1. The Main Idea
Stated or Implied

2. What Is the Main Idea?
The main idea is the primary point the author is trying to convey to the reader.
The main idea can be stated as a sentence in a paragraph or it can be implied.

3. Finding the Main Idea
The main idea can appear anywhere in a paragraph.
Often the main idea appears as the first sentence.
Sometimes, however, the main idea is implied. That mean the reader must infer the main idea from the details supplied.

4. Steps to Follow in Finding the Main Idea
First, determine the topic of the paragraph. The topic is who or what the paragraph is about.
Next, decide what the author is revealing about the topic through the supporting detail.
Finally, state this information in the form of a sentence. If a similar sentence appears in the paragraph, the main idea is stated. Otherwise, it is implied and you have just inferred the main idea of the paragraph!