Finding the Main Idea

What are we learning today?

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

Explanation

• The main idea says what the whole text is about.
• Write it in one short sentence.
• Look at the title.
• Read the first sentence of each paragraph.
• Look for words that repeat.
• Check that your sentence covers all paragraphs.

Examples

1. A text about computers: the first computer was huge. Now computers are small. In the future they will be even smarter. Main idea: computers change.
2. A text with three parts about school in the UK, Kazakhstan and the USA. Main idea: it compares school life in three countries.

Remember!

• A small detail, like a number, is not the main idea.
• The main idea covers the whole text.

Check yourself

1. Where do you look first to find the main idea?
2. What is the main idea of a text with three parts about school in three countries?