1. Chapter 4: Main Idea Bridging the Gap, 9/e Brenda Smith
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2. In This Chapter You Answer the Questions:
What is the difference between a topic and a main idea?
What are the strategies for finding stated and unstated main ideas?
What are the functions of major and minor supporting details?
What is a summary?
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What is a Topic?
Similar to a title
General term, rather than specific
Unifies details
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Example of a Topic
Carrots
Vegetables Lettuce
(topic) Onions (details)
Potatoes
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What is a Main Idea?
Central message
Condenses thoughts & details into a general statement
All inclusive
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Labels for Main Idea
Main point
Central point
Gist
Controlling idea
Central thought
Thesis
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7. What are Supporting Details?
Support, develop, & explain a main idea
Details can include:
Reasons
Incidents
Facts
Examples
Steps
Definitions
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Major & Minor Details
Major
Main Support
ideas Explain
Describe
[supports the main idea]
Minor
Major Support
Details Explain
Describe
[supports the major details]
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9. Reader’s Tip: Signals for Significance
Key words for major details:
One
First
Another
Furthermore
Also
Finally
Key words for minor details:
For example
To be specific
That is
This means
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10. Prior Knowledge and Constructing the Main Idea
Familiar with Subject
Main idea is effortless
Main idea is automatic
No information overload
Unfamiliar with Subject
Unfamiliar words
Confusing
Unable to make predictions
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11. “Informed” Expert Readers
Strategy 1
Preview before reading
Predict or guess main idea
Read for corroboration
Strategy 2
Pause to summarize or reduce information
Stop at natural breaks in the material to reflect
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12. “Uninformed” Expert Readers
Strategy 1
Read the material
Determine the topic
Create a main idea statement
Strategy 2
Review for key terms & concepts
Create main idea statement
Strategy 3
Propose a main idea statement
Double-check and revise the main idea statement
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13. Main Idea in Longer Passages
For Familiar Material
Determine the topic.
Identify key terms.
Find the main idea.
For Unfamiliar Material
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14. Reader’s Tip: Using Questions to Find the Main Idea
Determine the topic. Who or what is this reading about?
Identify details. What are the major supporting details?
Find the main idea. What is the message the author is trying to convey about the topic?
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Stated Main Ideas
The main point is directly stated.
It provides overview of material.
It is called a topic sentence or thesis statement.
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16. Location of Stated Main Ideas
An introductory statement of the main idea is given at the beginning of the paragraph.
A concluding statement of the main idea appears at the end of the paragraph.
Details are placed at the beginning to arouse interest, followed by a statement of main idea in the middle of the paragraph.
Both the introductory & concluding sentences state the main idea.
Details combine to make a point, but the main idea is not directly stated.
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Unstated Main Ideas
Details combine to make a point, but the main idea is not directly stated.
The main idea is hinted at or implied.
This happens often in narrative, media, movies, and photographs.
What is implied by this image?
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18. Reader’s Tip: Getting the Main Idea of a Longer Selection
Think about the title.
Read the first paragraph or two to find a statement of the topic of thesis.
Read the subheadings and glance at the first sentences of some of the paragraphs.
Look for clues that indicate how the material is organized.
As you read, organize the paragraphs into subsections.
Determine how the overall organization and subsections relate to the whole.
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19. Summary Writing: A Main Idea Skill
A summary is a series of brief, concise statements, in your own words, of the main idea and the significant supporting details.
The first sentence should state the main idea or thesis.
Minor details should be omitted.
It should be in a paragraph form.
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Why Summarize?
For textbook study
Useful in anticipating answers for essay exam questions
For writing research papers
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21. Reader’s Tip: How to Summarize
Keep in mind the purpose of your summary.
Decide on the main idea the author is trying to convey.
Decide on the major ideas and details that support the author’s point.
Do not include irrelevant or repeated information.
Use appropriate transitional words and phrases.
Use paragraph form.
Do not add your personal opinion.
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Summary Points
What is the difference between a topic and a main idea?
What are the strategies for finding stated and unstated main ideas?
What are the functions of major and minor supporting details?
What is a summary?
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23. Concept Prep for Psychology
What is classical conditioning?
What is behaviorism?
What is operant conditioning?
Who was B.F. Skinner?
Read about these concepts in psychology on page 206 of your textbook.
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24. Concept Prep for Literature
Literature is the art form of language.
Its purpose is to entertain, explore the human condition, and reveal universal truths through shared experiences.
Its genres include: essays, fiction, poetry, and drama.
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25. What are the literary elements?
Plot.
Characters.
Point of View.
Tone.
Setting.
Figures of Speech and Symbolism.
Theme.
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Search the Net
For suggested Web sites and other research activities, go to
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Vocabulary Booster
Complete the Vocabulary Booster for suffixes entitled, “Who’s Who in Medicine.”
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