Main Ideas

What is the main idea of this paragraph? (What is the main thing it is telling you about the topic?)

• Pigeons are clever and skilled.

• Humans underestimate pigeons.

• Pigeons are good communicators, navigators, and builders.

• Birds in general are worthy of respect.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which of the following is a supporting detail? (Which one helps prove the main idea?)

• The world is filled with birds.

• Many birds are worthy of respect.

• So, if you ever feel you're better than a pigeon...

• ...the pigeon built an amazing, two-story nest...

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

As a main idea, "Many birds are worthy of respect" is too...

• Narrow (it zooms in on a detail)

• Broad (it zooms out to a larger idea)

• Irrelevant (it has nothing to do with the main idea)

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

As a main idea, "Pigeons are remarkable navigators" is too...

• Broad

• Narrow

• Irrelevant

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Where in the paragraph is the main idea stated?

• At the beginning, like most paragraphs.

• In the middle; there's a little build-up to it.

• At the end; the conclusion brings out the main idea.

• Nowhere; the main idea is implied.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

As a main idea, "The pigeon is the cleverest and most skillful bird there is"...

• Is clearly implied

• Is not necessarily what the author suggests

• Too far removed from the intended main idea

• Clearly stated in the paragraph

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Since Mr. D'Addieco wrote this paragraph, is not an expert on pigeons, and did not cite any sources for the informaton, he probably...

• Plagiarized the information

• Had a dream that accurately informed him about pigeons

• Wait a minute. Who says he's not a pigeon expert?

• Made the whole thing up.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

What is the topic of this paragraph? (What does it keep talking about?)

• Human knowledge about birds

• Pigeons

• Birds

• Human knowledge about pigeons

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2