Main Idea

Main Idea

The focus of a paragraph or an article—what it is all about—is the topic.

Main Idea

The most important thing the author has tosay about the topic is the main idea.

Main Idea

Small pieces of information that tell more about the main idea are supporting details.

Main Idea

Supporting

Detail

Supporting

Detail

Supporting

Detail

Think about the story statements that follow. Decide which is a main idea and which is a supporting detail.

Main Idea

SupportingDetail

Main Idea

Supporting Detail

There are bad things about being President.

The President always has to be dressed up.

Main Idea

Supporting DetailSomeone once threw a

cabbage at William Howard Taft.

People get mad at the President.

Main Idea

Supporting Detail

If you want to be President, your size doesn’t matter.

James Madison was only one hundred pounds.

Main Idea

Supporting Detail

They even had a Shetland pony called Algonquin.

Theodore Roosevelt’s children practically ran a zoo.

Main Idea

Supporting Detail

Almost any job can lead to the White House.

Ronald Reagan was a movie actor.

Main Idea

Supporting Detail

Being President can be wanting to serve your country.

George Washington left his Virginia plantation three times to lead and serve the country

he loved.

Main Idea

Supporting Detail

John Kennedy sent Peace Corps volunteers around the

globe to teach and help others.

Some Presidents do things to make the world a better place.

Remember to identify main ideas and

supporting details as you read!