• The main idea is the point or message- what an author presents and what a reader takes from a text.

• Searching for that main idea is a very important activity in understanding a text.

• It is usually found in the opening paragraph when the author is setting up the topic and expressing the thesis.

​What is a Main Idea?

​How long is a main idea?

​The main idea can be just one sentence, no matter if the text is short or long. It's all about what the text is mostly about, not how long it is.

• Synonym of Main Idea:

  • gist.

  • essence.

  • main point.

  • essential part.

  • sense.

  • force.

  • significance.

  • substance.

​What do you write in a main idea?

​The main idea is a complete sentence; it includes the topic and what the author wants to say about it.

If the author states the main idea in his paragraph it is called a “topic sentence.” teaching me about?” your mind think, “The author is teaching me about __” but only write down what you would put in the blank space.

​How to find the main idea?

​Primary strategies for identifying the main idea of a text include:

1. Look at the title of the text, as well as any pictures or headings included.

2. Read the first and last sentence of the passage.

3. Note any words or phrases that are repeated throughout the text.

4. Summarize the text as best you can in one sentence.