Understanding the Main Idea

Listening Skills 1

Listening SkillsRemember from a previous lesson, there are

6 important skills we will study this semester. They are:

1.Understanding the main idea2.Understanding supporting ideas, facts3.Draw inferences - make a conclusion based

on information from the conversation4.Identify the speaker’s purpose attitude (is he

angry?, is she confused?)5.Ordering6.Analyzing charts

Listening SkillsToday, and maybe next week, we will study

the first skill, understanding the main idea

As you know, after listening to a conversation or lecture, there is a set of questions. Usually, the first question is about the main idea.

In order to answer this question, you need to have an overall understanding of the conversation/lecture.

Listening SkillsQuestions about the main idea may be

phrased in several ways. For example:

Conversations:What are they talking about?What is the conversation about?What is the purpose of this conversation?

Lectures:What is the topic of this lecture?What is the purpose of this lectureWhat are the students and professor discussing?

Listening SkillsYou need an overall understanding of the

topic to answer these questions correctly.Often, the first few sentences of the

conversation/lecture will contain the main idea

When you have an understanding of the main idea, write it down in your notes. It’s also a good idea to underline or circle it. it. There is almost always a question about the main idea.

Let’s get started on page 27 in your book.

circle