Main Idea8th Grade

Main Idea – why?

The best way to think about Main Idea is to think of it as the reason why a paragraph exists.

The main idea is the central idea or most important idea presented by the paragraph.

If there is no main idea, there is no paragraph.

Main Idea – what does it do?

Main idea does many things for the paragraph.

It gives focus, purpose, and direction.

It gives the paragraph a point.

The rest of the paragraph then develops, illustrates, and supports the main idea.

It is defined as the most important idea in the paragraph.

Finding the Main Idea

Sometimes the main idea is stated in the topic sentence.

This is called a STATED main idea.

Usually this is the first sentence of the paragraph.

Beginning with the topic sentence and following it with support is a natural way of explaining something.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

The fight against starvation in West Africa is being hampered by the rainy season. Heavy rains are turning the dirt roads into muddy rivers. Relief will have to wait for a dry spell that seems nowhere in sight. The weather bureau is maintaining silence for fear of increased alarm.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

The fight against starvation in West Africa is being hampered by the rainy season. Heavy rains are turning the dirt roads into muddy rivers. Relief will have to wait for a dry spell that seems nowhere in sight. The weather bureau is maintaining silence for fear of increased alarm.

supporting details

Main idea

Try this one. If the wind becomes gusty after a period of calm, you should seek shelter. The sky needs careful watching too. Gradual darkening and “boiling” clouds should quicken your pace. Lightning and thunder are common enough storm indicators, but few people realize that the brightness of the lightning is not as important as the number of flashes. The signs of an oncoming storm are many, and a person’s life may depend on the ability to interpret them.

Try this one. If the wind becomes gusty after a period of calm, you should seek shelter. The sky needs careful watching too. Gradual darkening and “boiling” clouds should quicken your pace. Lightning and thunder are common enough storm indicators, but few people realize that the brightness of the lightning is not as important as the number of flashes. The signs of an oncoming storm are many, and a person’s life may depend on the ability to interpret them.

main idea

supportingdetails.

Another kind of Main Idea

Sometimes a paragraph does not have a topic sentence.

This is called an UNSTATED or implied main idea.

In this kind of paragraph, the details should be strong enough to imply the Main Idea.

You need to make a conclusion using what you see.

Unstated or Implied Main Idea

Details are arranged to support a broad idea.

Details will not be in any particular order.

They may be a list of important statements.

The UNSTATED main idea is a summary of them.

Try this – find the UNSTATED main idea

Joshua Bingham studies four years at the University of Paris and decided to leave before his graduation. He transferred to the University of Berlin and graduated with honors. Harvard Law School, an later, Boston College provided his with an excellent legal background. He continues his studies through journals and seminars.

Main idea - Joshua Bingham is well educated.

Watch out for sentences that may not belong

Sometimes a writer will include a sentence that does not really belong.

It does not support the main idea, but offers additional information on a slightly different topic.

If this sentence had been included in that paragraph, it would have been irrelevant to the main idea.

Joshua Bingham studies four years at the University of Paris and decided to leave before his graduation. He transferred to the University of Berlin and graduated with honors. Harvard Law School, an later, Boston College provided his with an excellent legal background. Many lawyers find that sports help them relax and improve their mental sharpness. He continues his studies through journals and seminars.

Not part of the main idea.

Not necessary to determine main idea.