the doctor with complete
information about their medical problem. They may barely
describe their symptoms, believing that a skilled doctor—like
a master car mechanic—will somehow easily be able to
diagnose what is wrong with them. Secondly, many people fail
to ask their doctors for a full and clear explanation of their
condition. They don’t want to appear ignorant in front of their
“all-knowing” doctor, and they don’t want to take up too much
of this Important Person’s time, so they say little and ask
almost nothing. Last of all, they often fail to understand a
doctor’s orders. Studies show that many patients don’t
understand why they should take a certain medication or for
how long they should take it. Incredibly enough, some
patients are not even sure, as they are about to be rolled into
an operating room, why they are having surgery!
9. Try out “Check Your Understanding” on pages 104-
105.
The answers follow each.
10. Two levels of supporting details
◦ Major: develop the main idea
Are more specific than the MI
◦ Minor: explain the major details
Are more specific than the major details
11. one first of all in addition furthermore
first also next last of all
second another moreover finally
Look for addition words that signal major details:
13. An outline shows the relationship between a main idea and
its supporting details.
Outlines start with a main idea, followed by major
supporting details. Sometimes there will be minor
supporting details as well.
Main idea
1. Major supporting detail
a. Minor supporting detail
b. Minor supporting detail
2. Major supporting detail
a. Minor supporting detail
b. Minor supporting detail
14. See “Check Your Understanding” on page
107-108 for more practice on outlining.
The answers follow.
15. Maps are visual outlines in which circles, boxes, or
other shapes show the relationships between main ideas
and supporting details.
In a map, each major detail is connected to the main
idea. If minor details are included, each is connected to
the major detail it explains.
16. See “Check Your Understanding” on page
111for more practice on outlining.
The answers follow.
17. A summary is the reduction of a large amount of
information to its most important points.
Often, a summary will consist of a main idea and its
major supporting details.
When reading: see if you can write down only the main
idea and the major supporting details.
18. See “Check Your Understanding” on page 115
for more practice on outlining.
The answers follow.
19. Don’t forget the Pillars as your way of
remembering support details
They are what “hold up” the main idea.
20. 1. What are supporting details?
2. What is the difference between major and
minor details?
3. What are some clue words to find major
details?
4. What are some clue words to find minor
details?
5. What are 3 techniques you can use to find
the supporting details?
