Finding the Main Idea and Implied Idea

Finding the Main Idea

Once you can find the topic, you are ready to find the main idea. The main idea is the point of
the paragraph. It is the most important thought about the topic.

 To figure out the main idea, ask yourself this question: What is being said about the
person, thing, or idea (the topic)?

I. The author can locate the main idea in different places within a paragraph. The main idea
may either be found at the beginning, middle or end of a paragraph. The writer then uses
the rest of the paragraph to support the main idea.

For Example:
Summer is a wonderful time to spend at West Beach. It is a beach with light- colored,
soft sand. The coastline goes on for a long way and many people enjoy walking along it.
Children like to play in the surf and walk along the rocks that are visible at low tide. This is a fun
beach for people of all ages.

In this paragraph:    
 the topic is West Beach
 the main idea (what the writer is saying about the topic) is that summer is a
wonderful time at West Beach
Finding the Implied Main Idea

When the main idea is not clearly stated it is inferred or imply. To figure out an implied main
idea, we must look at the supporting details.

To find the implied main idea when it is not directly stated, we must the questions :

• Who or what is the paragraph about? (What is the topic?)

• What is the main point the author is trying to make about the topic?

For Example:
How do migrating animals find their destination? They navigate in a variety of ways. Fish use
their sense of smell to recognize their migration paths and are guided by changing water
temperatures. Birds use the position of the sun to orient themselves. Some birds have magnetic
particles in their ear mechanisms that act as a compass. Mammals rely on their memory. Some
elephant trails have been used for hundreds of years.
 The topic of this paragraph is: migrating animals
 The implied main idea is: Migrating animals navigate in a variety of ways.