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Understanding Main Ideas

Understanding Main Ideas. January 8, 2013. What is it?. Understanding the main idea means seeing through all the detailed ideas on the page to understand what the writer is really getting at. It’s seeing how the “bits and pieces” fit together.

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Understanding Main Ideas

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  1. Understanding Main Ideas January 8, 2013

  2. What is it? • Understanding the main idea means seeing through all the detailed ideas on the page to understand what the writer is really getting at. • It’s seeing how the “bits and pieces” fit together. • It also involves being able to distinguish the main idea from the details which support it.

  3. How is it done? • To understand main ideas in nonfiction, you must do the following: • see each sentence as a part of a larger whole. • pay attention to the text introduction. • pay attention to topic sentences. • consider general versus specific statements. • take notice of linking words—however, for example, as a result of, in contrast, etc. • if time allows re-read. NOTE: In fiction pieces, the main idea will always be implied. Also, most paragraphs will not have clear topic sentences.

  4. Why is it done? • The only time understanding the main idea is not important is when you skim for a preview of the text. • In every other situation, understanding the main idea will help you to understand the author’s purpose.

  5. The Pyramid tells you what the selection is mostly about gives you the most important information about the topic specific information that tells more about the main idea

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