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Topics and main ideas

The document discusses how to identify topics and main ideas in nonfiction texts. It defines a topic as the overarching subject referred to throughout a text and explains the process of finding main ideas based on topics through analyzing repeated phrases and explicit statements. Various examples, such as discussions of water, Colonial Williamsburg, and fairy shrimp, illustrate the method for discerning main points and topics.

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Finding Topics and Main Ideas Tools for reading nonfiction
What is a topic? A topic is the word or phrase that everything in a text refers back to
What is a topic? Can you find the topic of the pictures? Streams
What is a topic? Can you find the topic of the pictures? Fish
Looking for a topic in text Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful.
Looking for a topic in text Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful.
The topic is water Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful.
Look for repeated words In the last paragraph, th e word water was repeated again and again.
Look for repeated words Looking for repeated words and phrases is a good way to find topics.
Can you find the topic? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In Williamsburg, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to Williamsburg will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s.
Can you find the topic? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In Williamsburg, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to Williamsburg will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s.
The topic was Williamsburg We could tell this because the word Williamsburg was repeated several times
But some paragraphs are tricky Sometimes, authors use different words for the same thing
vegetables plants crops greens
Can you find the multiple referents? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In this Virginia town, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to this place will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s.
Can you find the multiple referents? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In this Virginia town, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to this place will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s.
Can you find the multiple referents? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In this Virginia town, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to this place will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s. The topic is still Williamsburg, even though the word is only stated once.
What is the topic of this paragraph? Assateague Island is a very special place. A long sandy beach stretches into the Atlantic Ocean. Windswept dunes are home to foxes and seagulls. The famous wild horses, or ponies, also live on this small island.
What is the topic of this paragraph? Assateague Island is a very special place. A long sandy beach stretches into the Atlantic Ocean. Windswept dunes are home to foxes and seagulls. The famous wild horses, or ponies, also live on this small island.
Finding Main Ideas Once we have found the topic of the paragraph, we can find the main idea. Topic + Main Point about the Topic = MAIN IDEA
Can you find the main idea? Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful.
Can you find the main idea? Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful.
Can you find the main idea? Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful. Topic: Water Main point about the topic:
Can you find the main idea? Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful. Topic: Water Main point about the topic: Water is an amazing resource
Finding Main Ideas Notice that topics are expressed as words or phrases, but main ideas are expressed in sentences Topic + Main Point about the Topic = MAIN IDEA
Can you find the main idea? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In Williamsburg, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to Williamsburg will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s.
Can you find the main idea? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In Williamsburg, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to Williamsburg will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s.
Did you find the main idea? Colonial Williamsburg is a great Topic: place to visit. In Williamsburg, you can see how people lived in colonial Williamsburg times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can Main idea: even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to Williamsburg is Williamsburg will make you feel as if a great place to you have been transported to the 1700s. visit
Where is the main idea? In many paragraphs, the first sentence states the main idea. When the author states the main idea, it is called an explicit main idea.
Where is the main idea? But the main idea is not always in the first sentence.
Look for the explicit main idea Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge? It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well-suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. When a predator like a snake comes near, the green frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
Look for the explicit main idea The first sentence is not the main idea. Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge? It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well-suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. When a predator like a snake comes near, the green frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
Look for the explicit main idea Let’s look for the topic. Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge? It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well-suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. When a predator like a snake comes near, the green frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
Look for the explicit main idea Let’s look for the topic. Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge? It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well-suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. When a predator like a snake comes near, the green frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
What about the second sentence? Main ideas are not usually expressed as questions Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge? It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well-suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. When a predator like a snake comes near, the green frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
What about the third sentence? This sentence includes the topic Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge?It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well- suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. It also makes a When a predator like a snake comes near, the green main point frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals about the topic from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
This is called the topic sentence It’s kind of silly that the sentence that states the main idea is called the topic sentence, but that’s just the way it is. Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge?It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well- suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. When a predator like a snake comes near, the green frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
Finding the main idea To find the main idea, figure out the topic first. Then, look for a sentence that states a main point about the topic.
Try another paragraph What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
How do I find the main idea? Start by finding the topic  Then, read each sentence in the paragraph  Find a sentence that states the topic and a main point about the topic
First, find the topic What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
First, find the topic What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
Read the rest of the sentences. What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
Which one states a main point? What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
Which one states a main point? What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
Check the rest of the sentences What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
Check the rest of the sentences What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen. All of the sentences relate back to Kings Gap as a great place to view the Cumberland Valley
We’ve found the main idea* What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen. *also known as the topic sentence
Implicit main ideas Main ideas are not always stated directly. Sometimes, they are implicit, or left unstated.
