1. THE READING-WRITING CONNECTION
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2. THE READING-WRITING CONNECTION
John Langan
© Townsend Press

3. 2
Main Ideas
in Reading

4. 2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
“What’s the point?” People ask this question when they want to know what main idea is being presented.
See page 43 in textbook

5. Sometimes a main idea is clear right away.2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
Sometimes a main idea is clear right away.
What would you say is the speaker’s point in this cartoon?
See page 43 in textbook
ANSWER: The speaker had a good day at work.
The next slide shows and explains the answer.

6. The main idea is that the speaker had a good day at work.2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
The main idea is that the speaker had a good day at work.
He then supports his point with three specific reasons:
— the boss was out,
See pages 43–44 in textbook
— the computer network was working,
— the vending machine was dispensing free coffee.

7. • • When you read, get in the habit of asking, “What is the main point2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea? •
When you read, get in the habit of asking,
“What is the main point
the writer is trying to make?” •
Recognizing the main idea, or point,
is the most important key to better reading.
See page 44 in textbook

8. Here is a good two-step way to find an author’s point, or main idea:2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
Here is a good two-step way to find an author’s point,
or main idea:
1 Look for a general statement.
2 Decide if that statement is supported by most of the other material in the paragraph. If it is, you have found the main idea.
See page 44 in textbook

9. 2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
Read the following paragraph, asking yourself as you do, “What is the author’s point?”
Poor grades in school can have various causes. For one thing, students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.
See page 44 in textbook

10. A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
Below the paragraph are four statements from the passage. Pick out the general statement that is supported by the other material in the passage.
Poor grades in school can have various causes. For one thing, students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.
A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
See page 44 in textbook
ANSWER: A
The next several slides show and explains the answer.
B. For one thing, students may have financial problems.
C. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits.
D. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook.

11. B. For one thing, students may have financial problems.2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
Poor grades in school can have various causes. For one thing, students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.
See pages 44–45 in textbook
B. For one thing, students may have financial problems.
This sentence is about only one type of problem, financial problems. “Financial problems” is not general enough to include the other two listed causes of poor grades: trouble with relationships and bad study habits. You should not have chosen this statement as the main idea.

12. B. For one thing, students may have financial problems.2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
Poor grades in school can have various causes. For one thing, students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.
See pages 44–45 in textbook
B. For one thing, students may have financial problems.
C. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits.
This sentence also mentions only one specific cause: bad study habits. “Bad study habits” is not general enough to include the other two causes presented in the paragraph.

13. B. For one thing, students may have financial problems.2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
Poor grades in school can have various causes. For one thing, students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.
See pages 44–45 in textbook
B. For one thing, students may have financial problems.
C. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits.
D. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook.
This sentence lists three specific study problems. It does not cover the other material in the paragraph.

14. A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
Poor grades in school can have various causes. For one thing, students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.
A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
See pages 44–45 in textbook
The phrase “various causes” in sentence A is a general one. It is broad enough to include all of the specific causes mentioned in the other sentences—financial problems, trouble with relationships, and bad study habits. This sentence expresses the main idea of the passage.

15. A. Poor grades in school can have various causes. 2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
Poor grades in school can have various causes. For one thing, students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.
various causes
financial problems.
trouble with relationships.
bad study habits
A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
See pages 44–45 in textbook
The phrase “various causes” in sentence A is a general one. It is broad enough to include all of the specific causes mentioned in the other sentences—financial problems, trouble with relationships, and bad study habits. This sentence expresses the main idea of the passage.

16. The Main Idea as an “Umbrella” Idea2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
The Main Idea as an “Umbrella” Idea
Think of the main idea as an “umbrella” idea. The main idea is the author’s general point.
See page 45 in textbook

17. 2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
/ The Main Idea as an “Umbrella Idea”
Think of the main idea as an “umbrella” idea. The main idea is the author’s general point.
See page 45 in textbook

18. The other material of the paragraph fits under the main idea.2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
/ The Main Idea as an “Umbrella Idea”
Think of the main idea as an “umbrella” idea. The main idea is the author’s general point.
See page 45 in textbook
The other material of the paragraph fits under the main idea.

