Main Idea and Supporting Details THEA Objective #2 Main Idea and Supporting Details

What is a Main Idea? A Main Idea is : The topic plus the author’s most important point about the topic. It is also a complete sentence

Unlocking the Mystery of Main Idea Find the topic

What is ….Topic?? How do I find the Topic?? A topic is: Who or what the whole selection is about How do I find the Topic?? It can be found in the heading or title It can be repeated several times within the paragraph or selection Sometimes it is mentioned only in the beginning or end, but is referred to throughout the passage with pronouns.

What’s the topic? 1 Symbols can have a tremendously powerful emotional impact upon us, instantly conveying many feelings and ideas. 2 Symbols like the cross, the Star of David, or the star-and-crescent immediately make us think of the Christian, Jewish, or Muslim religions. 3 This may be why burning an American flag often arouses more anger than does an attack on the values for which the flag actually stands. 4 Another symbol with terrible power is the swastika. 5 Until this century, the swastika was an innocent traditional symbol found in many cultures. 6 Then it became the symbol of Nazi terror. 7 Today, the very sight of a swastika can send chills down our spines.

What’s the topic? 1 Symbols can have a tremendously powerful emotional impact upon us, instantly conveying many feelings and ideas. 2 Symbols like the cross, the Star of David, or the star-and-crescent immediately make us think of the Christian, Jewish, or Muslim religions. 3 This may be why burning an American flag often arouses more anger than does an attack on the values for which the flag actually stands. 4 Another symbol with terrible power is the swastika. 5 Until this century, the swastika was an innocent traditional symbol found in many cultures. 6 Then it became the symbol of Nazi terror. 7 Today, the very sight of a swastika can send chills down our spines.

What’s the topic? 1 A major study of firstborn children reveals that they tend to be super- achievers who strive very hard to make their families proud. 2 It was discovered that of the country’s first twenty-three astronauts, an amazing twenty-one were firstborn in their families. 3 Also, slightly more than half—52 percent—of our presidents were firstborn children. 4 Less positive is the fact that firstborns are under a lot of pressure to succeed, because their families often pin their hopes and dreams on them. 5 Also, as the eldest, they are expected to “set an example” for their younger brothers and sisters. 6 Furthermore, these firstborns sometimes have trouble with personal relationships because they learned to be very independent and to enjoy doing things on their own—since they were the only children in their families until their younger brothers and sisters were born. 7 The conclusion of the study is that being a firstborn child is a mixed blessing, having positive as well as some negative aspects.

What’s the topic? 1 A major study of firstborn children reveals that they tend to be super-achievers who strive very hard to make their families proud. 2 It was discovered that of the country’s first twenty-three astronauts, an amazing twenty-one were firstborn in their families. 3 Also, slightly more than half—52 percent—of our presidents were firstborn children. 4 Less positive is the fact that firstborns are under a lot of pressure to succeed, because their families often pin their hopes and dreams on them. 5 Also, as the eldest, they are expected to “set an example” for their younger brothers and sisters. 6 Furthermore, these firstborns sometimes have trouble with personal relationships because they learned to be very independent and to enjoy doing things on their own—since they were the only children in their families until their younger brothers and sisters were born. 7 The conclusion of the study is that being a firstborn child is a mixed blessing, having positive as well as some negative aspects.

Whataburger Theory

Stated Main Idea vs. Implied Main Idea Stated Main Idea is found within the text Implied Main Idea must be created by the reader using hints and clues in the passage.

Stated Main Idea A major study of firstborn children reveals that they tend to be super-achievers who strive very hard to make their families proud. 2 It was discovered that of the country’s first twenty-three astronauts, an amazing twenty-one were firstborn in their families. 3 Also, slightly more than half—52 percent—of our presidents were firstborn children. 4 Less positive is the fact that firstborns are under a lot of pressure to succeed, because their families often pin their hopes and dreams on them. 5 Also, as the eldest, they are expected to “set an example” for their younger brothers and sisters. 6 Furthermore, these firstborns sometimes have trouble with personal relationships because they learned to be very independent and to enjoy doing things on their own—since they were the only children in their families until their younger brothers and sisters were born. 7 The conclusion of the study is that being a firstborn child is a mixed blessing, having positive as well as some negative aspects.

