The document discusses reasons why some children become bullies. It states that research has found several factors that may contribute to bullying: 1) A combination of size and aggressive personality, with bigger, more aggressive children more likely to bully smaller, quieter peers; 2) Exposure to violent TV programs, which by age 10 is thousands of acts of violence; and 3) Exposure to real violence, with studies finding victims often become bullies themselves from learned behavior.

1. Main Ideas
Chapter 2

2. “What’s the point?”
The question we ask
when we want to
know the goal of
something that is
written or said

3. What is the author’s point in this
cartoon?

4. The Answer
The author’s point is that the
marriage has problems.
What are the examples that
support that?

5. 1. Her husband likes to spend
money; she likes
to save it.
2. He is a night person; she is a day
person.
3. He likes sports; she hates sports.

6. To find the main idea, ask:
“What is the point the author is
trying to make?”
The answer to the question=
The main idea

7. What’s the author’s point?
School bullies have been around as long as there have been
schools. Studies reveal several reasons why some children
become bullies. Research shows that a certain combination of
size and personality may be one factor. Bigger, more
aggressive children are more likely to try to dominate their
smaller, quieter peers. Another factor linked to bullying is
overexposure to violent TV programs. By the time the average
American child is ten years old, he or she has watched
thousands of acts of violence, including assault and murder.
Such exposure can lead to aggression and violence. Finally,
exposure to real violence is a factor in bullying. Studies
indicate that victims of bullies often turn into bullies
themselves. Whether abused by family members or tormented
by other kids, bullies typically learn their behavior from others.
Look closely into the eyes of a bully, and you may be looking
into the eyes of a former victim.

8. The answer:
 School bullies have been around as long as there have been
schools. Studies reveal several reasons why some children
become bullies. Research shows that a certain combination of size
and personality may be one factor. Bigger, more aggressive
children are more likely to try to dominate their smaller, quieter
peers. Another factor linked to bullying is overexposure to violent
TV programs. By the time the average American child is ten years
old, he or she has watched thousands of acts of violence,
including assault and murder. Such exposure can lead to
aggression and violence. Finally, exposure to real violence is a
factor in bullying. Studies indicate that victims of bullies often turn
into bullies themselves. Whether abused by family members or
tormented by other kids, bullies typically learn their behavior from
others. Look closely into the eyes of a bully, and you may be
looking into the eyes of a former victim.

9. The Umbrella
The author’s
general point
(the main
idea) covers all
the specific
points
The author’s
specific points
(the supporting
details) go under
the umbrella

10. Revisit the example

11. Recognizing a Main Idea (pg 57)
1.Look for general
versus specific
2.Use the topic to
lead you to the
main idea
3.Use keywords to
lead you to the
main idea

12. General vs. Specific (pg 58)
General means broad in nature or characteristic of a
larger category.
Example: Dog Breeds
Specific refers to
distinctive, individual
things that are part of
a larger category.
Example: Dalmatian,
Corgi, Greyhound

13. What is the general statement?

14. So when
looking for the
main idea, look
for the general
idea!

15. Practice Makes Perfect
For practice, complete practices 1-5
on pages 58-62.
Answers to the practices are on page
714.

16. TheTopic=The Subject (pg 63)
A topic is a word, name or phrase that
tells who or what a paragraph is about.
A topic is NEVER a complete sentence.
But!The main idea is always a
complete sentence and may include
the topic.

17. Which of these is a topic?
 Changes in the new tax law.
 The Atlantic Ocean.
 How to change a flat tire.
 Video games.
 Video games promote violence.
 Washing your hands often can prevent colds.
 Washing your hands
HINT: If it isn’t a
complete
sentence, then it is
the topic!

18. Practice Makes Perfect
For practice, complete practices 6-7 on
pages 65-68.
Answers to the practices are on page
714.

19. Keywords (pg 69)
 Common key words:
 Several ways
 A number of effects
 Types of
 Some factors
 A series of
 Three advantages of
Keywords are verbal clues that make finding the main
idea easy to recognize.
HINT: the word is usually
plural and usually
suggests a list

20. Practice Makes Perfect
 Try out “CheckYour Understanding” on pages 69-71.
 The answers follow each.

21. location, location, location
 A main idea may appear at any point in a paragraph.
 However, it usually is at the beginning, as either the first
or second sentence.

22. TESTYOURSELF
What is the main idea?
What are 3 ways you can identify the
main idea?
Where does the main idea appear in a
paragraph?