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Finding the Main Idea in Nonfiction Passages

Learn how to identify the main idea in nonfiction texts and distinguish it from supporting details. Discover techniques for finding the main point and supporting information within passages.

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Finding the Main Idea in Nonfiction Passages

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  1. Finding the Main Idea in Nonfiction Passages “How to Read Smarter” EQ: How do I identify stated or implied main ideas in nonfiction texts? EQ: How do I identify stated supporting details in nonfiction texts?

  2. Main Idea: • The BIG point writer is communicating • Often main idea in the title • For example: “Why Doctors Deserve More Dollars” will include reasons for the idea

  3. MainIdea ma • Main Idea - is like the heart of the text or a paragraph. • All supporting details in the text should tell us more about the main idea.

  4. Main idea = general Supporting ideas = specific Which word is the most general: Potato or Vegetable? General versus Specific

  5. What is the topic? • General subject of the text • To find the topic, just ask yourself: “Who or what is this passage about?” • Can be expressed in a word or a phrase. Example: Previous story you read, “Raymond’s Run”- what was the topic? WHO?

  6. The Topic Sentence • Topic sentence indicates what it’s about Find the topic sentence in this paragraph: Homeless people have many problems. In winter, it’s hard to stay warm and it gets too hot in summer. It’s also hard to keep things safe without a home. Worst is the lack of privacy.

  7. The Topic Sentence • Topic sentence indicates what it’s about Find the topic sentence in this paragraph: Homeless people have many problems. In winter, it’s hard to stay warm and it gets too hot in summer. It’s also hard to keep things safe without a home. Worst is the lack of privacy.

  8. Supporting Details The details of the main idea tell us (5 Ws): • Who • What • When • Where • Why

  9. Supporting Details • Supporting details prove the value of the main idea. What are they here? Homeless people have many problems. In winter, it’s hard to stay warm and it gets too hot in summer. It’s also hard to keep things safe without a home. Worst is the lack of privacy.

  10. Supporting Details • Supporting details prove the value of the main idea. What are they here? Homeless people have many problems. In winter, it’s hard to stay warm and it gets too hot in summer. It’s also hard to keep things safe without a home. Worst is the lack of privacy.

  11. Get the Point? • Read this short paragraph: Engineers create wealth for society. So, tennis is a game and the resources of the earth are scarce. Have you gone mad? Thus the only solution is to educate the public on being socially responsible.

  12. Get the Point? • Crazy!!!! • Why was it difficult to understand? • Different ideas that did not link. There was no common thread. • The good news is that normal passages have main ideas!

  13. Summarize • Main Idea • The big idea or common thread that holds things together • General ideas - Not a detail - Not specific

  14. Summarize • Supporting Details • Common facts that help us explain the main idea • Specific items - All point to one main idea

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