What is the Main Idea?Main Idea-A statement that tells the author’s point about the topic.

The main idea provides the message

of a given paragraph or the argument

that is being made about the topic.

For example:

The main idea-The rain forest is home to many creatures

The rain forest is home to many creatures. Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest. Blue Morpho butterflies and anteaters also live in the rain forest.

How to find the Main Idea?Ask yourself the question:What is the overall message or argument being made by the author about the topic?

Summarize the PassageAfter you've read the passage, summarize

it in three sentences (beginning, middle and end) that includes the gist of ever idea from the piece. A good way to do this is to pretend you have just ten words to tell someone what the passage was about. You'd have to think broadly, so you could included every detail in just a short statement.

Beach Fun!There are many fun things to do at the beach.

Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe.

a). Some people simply like to sunbathe.b). Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed.c). There are many fun things to do at the beach.d). Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun.

Location of the Topic SentenceThe topic sentence is usually found at the beginning of the paragraph ; however, it may also appear within the paragraph , or at the end of the paragraph. It may also appear twice, at the beginning and at the end of the paragraph.

Example A cocktail party has the same

elements as other parties-plenty of appetizer, good friends, good food and drinks-the key ingredient. Subtly , sophisticated, shot and sweet, cocktail parties are a great way to entertain your friends with a minimum taste of hassle.The Topic Sentence: cocktail parties are a

great way to entertain your friends with a minimum taste of hassle.

Topic Sentence vs. Main IdeaThe topic sentence is specific sentence within the paragraph. Main Idea is about the entire piece.

Identifying Supporting Details

What is the Supporting Details?Supporting Details-give more information about the topic.

They help the reader understand more about the main idea.

1. Major Details

2. Minor Details

1. Major Details

2. Minor Details

How to find the Supporting Details?Major DetailsWhat reason or points support the

main idea?

Minor DetailsWhat examples, details, or statistics

illustrate the idea in the text?

Signal Word

First ,Second ,Third

OneAnotherFurthermoreMoreoverNextAlsoFinally

For exampleAn example isFor instanceTo be specificThat isThis meansCase in pointTo ilustrate

Facts and OpinionFact A Fact is a statement that can be checked or verified andproven through objective evidence, the evidence of whichmay be in form of testimony of witnesses agrees upon byobservation, or the written records of such testimony andobservation

OpinionAn Opinion is a statement that cannot be objectivelyproven to be true or false. Opinions usually express

thebeliefs, felling, judgment that a person has about a

subject

ExampleFactsEarth’s soil provides substances that

enable living things to things to survive

OpinionBread which is two or three days old is more

healthful than new bread

Facts Opinion

Is objectiveIs discoveredState realityCan be verifiedIs presented with

unbiased wordsExample:Broccoli is a source of

iron

Is subjectiveIs createdInterprets realityCannot be verifiedIs presented with

biased wordsExample:Broccoli taste awful

Lets PracticeTarantulas are hairy spiders capable of

inflicting on humans a painful but not deadly bite.

a).Factb).Opinion

OPPS ! TRY AGAIN

SORRY

CORRECT

THAT’S ALL FOLKS