1. The Common American English Writing Pattern:
Main Ideas & Supporting Details

2. The Common American English Writing Pattern
Things to keep in mind………….
American writers often use a sentence telling us (their readers) what they’re writing about.
We call this the main idea.
American writers use facts and opinions as ideas to prove that their main idea is true or acceptable to their readers.
We call these ideas supporting details.
In order to understand a writer’s points, we need to learn to follow this common American writing pattern.

3. Main Ideas A main idea is what the author wants you
(the reader) to learn about the topic. It includes the topic and the author’s opinion or point about the topic.
To find the main idea you ask two questions:
Who or what is the reading about? (topic)
What does the author want me to know about the topic?
Combining your answers reveals the main idea.

4. Let’s practice: Who or what is the selection about?
Sun and rain can cause serious damage to your car’s finish. Waxing your car a few times a year will provide it with much-needed protection. Waxing can keep your car looking good. Also, it can maintain your car’s resale value. When you wax, you should wash and dry your car first to avoid grinding dirt into the finish. Finally, working in the shade provides extra protection for best results.
The topic is…..
__ avoid grinding dirt into your car’s paint
__ waxing your car
__ maintaining your car

5. Who or what is the selection about?
Sun and rain can cause serious damage to your car’s finish. Waxing your car a few times a year will provide it with much-needed protection. Waxing can keep your car looking good. Also, it can maintain your car’s resale value. When you wax, you should wash and dry your car first to avoid grinding dirt into the finish. Finally, working in the shade provides extra protection for best results.
The topic is…..
__ avoid grinding dirt into your car’s paint
X waxing your car
__ maintaining your car

6. What does the author want you to know about the topic?
__ Waxing your car a couple times a year will protect its finish.
__ Waxing cars is hard work.
__ Waxing your car is good but not necessary

7. What does the author want you to know?
X Waxing your car a couple times a year will protect its finish.
__ Waxing cars is hard work.
__ Waxing your car is good but not necessary.

8. Next, Supporting Details
Supporting details explain, illustrate, and support the main idea.
A major detail directly explains, illustrates, or supports the main idea.
A minor detail explains, illustrates, or supports a major detail.
To find the major supporting details, you turn the main idea into a question.

9. First, let’s find the main idea…. 1
First, let’s find the main idea…. 1.Who or what is this selection about? 2.What does the author want me to know about it?
Porpoises and dolphins are very similar in appearance. In fact, many people mistake one for the other. However, porpoises and dolphins have distinct differences. One difference is their body shape. Porpoises are small and plump, but dolphins have long, slim bodies. In addition, their heads are quite different. Porpoises have a rounded head and a blunt nose whereas dolphins have a beak-like nose. Another difference can be seen in their sizes. Porpoises rarely grow to be more than six feet long or weigh more than 300 pounds. In contrast, dolphins can be up to twenty-six feet long and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.

10. Did you find it?
Porpoises and dolphins are very similar in appearance. In fact, many people mistake one for the other. However, porpoises and dolphins have distinct differences. One difference is their body shape. Porpoises are small and plump, but dolphins have long, slim bodies. In addition, their heads are quite different. Porpoises have a rounded head and a blunt nose whereas dolphins have a beak-like nose. Another difference can be seen in their sizes. Porpoises rarely grow to be more than six feet long or weigh more than 300 pounds. In contrast, dolphins can be up to twenty-six feet long and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.

11. Now, let’s find the major supporting details…
Now, let’s find the major supporting details….Ask – How are porpoises and dolphins different?
Porpoises and dolphins are very similar in appearance. In fact, many people mistake one for the other. However, porpoises and dolphins have distinct differences. One difference is their body shape. Porpoises are small and plump, but dolphins have long, slim bodies. In addition, their heads are quite different. Porpoises have a rounded head and a blunt nose whereas dolphins have a beak-like nose. Another difference can be seen in their sizes. Porpoises rarely grow to be more than six feet long or weigh more than 300 pounds. In contrast, dolphins can be up to twenty-six feet long and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.

12. How many did you find?
Porpoises and dolphins are very similar in appearance. In fact, many people mistake one for the other. However, porpoises and dolphins have distinct differences. One difference is their body shape. Porpoises are small and plump, but dolphins have long, slim bodies. In addition, their heads are quite different. Porpoises have a rounded head and a blunt nose whereas dolphins have a beak-like nose. Another difference can be seen in their sizes. Porpoises rarely grow to be more than six feet long or weigh more than 300 pounds. In contrast, dolphins can grow to be up to twenty-six feet long and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.

13. What about minor supporting details
What about minor supporting details? Look for the sentences that explain, illustrate, or support a major detail.
Porpoises and dolphins are very similar in appearance. In fact, many people mistake one for the other. However, porpoises and dolphins have distinct differences. One difference is their body shape. Porpoises are small and plump, but dolphins have long, slim bodies. In addition, their heads are quite different. Porpoises have a rounded head and a blunt nose whereas dolphins have a beak-like nose. Another difference can be seen in their sizes. Porpoises rarely grow to be more than six feet long or weigh more than 300 pounds. In contrast, dolphins can grow to be up to twenty-six feet long and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.

14. How many did you find?
Porpoises and dolphins are very similar in appearance. In fact, many people mistake one for the other. However, porpoises and dolphins have distinct differences. One difference is their body shape. Porpoises are small and plump, but dolphins have long, slim bodies. In addition, their heads are quite different. Porpoises have a rounded head and a blunt nose whereas dolphins have a beak-like nose. Another difference can be seen in their sizes. Porpoises rarely grow to be more than six feet long or weigh more than 300 pounds. In contrast, dolphins can grow to be up to twenty-six feet long and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.

15. Well then, what are those first two sentences?!?!?
Porpoises and dolphins are very similar in appearance. In fact, many people mistake one for the other. However, porpoises and dolphins have distinct differences. One difference is their body shape. Porpoises are small and plump, but dolphins have long, slim bodies. In addition, their heads are quite different. Porpoises have a rounded head and a blunt nose whereas dolphins have a beak-like nose. Another difference can be seen in their sizes. Porpoises rarely grow to be more than six feet long or weigh more than 300 pounds. In contrast, dolphins can grow to be up to twenty-six feet long and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.

16. An Introduction!
Porpoises and dolphins are very similar in appearance. In fact, many people mistake one for the other. However, porpoises and dolphins have distinct differences. One difference is their body shape. Porpoises are small and plump, but dolphins have long, slim bodies. In addition, their heads are quite different. Porpoises have a rounded head and a blunt nose whereas dolphins have a beak-like nose. Another difference can be seen in their sizes. Porpoises rarely grow to be more than six feet long or weigh more than 300 pounds. In contrast, dolphins can grow to be up to twenty-six feet long and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.

17. Let’s review - Main Ideas
A main idea is what the author wants you (the reader) to learn about the topic. It includes the topic and the author’s opinion or point about the topic.
To find the main idea you ask two questions:
Who or what is the paragraph about? (topic)
What does the author want me to know about the topic?
Combining your answers reveals the main idea.
Supporting Details
Supporting details explain, illustrate, and support a main idea.
To locate supporting details, turn the main idea into a question and then, look for the answers.
A major supporting detail directly explains, illustrates, or supports the main idea.
A minor supporting detail explains, illustrates, or supports the major detail.