Figuring out implicit main ideas Fairy shrimp swim upside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimp move by beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool.
Find the topic Fairy shrimp swim upside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimp move by beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool.
Find the topic Fairy shrimp swim upside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimpmove by beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool.
What are the sentences saying about the topic? Fairy shrimp swim upside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimp move by beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool.
What are the sentences saying about the topic? Fairy shrimp swimupside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimpmoveby beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool. All of the sentences seem to be about how fairy shrimp move.
Make up a main idea Fairy shrimp swimupside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimpmoveby beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool. What is the paragraph telling us about the movement of fairy shrimp?
There may be several similar options Fairy shrimp swimupside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimpmoveby beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool. Fairy shrimp can move Fairy shrimp can move in effectively. several ways.
Let’s try another one The last bits of sunlight were gleaming through the trees. A slight breeze blew, just enough to keep the air feeling fresh and clear. The forest beyond was a wall of shadowed green. In the distance, the murmurs of the creek echoed faintly, joined every now and again by an evening bird call. Everyone sat on the porch, relaxing.
Find the topic The last bits of sunlight were gleaming through the trees. A slight breeze blew, just enough to keep the air feeling fresh and clear. The forest beyond was a wall of shadowed green. In the distance, the murmurs of the creek echoed faintly, joined every now and again by an evening bird call. Everyone sat on the porch, relaxing. It seems to be describing a scene
What are the sentences saying? The last bits of sunlight were gleaming through the trees. A slight breeze blew, just enough to keep the air feeling fresh and clear. The forest beyond was a wall of shadowed green. In the distance, the murmurs of the creek echoed faintly, joined every now and again by an evening bird call. Everyone sat on the porch, relaxing. How do the sentences describe the scene?
Make up a main idea The last bits of sunlight were gleaming through the trees. A slight breeze blew, just enough to keep the air feeling fresh and clear. The forest beyond was a wall of shadowed green. In the distance, the murmurs of the creek echoed faintly, joined every now and again by an evening bird call. Everyone sat on the porch, relaxing. The view from the porch was peaceful.
What have you learned? What is the difference between a topic and a main idea?
What have you learned? A topic is stated in a word or phrase A main idea includes the topic and the main point, and is stated in a sentence
What have you learned? What is an implicit main idea?
What have you learned? An implicit main idea is not stated directly by the author
Does every paragraph work like this? A. Yes! Every paragraph in the whole universe is like this and you will never have to think hard again B. No, some paragraphs are different. Sometimes the paragraph has the topic sentence at the end of the paragraph. Sometimes the main idea is very hard to find.
Does every paragraph work like this? • The answer, of course, is B • Some paragraphs do not follow this structure because the author wants to make the reader think more carefully • And sometimes the paragraphs are just poorly written!
These guidelines usually work 1. Find the topic of the paragraph 2. See if the first sentence states the main idea 3. If not, check other sentences in the paragraph 4. Find the sentence that includes the topic and states a main point about the topic 5. Make sure that the other sentences in the paragraph relate back to the main idea
Can you find the frog?
Can you find the frog?
What have you learned about main ideas?
By Emily Kissner http://emilykissner.blogspot.com Updated 2012 Feel free to use in your classroom or for staff development. Please do not re-post to other sites. A downloadable version of this file is available here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/T opics-and-Main-Ideas-Powerpoint

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Topics and main ideas

  • 1.
    Finding Topics andMain Ideas Tools for reading nonfiction
  • 2.
    What is atopic? A topic is the word or phrase that everything in a text refers back to
  • 3.
    What is atopic? Can you find the topic of the pictures? Streams
  • 4.
    What is atopic? Can you find the topic of the pictures? Fish
  • 5.
    Looking for atopic in text Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful.
  • 6.
    Looking for atopic in text Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful.
  • 7.
    The topic iswater Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful.
  • 8.
    Look for repeatedwords In the last paragraph, th e word water was repeated again and again.
  • 9.
    Look for repeatedwords Looking for repeated words and phrases is a good way to find topics.
  • 10.
    Can you findthe topic? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In Williamsburg, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to Williamsburg will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s.
  • 11.
    Can you findthe topic? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In Williamsburg, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to Williamsburg will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s.
  • 12.
    The topic wasWilliamsburg We could tell this because the word Williamsburg was repeated several times
  • 13.