19. 2
Main Ideas in Reading
What Is the Main Idea?
/ The Main Idea as an “Umbrella Idea”
See page 45 in textbook
The other material of the paragraph fits under the main idea. That other material is made up of specific supporting details—evidence such as examples, reasons, or facts.

20. How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
To recognize the main idea of a passage, you must become an active reader.
Active readers think as they read. Instead of merely taking in words, an active reader constantly asks, “What’s the point?”
See page 46 in textbook

21. Here are three active reading strategies:2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
Here are three active reading strategies:
1 Look for general versus specific ideas.
2 Use the topic to lead you to the main idea.
3 Use key words to lead you to the main idea.
See page 46 in textbook
You can use these strategies to help find the main idea in a passage.

22. In the list of words below, which item is the general idea?2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
1 Look for General versus Specific Ideas
In the list of words below, which item is the general idea?
A. frying
B. baking
C. cooking
D. steaming
See page 48 in textbook
ANSWER: C
The next slide shows and explains the answer.

23. In the list of words below, which item is the general idea?2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 1 Look for General versus Specific Ideas
In the list of words below, which item is the general idea?
A. frying
B. baking
C. cooking
D. steaming
Specific type of cooking
Specific type of cooking
General idea
See page 48 in textbook
Specific type of cooking
Cooking is the general idea. Frying, baking, and steaming are all specific types of cooking.

24. 2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 1 Look for General versus Specific Ideas
Look again at the paragraph on poor grades. Notice that the general idea is supported by specific ideas.
Poor grades in school can have various causes. For one thing, students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.
General idea
Specific idea
Specific idea
Specific idea
See page 46 in textbook

25. The topic is the general subject of a selection. Knowing 2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
2 Use the Topic to Lead You to the Main Idea
The topic is the general subject of a selection.
Knowing
the topic can help you find a writer’s main point about
that topic.
See page 52 in textbook

26. Textbook authors use the title of each chapter to 2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 2 Use the Topic to Lead You to the Main Idea
Textbook authors use the title of each chapter to
state the overall topic of that chapter.
They also provide many topics and subtopics in boldface headings within
the chapter.
See page 52 in textbook

27. Who or what is the selection about?2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 2 Use the Topic to Lead You to the Main Idea
But there are many times when you are not given topics—with standardized reading tests, for example,
or with individual paragraphs in articles or textbooks.
To find the topic of a selection when the topic is not given, ask this simple question:
Who or what is the selection about?
See page 52 in textbook

28. Poor grades in school can have various causes.2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 2 Use the Topic to Lead You to the Main Idea
Look again at the first sentence of the paragraph you read earlier:
Poor grades in school can have various causes.
What, in just a few words, is that paragraph about?
See page 52 in textbook
ANSWER: Poor grades in school
The next slide shows and explains the answer.

29. Poor grades in school can have various causes.2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 2 Use the Topic to Lead You to the Main Idea
The topic of
the paragraph
Poor grades in school can have various causes.
What, in just a few words, is that paragraph about?
See page 52 in textbook

30. Poor grades in school can have various causes.2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 2 Use the Topic to Lead You to the Main Idea
Now that you know the topic of the paragraph, ask yourself:
What point is the author making about the topic?
Poor grades in school can have various causes.
See page 52 in textbook
ANSWER: Poor grades in school can have various causes.
The next slide shows and explains the answer.

31. Poor grades in school can have various causes.2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 2 Use the Topic to Lead You to the Main Idea
What point is the author making about the topic?
Poor grades in school can have various causes.
The author’s point
about the topic
As you saw earlier, the main point about poor grades is “Poor grades in school can have various causes.”
See page 52 in textbook

32. Poor grades in school can have various causes.2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 2 Use the Topic to Lead You to the Main Idea
Authors often present their main idea in a single sentence.
Poor grades in school can have various causes.
This sentence is known as the main idea sentence or the topic sentence.
See page 52 in textbook

33. What is the topic of the paragraph above?2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 2 Use the Topic to Lead You to the Main Idea
Phobias are continuing fears of things that are not likely to be harmful. For example, some people have a phobia about elevators. They worry that if they enter an elevator, the cable will break and they will fall hundreds of feet to their death. While such an accident can happen, it is extremely rare. Another instance of a phobia is a fear of medical needles. Some people will refuse to receive an injection, even if they are seriously ill. They may faint if given a needle; so great is their fear they are about to die. Perhaps the most common phobia is fear of public speaking. Some people will not go to school or take jobs if they have to speak before a group. Their fear—that they will embarrass themselves and that people will pity or reject them—has little basis in reality. These and other phobias can usually be overcome, often fairly quickly, with the right direction and treatment.
What is the topic of the paragraph above?
See page 53 in textbook
ANSWER: B
The next slide shows and explains the answer.
A. dangers
B. phobias
C. worry about elevators

34. What is the topic of the paragraph above?2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 2 Use the Topic to Lead You to the Main Idea
Phobias are continuing fears of things that are not likely to be harmful. For example, some people have a phobia about elevators. They worry that if they enter an elevator, the cable will break and they will fall hundreds of feet to their death. While such an accident can happen, it is extremely rare. Another instance of a phobia is a fear of medical needles. Some people will refuse to receive an injection, even if they are seriously ill. They may faint if given a needle; so great is their fear they are about to die. Perhaps the most common phobia is fear of public speaking. Some people will not go to school or take jobs if they have to speak before a group. Their fear—that they will embarrass themselves and that people will pity or reject them—has little basis in reality. These and other phobias can usually be overcome, often fairly quickly, with the right direction and treatment.
Phobias
phobia
phobia
phobia
phobias
What is the topic of the paragraph above?
See page 53 in textbook
A. dangers
B. phobias
C. worry about elevators
As the first sentence of the paragraph suggests, the topic is “phobias.”
Everything in the selection is about phobias. The word phobia or phobias
is used five times in the paragraph.

35. Which sentence states the main idea of the paragraph?2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 2 Use the Topic to Lead You to the Main Idea
Phobias are continuing fears of things that are not likely to be harmful. For example, some people have a phobia about elevators. They worry that if they enter an elevator, the cable will break and they will fall hundreds of feet to their death. While such an accident can happen, it is extremely rare. Another instance of a phobia is a fear of medical needles. Some people will refuse to receive an injection, even if they are seriously ill. They may faint if given a needle; so great is their fear they are about to die. Perhaps the most common phobia is fear of public speaking. Some people will not go to school or take jobs if they have to speak before a group. Their fear—that they will embarrass themselves and that people will pity or reject them—has little basis in reality. These and other phobias can usually be overcome, often fairly quickly, with the right direction and treatment.
See page 53 in textbook
ANSWER: The first sentence
The next slide shows and explains the answer.
Which sentence states the main idea of the paragraph?

36. Which sentence states the main idea of the paragraph?2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 2 Use the Topic to Lead You to the Main Idea
Phobias are continuing fears of things that are not likely to be harmful. For example, some people have a phobia about elevators. They worry that if they enter an elevator, the cable will break and they will fall hundreds of feet to their death. While such an accident can happen, it is extremely rare. Another instance of a phobia is a fear of medical needles. Some people will refuse to receive an injection, even if they are seriously ill. They may faint if given a needle; so great is their fear they are about to die. Perhaps the most common phobia is fear of public speaking. Some people will not go to school or take jobs if they have to speak before a group. Their fear—that they will embarrass themselves and that people will pity or reject them—has little basis in reality. These and other phobias can usually be overcome, often fairly quickly, with the right direction and treatment.
Which sentence states the main idea of the paragraph?
See page 53 in textbook
The first sentence states a general idea that sums up what the entire paragraph is about. It is an “umbrella” statement under which all the
other material in the paragraph fits.

