1. This Chapter in a Nutshell
• Recognizing an author’s main idea, or point, is the most important reading skill.
• The main idea is a general idea supported by specific ideas and details.
• Learn to think as you read by asking yourself, “What is the author’s point?”
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2. CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
What Is the Main Idea?
“What’s the point?” People ask this question when they want to know what main idea is being presented.
Sometimes a main idea is clear right away, as in the cartoon below. What would you say is the speaker’s point in the cartoon?
Explanation
The main idea is that the speaker had a good day at work.
He then supports his point with three specific reasons:
Pages in textbook
— the boss was out,
— the computer network was working,
— the vending machine was dispensing free coffee.

3. CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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?”
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4. is the most important key to better reading.
CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
What Is the Main Idea?
• Recognizing the main idea, or point,
is the most important key to better reading.
Page 114 in textbook

5. Here is a good two-step way to find an author’s point, or main idea:
CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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.
Page 114 in textbook

6. CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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.
Page 114 in textbook

7. A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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.
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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.

8. CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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. 3
A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
Pages in textbook 7
B. For one thing, students may have financial problems. 7
C. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. 7
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.
Answer: Statement A

9. 3 A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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.
Explanations 3
A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
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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.

10. 3 7 A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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.
Explanations 3
A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
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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.

11. 3 7 7 A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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.
Explanations 3
A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
Pages in textbook 7
B. For one thing, students may have financial problems. 7
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.

12. 3 7 7 7 A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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.
Explanations 3
A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
Pages in textbook 7
B. For one thing, students may have financial problems. 7
C. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. 7
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.

13. 3 A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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. 3
A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.
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This sentence expresses the main idea of the passage.

14. The Main Idea as an “Umbrella” Idea
CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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.
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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.

15. How Do You Recognize a Main Idea?
CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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?”
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16. Here are three active reading strategies:
CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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.
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You can use these strategies to help find the main idea in a passage.

17. In the list of words below, which item is the general idea?
CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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
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18. In the list of words below, which item is the general idea?
CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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
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Specific type of cooking
Cooking is the general idea.
Frying, baking, and steaming are all specific types of cooking.

19. CHAPTER 3 Main Ideas
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
Pages in textbook