Stated main ideas

1
Stated main ideas

• Chapter 3

2
Read around the text
3
Main idea versus topic

• What is the paragraph about? Topic- stated in a
  few words
• What is the authors controlling point about the
  topic? Main idea- stated in a sentence
• Skimming the paragraph lets you see the
  relationship between topic, main idea, and
  supporting details.
• Practice (p. 109)

4
Identifying a topic sentence

• Main idea is usually stated in one sentence- the
  topic sentence.
• Contains the topic and the authors controlling
  point
• Attitude (sincere apology)
• Thought patterns (several reasons)
• Both (several benefits)
• Practice (p. 114 116)

5
Locating the topic sentence

• Beginning- flow of ideas from general to specific
• Within- attention grabbing details then main idea
  then more details
• End- flow of ideas from specific to general
• Beginning and end- tell reader what you are
  going to say, say it, and then tell the reader
  what you said
• Textbooks- title of chapter and headings are
  often the topic
• Practice (p. 136-137)