Finding the Main Idea

What are we learning today?

You will learn to find the main idea of a short text about families and festivals.

Explanation

• The main idea tells you what the text is about.
• Say it in one sentence.
• Look at the title and the first sentence of each paragraph.
• Look at the last sentence too. It often repeats the main idea.
• Numbers and names are details, not the main idea.

Examples

1. A text says, "Damien Baxter has got fourteen brothers and sisters." The main idea is: The Baxters are a big and happy family.
2. A text about Diwali says, "Diwali is a family festival." The main idea is: Diwali is a festival of lights and family.
3. "Sixteen seats" is a detail.

Remember!

• A number is a detail.
• Do not read only the title.

Check yourself

1. Is "fourteen" the main idea or a detail?
2. Where do you look first to find the main idea?