Discovering the Main Idea
All roads lead to . . .
What Is a Main Idea?
A main idea is the central idea of a selection. It can be
stated or implied.
•A stated main idea is usually written out in a sentence or
two.
• Example: Having a big brother can be a good thing.
•An implied main idea is suggested. It cannot be found in a
specific sentence.
• Example: My older brother and I were riding bikes on the trails
behind our house. I accidentally ran over a tree limb and was
thrown from my bike, spraining my ankle. I thought my brother
would laugh at me, but instead he was genuinely concerned as he
helped me walk to our house.
How to Discover Implied Main Ideas
Step 1: Identify the important details in the selection.
Step 2: Think about the point that the important details
make.
Step 3: Sum up this point, and write it in a sentence. Now
you have the main idea!
Discovering the Main Idea
Just remember . . .
All the important details
in a selection will lead
directly to the main idea.
Important
detail
Important
detail
Main Idea
Important
detail
Important
detail
Let’s Practice
The score is tied, and three seconds remain on the clock. If I
make this free-throw shot, our team wins the game. As I walk to the
line, I try to imagine myself in front of my basketball goal over the
garage. Every night before dinner, I shoot free throws, making nine
out of ten. “With those odds, I can make this shot,” I say to myself. I
bounce the ball one last time, look up at the goal, and . . .
SWOOSH!
Let’s Practice
free-throw shot
wins the game
shoots free throws
every night
before dinner
makes nine out
of ten when
practicing
Practicing a
sport makes
you
better at it.
“I can make
this shot.”
SWOOSH!
(makes the
winning shot)
On Your Own
When we arrived in New York City, our names changed almost
immediately. At Immigration, the officer asked my father, Mister
Elbures, if he had anything to declare. My father shook his head no,
and we were waved through. I was too afraid we wouldn’t be let in if
I corrected the man’s pronunciation, but I said our name to myself,
opening my mouth wide for the organ blast of the a, trilling my
tongue for the drumroll of the r; All-vah-rrr-es! How could anyone get
Elbures out of that orchestra of sound?
from “Names/Nombres” by Julia Alvarez
“Names/Nombres” by Julia Alvarez. Copyright © 1985 by Julia Alvarez. First published in Nuestro, March 1985. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission of Susan
Bergholz Literary Services.
The End