Main Idea and Details

What is the difference between main idea and details?

• Main idea show you the key points in the text. The supporting details fill in the space to make the story interesting.

• Main idea is evidence given in the story. Supporting details are the key points in the text.

• Main idea is the same as theme. Supporting details are usually related to the story.

• Main ideas show you the key points in the text. The supporting details give evidence to support the main idea.

Which sentence gives you the best clue about the main idea of this paragraph?

• Insects are called "bugs" because they bother people.

• Some bugs are very helpful to farmers and other people.

• Some farmers buy ladybugs for their farms.

• Another bug that helps people is the honeybee.

Which sentence best describes the main idea of this paragraph?

• The surface of the moon is dusty.

• The Apollo rocket circled the moon.

• Armstrong became the first man on the moon in 1969.

• The world likes to watch astronauts on television.

Which sentence best describes the main idea of this paragraph?

• You might not know what a mascot is.

• Tony the Tiger is a mascot that sells cereal.

• There can be mascots for products, schools and sports teams.

• Some schools don't have mascots.

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

• A main idea is the topic of a text, while a detail is information that supports the main idea.

• A main idea can be found in the conclusion only.

• Details are more important than the main idea.

• There is no difference; they mean the same thing.

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!
What is the main idea?

• Sometimes people feel sad.

• You should do good things for others.

• We're not always happy.

• There are many ways to make yourself feel better. 

Identify the main idea in the following sentence: "Dinosaurs lived millions of years ago and varied greatly in size and shape."

• Dinosaurs are extinct.

• Dinosaurs lived millions of years ago.

• Dinosaurs varied greatly in size and shape.

• Dinosaurs lived millions of years ago and varied greatly in size and shape.

What is the best question to ask yourself when you are trying to find the main idea?

• Who is the main character?

• What is the main event?

• What is one important detail?

• What point is the author trying to make?

Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. That's why they use pictures. The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way.
Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?

• Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is

• Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way

• Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short

• They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area

What is the main idea of a paragraph that describes how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly?

• Caterpillars eat a lot of leaves.

• The process of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly is called metamorphosis.

• Butterflies can fly.

• Caterpillars are small.