Main Idea
Implied Main Idea
Thesis Statements
EQs 29-31
Mrs. J.Jackson
English II
Main Idea
The central point or message of
any passage
Can be found in 2 different ways
Directly Stated Main Idea
Implied Main Idea
Directly Stated Main Idea
 Mockingbirds are common and popular birds in
the eastern and southern regions of the United
States. The mockingbird is the state bird of
Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and
Texas. “Mockers,” as they are affectionately
called, are known for their ability to mimic other
birds, mammals, and insects with song and
sounds. Mockingbirds often live close to human
homes, nesting in ornamental hedges.
Directly Stated Main Idea
 Mockingbirds are common and popular birds in
the eastern and southern regions of the United
States. The mockingbird is the state bird of
Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and
Texas. “Mockers,” as they are affectionately
called, are known for their ability to mimic other
birds, mammals, and insects with song and
sounds. Mockingbirds often live close to human
homes, nesting in ornamental hedges.
Implied Main Idea
Example:
Outside, the wind was
bitterly cold, and the snow
was piling up quickly.
What season of the year is it?
Winter! (That’s implied!)
What is the implied main idea of this paragraph?
 Are you getting enough water? Think of your
houseplants. When they are short on water, they droop.
The same thing happens to you! Your body is made up
of millions of cells, and the principal part of each cell is
water. If your cells are low on water, you will function at
less than full efficiency. Strive for six to eight glasses of
water each day.
 A Houseplants need water to survive.
B Cells contain a high percentage of water.
C Our bodies are made up of millions of cells.
D Your body needs water to remain efficient.
What is the implied main idea of this paragraph?
 Are you getting enough water? Think of your
houseplants. When they are short on water, they droop.
The same thing happens to you! Your body is made up
of millions of cells, and the principal part of each cell is
water. If your cells are low on water, you will function at
less than full efficiency. Strive for six to eight glasses of
water each day.
 A Houseplants need water to survive.
B Cells contain a high percentage of water.
C Our bodies are made up of millions of cells.
D Your body needs water to remain efficient.
What is the implied main idea of this paragraph?
 The San Clemente loggerhead shrike is a small, gray bird that lives
only on San Clemente Island, which is located off the coast of
California. Although the birds are small, they are fierce hunters.
Shrikes eat many different animals including insects, small reptiles,
and even other birds. Sometimes these birds hunt for food and store
it in a branch or on a fence so they can eat it later. San Clemente
loggerhead shrikes are an endangered species, and they can be
difficult to locate. One reason for the population declines is the
destruction of their natural habitat. These birds prefer to live in
grasslands and similar areas.
 A Loggerhead shrikes are small but fierce birds.
B San Clemente Island has many endangered species.
C The destruction of the grasslands harms the loggerhead shrikes.
D The population of small reptiles is declining on San Clemente
Island.
What is the implied main idea of this paragraph?
 The San Clemente loggerhead shrike is a small, gray bird that lives
only on San Clemente Island, which is located off the coast of
California. Although the birds are small, they are fierce hunters.
Shrikes eat many different animals including insects, small reptiles,
and even other birds. Sometimes these birds hunt for food and store
it in a branch or on a fence so they can eat it later. San Clemente
loggerhead shrikes are an endangered species, and they can be
difficult to locate. One reason for the population declines is the
destruction of their natural habitat. These birds prefer to live in
grasslands and similar areas.
 A Loggerhead shrikes are small but fierce birds.
B San Clemente Island has many endangered species.
C The destruction of the grasslands harms the loggerhead shrikes.
D The population of small reptiles is declining on San Clemente
Island.
The Thesis Statement
the most important part of the
passage, essay, or any piece
of writing
 tells the argument or position
in a single sentence
“As President Kennedy implied, knowledge
and peace seem to be ideals best looked for
somewhere over the rainbow. Human
knowledge, the kind found here on earth, often
takes the form of new devious technologies
meant to destroy. Promising advances in physics
in the 1940s resulted in the atomic bomb’s mass
destruction. Peace on earth is so rare, that even
in utopias no peace could last. Seeking our own
destruction seems to be an inescapable part of
human nature.”
“As President Kennedy implied, knowledge
and peace seem to be ideals best looked for
somewhere over the rainbow. Human
knowledge, the kind found here on earth, often
takes the form of new devious technologies
meant to destroy. Promising advances in physics
in the 1940s resulted in the atomic bomb’s mass
destruction. Peace on earth is so rare, that even
in utopias no peace could last. Seeking our own
destruction seems to be an inescapable part of
human nature.”
Thesis Statement
Which of theses sentences is the thesis
statement of the passage?
 Birding, or observing birds, is an inexpensive,
fun, and rewarding activity. Walking around your
neighborhood and searching for remarkable
birds is free. All you need to purchase are a
book and a pair of binoculars. After spotting a
bird, study it with your binoculars, and then look
for the description in your book. From reading
the book, you will learn about the interesting
birds that live in your neighborhood. In time, you
will become more aware and appreciative of the
wildlife in your environment.
A. After spotting a bird, study it with your
binoculars, and then look for the
description in your book.
B. In time, you will become more aware
and appreciative of the wildlife in your
environment.
C. Walking around your neighborhood and
searching for remarkable birds is free.
D. Birding, or observing birds, is an
inexpensive, fun, and rewarding activity.
A. After spotting a bird, study it with your
binoculars, and then look for the
description in your book.
B. In time, you will become more aware
and appreciative of the wildlife in your
environment.
C. Walking around your neighborhood and
searching for remarkable birds is free.
D. Birding, or observing birds, is an
inexpensive, fun, and rewarding activity.