37. 2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
3 Find and Use Key Words to Lead You to the Main Idea
Sometimes authors make it fairly easy to find their main idea. They announce it by using key words—words or phrases that are easy to recognize.
See page 58 in textbook

38. The main idea in the paragraph about poor grades was stated like this:2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 3 Find and Use Key Words to Lead You to the Main Idea
One type of key word is a list word or words, which tell you a list of items is to follow.
The main idea in the paragraph about poor grades was stated like this:
Poor grades in school can have various causes.
See page 58 in textbook
The expression various causes helps you zero in on the main idea.

39. Here are some common words that often announce a main idea:2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 3 Find and Use Key Words to Lead You to the Main Idea
Here are some common words that often announce a main idea:
List Words
Note that nearly all of them contain a word that ends
in s—a plural that suggests the supporting details will
be a list of items.
See page 58 in textbook

40. Many other list-word expressions are possible. For example, 2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 3 Find and Use Key Words to Lead You to the Main Idea
List Words
Many other list-word expressions are possible. For example,
a writer could begin a paragraph with a sentence containing “four kinds of” or “some advantages of ” or “three reasons
for.” So if you see a sentence with a word group like the ones above, you’ve probably found the main idea.
See page 58 in textbook

41. What are the list words in each of the sentences below?2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 3 Find and Use Key Words to Lead You to the Main Idea
What are the list words in each of the sentences below?
1. The rising rate of diabetes among young people seems to
have three causes.
2. Several symptoms may indicate that a person is having a heart attack.
See page 58 in textbook
ANSWERS: 1. three causes; 2. Several symptoms; 3. a number of challenges.
The next slide shows and explains the answers.
3. The Pilgrims faced a number of challenges during their first winter in America.

42. What are the list words in each of the sentences below?2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 3 Find and Use Key Words to Lead You to the Main Idea
What are the list words in each of the sentences below?
1. The rising rate of diabetes among young people seems to
have three causes.
2. Several symptoms may indicate that a person is having a heart attack.
See pages 58–59 in textbook
3. The Pilgrims faced a number of challenges during their first winter in America.
Each of these phrases tells you that a list of details will follow.

43. An addition word is generally used right before a supporting detail.2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 3 Find and Use Key Words to Lead You to the Main Idea
Another type of key word that can alert you to the main idea is an addition word or words.
An addition word is generally used right before a supporting detail.
Here is a list of words that often introduce major supporting details and help you discover the main idea:
Addition Words
See page 59 in textbook

44. the list words that suggest the main idea.2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 3 Find and Use Key Words to Lead You to the Main Idea
Reread the paragraph on poor grades. As you do, pick out the addition words that alert you to supporting details. Also note
the list words that suggest the main idea.
Poor grades in school can have various causes. For one thing, students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.
See pages 59–60 in textbook
ANSWERS: List words: various causes; addition words: for one thing; another; final.
The next slide shows and explains the answers.

45. the list words that suggest the main idea.2
Main Ideas in Reading
How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
/ 3 Find and Use Key Words to Lead You to the Main Idea
Reread the paragraph on poor grades. As you do, pick out the addition words that alert you to supporting details. Also note
the list words that suggest the main idea.
Poor grades in school can have various causes. For one thing, students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.
List words
Addition words
Addition word
Addition word
See pages 59–60 in textbook
Each new supporting detail is introduced by an addition word.
The list words various causes suggest the paragraph will list different causes of poor grades.

46. In selections made up of many paragraphs, the overall 2
Main Ideas in Reading
A Note on the Central Point
In selections made up of many paragraphs, the overall
main idea is called the central point, also known as the central idea or thesis.
You can find a central point in the same way that you find a main idea.
1 Identify the topic (which is often suggested by
the title of the selection).
See page 60 in textbook
2 Look at the supporting material.

47. • • Main Ideas in Reading–Summary2
Main Ideas in Reading
Main Ideas
in Reading–Summary •
Recognizing the main idea is the most important key to good comprehension. The main idea is a general “umbrella” idea;
the specific supporting material of the paragraph fits under it. •
Three strategies that will help you find the main idea are to
1 look for general versus specific ideas;
2 use the topic (the general subject of a selection) to lead you to the main idea;
3 use key words to lead you to the main idea.