Understanding Topic and Main Idea

What is the main idea of a passage?

• The main idea of a passage is the font size used.

• The main idea of a passage is the author's favorite color.

• The main idea of a passage is the number of pages it has.

• The main idea of a passage is the central point or message it is trying to convey.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How can you identify the main idea in a paragraph?

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

• Choose the first sentence in the paragraph

• Count the number of words in the paragraph

• Look for the most interesting sentence

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What are supporting details?

• Supporting details are only found in fiction

• Supporting details are the main idea of a text

• Supporting details are pieces of information that further explain or support the main idea of a text.

• Supporting details are irrelevant information in a text

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Why are topic sentences important in a paragraph?

• Topic sentences introduce the main idea or point of the paragraph.

• Topic sentences confuse the reader.

• Topic sentences summarize the paragraph at the end.

• Topic sentences are irrelevant in paragraph writing.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Can a paragraph have more than one main idea?

• Sometimes

• Maybe

• No

• Yes

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How do supporting details help in understanding the main idea?

• Supporting details contradict the main idea

• Supporting details are irrelevant to the main idea

• Supporting details help in understanding the main idea by providing context, examples, evidence, and explanations that support and clarify the central point or argument.

• Supporting details distract from the main idea

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the purpose of a topic sentence?

• To confuse the reader with irrelevant information

• To summarize the paragraph at the end

• To introduce multiple unrelated ideas

• To introduce the main idea of a paragraph and provide a clear focus for the reader.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Why is it important to distinguish between the main idea and supporting details?

• It confuses the reader to differentiate between main idea and supporting details

• Main idea and supporting details are always the same

• It is important to distinguish between the main idea and supporting details to comprehend the key message and to differentiate between essential information and additional context.

• Distinguishing between main idea and supporting details is irrelevant

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How can you determine the topic of a paragraph?

• By counting the number of words in the paragraph

• By analyzing the font style used in the paragraph

• By identifying the main idea or central theme discussed throughout the paragraph.

• By looking at the page number where the paragraph is located

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What role do supporting details play in a paragraph?

• Supporting details play the role of introducing unrelated topics in a paragraph.

• Supporting details play the role of omitting key information in a paragraph.

• Supporting details play the role of contradicting the main idea in a paragraph.

• Supporting details play the role of reinforcing and expanding upon the main idea presented in a paragraph.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2