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SPI 0701.6.2SPI 0701.6.2Identify the main idea and supporting Identify the main idea and supporting details in text.details in text.

Based on Tennessee State Curriculum Standards from the 2009-2010 school year. Prepared by Andy Lombardo, Sevierville Middle School

Three Things• We’re going to talk about 3

things…– Topics– Main Ideas– Supporting Details

Topic• The topic is just the general

subject that a sentence, a paragraph, or a piece of writing is about.

Main Idea• The main idea is just what it sounds

like: the main idea, the point, the “so what?”, the most important thing the author wants you to know.

• The main idea is a statement about the topic. For example, in the following paragraph:

• Basketball is a fun game. Competition is one of the best parts. When you get really excited and pumped up in a close game you have a really great time. It’s also fun to get to play with your friends against other teams.

• In the basketball paragraph, the topic was:

• Basketball• The main idea was: • Basketball is a fun game. • The main idea was a statement about the

topic.• The rest of the sentences were supporting

sentences.

Supporting Details• Supporting Details give you more

information or examples related to the topic and the main idea

Anatomy of a Paragraph

• A paragraph will usually have one sentence that is the main idea and then 3 or more sentences that have supporting details.

• The main idea can come at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a paragraph.

On your paper, write (1) the topic, (2) main idea, and (3) two supporting

details.Summer is a wonderful time to spend

at West Beach. It is a beach with light-colored, soft sand. The coastline goes on for a long way and many people enjoy walking along it. Children like to play in the surf and walk along the rocks that are visible at low tide. This is a fun beach for people of all ages.

• Topic: • West Beach• Main Idea: • Summer is a wonderful time to spend at

West Beach• Supporting Details: • It is a beach with light-colored, soft sand.• The coastline goes on for a long way and

many people enjoy walking along it. • Children like to play in the surf and walk

along the rocks that are visible at low tide.

• This is a fun beach for people of all ages.

Stated and Implied Main Idea

Now, take what you know and add this nugget of knowledge:

There are two different kinds of Main Idea—

Stated Main IdeaImplied Main Idea

Stated Main Idea• If writing has a stated Main Idea, it

is actually stated in the writing somewhere. Like in the basketball paragraph… there’s actually a sentence that states “Basketball is a fun game.”

Implied Main Idea• If writing has an Implied Main Idea,

the author doesn’t come right out and say what the main idea is… you have to figure it out. For example…

Implied Main IdeaBy 7:00 in the morning, New Orleans hardly

looked like a city that would attract tourists. The ceaseless rain from Hurricane Katrina pounded down like a jackhammer. The wind blew with such force that the city looked like it had been turned sideways. Debris was everywhere. Buildings and landmarks became unrecognizable or disappeared altogether. People wandered the streets looking dazed and unsure where to go for help. This was a scene like no one had ever seen before.

Implied Main Idea• What was the main idea in that

paragraph?• Hurricane Katrina totally devastated

New Orleans. • Is there a sentence in the paragraph

that just comes out and says that?• NO! You have to figure it out on your

own.

Implied Practice:

When the music started playing, my feet just started moving. I grooved to all my favorite songs. As I moved around the floor, I chatted up a storm with all my best friends. When the guy I like went by, he smiled at me. Wow! The only thing that could have made it better was if it lasted longer. This was definitely the best day of school so far.

What is going on?

Implied Main Idea _____________________________________

1. A mean drum solo gets me every time. The screaming guitars fighting to be heard over the strong constant beat send chills down the spine. Listening to the gruff vocalists voice belting out lonely power ballad or a jamming rock song is heavenly. Top it off with a live performance, and life doesn’t get any better.

Topic: _______________Main Idea: _______________________

Supporting Details:_______________________________________

2. Hungry? If so, head down to your nearest Loveway store. Once there you can order yourself a healthy meal made to your exact specifications. All subs and salads are prepared with the freshest of ingredients and are made your way. There may be faster places, but there is no better place to pick-up a meal than Loveday.Topic: _______________Main Idea: _______________________Supporting Details:_______________________________________

Name: ____________________________________________________________ 1. A mean drum solo gets me every time. The screaming guitars fighting to be heard over the strong constant beat send chills down the spine. Listening to the gruff vocalists voice belting out lonely power ballad or a jamming rock song is heavenly. Top it off with a live performance, and life doesn’t get any better.

Topic: _________________ Main Idea: _____________________________________________

Supporting Details:_______________________________________

Supporting Details:_______________________________________

Supporting Details:_______________________________________

2. Hungry? I f so, head down to your nearest Loveway store. Once there you can order yourself a healthy meal made to your exact specifications. All subs and salads are prepared with the freshest of ingredients and are made your way. There may be faster places, but there is no better place to pick-up a meal than Loveday.

Topic: _________________ Main Idea: _____________________________________________

Supporting Details:_______________________________________

Supporting Details:_______________________________________

Supporting Details:_______________________________________

3. The movie Apollo 13 was a blockbuster for the summer of 1995. I t is an exciting story about space exploration. In the movie, the astronauts get in trouble while they are trying to return to Earth. People in the audience are on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens. What makes it even more exciting is that it is a true story. Topic: _________________ Main Idea: _____________________________________________

Supporting Details:_______________________________________

Supporting Details:_______________________________________

Supporting Details:_______________________________________

4. Most teenagers and young adults do not know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. I t is a big decision. There are a number of things you can do to narrow the choices. For example you can take an interest test, do some research on your own about a career, try volunteer work in the field in which you are interested, or "job-shadow", in which you spend a day with a person who is working in a field that interests you. These are just a few helpful ideas as you begin to choose a career. Topic: _________________ Main Idea: _____________________________________________

Supporting Details:_______________________________________

Supporting Details:_______________________________________

Supporting Details:_______________________________________