Definition• The main idea of a paragraph is what all the sentences are about.• The main idea can be stated directly or implied.• Main ideas help readers focus their attention and remember important information.
Implied Vs. Directly Stated• When a main idea is implied, it is not found in any of the sentences of the paragraph.• When a main idea is directly stated, one of the sentences in the paragraph will contain it.
What is it all about?• Main idea is the answer to the question above.• A main idea summarizes what the paragraph is about.• After reading a paragraph, try to pick out the main idea, and you will remember the information longer.
Try it out!!• Sally loves to play basketball. Her first game ever took place when she was five. All of Sally’s family goes to watch her play basketball on Friday nights. Sally spends most of her free time on the courts.
What is the main idea of the paragraph on the last slide?1) Sally played her first game of basketball when she was five.2) Sally loves to play basketball.3) Sally’s family comes to watch her play basketball Friday nights.4) Sally spends most of her time on the courts.
Try again!!• Bob played chess with everyone he knew. Bob also played checkers with most of his friends. Steve is Bob’s “Trivial Pursuit” partner every time they play. Bob can beat most of his friends in “Boggle” and “Scrabble.” Bob has never lost playing a game of “Monopoly.”
What is the main idea of the paragraph on the last slide?1) Bob plays a lot of board games.2) Bob is great at chess.3) Bob never loses “Monopoly.”4) Bob doesn’t get out much.
One more time!!• Jessica went out dancing at the club last Saturday with a group of friends. Jenny also went with Jessica to the club to dance. At the club, Jessica and Jenny saw a lot of their classmates. The club had lots of people, live music, and a lot of pyrotechnics. Many people from Jessica’s town were at the club Saturday night.
What is the main idea of the paragraph on the last slide?1) Jessica met Jenny at the club.2) The pyrotechnics were amazing Saturday night.3) Bouncers usually guard clubs.4) The club is a sociable place.