Topic
Identifying Main Idea
Supporting
Details
 A topic is the general theme or
message of a text.
 is simple and can be described
with just a “word” or a “phrase”.
Topic
 A topic sentence announces the general subject,
ideas or arguments to be dealt with in the paragraph.
 The sentence in which the main idea is stated is the
topic sentence of that paragraph.
Topic sentence serves two purposes:
 It lets readers know what the paragraph is going to
be about.
 It highlights the connection between the present paragraph
and the one that came before.
How to Find the Topic?
 Find the subject of the
paragraph.
Topic
"Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.
Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball.
They also learn how to control the ball so they can
eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players
learn how to work together with their teammates."
“Soccer players”
 Main Idea refers to the "key
concept" or the author's message
about the topic which is often
expressed directly or it can be
implied.
Main Idea
How to Find the Main Idea?
 Identify the Topic .
 Look for the details or information that
support or explain the topic.
Where to Find the Main Idea?
1.
At the beginning of
paragraphs. The first sentence
often explains the subject being
discussed in the passage.
2. In the middle of a paragraph.
Sometimes, main ideas are situated
before and after some information
regarding it.
3. In the concluding sentences of a paragraph.
The main idea can be expressed as a
summation of the information in the paragraph
as well as a link to the information in the next
paragraph.
Main Idea
"Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.
Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball.
They also learn how to control the ball so they can
eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players
learn how to work together with their teammates."
Soccer players learn many skills when
playing soccer.
 Supporting Ideas are facts,
examples, or statements that
support the main idea by telling
how, what, when, where, why,
how much, or how many.
Supporting
Details
Supporting
Idea
"Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.
Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball.
They also learn how to control the ball so they can
eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players
learn how to work together with their teammates."
Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball.
They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.
Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their
teammates.
Let’s have a try!
Add
subtitle...is a wonderful time to spend at West
Summer
Beach. It is a beach with light-colored, soft sand.
Children
like
to
play
in
the
surf
and
walk
along
the
Point 2
rocks that are visible at low tide.
Point 3
Topic:
Main Idea:
Supporting Details:
Let’s have a try!
Most teenagers and young adults do not know what they want to do for the
Add subtitle...
rest of their lives. It is a big decision. There are a number of things you can do
to narrow the choices. For example you can take an interest test, do some
research on your own about a career, try volunteer work in the field in which
Point
2
you are
interested,
or “job-shadow”, in which you spend a day with a person
who isPoint
working
3 in a field that interests you. These are just a few helpful ideas
as you begin to choose a career.
Topic:
Main Idea:
Supporting Details:
Let’s have a try!
Add subtitle...
There are different needs for animals to survive. Animals need food to grow.
They need
Point 2shelter or a place to live in. They also need special care and love.
Point 3
Topic:
Main Idea:
Supporting Details: