Finding the Main Idea
Main idea vs. supporting details
- The main idea is the central point or the most important message that the author wants you to understand.
- Supporting details are the facts, examples, statistics, or other evidence that the author uses to reinforce or explain the main idea.
- Read the passage carefully: Start by reading once, paying close attention to the topic and the author’s purpose. Try to understand the overall meaning of the passage.
- Identify the main idea: It usually appears in the first or last sentence of the introduction or conclusion. Ask yourself, “What is the author trying to say about the topic?” or “What is the primary purpose of this reading?”
- Look for supporting details: They provide more information about the main idea and help to clarify the author’s message. Look for details that explain or expand upon the main idea.
- Determine the relationship between the main idea and supporting details: Once you have identified the main idea and supporting details, think about how they are related. Ask yourself, “How do these details support the main idea?” or “What is the connection between the main idea and these details?”
- Summarize the passage: After you have identified the main idea and supporting details and understood their relationship, summarize the passage in your own words in your written notes. This will help you to remember the key points of the passage and make it easier to review later.
These steps can help you to identify the main idea and supporting details of a nonfiction passage. This is a skill that is essential for academic success in college!