1. R E A D 1 8 0
B Y M S . Y E E
Just What is the Main Idea of Main
Idea?

2. The Definition
 Main idea is the MOST important message the
author is trying to tell you!
 All the details in the paragraph describe ONE big
idea the author has.
 This BIG idea relates to a topic or subject.
 Every paragraph and article has a main idea.
TIP:
 Ask yourself: What is the author describing or trying
to me?

3. Clues to Find Main Idea
 Main idea is everywhere!
 There is ALWAYS a main idea in text.
 Look Fors:
-Text features such as titles, subheadings, pictures
-Text structure: first, second, middle, or last sentence
-In the paragraph: key words, repeated words, names
-Details: what are they all describing to you?
TIP:
Ask yourself: Does my prediction of main idea match the
text?

4. The Steps
 First, identify the subject in the text.
-Look at the text features.
-Look for repeated words or names.
-Look for information in bolded print.
 Then, determine what the main idea is.
-Look at the topic sentence.
-Examine the first, second, middle, and last sentences.
-Analyze or look at the details in the text.
-Ask yourself: What are all these details telling me?

5. Practice Step One: Identifying the Subject
 What clues can you find in the title, first sentence, key words, or repeated
words to identify the subject?
“The Cowboys Arrive”
As ranching grew in the Southwest in the mid 1800’s, a new figure arose-
the cowboy. Many cowboy stories tell about brave men who captured wild
horses by day and told jokes around camp at night. But real cowboys worked
long hours for little pay. They risked their lives in blizzards to guard herds on
the open prairies. They rounded by cattle and branded them by burning their
ranch’s mark into the animal’s hide. And the cowboys drove cattle hundreds
of miles to railroads so they could be shipped across the country.

6. Practice Step Two: Determining the Main Idea
 Which sentence in the text tells you the main idea?
“Split-Screen View”
If you’ve ever tried to swat a fly, you know it’s hard to hit.
That’s because a fly can detect moving objects extremely well.
Flies view the world through compound eyes-eyes with multiple
lenses. Each lens faces different directions and views a small
part of the scene. The parts add up to a complete picture in the
insect’s brain, which tells a fly to soar away fast!

7. Stated Main Idea
 When you can identify a sentence in the text that tells the main idea,
it is stated.
 Look at the example below.
It is truly break taking! Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in
North America. It is on the Niagara River halfway between Lake Ontario and
Lake Erie. Niagara Falls is located on the American and Canadian border.
The American Falls is 167 feet high. On the Canadian side, the Horseshoe
Falls is 161 feet high.
What’s the stated main idea?

8. Implied Main Idea
 When you cannot identify a sentence that tells the
main idea, then it’s implied.
 You will have to look at the details.
 Make an inference or suggestion of what the author
is trying to tell you.
 Use your own personal experiences, memories, or
connections to help you.
 Apply your background knowledge.

9. Practice! Find the Implied Main Idea
 Read the text below. Find details in the text to help determine
the implied main idea.
“The Birds Peace”
On the day Kristy’s father went off to war, she burst out the
back door and ran down the path to the woods. Her eyes hurt.
Her chest burned. She crossed the bridge over the trickling
stream. She dashed into the little shed that she and her father
had built. It was near the edge of the flower-filled and woodland
meadow.
Implied Main Idea: ______________________________

10. For Longer Text….
 In longer articles, there are many paragraphs.
 Every paragraph has an idea.
 BUT each paragraph contributes or supports the BIG
message the author is trying to tell you.
 Sometimes, this BIG message can be found in the
first or last paragraph of an article.
 However, you will usually have to INFER what the
BIG message is from the entire article.

11. Activity Time!
 Partner up!
 With your partner, choose a topic. Write down your idea about the
topic. One partner will write a stated main idea mini paragraph and
the other partner will write an implied mini paragraph.
 Other groups will have to guess which is which.
 For example:
Topic – Fruit
Big idea: Fruit is good for you.
Stated: Eating fruits and vegetables will keep you healthy.
Implied: There are many fruits that are tasty and helpful.
Blueberries offer antioxidants. Carrots are supposed to be good for
your eyes. Broccoli helps keep your teeth and gums clean.