    But some paragraphsare tricky Sometimes, authors use different words for the same thing
  • 14.
    vegetables plants crops greens
  • 15.
    Can you findthe multiple referents? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In this Virginia town, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to this place will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s.
  • 16.
    Can you findthe multiple referents? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In this Virginia town, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to this place will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s.
  • 17.
    Can you findthe multiple referents? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In this Virginia town, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to this place will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s. The topic is still Williamsburg, even though the word is only stated once.
  • 18.
    What is thetopic of this paragraph? Assateague Island is a very special place. A long sandy beach stretches into the Atlantic Ocean. Windswept dunes are home to foxes and seagulls. The famous wild horses, or ponies, also live on this small island.
  • 19.
    What is thetopic of this paragraph? Assateague Island is a very special place. A long sandy beach stretches into the Atlantic Ocean. Windswept dunes are home to foxes and seagulls. The famous wild horses, or ponies, also live on this small island.
  • 20.
    Finding Main Ideas Once we have found the topic of the paragraph, we can find the main idea. Topic + Main Point about the Topic = MAIN IDEA
  • 21.
    Can you findthe main idea? Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful.
  • 22.
    Can you findthe main idea? Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful.
  • 23.
    Can you findthe main idea? Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful. Topic: Water Main point about the topic:
  • 24.
    Can you findthe main idea? Water is an amazing resource. Everyone in the world depends upon it. Every creature needs water to survive. Without water, we would not last long. Water makes our world beautiful. Topic: Water Main point about the topic: Water is an amazing resource
  • 25.
    Finding Main Ideas Notice that topics are expressed as words or phrases, but main ideas are expressed in sentences Topic + Main Point about the Topic = MAIN IDEA
  • 26.
    Can you findthe main idea? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In Williamsburg, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to Williamsburg will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s.
  • 27.
    Can you findthe main idea? Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. In Williamsburg, you can see how people lived in colonial times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to Williamsburg will make you feel as if you have been transported to the 1700s.
  • 28.
    Did you findthe main idea? Colonial Williamsburg is a great Topic: place to visit. In Williamsburg, you can see how people lived in colonial Williamsburg times. There are guides in costumes who can show you to taverns, shops, and houses. You can Main idea: even sample some colonial food at the restored taverns! One visit to Williamsburg is Williamsburg will make you feel as if a great place to you have been transported to the 1700s. visit
  • 29.
    Where is themain idea? In many paragraphs, the first sentence states the main idea. When the author states the main idea, it is called an explicit main idea.
  • 30.
    Where is themain idea? But the main idea is not always in the first sentence.
  • 31.
    Look for theexplicit main idea Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge? It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well-suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. When a predator like a snake comes near, the green frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
  • 32.
    Look for theexplicit main idea The first sentence is not the main idea. Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge? It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well-suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. When a predator like a snake comes near, the green frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
  • 33.
    Look for theexplicit main idea Let’s look for the topic. Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge? It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well-suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. When a predator like a snake comes near, the green frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
  • 34.
    Look for theexplicit main idea Let’s look for the topic. Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge? It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well-suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. When a predator like a snake comes near, the green frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
  • 35.
    What about thesecond sentence? Main ideas are not usually expressed as questions Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge? It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well-suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. When a predator like a snake comes near, the green frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
  • 36.
    What about thethird sentence? This sentence includes the topic Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge?It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well- suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. It also makes a When a predator like a snake comes near, the green main point frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals about the topic from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
  • 37.
    This is calledthe topic sentence It’s kind of silly that the sentence that states the main idea is called the topic sentence, but that’s just the way it is. Croak, croak, kerplop! What’s that at the water’s edge?It might be a green frog, a creature that’s well- suited for life at the pond’s edge. Green frogs like to live where the land meets the water. This keeps them safe from predators that live on the land. When a predator like a snake comes near, the green frog can quickly leap into the water and get away. Green frogs can eat animals from both places, including crayfish, spiders, fish, and even birds.
  • 38.
    Finding the mainidea To find the main idea, figure out the topic first. Then, look for a sentence that states a main point about the topic.
  • 39.
    Try another paragraph What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
  • 40.
    How do Ifind the main idea? Start by finding the topic  Then, read each sentence in the paragraph  Find a sentence that states the topic and a main point about the topic
  • 41.
    First, find thetopic What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
  • 42.
    First, find thetopic What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
  • 43.
    Read the restof the sentences. What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
  • 44.
    Which one statesa main point? What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
  • 45.
    Which one statesa main point? What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
  • 46.
    Check the restof the sentences What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen.
  • 47.
