Main Idea

What is a Main Idea?

The main idea is what the reading selection is mainly about. . . the most important idea in the selection.

The main idea is usually in the first or last sentence or in the title.

Sometimes the main idea is not stated. You must ask yourself, “What is the reading selection mainly about?”

Main Idea Question Stems

Some typical main idea question stems include:

1.What is the main idea of . . . 2.Which of the following would be a good title

for this selection?3.Which of the following best summarizes the

reading selection?

How to Identify the Main Idea

1. Read the selection to determine the topic.2. Look at what all the details have in common. The

details should point to the main idea.3. State the main idea in your own words. Then, look

for an answer that closely matches your own. Rule out answers that are obviously wrong.

4. Check to make sure that the details in the selection support your answer.

Sample #1Al was not looking forward to his summer vacation. Even though all the girls in his class had squealed, “Oh you’re going to Europe this summer! That’s so exciting!” Al knew better. He knew that he was not going for relaxing at sidewalk cafes. Nor would he be touring at the attractions in France or Italy. He was going to be spending time in Poland visiting his grandparents. Al knew he would be paraded in front of numerous relatives, none of who he’d ever met. Everyone would sit around jabbering in a language he did not understand, while listening to polka music. His mother would kick him under the table if he did not eat his grandmother’s cooking. And his grandfather, who for some reason thought that all Americans were mechanical geniuses, would hand him a wrench and tell him to fix the tractor. Al expected to come back in September hungry, black and blue, and greasy.

QuestionSample #1

What is this story mainly about?a. A boy’s grandparents lived in Poland.b.Al the girls in a boy’s class think a trip to

Europe is exciting.c. A boy is going away for the summer.d.A boy dreads his upcoming summer vacation.

Proving the Answer

a. Is telling about only one detail, not stating the most important detail in the story.

b. Is telling about only one detail, not stating the most important detail in the story.

c. Is telling about only one detail, not stating the most important detail in the story.

d. States the most important detail. The entire story explains why he is not looking forward to his summer vacation.

Your Turn“A Career in Music”

If you like to sing or playing an instrument, you might want to consider a career in music. Not everyone can become a famous singer or rock star. However, there are other possibilities. Music therapists, for example, use music to help some people overcome emotional or physical difficulties. You could also consider a career as a music librarian. A music librarian is responsible for the music resources in a library. Some people have careers either building or repairing musical instruments. Piano tuners travel to homes and concert halls to make sure pianos are in tune and sound their best. Then there are careers in teaching music. You might teacher others how to sing or how to play a musical instrument. The possibilities of a career in music are endless.

Question

What is the main idea of this paragraph?a. If you like to sing or play an instrument, you

might want to consider a career in music.b.Some people have careers either building or

repairing musical instrument.c. Not everyone can become a famous singer or

rock stard.The possibilities for a career in music are

endless.

Answer

d

Your Turn

Studies point out that a lot of high school students are sleepy during their morning classes. There are probably many reasons this is true. They may stay up late or have trouble sleeping. They may have a job that interferes with them getting enough sleep.

Question

What is the main idea of this selection?a. That students may have a jobb.That studets are sleepy in the morningc. That students stay uplate at nightd.That students have trouble sleeping

Answer

b