1. Fusion: Integrated Reading and Writing Book 2, Third Edition
Dave Kemper, Verne Meyer, John Van Rys, and Pat Sebranek, Fusion: Integrated Reading and Writing, Book 2, 3rd Edition. © 2019 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

2. Chapter 4 Ideas
Dave Kemper, Verne Meyer, John Van Rys, and Pat Sebranek, Fusion: Integrated Reading and Writing, Book 2, 3rd Edition. © 2019 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

3. Chapter 4 Outline This chapter addresses:
4.1 Starting Points for Reading
4.2 Starting Points for Writing
4.3 Reading for Supporting Details
4.4 Drawing Inferences
4.5 Choosing Supporting Details in Writing

4. 4.1 Starting Points for Reading
Identifying the topic
Topic can be defined as what the writing is about.
Can be a person, a place, an object, an idea, an animal
Recognizing the topic is an important first step when carrying out a reading assignment
Common placements for topics:
Heading
First sentence
End of first paragraph
Later in the essay (delayed identification of a topic)

5. Identifying the Main Idea (1 of 4)
A main idea is a special feature, part, or claim about the topic that the author wants to emphasize.
The main idea of a paragraph is usually found in the topic sentence.
The main idea of an essay is usually found in the thesis statement.
A main idea can also be:
found in a summary statement near the end of a text.
implied or suggested, rather than directly stated.
varied in longer, more complex essays.

6. Identifying the Main Idea (2 of 4)
In expository essays, main ideas tell you what feature of the topic will be explained.
Example: Hybrid and electric cars are the two main alternatives to traditional gas guzzlers.
In argument essays, main ideas identify the claim about a topic that the writer will argue for.
Example: The city of Chicago should build barriers to prevent invasive fish from invading the Great Lakes.
In a narrative, main ideas tell you how the writer feels about the topic.
Example: This is the tale of two sisters from Calcutta, who have lived in the United States for some 35 years but who find themselves on different sides in the current debate over the status of immigrants.

7. Identifying the Main Idea (3 of 4)
Follow these steps to find the main idea:
Review the title, headings, and first and last paragraphs.
Read the opening part for a general understanding of the topic.
Look for a sentence or two in an opening paragraph that directs the writing.
Underline, highlight, or write this sentence down.
Continue reading to see if that sentence makes sense as the main idea.
If your thinking changes, write down the new main idea.

8. Identifying the Main Idea (4 of 4)
Topic sentences and thesis statements typically state the main idea of a paragraph or essay.
Implied main ideas are not directly stated in the paragraph or essay.
When a paragraph or essay contains an implied main idea, remember that there will be no topic sentence or thesis statement.
Follow these steps to find the implied main idea:
Identify the topic.
Pay close attention to the details.
Write down the important idea that covers all the details.
Read the text again, and revise your hypothesized main idea if needed.

9. 4.2 Starting Points for Writing (1 of 3)
Selecting a topic
Move from general to specific to narrow down your topic
Brainstorming strategies
Freewriting
Five Ws of writing
Listing
Clustering

10. 4.2 Starting Points for Writing (2 of 3)
Researching your topic: reading, observation, or discussion.
Using questions for research

11. 4.2 Starting Points for Writing (3 of 3)
Establishing a main idea
Forming a thesis statement
A specific topic + a particular feature, part, or claim = an effective thesis
Qualities of an effective thesis statement
Identifies a specific topic
Clearly states a main idea about the topic
Is supported by your research
Suggests a pattern of organization for the essay

12. 4.3 Reading for Supporting Details (1 of 2)
Supporting details are used to develop the main idea.
Major details explain or illustrate the main idea.
Minor details complete or clarify the major details.
Here are some types of details often included in writing:
Facts and statistics
Examples
Anecdotes
Definitions
Quotations
Reasons
References
Reflections
Analysis
Descriptions
Explanations

13. 4.3 Reading for Supporting Details (2 of 2)
Details working together: some types of details logically go together
Specific examples after an explanation
Analysis after key statistics
Evaluating details
Use the following criteria to decide if you can trust the details in your reading:
The source is a textbook, or the reading comes from a respected publisher, periodical, or domain (.edu, .org, .gov)
The author is identified and writing in the field of expertise.
The topic is covered in depth, information is balanced and timely, and reading is clear and logical.

14. 4.4 Drawing Inferences
An inference is a logical conclusion made about something not actually stated.
To make a thoughtful inference:
Carefully read and reread the text.
Identify the main idea and supporting details.
Then ask, What other conclusions can I draw?

15. 4.5 Choosing Supporting Details for Writing
When planning a piece of writing, you need to:
Select a topic
Gather details about the topic
Form a thesis or focus for writing
Decide how best to use the details