Stated Main Idea A major study of firstborn children reveals that they tend to be super-achievers who strive very hard to make their families proud. 2 It was discovered that of the country’s first twenty-three astronauts, an amazing twenty-one were firstborn in their families. 3 Also, slightly more than half—52 percent—of our presidents were firstborn children. 4 Less positive is the fact that firstborns are under a lot of pressure to succeed, because their families often pin their hopes and dreams on them. 5 Also, as the eldest, they are expected to “set an example” for their younger brothers and sisters. 6 Furthermore, these firstborns sometimes have trouble with personal relationships because they learned to be very independent and to enjoy doing things on their own—since they were the only children in their families until their younger brothers and sisters were born. 7 The conclusion of the study is that being a firstborn child is a mixed blessing, having positive as well as some negative aspects.

Implied Main Idea 1 In the late 1980s, concern about the deadly effects of illegal drugs became a top national issue. 2 Politicians loudly proclaimed a “war on drugs,” and TV news shows carried regular reports about the fatal toll of drugs, especially “crack” cocaine. 3 These drugs do have a terrible effect on individuals and society, but the facts about them are somewhat different from their popular image. 4 Each year, about two thousand people die from heroin overdoses, and about three thousand die from cocaine-related causes. 5 At the same time, 50,000 people die every year because of alcohol—including thousands of innocent victims of drunk drivers. 6 Additionally, a third of a million people die every year from cancer due to smoking cigarettes. A. In the late 1980s, politicians proclaimed a “war on drugs.” B. Our “war on drugs” ignores the two deadliest (though legal) drugs, alcohol and tobacco. C. Thousands of people die each year from heroin overdoses and cocaine-related causes. D. More people die each year from alcohol-related causes than from cocaine related causes.

2 Steps to choosing the Correct the Main Idea T/W Does it have the TOPIC? TOPIC Is it about the WHOLE passage? WHOLE T/W

The female black widow spider is not as terrible a killer as is generally believed. While the creature is certainly poisonous, she is also very shy and will bite humans only when she feels cornered. Also, the idea that the black widow always kills the male after mating is untrue. The male is often spared-if he remembers to tap out a special signal as he ventures onto his mate’s web. The vibrations on the web let her know he is one of her own kind, not an insect to be rushed at and killed. Topic? The female black widow spider Poisonous spiders The fate of the male black widow spider

What’s the Main Idea? The idea that the black widow always kills the male after mating is untrue She is not as terrible a killer as is generally believed. The female black widow spider is not as terrible a killer as is generally believed The male is often spared-if he remembers to tap out a special signal as he ventures onto his mate’s web

The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, has conducted a wide-scale survey in eleven states to determine teenagers’ knowledge about AIDS. Half of the teens surveyed believe a person can get AIDS through giving blood. Almost three-quarters of teenagers think that AIDS can be gotten from a simple blood test. And half believe that the disease can be easily contracted from a public toilet. None of these beliefs is well-founded. According to one survey, many teens have a poor understanding of how people get AIDS. B. The Center for Disease Control conducted a survey to discover teens’ knowledge about AIDS. C. Teenagers have a poor understanding of sexually transmitted diseases.

According to scientists, cockroaches evolved about 300 million years ago, which means they saw the dinosaurs come and go and later watched people emerge on Earth. If you wonder how such little creatures have lasted so long, consider the fact that they can live in a refrigerator or in extreme heat. They can develop resistance to poisons faster than scientists can develop new ones. And they can live for two months on water alone or go for five months without water. Furthermore, they are quick to escape from danger. The takeoff time for a threatened cockroach has been timed at 54/1000th of a second. Cockroaches evolved about 300 million years ago. B. Cockroaches can live in a wide variety of temperatures and quickly develop resistance to poisons. C. Cockroaches have survived for millions of years because they can adapt to a wide variety of circumstances and react quickly to danger.

Pesticides kill plants and animals other than the pests they are intended for. Pesticides pollute water systems. Some pests develop immunity to frequently used pesticides. Some pesticides such as DDT and its relatives can remain in the environment for many years beyond the time necessary to do their intended job. Some pesticides have been linked to cancer and other health problems in humans. Some pesticides have been linked to cancer and other health problems Pesticides can be very harmful. Pesticides kill plants and animals other than the pests they are intended for. They can be very dangerous to both people and the environment.

Quiz over Notes (skill #2) What is the difference between Stated Main Idea and Implied Main Idea? Define Main Idea. Define Topic. List 4 ways to find the topic. What are the 2 steps to choosing the correct Main Idea?