Cy-Fair Library’s PSAT Prep Workshop Day 2- October 27, 2012 Understanding Main Ideas

The Main Idea The main idea is the general idea that the writer puts forth about a particular issue or idea in argument, and it is the central focus in an expository piece of writing. Understanding the main idea of a passage can help readers comprehend or fully understand the meaning of the entire passage because the main idea links all other ideas together It has 2 parts- The topic and the controlling idea

Expository vs Argumentative Writing Expository writing- its root word is expose, meaning “to present to view,” or “to exhibit openly;” at its basic meaning, it is descriptive and it offers a literal description instead of a subjective description Textbooks Summary of the plot of a novel or story An instructional guide or manual

Argumentative Writing It is the opinion that the writer puts forth about a particular issue. It expresses one idea and it is a complete thought; it is never an absolute fact but it is likely to be proven true; it allows the writer to establish common ground with the audience or the opponents in argument. An essay A speech A debate The Critical Reading section of the PSAT includes both expository and argumentative passages.

Directly Stated Main Ideas Studies show that well over 75% of most paragraphs in textbooks include the main idea. Tips for Identifying the Main Idea 1.Ask the question, “Who or what is the writer writing about? 2.What does the writer want me to know or understand about the topic? 3.Combine the topic and controlling idea to help identify the main idea 4.Put the thesis or main idea in your own words

Making Inferences To imply means to hint, or suggest To infer means to arrive at a conclusion, or to make an educated guess; So writers imply and readers infer Readers can infer an author’s main idea by using what the author states to arrive at a logical inference about the main idea.

Warning: To Infer is to Assume And we all know what happens when we assume….(jk) but… It is usually a logical assumption that follows a line of reasoning (based on reasons and evidence) 1.Make sure you understand what is stated 2.Make sure your inferences are based on evidence or information that the writer provides 3.Make sure that your inferences do not contradict the information the writer provides

Tips for Identifying an Implied Main Idea Identify the topic by answering the question, “Who or what is the writer writing about?” Identify the controlling idea “What does the writer want me to know or understand about the topic?” Try to write a statement that determines the main idea in your own words

Using this knowledge on the PSAT Do you have time to pose these questions and write out the main ideas for each passage you encounter on the exam? Given the time constraints, you probably do not have the time. However, if you practice these strategies before the exam, you increase your comprehension skills, build your confidence in approaching these passages on the exam, and you can move quickly through the passages.

Final thoughts…. We can also pay attention to the rhetorical modes that are present in many passages. Writers will often reveal the type of argument in the thesis or claim.

Works Cited McGrath, Jane. Building Strategies for College Reading. New jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., Print