English 52 – topic & main idea

English 52 – Topic & Main Idea
E. Buchanan, Porterville College

The Main Idea
 Recognizing the main idea, or point, is
the most important key to good
comprehension.
 To find the main idea, or point in a
reading selection, ask yourself:
 “What is the main point the author is
trying to make?”

Main Idea = Umbrella
 The Main Idea is a complete sentence that gives the
general idea of what a paragraph or reading is all
about.
 The other material of the paragraph fits under the
general point.
 When you think of the main idea, think of an umbrella
covering the passage of reading.

How do you recognize the Main Idea?

 To recognize the main idea of a passage, you must
think as you read.
 You cannot be a passive reader!
 Here are three strategies that will help you find the
main idea:
1. Look for general versus specific ideas.
2. Use the topic to lead you to the main idea.
3. Use clue words to lead you to the main idea.

1. Look for General vs. Specific
 In the list of words below, which three items are
specific ideas, and which item is the general idea?

 Practice 4-5: 10 Steps Book, page 61-62

1. Look for general vs. specific details
 Let’s read the paragraph below and figure out what the main
idea is.

 Why would anyone want to leave San Diego, California? San Diego
has absolutely everything you will ever need to be happy! The
beaches are one of our major attractions. You can take a ride to
the Coronado Bay and sit on the sand and stare out at the city
skyline. Secondly, we have great theme parks, such as Sea World
and the San Diego Zoo. Next, we have a great downtown where
you will find wonderful museums and discover plenty of good
places to eat. Finally, the best part of San Diego is the people – we
are all proud to be San Diego natives.

 The main idea is:
 Sentence 2: San Diego has absolutely everything you will ever
need to be happy!

The specific details support the main
idea.
 Why would anyone want to leave San Diego, California.
San Diego has absolutely everything you will ever need to
be happy! The beaches are one of our major attractions.
You can take a ride to the Coronado Bay and sit on the
sand and stare out at the city skyline. Secondly, we have
great theme parks, such as Sea World and the San Diego
Zoo. Next, we have a great downtown where you will find
wonderful museums and discover plenty of good places to
eat. Finally, the best part of San Diego is the people – we

2. Use the Topic to Lead You to the
Main Idea
 The topic is the general subject of a reading selection.
 Knowing the topic can help you find the writer’s main
point about that topic.
 To find the topic of a selection, ask yourself: Who or
what is the selection about?
 After you find the topic, ask yourself:
 What main point is the author making about the topic?

2. Use the Topic to Lead You to the
Main Idea
 In looking at the previous paragraph again, what do you
think the topic of the paragraph is?

 Why would anyone want to leave San Diego, California. San
Diego has absolutely everything you will ever need to be happy!
The beaches are one of our major attractions. You can take a
ride to the Coronado Bay and sit on the sand and stare out at
the city skyline. Secondly, we have great theme parks, such as
Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. Next, we have a great
downtown where you will find wonderful museums and
discover plenty of good places to eat. Finally, the best part of
San Diego is the people – we are all proud to be San Diego
natives.

The topic will usually be repeated
several times within the paragraph.
 Why would anyone want to leave San Diego, California.
San Diego has absolutely everything you will ever need to
be happy! The beaches are one of our major attractions.
You can take a ride to the Coronado Bay and sit on the
sand and stare out at the city skyline. Secondly, we have
great theme parks, such as Sea World and the San Diego
Zoo. Next, we have a great downtown where you will find
wonderful museums and discover plenty of good places to
eat. Finally, the best part of San Diego is the people – we

More Practice
 Practice 6 & 7: Ten Steps, Page 65-68
 You may do this with a partner or on your own.
 If you do not have your textbook, please find
someone that you share a book with.

3. Find and Use Clue Words to Lead
You to the Main Idea
 Sometimes an author announces the main idea by
using clue words or phrases.
 One type of clue word is a list word.
 A list word tells you that a list of items will follow.
There are many reasons why a person would want to live in
San Diego.

 The above statement is informing the reader that a
list of reasons will follow indicating the positive
reasons for living in San Diego.

 Here are some common words that often announce
a main idea:
 List words:
several kinds (or ways) of
three advantages of
various reasons for

several causes of
five steps
a number of effects

some factors in
among the results
a series of

 Another type of key word is the addition word.
 It is generally used right before a supporting
detail.

 Here are some common words that often introduce
supporting details and help you discover the main
idea.
 Addition Words:
one
first (of all)
second(ly)
third(ly)

to begin with
for one thing
other
another

also
in addition
next
moreover

further
furthermore
last (of all)
final(ly)

List Words & Addition Words
 There are several reasons why you should move to
San Diego. First of all, the beaches are one of our
major attractions. You can take a ride to the
Coronado Bay and sit on the sand and stare out at the
city skyline. Next, we have great theme parks, such
as Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. Furthermore,
we have a great downtown where you will find
wonderful museums and discover plenty of good
places to eat. Finally, the best part of San Diego is the
people – we are all proud to be San Diego natives.

Let’s Create a Main Idea Quiz
 Everyone is going to write a paragraph. It can be about
anything you are interested in.
 Ideas: hobbies, places you have been, school, family
traditions, one of your classes, your job, family vacation,
political statement, etc.
 The paragraph must include:






A main idea sentence
A topic – which should be placed throughout the paragraph.
Include list word(s)
Include at least 3 addition words
Be at least five sentences.

Topic, Main Idea, List Words, Addition
Words
 Did you know that 46 million young adults are eligible to
vote in the November 2012 election? Although this is a big
number, most young adults are not registered to vote.
There are several reasons why these young adults should
vote. To begin with their children will be affected by the
decisions that are currently being made through voting.
Next, young adults should vote in order to have their voice
heard by the politicians. Lastly, the November election is a
very important one for young adults to vote in because
they will be casting a vote for the next president.

Main Idea Quiz
 Next Monday we are going to play a game with the
paragraphs. The paragraphs with the highest scores
will be used for the Main Idea Quiz (that will be taken
next Wednesday, February 12, 2014).

English 52 – topic & main idea

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