The Effective Reader by D. J. Henry PART ONE Becoming an Effective Reader PowerPoint by Mary Dubbé Thomas Nelson Community College Stated Main Idea 3 Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. Chapter Outline and Learning Objectives In this chapter, you will learn to: Identify the following: traits of a main idea, the topic of a paragraph, a topic sentence. Distinguish the movement of ideas from general to specific. Define the following terms: central idea and thesis statement. 1 2 Introduce chapter – Show a current and interesting YouTube clip or find a TV show or movie that most students have seen. Ask them to summarize the contents in just a few sentences out loud. Write key words on the sentence as they speak. Allow as many students to participate as possible. Once students are satisfied that they have captured all of the important information, ask them to condense the ideas down to just one key idea. Erase words from the board that are not useful. Explain to the class that the reading process helps them to determine main ideas, which is an important skill for every kind of work. 3 Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. Locate the sentence that states the main idea in a paragraph or longer passage. Assess your comprehension of locating stated main ideas. Evaluate the importance of locating stated main ideas. Apply stated main ideas to improve comprehension. 4 5 6 The Traits of a Main Idea Activity: Bring in nesting cups or puzzle boxes that fit inside one another to help students grasp the concept of “flow of ideas” from general to specific. As you separate each cup or box, explain that the outside cup is like a topic because it is general, or broad, and it covers all of the other cups. The next cup is like the main idea, which is enveloped by the topic, but also covers all the other cups, or details. The next cup represents a supporting detail because it is more narrow or specific. Ask students if they can think of any similar examples to show this relationship of ideas. 7 Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. Identify the following: traits of a main idea, the topic of a paragraph, a topic sentence. 1 Three Parts of a Paragraph MAIN IDEA: the author’s controlling point about the topic. It usually includes the topic and the author’s attitude or opinion about the topic, or the author’s approach to the topic. TOPIC SENTENCE: a single sentence that states the main idea SUPPORTING DETAILS: specific ideas that develop, explain, or support the main idea Three Parts of a Paragraph As effective readers, students will see that every paragraph has a topic, a main idea, and supporting details. A main idea is the author’s controlling point about the topic. It usually includes the topic and the author’s attitude or opinion about the topic, or the author’s approach to the topic. The main idea of a paragraph is usually stated in a single sentence called the topic sentence. The supporting details of a paragraph are framed by the main idea, and all work together to explain or support the author’s view of the topic. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. Identify the following: traits of a main idea, the topic of a paragraph, a topic sentence. 1 Identify the Topic of the Paragraph The topic must not be too general or too specific. The topic is often repeated throughout the paragraph. Skim the material to identify the relationship among the subject, the topic, and the specific details. Identifying the Topic of a Paragraph When you ask the question “Who or what is the paragraph about?” you must be sure that your answer is neither too general nor too specific. A general subject needs specific ideas to support or explain it. However, no single paragraph can discuss all the specific ideas linked to a general idea. So an author narrows the general subject to a topic that needs a specific set of ideas to support it. Often an author shows the relationship between the topic and the specific details by repeating the topic throughout the paragraph as new pieces of information about the topic are introduced. To identify the topic, an effective reader often skims the material for this recurring idea. Skimming for the topic allows you to grasp the relationship among a general subject, the topic, and specific details. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. Identify the following: traits of a main idea, the topic of a paragraph, a topic sentence. 1 Identify the Main Idea by Asking: What is the author’s controlling point about the topic? Do all of the specific details support the main idea statement? Topic Main Idea (stated in the topic sentence) Supporting Details Detail 1 Detail 2 Detail 3 Detail 4 Traits of a Main Idea To better understand the traits of a main idea, compare a passage to a well-planned house of ideas. The topic or general subject matter is the roof. The roof covers all the rooms of the house. The main idea is the frame of the house, and the supporting details are the different rooms. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. Identify the following: traits of a main idea, the topic of a paragraph, a topic sentence. 1 Topic Sentence – the Stated Main Idea contains the topic and the author’s controlling point a general statement that other sentences support a complete sentence (unlike the topic) ASK: Which sentence contains the qualifiers that reveal the author’s attitude about the topic or approach to the topic? Do all of the details in the passage support this statement? Identifying the Topic Sentence of a Paragraph  The topic sentence—the stated main idea—is unique in two ways. First, the topic sentence contains two types of information: the topic and the author’s controlling point, which restricts or qualifies the topic. The controlling point may be expressed as the author’s opinion using biased words. The controlling point may also express the author’s thought pattern, the way in which the thoughts are going to be organized.    The second unique trait of the topic sentence is its scope: the topic sentence is a general statement that all the other sentences in the paragraph explain or support. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Topic Sentence at the Beginning of the Paragraph Distinguish the movement of ideas from general to specific. 2 Topic Sentence at the Beginning of the Paragraph General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Specific Supporting Detail Main Idea = Topic Sentence The Flow of Ideas and Placement of Topic Sentences Many paragraphs place the topic sentence/main idea as the first sentence in the paragraph. The three parts of these paragraph flow from general to specific ideas: the topic, the main idea stated in a topic sentence, and the supporting details. However, not all paragraphs put the main idea first. In fact, a topic sentence can be placed at the beginning of a paragraph, within a paragraph, or at the end of a paragraph. The placement of the topic sentence controls the flow of ideas. In a sense, when a writer builds a house of ideas, the floor plan—the flow of ideas—changes based on the location of the topic sentence. One of the first things an effective reader looks for is the location of the topic sentence.  Topic Sentence at the Beginning of a Paragraph A topic sentence that begins a paragraph signals a move from general ideas to specific ideas. This flow from general to specific, in which an author begins with a general statement and moves to specific reasons and supports, is also known as deductive reasoning. (also known as deductive reasoning) Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Distinguish the movement of ideas from general to specific. 2 Topic Sentence Within the Paragraph- Near Beginning General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Specific Near the beginning: Supporting Detail Main Idea = Topic Sentence Introductory Sentence Topic Sentence Within a Paragraph Topic sentences within a paragraph can be near the beginning or in the middle of the paragraph. Near the Beginning A paragraph does not always start with the topic sentence. Instead, it may begin with a sentence or two that gives a general overview of the topic. These introductory sentences are used to get the reader interested in the topic. They also lead the reader to the topic sentence. Sometimes introductory sentences tell how the ideas in one paragraph tie in to the ideas of earlier paragraphs. At other times, the introductory sentences give background information about the topic. The flow of ideas remains deductive as it moves from general ideas (the introduction) and main idea (topic sentence) to specific ideas (supporting details). (also known as deductive reasoning) Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Specific . . . . . . . . .General . . . . . . . . . . Specific Locate the sentence that states the main idea in a paragraph or longer passage. 6 Topic Sentence Within the Paragraph- Middle Specific . . . . . . . . .General . . . . . . . . . . Specific Supporting detail Main idea: topic sentence In the Middle At times, an author begins a paragraph with a few attention-grabbing details. These details are placed first to stir the reader’s interest in the topic. The flow of ideas no longer follows the deductive pattern of thinking because the material now moves from specific ideas (supporting details) to a general idea (the topic sentence) to specific ideas (additional supporting details). Creative essays and special interest stories that strive to excite reader interest often employ this approach. Television news stories frequently begin with shocking details to hook the viewer and prevent channel surfing. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Locate the sentence that states the main idea in a paragraph or longer passage. 6 Topic Sentence at the End of a Paragraph Specific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . General Supporting detail Main Idea = Topic Sentence Topic Sentence at the End of a Paragraph Sometimes an author waits until the end of the paragraph to state the topic sentence and main idea. This approach can be very effective, for it allows the details to build up to the main idea. The pattern is sometimes called climactic order. The flow of ideas is known as inductive, as the author’s thoughts move from specific (supporting details) to general (the topic sentence). Inductive reasoning is often used in math and science to generate hypotheses and theories, and to discover relationships between details. In addition, inductive reasoning is often used in argument. (also known as inductive reasoning) Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

General . . . . . . . . . Specific. . . . . . . . . General Locate the sentence that states the main idea in a paragraph or longer passage. 6 Topic Sentence at the Beginning and the End General . . . . . . . . . Specific. . . . . . . . . General Main Idea: topic sentence Supporting detail Topic Sentence at the Beginning and the End of a Paragraph A paragraph may start and end by stating one main idea in two different sentences. Even though these two sentences state the same idea, they usually word the idea in different ways. A topic sentence presents the main idea at the beginning of the paragraph. Then, at the end of the paragraph, the main idea is stated again, this time using different words. This flow of ideas is based on the age-old advice given to writers to “tell the reader what you are going to say; say it; then tell the reader what you said.” Many essays written by college students rely on this presentation of ideas. Main Idea: topic sentence (also known as inductive reasoning) Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. Define the following terms: central idea and thesis statement. 3 CENTRAL IDEA: The main idea of a passage made up of two or more paragraphs. THESIS STATEMENT: A sentence that states the topic and the author’s controlling point about the topic for a passage of two or more paragraphs. Central Idea Thesis Statement The Central Idea and the Thesis Statement Just as a single paragraph has a main idea, longer passages made up of two or more paragraphs also have a main idea. You encounter these longer passages in articles, essays, and textbooks. In longer passages, the main idea is called the central idea. Often the author will state the central idea in a single sentence called the thesis statement. The central idea is the main idea of a passage made up of two or more paragraphs. The thesis statement is a sentence that states the topic and the author’s controlling point about the topic for a passage of two or more paragraphs. You find the central idea of longer passages the same way you locate the main idea or topic sentence of a paragraph. The thesis statement is the one sentence that is general enough to include all the ideas in the passage. 