Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
topic and main idea identification - Coggle Diagram
topic and main idea identification
understanding the topic
how to find the topic
look for repeated words or phrases
understand the scope
check the first sentence
why its a game changer
eleiminate wrong answers
find the right answer
Strategies for Finding the Main Idea
Hunt in Key Locations & Look for Signposts
Punctuation Clues
Transition Words:
Point Indicators
Summarize in Your Own Shorthand
Master the "Old Idea vs. New Idea" Template
Signals for the "Old Idea"
Some/Many people believe...
It is commonly thought that...
In the past/For decades...
Traditionally...
Signals for the "New Idea"
However, But, In fact...
In reality...
New research shows...
It now seems clear that...
understanding the main idea
the golden formula
Topic + "So What?" = Main Point
Mental Model: The Detective
Think of finding the main idea like you're a detective solving a case.
how to eliminate wrong answer
Too Broad
Goes beyond the passage's scope.
Too narrow
Is just a supporting detail.
Off-topic
Brings in a new, unrelated idea.
Twisted facst
Contradicts the passage.
Adapting for Fiction and Poetry
Fiction Passages
trait or quality of a character or place.
Poetry Passages
strictly supported by the specific wording in the poem
The Proof: Finding Supporting Details
Mental Model: The Lawyer
Supporting Details
How to Find Supporting Details:
Look for information that directly explains the main idea.
These details are often found in the middle of the paragraph.
Look for signal words like for example, for instance, or because.
Why This All Matters
Efficiency
Answering Other Questions
Text Completions: The logical conclusion must align with the main point.
Support/Undermine: You can't support or weaken a claim if you don't know what it is.
Graphics: The data in the graph will almost always relate to the main point being made in the text
Purpose Questions: The author's purpose (e.g., to explain, to describe) is directly tied to their main point.