Main idea and detail

Front

What is the main idea of a text?

Back

The main idea is the most important point or message that the author wants to communicate.

Front

How can you find the main idea in a paragraph?

Back

Look for the sentence that summarizes the overall message or theme of the paragraph.

Front

What is a detail in a text?

Back

A detail is a piece of information that supports or explains the main idea.

Front

Why are details important?

Back

Details help to provide evidence and support for the main idea, making it clearer and more convincing.

Front

What is an example of a main idea?

Back

"Dogs make the best pets." is a main idea because it tells you what the paragraph is mostly about.

Front

What is an example of a supporting detail?

Back

"They are smart." is a supporting detail that explains why dogs make good pets.

Front

What does it mean to summarize a text?

Back

To summarize means to give a brief statement of the main points of a text.

Front

What is the difference between a main idea and a detail?

Back

The main idea is the overall message, while details are specific pieces of information that support that message.

Front

How can you tell if a sentence is a main idea?

Back

A main idea sentence usually stands alone and captures the essence of the text.

Front

What is a topic sentence?

Back

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main idea of a paragraph.