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Main Idea

The document provides information on identifying the main idea and topic sentence of a paragraph. It defines the main idea as the general point or idea the writer expresses about the topic. To find the main idea, one must understand the paragraph's topic. The topic sentence is the single statement that presents the main point and includes the topic and the author's statement about the topic. Steps are provided for locating the topic sentence, which may be the first or last sentence or a sentence in the middle. Exercises are included for identifying topic sentences in sample paragraphs.

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Shawn Blue
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94 views14 pages

Main Idea

The document provides information on identifying the main idea and topic sentence of a paragraph. It defines the main idea as the general point or idea the writer expresses about the topic. To find the main idea, one must understand the paragraph's topic. The topic sentence is the single statement that presents the main point and includes the topic and the author's statement about the topic. Steps are provided for locating the topic sentence, which may be the first or last sentence or a sentence in the middle. Exercises are included for identifying topic sentences in sample paragraphs.

Uploaded by

Shawn Blue
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GETTING THE MAIN IDEA

Time in a Bottle by Mickey Mantle (Reference: Northstar)


SOUTHERN (2003)
➤ de ned main idea as
the general point the
writer expresses about
the topic.
➤ To nd the main idea,
one has to know the
topic of the paragraph.
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TOPIC SENTENCE
➤ The single statement
which present the main
point or idea of the
paragraph.

2 PARTS OF TOPIC SENTENCE


➤ It states the topic;
➤ It states what the
author says about
the topic.

STEPS FOR LOCATING THE TOPIC


SENTENCE

1. Read the entire paragraph


2. Read the 1st sentence.
3. Read the last sentence, if the 1st
did not contain the topic sentence.
4. If either the 1st or last has the
topic sentence, then it is
identi ed,
5. If neither of them reveals the topic
sentence, assess each sentence in
the middle of the paragraph.
6. Once the topic sentence is located,
look for the general phrase that
states the main idea.
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Types of main idea:


1. Direct - this main idea is directly stated in the paragraph.

2. Indirect/Implied - this main idea is not directly stated in the


paragraph. Therefore, it is the reader's own interpretation as to
what he writer wants to express.

LET'S HAVE SOME


EXERCISES
Identify the topic sentence
It is often said that lightning never strikes twice in the same
place, but this isn’t true. Go ask the forest rangers. Rangers who
spend their summers as re- ghters will tell you that every
thundershower brings several bolts of lightning to their lookout
stations.

Answer

It is often said that lightning never strikes twice in the same


place, but this isn’t true.
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Identify the topic sentence
Costs were low that year and the output high. There was a good
person for each job and the market remained rm. There were
no losses from re. All in all it was the best years in the history
of the company.

Answer

All in all it was the best years in the history of the company.
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Identify the topic sentence
There are great numbers of deer around here. This whole area is
great country for hunters and shermen. There are bears,
mountain lions, and coyotes. To the east there are streams full of
trout, and there are ducks and geese.

Answer

This whole area is great country for hunters and shermen.


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Identify the topic sentence
Advertising a ects our lives everyday. Brand names are common
household words. We start each day using the toothpaste, soap, and
breakfast foods promoted by advertisers. Ads have made the cars we drive
signs of our success. Our choices of food, dress, and entertainment are
swayed by ads. Not one aspect of American life is untouched by
advertising.

Answer

Advertising a ects our lives everyday.


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Identify the topic sentence
Do you wear glasses? Make sure your glasses t well. The earpieces
should be at eye level. Don’t try to adjust the earpieces yourself. Take
your glasses for adjustments to the place you bought them. Keep your
glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. This will prevent
scratches. Keep the lenses clean. A soft cloth is best for cleaning.

Answer

The main idea is implied.


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Don’t miss
tomorrow’s 20-item
spelling and 40-
TGIF!
item reading activity!

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