Helping English

MAIN IDEAS

The main idea (central point or thesis) is the writer’s primary point about the subject. To fully understand any selection that you read, it is important to find the main idea and its supporting details. One way to find the main idea is to use a two-step process:

1. Find the topic.
2. Then find the writer’s primary point about that topic. You will now have the main idea.

The topic of a paragraph, for example, might be “My Roommate.”

Topic: My Roommate

The main idea of the paragraph on the roommate might be that the roommate is messy.

Topic: My Roommate

Main Idea: My roommate is messy.

The rest of the paragraph might be a few sentences (supporting details) that give examples of the messiness.

Supporting Details:

• He threw his dirty laundry under his bed and let it stay there for weeks.
• He also piled on any horizontal surface empty soda cans, notebooks, newspapers and magazines.

Note1: Remember that the topic is the subject of a selection. It is a general term that can usually be expressed in a few words.

Note2: Remember to identify the main idea of the passage at hand, not the best main idea in the world. Almost every main idea makes sense, but you need to find the “correct” one about the text given.

Note3: Remember that an example or evidence cannot chosen as the main idea of a paragraph.

Practice 1

Choose the letter of the correct topic of the following paragraph. (To find the topic, remember to ask yourself, “Who or what is the paragraph about?”). Then choose the letter of the main idea --- author’s main point about the topic.

            According to one scientist who has studied aging, there are ways to remain healthy in old age. The key, he believes, is to continue to find mental and physical challenges. In addition, he recommends that people stick to a balanced, low-cholesterol diet and a reasonable exercise program throughout their lives. He also cautions people about the dangers of smoking.

Topic:

1. Science
2. Mental and Physical Challenges
3. Health in Old Age
4. A Balanced Diet

Main Idea:

1. A balanced diet helps the elderly stay healthy.
2. According to one researcher, health in old age can be achieved in various ways.
3. Science includes the study of aging.
4. A scientist who has studied aging cautions people about the dangers of smoking.

Answer Key

Topic: c (Health in Old Age)

Main Idea: b

Practice 2

Choose the letter of the correct topic of the following paragraph. (To find the topic, remember to ask yourself, “Who or what is the paragraph about?”). Then choose the letter of the main idea --- author’s main point about the topic.

            A good way to find a part-time job is to create one yourself. Two high school students, for example, realized that many people prefer not to leave their pets at a kennel. Those students started a business of feeding the exercising pets while their owners are on vacation. And a housewife runs hoer pet-taxi service, for which she drives people’s cage pets to vet or the kennel.

Topic:

1. Finding a Part-time Job
2. Student Jobs
3. Animal Care
4. A Pet-Taxi Driver

Main Idea:

1. Many people work in animal care.
2. One good part-time job is running a pet-taxi service.
3. Many students as well as people in general need part-time jobs.
4. One way to get a part-time job is to create one that fills a need.

Answer key

Topic:  c

Main Idea: d

Practice 3

Choose the letter of the correct topic of the following paragraph. (To find the topic, remember to ask yourself, “Who or what is the paragraph about?”). Then choose the letter of the main idea --- author’s main point about the topic.

            Some people believe that if you spill salt, you must toss a pinch of salt over your left shoulder “into Devil’s face” in order to avoid bad luck. That is just one of many superstitions that cover everyday events. Others are the beliefs that umbrellas should be opened indoors, and that people should leave a friend’s house by the same door they entered.

Topic:

1. Spilling Salt
2. Umbrellas
3. Superstitions
4. Bad Luck

Main Idea:

1. People are afraid of bad luck.
2. Some people consider opening an umbrella indoors to be bad luck.
3. Many superstitions are bout everyday events.
4. According to one superstition, if you spill salt, you should toss a pinch of salt over your shoulder.

Answer key  

Topic: c (Superstitions)

Main Idea: c