The importance of the main idea

The main idea is the most important point about a topic, and the
topic is the person, place, thing, or idea which the author writes
about. The sentences that provide information that explains, defines
or proves the main ideas, are called supporting details. Also, the
main idea often can be found in the first sentences, but not always.
Understanding the main idea is important for reading and writing
because the writer has the responsibility of sending a clear message
to the readers. Every sentence should be a supporting detail for the
main idea because including a sentence that doesn't support the main
idea can cause confusion to the reader.