Main Idea and Supporting Details

Main Idea
Every story or paragraph has a main idea. The main idea tells you what the story is about. It answers the question, What is the authors one most important point about the topic? And is the most important part of a story or paragraph.

Characteristics of a Main Idea Sentence

Must always contain the topic (the word, name, or phrase that tells who or what the paragraph is about) Must always make complete sense by itself (even if you couldnt read the rest of the paragraph) Must be a general sentence that sums up the details in the paragraph

Location of the Stated Main Idea Sentence Can appear anywhere in a paragraph: Most often it appears at the beginning. The next most likely location is at the end. The third possibility is somewhere else within the paragraph. Regardless of where it appears, it will have supporting details that explain more about it, give examples of it, or prove it.

Read the Passage and Choose the Main Idea

Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America. It is on the Niagara River halfway between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Niagara Falls is located on the American and Canadian border. The American Falls is 167 feet high. On the Canadian side, the Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high.

Question What is the main idea of the passage? Remember main idea is what the story is about.

Answer

Main Idea: Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America.

Choose the Main Idea of this Passage

The Statue of Liberty is visited by thousands of people every year. The Statue of Liberty is a 151 foot statue of woman holding a book and a torch. It was a gift of friendship from the people of France. It has become the universal symbol for freedom.

Question What is the main idea of this passage? What was the passage about?

Answer

Main Idea: The Statue of Liberty

Supporting Details
The supporting details are the things that describe the main idea. These supporting details make the main idea stronger.

Question
Main Idea: Lake Erie changed the way people moved goods. What are the supporting details of this passage? Remember supporting details describe the main idea.

Find the Supporting Details in this Passage

The Erie Canal changed the way people moved goods in the 1800s. The 363 mile canal connected Albany, New York to Lake Erie in Buffalo for the first time. When the Canal opened in 1825, building supplies and goods could be transported quickly and cheaply across New York State. Canal boats pulled by mules carried people and supplies across New York.

Answer
Supporting Details: 1-The 363 mile canal connected Albany and New York for the first time. 2-The canal boats pulled by mules carried people and supplies across New York State. 3-The canal made a way for goods to be transported cheaply and quickly.

Pointers: about the Stated Main Idea and Supporting Details

oMain idea and details are not the same. oThe main idea is general. Details are specific. oExamples are always details. oUnderline the main idea, but number the details in a paragraph. oDetails are often presented in a bulleted, numbered, or letteredlist. oDetails are often introduced by In addition, also, moreover, another, next, then, last, finally, etc.

Main Idea and Supporting Details House

Main Idea

Supporting Details

Many people in India don't eat beef, but they still find many uses for cattle. Cows provide milk for drinking and for other dairy products. Young cattle are used for plowing fields and carrying big loads.

This story mainly tells _______ A. how cows are used in India B. where some people do not eat beef C. which cows plow fields D. what milk is used for

It takes more than food to make babies grow up to be healthy and happy. If babies are not patted and hugged, they grow more slowly and are less healthy. Also they will not be as smart or happy when they become adults. Many studies show that love is the most important thing in children's lives.

This story mainly tells _______ A. why good food is important to babies B. what makes babies grow up C. that children need love to grow up healthy D. how to have smart children

Virginia Hamilton started writing at a young age. People in her family were great storytellers. She loved to listen to their tales about her African American heritage. When she grew up, Hamilton brought the tales to life in stories. Now she is a famous writer of books for children. This story mainly tells _______ A. when Virginia Hamilton started writing B. how Hamilton's family told stories C. how family stories led to a writing career D. what kind of tales Hamilton's family told

When you take a multiple-choice test, do you ever change your answers? Some scientists think that it is a smart thing to do. They found out that most students who change their answers make the right decision and make better scores on their tests.

This story mainly tells _______ A. how to study for tests B. what scientists think about answers C. how to score better on a multiplechoice test D. which answers to change on a test

Dolly Madison was the wife of President James Madison. She was quite a brave First Lady. When the White House burned down, Dolly rescued important government papers. She also saved the portrait of George Washington that hangs in the East Room today.

This story mainly tells _______ A. who Dolly Madison's husband was B. how the White House burned down C. about Dolly Madison's courageous acts D. where the portrait of George Washington hangs

IDENTIFICATIONwrite: T if Topic MI Main Idea SD Support Details

GRP 1 -----a. Driving at night is less safe than in the daytime -----b. In 1981, 62% of all traffic death took place at night -----c. Night Driving -----d. The chances of being in a fatal accidents are nearly 4 times greater at night than during the day. GRP 2 -----a. The sand-dune cats feet are thickly padded, which helps it walk over sand -----b. The sand-dune cat gets along without drinking by getting enough liquid from the bodies of animals it eats. -----c. The sand- cat is well suited for the desert it lives in. -----d. Sand-dune cat GRP 3 -----a. Superstitions -----b. It is said that the antidote to walking under a ladder is to quickly make a wish or cross a finger -----c. If a black cat crosses your path, go back home. -----d. For the superstitious, there are remedies for worrisome accidents. GRP 4 -----a. Washoe thought up the term drink-fruit for watermelon. -----b. A female chimpanzee -----c. Washoe, a female chimpanzee who has been taught sign language, has created some words on her own. -----d. Washoe, who has called an enemy dirty jack call as the swan water bird.

SD SD T MI

a. Driving at night is less safe than in the daytime b. In 1981, 62% of all traffic death took place at night c. Night Driving d. The chances of being in a fatal accidents are nearly 4 times greater at night than during the day. a. The sand-dune cats feet are thickly padded, which helps it walk over sand b. The sand-dune cat gets along without drinking by getting enough liquid from the bodies of animals it eats. c. The sand- cat is well suited for the desert it lives in. d. Sand-dune cat a. Superstitions b .It is said that the antidote to walking under a ladder is to quickly make a wish or cross a finger c. If a black cat crosses your path, go back home. d. For the superstitious, there are remedies for worrisome accidents. a. Washoe thought up the term drink-fruit for watermelon. b. A female chimpanzee c. Washoe, a female chimpanzee who has been taught sign language, has created some words on her own. d. Washoe, who has called an enemy dirty jack call as the swan water bird.

SD SD MI T T SD SD MI

SD T MI SD