2. MAIN IDEA

3. Main Idea What is it? How do we find it? How do we remember it? Let’s try it.

4. What is main idea? The main idea is the central point the author wants to get across in their writing. Don’t confuse it with the theme. (Theme is the lesson learned.) Main idea tells what a story is mostly about. When looking for main idea we must think of what FINALLY happened in the story.

5. Main Idea: Implied or Directly Stated The main idea can be either… - Directly stated. Meaning the author states the main idea clear. OR - Implied. Meaning the author suggests the main idea through important details.

6. How do we find the main idea? Let’s use our hands!

7. How do we find the main idea? The thumb stands for who. The who of a story is very important, without knowing who the story is about we can’t find the main idea.

8. How do we find the main idea? The pointer finger stands for did what. What did the main character finally do?

9. How do we find the main idea? The middle finger stands for where. Where did the main character do it?

10. How do we find the main idea? The ring finger stands for when. When did the main character do it?

11. How do we find the main idea? The pinky stands for why. Why did the main character do it?

13. How do we remember main idea? Remembering is easy!!! Just look at your fingers. Thumb - Who? Pointer - Did what? Middle finger - Where? Ring finger - When? Pinky - Why?

14. Let’s Try IT!!! Look at this example: We were heading on a family vacation to Italy and it was my sister’s first time flying on an airplane. My cute little sister sat in her seat silent and shaking during the entire plane ride. Can you connect these details to figure out the main idea? (Is it implied or directly stated?)

15. Example: Answer You probably came up with something like this… Implied main idea: The writer’s sister is afraid of flying. (Why is it implied?) The key is to use the important details. You could ignore the information about how the sister was cute and younger than the writer.