SKIMMING FOR MAIN IDEAS

A paragraph usually tells about one topic. Often the first sentence is the “topic sentence.” It
tells the main idea of the paragraph. The topic sentence is often-but not always-the first
sentence of the paragraph. The other sentences usually give details or examples to illustrate
the main idea.

Example: There are several different kinds of classes on university campuses. Professors
usually teach large undergraduate classes. They give formal lectures.Students have
to listen and take notes. Then teaching assistants lead discussion groups. In graduate
seminars, small groups of students discuss their ideas with their instructor and
classmates.

In this examples, the first sentence is the topic sentence of the paragraph. It gives the main
idea that there are several different kinds of classes on university campuses. The other
sentences give examples of these kinds of classes.

COLLEGE LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

Many native and nonnative students go to community, junior, or technical colleges. All fifty
states of the United State and the provinces of Canada have these schools. Community
colleges are different from four years universities in many ways. Some students get a
community college certificate or degree after only one or two years of study. Many
certificates and degrees are in practical subjects like accounting, business, computer science,
engineering, management, and travel. Some students attend a university after one or two
years at one of these schools, but many students attend only a community, junior, or technical
college. For immigrants, refugees, and citizents, the cost of a community college education is
not very highif they are residents of the state. Also, many students at these schools are over
twenty-five years old. They work and go to school too. They usually live at home, not on
campus. These are only some of the differences between two-year colleges and four-year
universities.

Example: Here is a summary of paragraph A of “College Life in the United States and
Canada.”

Community colleges in the United States and Canada are different from four-year
universities. Community college students can get certificate or degree in a practical
subject after one or two years of study. The cost of community college education is
not so high for state residents. Many community college students are older. They
work, and usually live at home, not on campus.

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS
 I can’t standAmerican college life. I like my teachers and classmates,butI don’t like
thesystem of daily classes, assignments, and tests. In my country, students have more
freedom and less structure. They don’t do homework or have quizzes in their courses. They
just have to get a certificate of completion for a certain number of courses. The certificate is
proof of attendance. After three to five years of attendance, they take final exams. If they pass
these important tests, they geta university degree.
I don’t like the teaching style in American college classes. My instructors and classmates
are nice, but I can’t stand the systems of undergraduate education at the university. In my
country, students have more structure and less freedom. They have to attend lectures every
day and do homework assignments in their textbooks. The professor gives them outlines of
the important facts. They have a test and get a grade in every course every week. The
questions are multiple choice or fill in the blank, and students take notes, ask questions, and
discuss their ideas. I don’t like to do those things.
I think the American system of higher education is too easy. At my community college,
many students work, so they don’t have much time for homework. They don’t know the
answers in class, so the instructor teaches the same thingsagain and again. The level of
teaching goes down. These students don’t study hard for quizzes and exams, so the teachers
gives easy tests. We all get good grades, but we don’t learn a lot. If students attend class all
the time, they usually pass the course and get college credit. After two years, they get a
degree. But what does this degree mean?

1. Which one do you like and dislike?

2. Give the reason why?
3. Try to make it in summary!

The Powerful Influence of Weather

Weather has a powerful effect on people. It influences health, intelligence, and

feelings. In August, it is very hot and wet in the southern part of the United States.
Southerners have heart attacks and other kinds of health problems during this month. In the
Northeast and the Middle West, it is very hot at some times and very cold at other times.
People in these states tend to have heart attacks after the weather changes in February or
March.
The weather can also affectintelligence. For example, in a 1938 study by scientists,
the IQ (intelligence quotient) scores of a group of undergraduate college students were very
high during a hurricane, but after the storm, their scores were 10 percent (10%) below
average. Hurricane can increase intelligence. Very hot weather, onthe other hand, can lower
it. Students in many of the United States often do badly on exams in the hot months of the
year (July and August).
Weather also hasa strong influence on people’s feelings. Winter may be a bad time
for thin people. They usually feel cold during these months. They might feel depressed during
cold weather. In hot summer weather, on the other hand, overweight people may feel
unhappy. The summer heat may make them tired and irritable.
Low air pressure relaxes people. It increases sexual feelings. It also increases
forgetfulness. People leave more packages and umbrellas on buses and in stores on low-
pressure days. There is a “perfect weather” for work and health. People feel best at a
temperature of about 64oF with 65 percent humidity (moisture in the air).Are you feeling
sick, sad, tired, forgetful, or very intelligent today?. The weather may be the cause.
 Sometimes a sentecegives the meaning of a new vocabulary item. The meaning or an
explanation is sometimes in parentheses ( ), in another sentence, or in another sentence part.

Example: The IQ scores (measures of intelligence) of a group of undergraduate college

students were very hight during a hurricane or other kind of storm.

what are IQ scores? They are measures of intelligence.

What is a hurricane?
Looking for another .....

LEARNING TO SUMMARIZE
First, find the main idea. (The most general sentence, often the topic sentence, may
tell the main idea). Second, find the important details that explain the main idea. (These
details may be examples). Finally, retell the main idea and the important details in your own
words. Remember: A summary should be short.

Weather has a powerful effect on people. THE MAIN IDEA

It influences health, intelligence, and feelings.

The weather can also affectintelligence. THE MAIN IDEA

Hurricane can increase intelligence. Very hot weather, onthe other hand, can lower it.

Weather also hasa strong influence on people’s feelings. THE MAIN IDEA
Winter may be a bad time for thin people. In hot summer weather, on the other hand,
overweight people may feel unhappy

The weather may be the cause. THE MAIN IDEA

Low air pressure relaxes people, There is a “perfect weather” for work and health

Summary : Weather can give effect to human health, intelligence, and feelings