Finding the Main Idea

What are we learning today?

You will learn how to find the main idea of a short text.

Explanation

The main idea is what the whole text is about. Details support it.

• Read the title and look at the photos.
• Read the first and last sentences of each paragraph.
• Ask: "What is this text mainly about?"

A good main idea is one short sentence. It says the topic and what the text says about it.

Examples

1. The title and photos show that an article is about computers in the past and the future.
2. A blog is about life and lessons at home on a farm.
3. The main idea of the blog is that Riley studies at home because his school is far away.

Remember!

• A number or a date is a detail, not a main idea.
• Do not write an idea that is too general, like "It is about school".

Check yourself

1. What helps you guess the topic before you read?
2. Is a date a main idea?