IDEA 3

s e

THEM
t h e r
a r e i l a
Ho w s s i m
i d e a t ?
en
BIG d diffe r
an

E &TOPIC
 MAIN IDEA
Is the PURPOSE of the paragraph or text
All INFORMATION in the text should CONNECT
(SUPPORTING
to the
MAIN IDEA DETAILS)
Some information is NOT as
(IRRELEVA
NT)
IMPORTANT
Basically, Main Idea is a VERY, very brief and efficient summary
What’s the Main Idea of the paragraph?
Engineers create wealth for society. So, tennis is a game and
the resources of the earth are scarce. However, there is no
evidence of my brother coming back. Thus the only solution
is to educate the public on being socially responsible.

None
Answer: of them!
_______________________
The Key word for MAIN IDEA I want you guys to remember
for the whole year is

Specific
Only 1 Main Idea can exist for each text

Focus on the BIGGEST idea you can remember from what

you read
To Identify MAIN IDEA…
You need to go through the process of ‘ ’ unnecessary details

Unnecessary info
The largest organ in the human body is the skin. One of the skin's
functions is to help regulate the amount of body heat that flows in and
out of the body. Heavy smoking ages skin very quickly. When it is cold,
we cover the skin with extra layers of clothing to slow down the
outward flow of heat. When it is hot, evaporation of sweat cools us
down.
 Stated
Implied
&
Main Ideas
ed Main Idea
A paragraph has a main idea usually in
sentence (=the 1st sentence). This
PARAGRAPH itself “SAYS” what the main idea is.
the topic
means the

lied Main Idea

A paragraph has only an “implied” main idea which
YOU need to find and STATE the main
means that
idea IN YOUR WORDS because it doesn’t
actually “say” it in the text.
 What are

Supporting Details
Do we really need them?

e supporting details are the things that DESCRIBE the main idea.

These supporting details make the main idea stronge

 The students had fun on their field trip.  They visited  the

1 Marine Museum.  They were able to tour a tugboat and they

bought souvenirs in the gift shop.  After the tours they ate a
picnic lunch in the park and played with their friends.”

Stated Main Idea: The students had fun

on their field trip.
 The students had fun on their field trip.  They visited  the Marine Museum.  They were able to

1 tour a tugboat and they bought souvenirs in the gift shop.  After the tours they ate a picnic
lunch in the park and played with their friends.”

Stated Main Idea: The students had fun on their field trip.

“The Native Americans used the trees to build their houses.

They hunted and trapped animals in the forest for food. They
2 found roots and berries that they could eat. Some plants
found in the forest were used for medicine.”

Implied Main Idea: The Native Americans used

resources in the forest to survive.
 The students had fun on their field trip.  They visited  the Marine Museum.  They were able to

1 tour a tugboat and they bought souvenirs in the gift shop.  After the tours they ate a picnic
lunch in the park and played with their friends.”

Stated Main Idea: The students had fun on their field trip.

“The Native Americans used the trees to build their houses. They hunted and trapped animals
2 in the forest for food. They found roots and berries that they could eat. Some plants found in
the forest were used for medicine.”

Implied Main Idea: The Native Americans used resources in the forest to survive.

“The rain forest is home to many creatures. Monkeys,

3
.
toucans and macaws live in the rain forest. Butterflies and
anteaters also live in the rain forest.”
Stated Main Idea: The rain forest is
home to many creatures..
 “The Native Americans used the trees to build their houses. They hunted and trapped animals
2 in the forest for food. They found roots and berries that they could eat. Some plants found in
the forest were used for medicine.”

Implied Main Idea: The Native Americans used resources in the forest to survive.

3
“The rain forest is home to many creatures. Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain
forest. Butterflies and anteaters also live in the rain forest.”
.

Stated Main Idea: The rain forest is home to many creatures..

“Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach.

4 Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed. Playing

beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also fun to look for
shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe.”

Implied Main Idea: There are many fun things that

you can do at the beach.
 Theme
= a fortune cookie

= an envelope

Is a BIG LESSON you can apply to your

life

Is what the story teaches the readers

Is a SENTENCE, not just a word

 The key word for THEME
I want you guys to remember for the whole year is

General
Lots of DIFFERENT STORIES can have THE SAME theme!
To the BIG WORLD To Ide
: n tify
THEM
OUTSIDE life, the
universe,
EVERYTHING!
You E
Need…
To connect the
SMALL WORLD of
the story

In othe
r wo
main id rds, turn a Sp
ea into ec
a Gene ific
th e m e ra l
 Believe in yourself, tak
e on
your challenges, dig
within yourself to con
deep
quer
fears, and you’ll becom
e the
person you want to be.
a
I de
Theme Main
Danny Doolan
doesn’t have the
nerve to do what he
wants; with the help
of his uncle he will
eventually conquer
his fears and build
up self-confidence.

In othe
rw
Specif ords, transfo
ic main rm a
idea in
Genera to a
l them
e
 The Monkey and the Cookies
1 A monkey put his hand into a jar of cookies. He grasped as
many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull out
his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the
cookie jar. Unwilling to lose the cookies, and yet unable to
withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and bitterly lamented
his disappointment.

Theme(=Big lesson): Don’t be greedy.

1
The Monkey and the Cookies
A monkey put his hand into a jar of cookies. He grasped as many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to
pull out his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the cookie jar. Unwilling to lose the cookies, and
yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and bitterly lamented his disappointment.
Theme(=Big lesson): Don’t be greedy.

