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Finding the Main Idea - Coggle Diagram

- - - - What does the author want me to know about the topic?” or “What is the author teaching me?”
    - - An implied main idea requires you to look at the specific statements in the paragraph and consider what idea they suggest.
- - - - Read the first and last sentences of the paragraph. 2. Pay attention to any idea that is repeated in different ways.
      - Look for a sentence that states the main idea. This is the stated main idea or topic sentence.
      - Look for reversal transitions at the beginning of sentences.
      - At times the main idea will not be stated directly.
      - Once you feel sure that you have found the main idea, test it.
- - - - • Find the topic first. Ask: “What is this paragraph about?” In Paragraph 1, the first sentence asks, “What is motion?” The general topic is motion.
      - • Ask yourself. “What does the author want me to know about the topic?” What does the author want me to know about motion?
      - • Read the first and last sentences of the paragraph. The last sentence appears to answer the question “What is motion?” Does this mean that sentence is the stated main idea? Perhaps.
  - - - • Look for reversal transitions at the beginning of sentences. In Paragraph 2, the second sentence begins with “But” and signals that the author is modifying the previous idea.
  - - - At times the main idea will not be stated directly. This is called an implied main idea.
        • Identify the topic. The first sentence in Paragraph 3 introduces “United States of America” as suggesting “unity and division.” A preview of the paragraph shows “state,” “unity,” and “country” repeated throughout. My general topic is state unity.
        
        • Implied Main Idea: Early in the history of the United States, many Americans were more devoted to their own home states than the idea of a common country.