MAKALAH LITERAL READING

“MAIN IDEA”

DISUSUN OLEH :
ZILPA FIDELA HALIN TSE 2021111025
DOSEN PENGAMPUH :
ETTY PRATIWI, M.Pd

PROGRAM STUDI PENDIDIKAN BAHASA INGGRIS

FAKULTAS KEGURUAN DAN ILMU PENDIDIKAN
UNIVERSITAS PGRI PALEMBANG
TAHUN AKADEMIK 2021- 2022/ GANJIL
 PREFACE

Praise and gratitude to the presence of God Almighty for all the graces He has given so that we
can complete this "Main Idea" discussion paper. I wrote this paper as an individual assignment
for the ENGLISH course.
.I am fully aware that this paper is still far from perfect due to the limited experience and
knowledge we have. Therefore, I expect all forms of advice and input and even constructive
criticism from various parties. .Finally, I hope that this paper can provide benefits for the
development of the world of education.

Palembang, 01 November 2021

 BAB I
PENDAHULUAN

1.1 Latar Belakang

The main idea of a paragraph is the primary point or concept that the author wants to
communicate to the readers about the topic. Hence, in a paragraph, when the main idea is
stated directly, it is expressed in what is called the topic sentence. It gives the overarching
idea of what the paragraph is about and is supported by the details in subsequent sentences
in the paragraph. In a multi-paragraph article, the main idea is expressed in the thesis
statement, which is then supported by individual smaller points.
Think of the main idea as a brief but all-encompassing summary. It covers everything
the paragraph talks about in a general way, but does not include the specifics. Those details
will come in later sentences or paragraphs and add nuance and context; the main idea will
need those details to support its argument.
For example, imagine a paper discussing the causes of World War I. One paragraph
might be dedicated to the role that imperialism played in the conflict. The main idea of this
paragraph might be something like: "Constant competition for massive empires led to
increasing tensions in Europe that eventually erupted into World War I." The rest of the
paragraph might explore what those specific tensions were, who was involved, and why the
countries were seeking empires, but the main idea just introduces the overarching argument
of the section.
When an author does not state the main idea directly, it should still be implied, and is
called an implied main idea. This requires that the reader look closely at the content—at
specific words, sentences, images that are used and repeated—to deduce what the author is
communicating.
1.2 Rumusan Masalah
Based on this background, we formulate the problem as follows.
a. What is the meaning main idea?
b. How do you find main idea in a paragraph?
1.3 Tujuan
The purpose of writing this paper is as follows.
a. to know the meaning main idea;
b. To find out how to find main idea in a paragraph.
 BAB II
PEMBAHASAN

2.2 DEFINITION OF MAIN IDEA

Main idea or main idea is an idea that becomes the core of a paragraph. Each paragraph must
have a main idea so that the reader knows what the author is trying to convey in his writing.
Citing Landmark School Outreach, the main idea is important about a topic. .To find the
main idea, try wondering “what does that say about the person, thing, or idea?”
The main idea is also in the form of a sentence, usually placed in the first sentence
but the main idea can also be placed in the middle or the end of the paragraph, depending on how
the author arranges it. What can be noticed is that the main idea contains the topics discussed.

2.3 FINDING OF MAIN IDEA

Where are the main ideas found?
It is easy to identify a main idea that is directly expressed in the text. Main ideas are often
 at the beginning of paragraphs. The first sentence often explains the subject being
discussed in the passage.
 in the concluding sentences of a paragraph. The main idea can be expressed as a
summation of the information in the paragraph as well as a link to the information in the
next paragraph.
The main idea is not always clearly stated. It is more difficult to identify a main idea when it
is inferred or implied. It can be implied through other words in the paragraph. An implied main
idea can be found in several ways.
 Several sentences in a paragraph can imply the main idea by introducing facts about the
topic before actually stating the topic.
 Implied ideas can be drawn from facts, reasons, or examples that give hints or
suggestions concerning the main idea. These hints will be clues leading you to discover
the main idea in the selected text.
 Try the passage below to see if you can pick out the main idea.

