Chapter 4 Main Idea Bridging the Gap 9e

In This Chapter You Answer the Questions: ¬What is the difference between a topic and a main idea? ¬What are the strategies for finding stated and unstated main ideas? ¬What are the functions of major and minor supporting details? ¬What is a summary? © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

What is a Topic? ¬Similar to a title ¬General term, rather than specific ¬Unifies

Example of a Topic Vegetables (topic) Carrots Lettuce Onions (details) Potatoes © 2008 Pearson

What is a Main Idea? ¬Central message ¬Condenses thoughts & details into a general

Labels for Main Idea ¬Main point ¬Central point ¬Gist ¬Controlling idea ¬Central thought ¬Thesis

What are Supporting Details? ¬ Support, develop, & explain a main idea ¬ Details can include: – – – Reasons Incidents Facts Examples Steps Definitions © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Major & Minor Details Major Main ideas Support Explain Describe [supports the main idea] Minor Major Details Support Explain Describe [supports the major details] © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Reader’s Tip: Signals for Significance ¬ Key words for major details: – – – One First Another Furthermore Also Finally ¬ Key words for minor details: – – For example To be specific That is This means © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Prior Knowledge and Constructing the Main Idea Familiar with Subject Unfamiliar with Subject ¬ Main idea is effortless ¬ Unfamiliar words ¬ Main idea is automatic ¬ Confusing ¬ No information ¬ Unable to make overload predictions © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

“Informed” Expert Readers ¬ Strategy 1 – Preview before reading – Predict or guess main idea – Read for corroboration ¬ Strategy 2 – Pause to summarize or reduce information – Stop at natural breaks in the material to reflect © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

“Uninformed” Expert Readers ¬ Strategy 1 – Read the material – Determine the topic – Create a main idea statement ¬ Strategy 2 - Read the material - Review for key terms & concepts - Create main idea statement ¬ Strategy 3 – Read the material – Propose a main idea statement – Double-check and revise the main idea statement © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Main Idea in Longer Passages ¬For Familiar Material – Determine the topic. – Identify key terms. – Find the main idea. ¬For Unfamiliar Material – Identify key terms. – Determine the topic. – Find the main idea. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Reader’s Tip: 1. 2. 3. Using Questions to Find the Main Idea Determine the topic. Who or what is this reading about? Identify details. What are the major supporting details? Find the main idea. What is the message the author is trying to convey about the topic? © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Stated Main Ideas ¬The main point is directly stated. ¬It provides overview of material. ¬It is called a topic sentence or thesis statement. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Location of Stated Main Ideas 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. An introductory statement of the main idea is given at the beginning of the paragraph. A concluding statement of the main idea appears at the end of the paragraph. Details are placed at the beginning to arouse interest, followed by a statement of main idea in the middle of the paragraph. Both the introductory & concluding sentences state the main idea. Details combine to make a point, but the main idea is not directly stated. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Unstated Main Ideas ¬Details combine to make a point, but the main idea is not directly stated. ¬The main idea is hinted at or implied. ¬This happens often in narrative, media, movies, and photographs. What is implied by this image? © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Getting the Main Idea of a Longer Selection Reader’s Tip: ¬ Think about the title. ¬ Read the first paragraph or two to find a statement of the topic of thesis. ¬ Read the subheadings and glance at the first sentences of some of the paragraphs. ¬ Look for clues that indicate how the material is organized. ¬ As you read, organize the paragraphs into subsections. ¬ Determine how the overall organization and subsections relate to the whole. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Summary Writing: A Main Idea Skill ¬A summary is a series of brief, concise statements, in your own words, of the main idea and the significant supporting details. ¬The first sentence should state the main idea or thesis. ¬Minor details should be omitted. ¬It should be in a paragraph form. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Why Summarize? ¬For textbook study ¬Useful in anticipating answers for essay exam questions ¬For

Reader’s Tip: How to Summarize ¬ Keep in mind the purpose of your summary. ¬ Decide on the main idea the author is trying to convey. ¬ Decide on the major ideas and details that support the author’s point. ¬ Do not include irrelevant or repeated information. ¬ Use appropriate transitional words and phrases. ¬ Use paragraph form. ¬ Do not add your personal opinion. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Summary Points ¬What is the difference between a topic and a main idea? ¬What are the strategies for finding stated and unstated main ideas? ¬What are the functions of major and minor supporting details? ¬What is a summary? © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Concept Prep for Psychology ¬What is classical conditioning? ¬What is behaviorism? ¬What is operant conditioning? ¬Who was B. F. Skinner? Read about these concepts in psychology on page 206 of your textbook. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers

Concept Prep for Literature ¬Literature is the art form of language. ¬Its purpose is to entertain, explore the human condition, and reveal universal truths through shared experiences. ¬Its genres include: essays, fiction, poetry, and drama. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. , Publishing as Longman Publishers