Main Idea & Supporting Details

Front

What is the main idea?

Back

The main idea is the most important point or message in a text.

Front

What are supporting details?

Back

Supporting details are facts, examples, or descriptions that explain or support the main idea.

Front

Where can you usually find the main idea in a text?

Back

The main idea is often found at the beginning or end of a text.

Front

What is an example of a main idea?

Back

John and Matt want to be firemen.

Front

What is an example of supporting details?

Back

John wants to climb ladders and rescue people from fires.

Front

What is the purpose of supporting details?

Back

Supporting details help to explain or clarify the main idea.

Front

What is a topic sentence?

Back

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

Front

How can you identify the main idea in a paragraph?

Back

Look for the sentence that summarizes the main point or message.

Front

What is a summary?

Back

A summary is a brief statement that gives 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 provide specific information about that message.