Bellringer• Writing in complete sentences, and a full paragraph

answer the following questions:– What is the main idea of the article? Why? (What

details back up the main idea?)

• JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- State fire investigators are looking into a fire that damaged a portable at a Westside charter school Sunday night.

• Lt. Robby Stephens with the State Fire Marshal's Office said firefighters were called to the School of Success Academy in the 6900 block of Wilson Blvd. around 7:14 p.m.

• Stephens said someone broke in through a window and a couple of doors and set fires using normal combustibles from around the scene.

• There are no suspects, but Stephens said they are leaning toward younger adults based on the type of crime.

• Investigators estimated damages could be as high as $15,000.

• Anyone with information is asked to call 1-877-NO-ARSON. There is a $2,500 reward.

Implied Main IdeaImplied Main IdeaImplied Main IdeaImplied Main IdeaWhen it’s not directly stated; no When it’s not directly stated; no

topic sentence or thesistopic sentence or thesis

TOPIC vs. MAIN IDEA

• The main idea is often confused with the topic.

• The topic is what the story is about.

• The main idea is:

• What is important in the story.

• The point the author is trying to make about the topic.

• To find the main idea ask yourself 2 questions:

1.Who or what is the story about?

2.What is the author’s point about the topic?

The main idea can be directly stated or indirectly stated.

IMPLIED MAIN IDEA• The main idea not directly stated.• You must determine it by what is

suggested in the passage.

• It can be drawn from facts, reasons, or examples that give

hints or suggestions concerning the main idea.

STEPS & STRATEGIES

• Read the title.• Read the text completely once,

and then again.• The second time, as you’re

reading, think about what the passage or paragraph is about.

• Answer – Who?, What?, Where?, When?, and How?

What is the Implied Main Idea?

Fortunately, none of Toby's friends had ever seen the apartment where Toby lived with his mother and sister. Sandwiched between two burnt-out buildings, his two-story apartment building was by far the ugliest one on the block. It was a real eyesore: peeling orange paint (orange!), broken windows, crooked steps, crooked everything. He could just imagine what his friends would say if they ever saw this poor excuse for a building.

a. Toby wishes he could move to a nicer building. b. Toby wishes his dad still lived with them. c. Toby is glad none of his friends know where he lives. d. Toby is sad because he doesn't have any friends.

What’s the Implied Main Idea?

Story• Day after day, Johnny

chooses to sit at his computer instead of going outside with his friends. A few months ago, he'd get half a dozen phone calls from his friends every night. Now, he might get one or two a week. Used to be his friends would come over two, three days a week after school. Now, he spends his afternoons alone with his computer.

a) Johnny and his friends are all spending time with their computers instead of one another.

b) Johnny's friends aren't very good friends.

c) Johnny has alienated his friends by spending so much time on the computer.

d) Johnny and his friends prefer to communicate by computer.

• Details used:

What’s the Implied Main Idea?

ARTICLEARTICLEA healthy diet with proper nutrition is essential for maintaining good

overall health. Since vitamins were discovered early in the twentieth century, people have routinely been taking vitamin supplements for this purpose. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is a frequently used nutritional standard for maintaining optimal health.

The RDA specifies the recommended amount of a number of nutrients for people in many different age and gender groups. With RDA, consumers can see how much of those nutrients are offered in the products they buy and can better plan for a nutritious meal. But RDA values are based on the assumption that it is possible to accurately define nutritional requirements for a given group. In reality, individual nutritional requirements can vary widely within each group.

The efficiency with which a person converts food into nutrients can also vary widely. Certain foods when eaten in combination actually prevent the absorption of nutrients. For example, spinach combined with milk reduces the amount of calcium available to the body from the milk, but this is not reflected in RDA values.

The RDA approach also specifies a different dietary requirement for each age and gender. However, it is clearly unrealistic to expect a homemaker to prepare a different menu for each family member.

• Which of the following sentences best expresses the overall main idea of this passage? a) Although we cannot rely solely upon the RDA to ensure our overall long-term health, it can still be

a useful guide. b) The RDA approach is problematic and should be avoided. c) It's important for consumers to monitor RDA levels carefully. d) After all, vitamins are the most important part of a healthy diet.

Work Period• With the person next to you read

“War of the Wall,” pages 328-334.• Answer the following questions, in

complete sentences:– What is the topic?– What is the main idea?– Was it implied or direct?– What details did you use?– What do you think the theme is?

THEMETHEMETHEMETHEME

Main Idea vs. ThemeMain Idea vs. Theme

THEME• Theme• Theme is the overall message or idea that the writer

wants to convey. Like a main idea, the theme is different from subject in that the theme says something about the subject. For example, take John Donne's poem "Death Be Not Proud." The subject of the poem is death. But the theme of the poem says something about death. The poem's message is that death is a gift for those who believe in God.

• The main idea of a text is the thought that holds everything together. Likewise, the theme of a work of literature is the thought that holds together the characters and action. It's the idea that determines word choice, structure, and style.

CLUES TO THEMEYou can find the theme in literature the same way you find it in other kinds of writing—by looking for clues in the action, in word choice, in style, and in structure. To practice, here's a poem by the American writer Stephen Crane. Read it actively, looking carefully at the action and the language (word choice, style, and tone) of the poem. Read it out loud at least once.

A Man Said to the UniverseA man said to the universe:"Sir, I exist!""However," replied the universe,"The fact has not created in meA sense of obligation.“

Look carefully at the language in the poem. What kinds of words has the poet chosen? Are they warm, friendly words, or are they cold, distancing words? Do they make you feel comfortable, welcome? Or uncomfortable, rejected? Are they specific or general? Do you feel like there's a personal relationship here? Or are things formal, official?Crane's word choice helps convey his theme. The words "sir," "fact," and "obligation" are cold and formal. There's no sense of personal relationship between the man and the universe. This is heightened by the general nature of the poem. It's just "a man"— not anyone specific, not anyone you know. Not anyone the universe knows,

either. It's also written in the third-person point of view. The poem

would have a different effect if it began, "I said to the universe."

TIPS• They may ask you for the main idea of

the passage as a whole or the main idea of just a part of the passage.

• Remember that some of the answer choices might be true, but they are not right unless they express an idea that summarizes the WHOLE text. These are typically details meant to distract you.