Focusing on Unstated Main Ideas

Prepared by Julie & Debbie

How can we find the main idea when there is not a topic sentence?

The Topic

To understand the paragraph, it’s important to find the topic.

• The TOPIC is the GENERAL IDEA to which all of the details in the paragraph refer;

• A TOPIC often refers to the TWO main points of the article

• A TOPIC is usually expressed as a phrase

TIP: When reading a paragraph, look for repeating words of phrases

Just a Reminder

Example: body signals feeling

The Main Idea

The MAIN IDEA expresses the MAIN MESSAGE / IDEA

– The MAIN IDEA makes a claim about the TOPIC

– The MAIN IDEA is expressed in a complete sentence.

Just a Reminder

Example: Some signals of body language, like some facial expressions, seem to be “spoken” universally.

Supporting Details

– The writer includes SUPPORTING DETAILS in the paragraph to strengthen the claim.

– SUPPORTING DETAILS are more SPECIFIC .

Just a Reminder

Example: When people are depressed, it shows in their walk, stance, and head position.

What do supporting details do?

– Details make up most of what you read.– Details have different purposes:

THE DETAILS help the writer MAKE A POINT and help the reader SEE IT!!!

to set the tone or mood

to give reasons for an opinion

to explain a fact

to define the topic

to describe the topic

to give examples of the topic

Stated and Unstated Main Ideas

Many paragraphs have a topic sentence. These are called “stated main ideas.”

But sometimes the paragraph does not have a topic sentence, YOU need to figure out the main idea. These are called “unstated main ideas.”

Unstated Main Idea – Let’s Practice

“In Australia and Belgium, non-voters are subject to fines; not only the fine itself but the clear expectation that everyone is legally required to vote helps generate 90+ percent turnout rates. In Italy, non-voters are not fined, but “Did Not Vote” is stamped on their identification papers, threatening non-voters with the prospect of unsympathetic treatment at the hands of public officials should they get into trouble or need help with a problem.”

The New American Democracy, Election Update Edition, by Morris Fiorina and Paul Peterson

  Ask yourself

1. Who or what is the topic of this passage?

2. What are the supporting details?

3. What claim is the author making about nonvoting?

 

Consequence of not voting

What happens in Australia, Belgium and Italy

When citizens of a country do not vote, there are consequences: they are punished in some way.

Stated Main Idea vs. Unstated Main Idea

Unstated MAIN IDEA Stated MAIN IDEA

Only suggested (not clearly stated in one sentence)

Clearly stated (found in the topic sentence)

How to find:• Topic (look for repeated words) – Who or

What is the paragraph about

• Supporting details (illustrate the MAIN Idea)

• Ask yourself 1. “What is the main point/message the

author is trying to make about the topic?”

2. “ Does ALL or most of the material support this point/message/idea?”

How to find:• Topic (look for repeated words) –

Who or What is the paragraph about

• Topic Sentence

• Main idea sentence= topic sentence

Summing Up

Yummy! I see lots of homework coming!!!!