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Chapter 4: Main Idea

Bridging the Gap, 9/eBrenda Smith

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In This Chapter You Answer the Questions:

What is the difference between a topic and a main idea?

What are the strategies for finding stated and unstated main ideas?

What are the functions of major and minor supporting details?

What is a summary?

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What is a Topic?

Similar to a titleGeneral term, rather than specificUnifies details

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Example of a Topic

Carrots

Vegetables Lettuce

(topic) Onions (details)

Potatoes

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What is a Main Idea?

Central messageCondenses thoughts & details into a

general statementAll inclusive

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Labels for Main Idea

Main pointCentral pointGistControlling ideaCentral thoughtThesis

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What are Supporting Details?

Support, develop, & explain a main idea Details can include:

– Reasons– Incidents– Facts– Examples– Steps– Definitions

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Major & Minor Details

Major

Main Support

ideas Explain

Describe

[supports the main idea]

Minor

Major Support

Details Explain

Describe[supports the major details]

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Reader’s Tip: Signals for Significance

Key words for major details:– One

– First

– Another

– Furthermore

– Also

– Finally

Key words for minor details:– For example

– To be specific

– That is

– This means

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Prior Knowledge and Constructing the Main Idea

Familiar with Subject

Main idea is effortlessMain idea is

automaticNo information

overload

Unfamiliar with Subject

Unfamiliar wordsConfusingUnable to make

predictions

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“Informed” Expert Readers

Strategy 1– Preview before reading

– Predict or guess main idea

– Read for corroboration

Strategy 2– Pause to summarize or reduce information

– Stop at natural breaks in the material to reflect

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“Uninformed” Expert Readers

Strategy 1– Read the material– Determine the topic– Create a main idea statement

Strategy 2 Read the material Review for key terms & concepts Create main idea statement

Strategy 3– Read the material– Propose a main idea statement– Double-check and revise the main idea statement

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Main Idea in Longer Passages

For Familiar Material– Determine the topic.– Identify key terms.– Find the main idea.

For Unfamiliar Material– Identify key terms.– Determine the topic.– Find the main idea.

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Reader’s Tip: Using Questions to Find the Main Idea

1. Determine the topic. Who or what is this reading about?

2. Identify details. What are the major supporting details?

3. Find the main idea. What is the message the author is trying to convey about the topic?

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Stated Main Ideas

The main point is directly stated.It provides overview of material.It is called a topic sentence or thesis

statement.

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Location of Stated Main Ideas

1. An introductory statement of the main idea is given at the beginning of the paragraph.

2. A concluding statement of the main idea appears at the end of the paragraph.

3. Details are placed at the beginning to arouse interest, followed by a statement of main idea in the middle of the paragraph.

4. Both the introductory & concluding sentences state the main idea.

5. Details combine to make a point, but the main idea is not directly stated.

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Unstated Main Ideas

Details combine to make a point, but the main idea is not directly stated.

The main idea is hinted at or implied.This happens often in narrative, media,

movies, and photographs.

What is implied by this image?

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Reader’s Tip: Getting the Main Idea of a Longer Selection

Think about the title. Read the first paragraph or two to find a statement of

the topic of thesis. Read the subheadings and glance at the first

sentences of some of the paragraphs. Look for clues that indicate how the material is

organized. As you read, organize the paragraphs into

subsections. Determine how the overall organization and

subsections relate to the whole.

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Summary Writing: A Main Idea Skill

A summary is a series of brief, concise statements, in your own words, of the main idea and the significant supporting details.

The first sentence should state the main idea or thesis.

Minor details should be omitted.It should be in a paragraph form.

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Why Summarize?

For textbook studyUseful in anticipating answers for essay

exam questionsFor writing research papers

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Reader’s Tip: How to Summarize

Keep in mind the purpose of your summary. Decide on the main idea the author is trying to

convey. Decide on the major ideas and details that support the

author’s point. Do not include irrelevant or repeated information. Use appropriate transitional words and phrases. Use paragraph form. Do not add your personal opinion.

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Summary Points

What is the difference between a topic and a main idea?

What are the strategies for finding stated and unstated main ideas?

What are the functions of major and minor supporting details?

What is a summary?

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Concept Prep for Psychology

What is classical conditioning?What is behaviorism?What is operant conditioning?Who was B.F. Skinner?

Read about these concepts in psychology on page 206 of your textbook.

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Concept Prep for Literature

Literature is the art form of language.Its purpose is to entertain, explore the

human condition, and reveal universal truths through shared experiences.

Its genres include: essays, fiction, poetry, and drama.

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What are the literary elements?

Plot.Characters.Point of View.Tone.Setting.Figures of Speech and Symbolism.Theme.

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Search the Net

For suggested Web sites and other research activities, go to http://www.ablongman.com/smith/

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Vocabulary Booster

Complete the Vocabulary Booster for suffixes entitled, “Who’s Who in Medicine.”