MAIN IDEAS,
IMPLIED MAIN
IDEAS &
SUPPORING
DETAILS
IN THIS CHAPTER YOU WILL LEARN HOW
TO:
IDENTIFY MAIN IDEAS (TOPIC SENTENCES)
EXPRESS IMPLIED MAIN IDEAS
RECOGNISE IMPLIED MAIN IDEAS
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MAIN
IDEAS
A paragraph is a group of related
sentences that express a single idea
about a single topic - the main
idea.
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HOW DO I FIND THE MAIN IDEA?
Homeless people have many problems. In winter, it is
hard to stay warm and it gets too hot in summer. It is
also hard to keep things safe without a home. The worst
is the lack of privacy.
What is the main idea?
• What is the text mostly about?
• What is the author trying to convey about the topic?
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WHERE IS THE MAIN IDEA?
◈ 1. At the beginning of the text
◈ 2. In the middle of the text
◈ 3. At the end of the text
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AT THE BEGINNING OF
THE TEXT
The author first states his or her main point and then
explains it.
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Smoking cigarettes has many harmful effects. Scientific
research and various studies have been conducted to find out
the ill effects of smoking on human health. It has been proved
that smoking can be fatal and cause several deadly diseases,
including lung, throat and oral cancers, heart disease and
asthma.
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IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
TEXT
Some details lead up to or introduce the main idea while others
follow the main idea to further explain or describe it.
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For many years, I suffered from severe anxiety every time I took an exam.
Hours before the exam, my heart would begin pounding, my legs would
shake, and sometimes I would become physically unable to move. Last year, I
was referred to a specialist and finally found a way to control my anxiety—
breathing exercises. It seems so simple, but by doing just a few breathing
exercises a couple of hours before an exam, I gradually got my anxiety under
control. The exercises help slow my heart rate and make me feel less anxious.
Better yet, they require no pills, no equipment, and very little time. It’s
amazing how just breathing correctly has helped me learn to manage my
anxiety symptoms.
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AT THE END OF THE
TEXT
The author leads up to the main point and then directly states it at the end.
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To avoid sleep problems, you should not drink alcoholic beverages or
drinks with caffeine before bedtime. Another way to avoid sleep
problems is to not exercise within three hours of bedtime. A final way to
prevent sleep problems is to plan a sleep routine. Everyday, go to bed at
the same time and get up at the same time. As can be seen, sleep
problems can be avoided by following the above simple guidelines.
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QUIZ:
https
://sites.austincc.edu/tsiprep/reading-review/identifying-the-main-
idea/
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IMPLIED MAIN IDEA
AN IMPLIED MAIN IDEA is the
main idea that is not directly stated
or found in any sentence in the
paragraph.
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HOW TO FIND THE IMPLIED MAIN IDEA?
1. IDENTIFY THE TOPIC
2. Pull out the Supporting Details and ask the
question:
“ What main idea is the author attempting to
get across?”
3. Express the implied main idea in your own
words.
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John sings so beautifully that many people think he should be a professional singer.
He also won a dance contest last year. Have you ever seen John’s paintings? They
are exceptional! In addition, he learned how to program a computer by himself,
create an application and made millions of dollars selling it. Sports? John is good at
any sport that he has ever played.
John is a man with many talents.
15
Sushi has become very popular in the United States. Do you want to learn
how to eat it in the traditional way? It’s simpler than you think. First, forget
the chopsticks, and use your fingers to pick it up. Next, dip the sushi, fish
side down in soy sauce, but use just a little for extra flavor. Finally, put the
whole piece in your mouth.
Eating sushi the traditional way takes
three simple steps.
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The United States calls its basic unit of currency the “dollar”. Australia and
New Zealand have also measure their currency by “dollars”. The money in
Great Britain is called the “pound”. Korea uses the “won”. In Russia you
spend “rubles”. Mexico and the Philippines use a “peso”. And the country
of Zaire calls its money unit a “Zaire”.
Different countries have different
names for currency.
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One myth about exercise is that if a woman lifts weights, she will develop muscles
as large as a man’s. Without extra male hormones, however, a woman cannot
increase her muscle bulk as much as a man’s. Another misconception about exercise
is that it increases the appetite. Actually, regular exercise stabilizes the blood-sugar
level, which prevents hunger pains. Some people also think that a few minutes of
exercise a day or one session is enough, but at least three solid workouts a week are
needed for muscular and cardiovascular health.
There are many myths about exercise.
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We’re often told “He who hesitates is lost,” but we’re also warned to “look
before you leap.” Most of us have heard the saying, “Out of sight, out of
mind,” but then we hear “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Everyone
talks about “love at first sight.” But then someone reminds us, “Marry in
haste, repent at leisure.” It’s all very confusing.
There are many sayings that contradict
one another or are very confusing.
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SUPPORTING DETAILS
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Describes the main idea.
Provide specific information such as examples,
descriptions, definitions, facts, and
explanations
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METHODS TO IDENTIFY SUPPORTING
DETAILS
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EXAMPLE 1:
Homeless people have many problems. In winter, it is hard to stay
warm and it gets too hot in summer. It is also hard to keep things
safe without a home. The worst is the lack of privacy.
EXAMPLE 2:
Niagara falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America. It is on
the Niagara River halfway between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.
Niagara Falls is located on the American and Canadian border.
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TOO MUCH INFORMATION?
All of the sentences in a paragraph should support the man idea of that
paragraph.
Information that does not support the main idea does not belong in the
same paragraph.
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*Find the extra information that does not support the main
idea*
“Maria offered to help her mother to clean the house. She
vacuumed the living room and dusted the furniture. She
picked up the toys in the playroom. She ate ham sandwich
for lunch. Then, she mopped the kitchen floor.”
Which sentence does
not support the main
idea?
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*Find the extra information that does not support the main
idea*
“ Winter provides the opportunity for many outdoor activities.
Many people enjoy ice skating on a pond. Swimming in the
pond in summer can also be fun. Skiing can be a thrilling
experience too. After a new snowfall, you can even build a
snowman.
Which sentence does
not support the main
idea?
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THANK
S!
Any questions?