    Check the restof the sentences What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen. All of the sentences relate back to Kings Gap as a great place to view the Cumberland Valley
  • 48.
    We’ve found themain idea* What a gorgeous view! Kings Gap State Park is a great place to see the Cumberland Valley. This is because the park was built on top of a mountain. From the mountain top, the fields and farms of the valley stretch out far below. The Doubling Gap, a mountain that curves like the letter s, can also be seen. *also known as the topic sentence
  • 49.
    Implicit main ideas Mainideas are not always stated directly. Sometimes, they are implicit, or left unstated.
  • 50.
    Figuring out implicitmain ideas Fairy shrimp swim upside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimp move by beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool.
  • 51.
    Find the topic Fairyshrimp swim upside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimp move by beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool.
  • 52.
    Find the topic Fairyshrimp swim upside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimpmove by beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool.
  • 53.
    What are thesentences saying about the topic? Fairy shrimp swim upside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimp move by beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool.
  • 54.
    What are thesentences saying about the topic? Fairy shrimp swimupside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimpmoveby beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool. All of the sentences seem to be about how fairy shrimp move.
  • 55.
    Make up amain idea Fairy shrimp swimupside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimpmoveby beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool. What is the paragraph telling us about the movement of fairy shrimp?
  • 56.
    There may beseveral similar options Fairy shrimp swimupside down. If you watch them closely, you might see that they have two sets of antennae and eleven sets of legs. Fairy shrimpmoveby beating their legs from back to front. In their vernal pool, they can dart around quickly, drift slowly, or even settle at the bottom of the pool. Fairy shrimp can move Fairy shrimp can move in effectively. several ways.
  • 57.
    Let’s try anotherone The last bits of sunlight were gleaming through the trees. A slight breeze blew, just enough to keep the air feeling fresh and clear. The forest beyond was a wall of shadowed green. In the distance, the murmurs of the creek echoed faintly, joined every now and again by an evening bird call. Everyone sat on the porch, relaxing.
  • 58.
    Find the topic Thelast bits of sunlight were gleaming through the trees. A slight breeze blew, just enough to keep the air feeling fresh and clear. The forest beyond was a wall of shadowed green. In the distance, the murmurs of the creek echoed faintly, joined every now and again by an evening bird call. Everyone sat on the porch, relaxing. It seems to be describing a scene
  • 59.
    What are thesentences saying? The last bits of sunlight were gleaming through the trees. A slight breeze blew, just enough to keep the air feeling fresh and clear. The forest beyond was a wall of shadowed green. In the distance, the murmurs of the creek echoed faintly, joined every now and again by an evening bird call. Everyone sat on the porch, relaxing. How do the sentences describe the scene?
  • 60.
    Make up amain idea The last bits of sunlight were gleaming through the trees. A slight breeze blew, just enough to keep the air feeling fresh and clear. The forest beyond was a wall of shadowed green. In the distance, the murmurs of the creek echoed faintly, joined every now and again by an evening bird call. Everyone sat on the porch, relaxing. The view from the porch was peaceful.
  • 61.
    What have youlearned? What is the difference between a topic and a main idea?
  • 62.
    What have youlearned? A topic is stated in a word or phrase A main idea includes the topic and the main point, and is stated in a sentence
  • 63.
    What have youlearned? What is an implicit main idea?
  • 64.
    What have youlearned? An implicit main idea is not stated directly by the author
  • 65.
    Does every paragraphwork like this? A. Yes! Every paragraph in the whole universe is like this and you will never have to think hard again B. No, some paragraphs are different. Sometimes the paragraph has the topic sentence at the end of the paragraph. Sometimes the main idea is very hard to find.
  • 66.
    Does every paragraphwork like this? • The answer, of course, is B • Some paragraphs do not follow this structure because the author wants to make the reader think more carefully • And sometimes the paragraphs are just poorly written!
  • 67.
    These guidelines usuallywork 1. Find the topic of the paragraph 2. See if the first sentence states the main idea 3. If not, check other sentences in the paragraph 4. Find the sentence that includes the topic and states a main point about the topic 5. Make sure that the other sentences in the paragraph relate back to the main idea
  • 68.
    Can you findthe frog?
  • 69.
    Can you findthe frog?
  • 70.
    What have youlearned about main ideas?
  • 71.
    By Emily Kissner http://emilykissner.blogspot.com Updated2012 Feel free to use in your classroom or for staff development. Please do not re-post to other sites. A downloadable version of this file is available here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/T opics-and-Main-Ideas-Powerpoint