2-3 Paragraphs xxxxxxxx Article xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. Let’s Review! Assess your comprehension Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 1. The author’s controlling point about the topic is called _______. A. a narrow idea B. a general idea C. a supporting detail D. a main idea Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 1. The author’s controlling point about the topic is called _______. A. a narrow idea B. a general idea C. a supporting detail D. a main idea 1 Identify the following: traits of a main idea, the topic of a paragraph, a topic sentence. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 2. The main idea of a paragraph is stated in the _____. A. topic B. introductory sentence C. supporting details D. topic sentence Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 2. The main idea of a paragraph is stated in the _____. A. topic B. introductory sentence C. supporting details D. topic sentence 1 Identify the following: traits of a main idea, the topic of a paragraph, a topic sentence. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 3. All of the following statements are true about the topic of a passage except _______. A. The topic is narrow and specific. B. No single passage can discuss all the specific ideas related to any one topic. C. The topic should not be too narrow nor too broad. D. The topic states the general subject of a passage. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 3. All of the following statements are true about the topic of a passage except _______. A. The topic is narrow and specific. B. No single passage can discuss all the specific ideas related to any one topic. C. The topic should not be too narrow nor too broad. D. The topic states the general subject of a passage. 1 Identify the following: traits of a main idea, the topic of a paragraph, a topic sentence. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 4. A main idea of a passage made up of two or more paragraphs is known as the _______. A. central idea B. thesis statement C. topic sentence D. concluding sentence Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 4. A main idea of a passage made up of two or more paragraphs is known as the _______. A. central idea B. thesis statement C. topic sentence D. concluding sentence 3 Define the following terms: thesis statement and central idea. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 5. A sentence that states the central point of a longer passage is known as the _______. A. central idea B. thesis statement C. topic sentence D. concluding sentence Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 5. A sentence that states the central point of a longer passage is known as the _______. A. central idea B. thesis statement C. topic sentence D. concluding sentence 3 Define the following terms: thesis statement and central idea. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 6. Identify the flow of ideas represented by this model. A. general – specific B. specific – general C. general – specific – general D. specific – general – specific Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 6. Identify the flow of ideas represented by this model. A. general – specific B. specific – general C. general – specific – general D. specific – general – specific Distinguish the movement of ideas from general to specific. 2 Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 7. Identify the flow of ideas represented by this model. A. general – specific B. specific – general C. general – specific – general D. specific – general – specific Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 7. Identify the flow of ideas represented by this model. A. general – specific B. specific – general C. general – specific – general D. specific – general – specific Distinguish the movement of ideas from general to specific. 2 Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 8. Identify the flow of ideas represented by this model. A. general – specific B. specific – general C. general – specific – general D. specific – general – specific Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 8. Identify the flow of ideas represented by this model. A. general – specific B. specific – general C. general – specific – general D. specific – general – specific Distinguish the movement of ideas from general to specific. 2 Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 9. The flow of ideas from specific to general (main idea at the end) is called _______. A. topic sentence B. central idea C. inductive thinking D. deductive thinking Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. 9. The flow of ideas from specific to general (main idea at the end) is called _______. A. topic sentence B. central idea C. inductive thinking D. deductive thinking 7 Apply stated main ideas to improve comprehension. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. A paragraph that states the main idea at the beginning or near the beginning is following _______. A. inductive thinking B. deductive thinking C. illogical thinking D. unreasonable thinking Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. A paragraph that states the main idea at the beginning or near the beginning is following _______. A. inductive thinking B. deductive thinking C. illogical thinking D. unreasonable thinking 7 Apply stated main idea to improve comprehension. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc. For more practice, connect to www.myreadinglab.com. See page 138 of The Effective Reader, 3rd edition, for specific activities related to Chapter 3. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.