The Main IdeaThe Main Idea

Stated or ImpliedStated or Implied

What Is the Main Idea?What Is the Main Idea?

The main idea is the primary point The main idea is the primary point the author is trying to convey to the the author is trying to convey to the reader.reader.

The main idea can be stated as a The main idea can be stated as a sentence in a paragraph or it can be sentence in a paragraph or it can be implied.implied.

Finding the Main IdeaFinding the Main Idea

The main idea can appear anywhere The main idea can appear anywhere in a paragraph.in a paragraph.

Often the main idea appears as the Often the main idea appears as the first sentence.first sentence.

Sometimes, however, the main idea Sometimes, however, the main idea is implied. That mean the reader is implied. That mean the reader must infer the main idea from the must infer the main idea from the details supplied.details supplied.

Steps to Follow in Finding the Steps to Follow in Finding the Main IdeaMain Idea

First, determine the topic of the paragraph. First, determine the topic of the paragraph. The topic is who or what the paragraph is The topic is who or what the paragraph is about.about.

Next, decide what the author is revealing Next, decide what the author is revealing about the topic through the supporting detail.about the topic through the supporting detail.

Finally, state this information in the form of a Finally, state this information in the form of a sentence. If a similar sentence appears in the sentence. If a similar sentence appears in the paragraph, the main idea is stated. paragraph, the main idea is stated. Otherwise, it is implied and you have just Otherwise, it is implied and you have just inferred the main idea of the paragraph!inferred the main idea of the paragraph!