The Fox and the Crow

A Crow, having stolen a bit of meat, perched in a tree and held it in her beak. A
Fox, seeing this, longed to possess the meat himself, and by a wily stratagem
succeeded. "How handsome is the Crow," he exclaimed, in the beauty of her
shape and in the fairness of her complexion! Oh, if her voice were only equal
to her beauty, she would deservedly be considered the Queen of Birds!" This
he said deceitfully; but the Crow, anxious to refute the reflection cast upon her
voice, set up a loud caw and dropped the flesh. The Fox quickly picked it up,
and thus addressed the Crow: "My good Crow, your voice is right enough, but
your wit is wanting."

Theme(=Big lesson): Be wary of flatterers. .

 Topic=hashtag
Is usually 1 or 2 words that sum up what a Story is all about
There can be more than 1 topic in a story

Is always a subject
Bravery
Friendship
Love Cowardnes Kindnes
s s
 The key word for Topic
I want you guys to remember for the whole year is

General
Just like with Theme DIFFERENT STORIES can have THE
SAME Topic !
The only difference between the two is Topic- 1 or 2 words while theme
is 1 or 2 sentences.
 Music can be an effective study tool. Some people say that

1 music helps them to relax, and to focus better. People listen

to music for many other reasons as well. Music has been
proven to produce serotonin, one of the so-called happiness
hormones.

Topic: Music
 Music can be an effective study tool. Some people say that music helps them to relax,

1 and to focus better. People listen to music for many other reasons as well. Music has
been proven to produce serotonin, one of the so-called happiness hormones.
Topic: Music

Music can be an effective study tool. Some people say that it

helps them to relax, and to better focus on what they are
2 learning. Some studies show that many students perform
better when they listen to artists like Beethoven and Mozart
while studying.

Topic: Music
Review
MAIN IDEA THEME TOPIC
One sentence
One word
(phrase)
Specific (unique)
General
(common)
Moral lesson
Summary
 Practice
1. Summer is a wonderful time at West Beach. Main Idea

2. Loneliness Topic
3. Human judgement is imperfect. Theme

4. Love cannot be bought. Theme

5. Clowns are enjoyable for some, scary for others. Main Idea
6. Jealousy Topic

7. Apollo 13 was a blockbuster for the summer of 1995. Main Idea

8. Getting revenge on someone else will not fix yourTheme

problems.
9. Learning to forgive is part of becoming an adult. Theme

10. McDonald’s is the king of fast food. Main Idea

11. Healthy lifestyle Topic

12. Love is more important than material possessions. Theme

13.Studies reveal several reasons why some children become bullies. Main Idea

14.ChildhoodTopic
topic: TABLE MANNERS.

In Argentina, it is bad manners to clear your throat or blow your nose

at the table. In Brazil, avoid touching your food with your fingers, and
be sure to wipe your mouth before taking a drink. When dining with
Muslim companions, be careful not to use your left hand for eating,
touching others, giving or receiving objects, or pointing.
IMPLIED MAIN IDEA: Different cultures have different
table manners and require different responses by guests.
 topic: TV VIOLENCE
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 toys.

IMPLIED MAIN IDEA: TV violence can have

harmful results.
topic: CONTRADICTORY SAYINGS

We’re often told “He who hesitates is lost,” but we’re also warned to
“look before you leap.” Most of us have heard the saying, “Out of sight,
out of mind,” but then we hear “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Everyone talks about “love at first sight.” But then someone reminds us,
“Marry in haste, repent at leisure.” It’s all very confusing.

IMPLIED MAIN IDEA: There are many

sayings in our culture that contradict one another / are
very confusing.
topic: STRESS MANAGMENT
One technique to manage stress is self-hypnosis. Another relaxation technique is the
“relaxation response.” In this technique, one learns how to quiet the body and mind.
Still another way to manage stress is progressive muscular relaxation. This is a
procedure in which muscles are contracted and relaxed systematically. Other
techniques include yoga, quieting, and diaphragmatic breathing.

IMPLIED MAIN IDEA: There are many ways

to manage stress.
If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by
doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another
form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write
down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life
will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also
help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It
works like magic to make you feel better!
a) Sometimes people feel sad.
b) You should do good things for others.
c) We're not always happy.
d) There are many ways to make yourself feel better. 
Mark wanted to be a great skater. But he didn't want to spend
the hours practicing. He wished he could just do the tricks
easily. Mark's dream was to have everyone stop and stare when
he entered the skate park. He wanted them to say, "Mark is the
best skater in the whole world."
a) Mark wants everyone to think he's a great skater
without doing the hard work.
b) Mark practices very hard to become a great skater.
c) Mark is the best skater at the park.
d) Mark wants to learn how to skate so he can compete.
Tom started to reel in his line. The fish tugged and pulled hard.
Judging by the weight of his catch, this fish could feed his
family for three days. Tom struggled to stay in the boat and not
be pulled over the side. Finally his catch came into view. He
had snagged a snapping turtle!
a) Tom finds enough food for his family.
b) Tom gets pulled out of his boat by a huge fish.
c) Tom didn't catch anything.
d) Tom catches a snapping turtle while fishing.
 Mary has a new pet. Her pet is a baby kitten. It is soft and
cuddly. The kitten likes to sleep a lot. Mary put a soft blanket
in a box for its bed. Mary plays with her kitten when it is
awake. She never forgets to feed her kitten.

a) The kitten sleeps a lot.

b) Mary plays with her kitten
c) Mary’s new pet is a kitten.
d) Mary want a new pet.
Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are bakers. They work at a store
called Bake Goods to Go. Mrs. Jones works nights. She bakes
cakes, cookies, and pies. Mrs. Brown works in the daytime.
She bakes bread and rolls. Both Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown
are very good bakers.
a) Mrs. Jones bakes pies.
b) Mrs. Brown bakes rolls.
c) Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are bakers
d) They work at a store called Bake Goods to Go.