"To many parents, the infant's crying may be mainly an irritation, especially if it
continues for long periods. But crying serves important functions for the child as well as
for the parents. For the child, crying helps improve lung capacity and the respiratory
system. Perhaps more important, the cry serves as a signal of distress. When babies cry,
they indicate that they are hungry or in pain, and this is important information for
parents."
Use the hints below to determine the correct main idea of this paragraph.
After reading a paragraph ask, "What point is the author making in this passage?"
Ask the following questions:
 Who - Does this passage discuss a person or group of people?
 When - Does the information contain a reference to time?
  Where - Does the text name a place?
 Why - Do you find a reason or explanation for something that happened?
 How - Does this information indicate a method or a theory?
How can I determine if I have selected the correct main idea of a paragraph?
If you are able to summarize the information in the passage in your own words,you have
absorbed the correct main idea. To accomplish this goal, try the steps listed below after reading a
short section of your textbook.
 Write a short summary in your own words about what you have read.
 Does your summary agree with this general topic?
 Does your summary contain the same ideas being expressed by the author?
 Could you write a headline (or textbook subheading) that would express your summary in
less than five words?
If you are able to rephrase your choice of a topic sentence into a question and then determine if
the passage answers your question, you have been successful at selecting a main idea.

2.3 EXAMPLE OF A PARAGRAPH

Does watching violence on TV make people more prone to violence
themselves? Obviously, TV violence has some negative effects. One study found that
heavy TV watchers are more fearful of others. They try to protect themselves with guns,
alarm systems, and security locks on doors. In the same study it was found that heavy TV
watchers are less upset about real-life violence than are non-TV watchers. All of the
violence they see on TV makes them less sensitive to the real thing. A recent study also
found that TV violence increases aggressive behavior in kids and makes them more likely
to select toy guns rather than other kinds of toys1.

Topic : TV violence ( Topik : Kekerasan TV )

Notice that the subject of the 1st sentence is repeated throughout the paragraph, and ALL
sentences in the paragraph deal with “TV violence.” ( Perhatikan bahwa subjek dari
kalimat pertama diulangi sepanjang paragraf, dan SEMUA kalimat dalam paragraf itu
berhubungan dengan “Kekerasan TV.” )

Stated Main Idea : Obviously, TV violence has some negative ffects.

( Gagasan Utama Lain : Jelas, kekerasan TV memiliki beberapa efek negatif. )

1
Paraphrase of Main Idea : TV violence can have harmful results. This paragraph has a
stated main idea (topic sentence). Sentence 2 is a general summary statement of the topic
(TV violence) and the author’s central point (negative effects). It is important to
paraphrase by writing the main idea in your own words.
( Parafrase dari Gagasan Utama : Kekerasan TV dapat memiliki hasil yang berbahaya.
Paragraf ini memiliki gagasan utama yang dinyatakan (kalimat topik). Kalimat 2 adalah
pernyataan ringkasan umum dari topik tersebut (kekerasan TV) dan titik pusat penulis
(efek negatif). Penting untuk parafrase dengan menuliskan ide utama dengan kata-kata
Anda sendiri. )

BAB III
PENUTUP
 The main idea is the main idea of a paragraph that contains a description, explanation,
description, or opinion from the author about the topic (subject). The main idea is an explanation
of the topic or title of the text. .The main idea can be in the form of a complete sentence which
contains part of the topic of conversation. The main idea written in the form of a sentence can
also be called a topic sentence.

DAFTAR PUSTAKA

https://www.ccis.edu/student-life/advising-tutoring/writing-math-tutoring/main-idea
https://www.kompas.com/skola/read/2020/12/31/221508469/how-to-identify-main-idea-topic-
sentence-and-supporting-details
https://www.scribd.com/document/433170246/MAKALAH-Topic-and-Main-Idea