Finding the Implied Main Idea
Finding the Main Idea –
A Step by Step Process
 Read the paragraph slowly while talking to the text.
 Re-read the paragraph.
 Ask yourself these questions:
“Who” or “what” is this paragraph about?
 What is the point the writer is making about the subject?
Try to write a “gist” sentence of 10 words or less. This sentence should embody the
answers to both questions above.
Look back at the paragraph. Do you see a stated “gist” sentence that closely
mimics your main idea? If so, could this be a stated main idea? IF SO, STOP! YOU
HAVE THE MAIN IDEA.
If you don’t see a stated Main Idea, the main idea must be implied. Double check
your “gist” sentence by going back to the passage and by circling key words.
With the circled key words in mind, re-write your “gist” sentence, making sure that
you’ve included the most important words from the paragraph.
Write that Main idea sentence clearly and neatly on the provided line.
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TASK
 In groups of 3-4, read your
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paragraph carefully.
Choose the “gist” that best
describes the main idea of your
paragraph.
Highlight details that support the
main idea.
Be prepared to present your
paragraph and answers to the
class.
Challenge: Create a topic sentence
and concluding sentence for your
paragraph!
 (1) In Bulgaria, one nods one’s head for “no” and
Finding the
Main Idea
“Who” or “what” is this
paragraph talking about?
What is the point the writer
is making about the
subject?
What is the “gist”? (10
words)
Is there a stated gist that
mimics your own?
If not, highlight supporting
word, phrases, that
support your “gist.”
Gist:
shakes it back and forth for “yes.” (2) If you make the
“A-OK” sign in Brazil, with the index finder and thumb
making a circle, it’s not only not okay, it’s very impolite.
(3) To show the bottom of ones’ feet to a Turk is a
serious insult, implying that “you are lower than the
ground I walk on.” (4) Throughout the Middle East, to
offer the left hand in a handshake-or to wave it at
someone- will give deep offense. (5) The Japanese
consider it polite to bow to varying levels, depending
on the message one is trying to covey. (6) When a
Frenchman wants to make a strong point, he waves his
upraised index finger from side to side. (7) In many
Mediterranean cultures, men who are nonromantic
friends walk hand in hand. (8) And in Americaespecially out West- a firm handshake and a direct look
in the eye are expected when men meet one another;
in many other cultures, this would be considered very
rude. (9) Clearly, body language that is perfectly
normal or meaningless in one culture may mean
something quite different in another.
Paragraph 1
 Cutting down on your
responsibilities is one way to
minimize stress in your life.
You can also relax yourself
by breathing deeply, rather
than taking light, shallow
breaths. Peaceful music is
also soothing if you focus
your attention on it and
consciously disregard
distracting thoughts.
Another good way to release
tension is to exercise
regularly, which, rather than
tiring you out, builds energy
and endurance.
A. Cutting down on
responsibilities lessens
stress.
B. You can relax by breathing
deeply.
C. Stress has several harmful
effects.
D. There are several ways you
can reduce stress in your
life.
Paragraph 2
 Just as I’m about to be kissed by the
most gorgeous man I ever laid eyes
upon, I am jolted by a
“beep…beep.” That alarm-clock
buzzer has ruined more great
moments for me than my kid brother
and parents combined! I drag myself
out of the warm bed and grope
around until I find the bathroom,
where the tile floor is so cold it
numbs my bare feet. Then I’m
somehow expected to pick out
something neat and clear to wear—a
bit of a challenge considering I
haven’t done any laundry for six
weeks now. Once I’m in the kitchen
to get my caffeine fix, I must make a
special effort not to bite the heads
off of the people I live with. This is
not easy, since they are so darned
pleasant and energetic in the
mornings.
A.
B.
C.
D.
An alarm-clock
buzzer is a terrible
noise to hear in the
morning.
Mornings are not
my favorite time of
day.
I have trouble
finding time to do
my laundry.
There ought to be
a law against being
pleasant and
energetic in the
mornings.
Paragraph 3
 Many Americans fear that foreign
investors in this country want to take
over the American economy from
the inside. But in reality, things don’t
work that way. Of the trillion dollars
in foreign investments in this
country, three-quarters are in bank
deposits or securities—that is, in
paper only. Foreign-owned
businesses in the U.S., such as
hamburger chains and hotels,
generate jobs and new growth
because they are totally dependent
on the local population for staffing
and customers. Americans are the
ones who must be sought after to
become workers, renters, tourists,
and patrons. Throughout its history,
the U.S. has relied on foreign capital
to finance a great deal of its
development, but this has never
stood in the way of our democracy.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Foreign-owned
businesses in America
need Americans.
There’s no need for
Americans to fear
foreign influence in this
country.
Most of the foreign
investment in this
country is on paper, not
in cash.
Americans need not
fear that foreign
investors are taking
over our economy.
Paragraph 4
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Although we can never determine exactly
how extensive drug abuse is in the
United States, much is known about its
effects. Driving under the influence of
drugs is beginning to take its toll in
highway deaths and injuries, and perhaps
15 percent of auto accidents are now
associated with drugs. Alcohol, one of
our most common drugs, is far more
dangerous than its broad social
acceptability would imply. Many people
recognize alcohol’s association with
about half of all deaths from automobile
accidents. Few know, however, that,
compared with non-drinkers, the death
rate is twice as high for those who drink
five or more drinks at least four times a
week or that cirrhosis of the liver (a
direct result of alcoholism) is the sixth
most common cause of death in the
United States. People are also only
beginning to realize that alcohol is the
third major cause of birth defects in the
United States.
A.
B.
C.
D.
It is estimated that 15
percent of U.S. auto
accidents involve drugs.
Cirrhosis of the liver is a
more common cause of
death than people realize.
The U.S. has a significant
drug-abuse problem.
Drug abuse is a major
problem throughout the
world.
Paragraph 5
 Lack of gravity changes how
astronauts look during their
first few days in space. Body
fluids at first flow more
towards the head, puffing up
the face. And no matter how
often astronauts brush their
hair, it still tends to float loosely
around their heads. In addition,
because in the absence of
gravity open water floats in the
air, astronauts are limited in
how they clean themselves in
space. For example, they have
to swallow their toothpaste
rather than rinse their mouths
out after brushing.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Astronauts’ faces puff up in
space at first.
The absence of gravity in
space influences astronauts’
looks and grooming habits.
When astronauts are in
space, their hair tends to
float loosely about their
heads because of the
absence of gravity.
Being in space is very
challenging in numerous
ways.