Journal Articles, Topic, and
Main Idea.
What is a Journal Article?
• Journal articles are shorter than book.
• Journal Articles may be published in
print or online formats, or both.
The Topic
What is a topic?
• A topic is who or what is being talked or written about.
• A topic is stated as a word or as a phrase but never as
a complete sentence.
• A "topic" refers to the subject that is being discussed,
written about, or explored. It can range from broad
themes, like "climate change" or "love," to more specific
issues, such as "the impact of social media on mental
health." Essentially, it’s what the conversation or text is
centered around.
Example:
1. During a book club meeting, members discuss a
novel that explores themes of identity, belonging,
and cultural heritage. The conversation shifts to
how these themes resonate in today’s society.
What type of topic is this?
A) Cultural
B) Psychological
C) Historical
Example:
2. While attending a film festival, you watch a
documentary that explores the lives of refugees and
their struggles in a new country. Afterward, there’s a
panel discussion about the social and political
implications of migration. This topic is best categorized
as:
A) Social
B) Political
C) Environmental
What is a Main Idea?
A general statement about the paragraph
(or reading selection). The main idea is a
sentence that provides the subject for
discussion; it is the topic sentence. It is
usually supported by a list of details.
Example:
There are many kinds of unusual plants. Cactuses,
for instance, can survive in the great heat of the
desert sun at noon and in the bitter cold of the
desert at night. Instead of regular leaves, they
have needles that serve as a defense against
hungry animals. Their stems are full of hollow
cells that store enough water to.
The signal words in identifying the main idea that
give a name to the list of supporting details include
the following:
• “There are several kinds of…”
• “Use the following steps to…”
• “For these reasons…”
• “There are several ways to…”
How to Identify the Main Idea?
1. Read the passage or article carefully to get an
overall sense of its content.
2. Look for the main message that the author is
trying to convey.
3. The main idea will often be the focus of the first
paragraph, as well as any paragraphs providing
further explanation.
4. Summarize the main idea in a few words or a
short sentence.
How to Identify the Main Idea?
5. If possible, find evidence in the text that
supports the main idea.
6. Read the entire passage again to ensure that
the main idea you've identified is consistent
throughout.
Example:
“The impact of social media on mental health is a
topic of considerable concern for many people in
the modern age.”
In this example, the main idea is that the impact
of social media on mental health is a significant
topic of concern for many individuals.
Pointers to Review:
• Journal Articles.
• What is Topic?
• Main Idea.
• How to Identify the Main Idea?
Types of Quiz:
• T or F
• Situational
Quiz
T OR F ( 2 points each). WRITE TRUE IF THE
ANSWER IS FALSE AND WRITE FALSE IF THE
ANSWER IS TRUE.
1. A “topic” refers to the subject that is being
discussed, written about, or explored.
2. The main idea is a sentence that provides the
subject for discussion; it is the subject sentence.
Quiz
3. One of the characteristics of how to identify main
idea is “read the entire passage again to ensure that the
main idea you've identified is inconsistent throughout”
4. Journal articles are shorter than books and written
about very specific topics.
5. One of the characteristics of how to identify main
idea is "look for the main message that the author is
trying to convey.
Quiz: Identify the Topic (1 point
each)
Situation 1:
You’re in a discussion about climate change.
One person says it’s not real. What type of
topic does this scenario relate to?
A) Scientific
B) Political
C) Social
Quiz: Identify the Topic (1 point
each)
Situation 2:
You’re writing about how social media
affects teenagers' mental health. What
type of topic is this?
A) Psychological
B) Technological
C) Culture
Quiz: Identify the Topic (1 point
each)
Situation 3:
During a presentation, someone challenges
your data on renewable energy sources. This
topic can be classified as:
A) Economic
B) Environmental
C) Educational
Quiz: Identify the Topic (1 point
each)
Situation 4:
You decide to research the effects of
exercise on stress relief. This topic is
primarily:
A) Health-related
B) Historical
C) Recreational
Quiz: Identify the Topic (1 point
each)
Situation 5:
You hear a friend discussing the importance
of voting rights in history. What type of topic
is this?
A) Political
B) Economic
C) Philosophic
Quiz: Identify the Main Idea (1 point each)
Situation 1:
You read a news article about a new policy aimed at
reducing plastic waste. The article discusses various
initiatives like banning plastic straws and promoting
reusable bags. What is the main idea of the article?
A) Plastic pollution is a serious issue.
B) Various initiatives are being implemented to reduce
plastic waste.
C) People should use more reusable
Quiz: Identify the Main Idea (1 point each)
Situation 2:
In a classroom discussion, the teacher presents a
documentary on the effects of climate change on polar
bears. The students talk about habitat loss, food scarcity,
and conservation efforts. What would be the main idea of
this discussion?
A) Polar bears are cute animals.
B) Climate change significantly impacts polar bear
populations.
C) Conservation efforts are important for all animals.
Quiz: Identify the Main Idea (1 point each)
Situation 3:
You’re reading a book chapter about the history of civil
rights movements. It outlines key figures, major events,
and ongoing struggles for equality. What is the main idea
of this chapter?
A) Civil rights movements have been around for a long
time.
B) Many key figures played a role in the fight for equality.
C) The struggle for civil rights is an ongoing process with
significant historical roots.
Quiz: Identify the Main Idea (1 point each)
Situation 4:
At a community event, a speaker talks about the benefits
of a plant-based diet, including health improvements and
environmental sustainability. Attendees share personal
stories about their dietary changes. What would be the
main idea of this presentation?
A) Many people are changing their diets.
B) A plant-based diet offers numerous health and
environmental benefits.
C) The speaker enjoys eating vegetables.
Quiz: Identify the Main Idea (1 point each)
Situation 5:
During a workshop on effective communication, the
facilitator emphasizes the importance of active listening and
empathy in conversations. Participants practice these skills
in pairs. What is the main idea of this workshop?
A) Communication is important in everyday life.
B) Active listening and empathy are key components of
effective
communication.
C) Practicing communication skills can be fun.
Quiz (Answers)
2 POINTS EACH:
1. F
2. T
3. T
4. F
5. F
Quiz (Answers)
1 POINT EACH:
1. A
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. A
Quiz (Answers)
1 POINT EACH:
1. B
2. B
3. C
4. B
5. B
