Main Idea Lets Review Good readers summarize As

Main Idea

Let’s Review

Good readers summarize. As they read, they pause to sum up the important ideas or events. This helps them remember the information. As you read a story, note the main events. After you read, ask yourself what the main events were and in what order they occurred.

Author’s Purpose The author’s purpose is the An author may have more than one purpose within a story. You will often or reasons the be author asked question about why an author includes has what he or she does. in a story. reason for writing An author may write to persuade, to inform, to entertain, or to express ideas and feelings.

Sequence • First Sequence means the order in which things happen. Event Second • Dates, times, Event and clue words such as Third first, then, next, and last can help you Event Fourth understand the order of events. Event • Sometimes two or more events happen at the same time. Words such as meanwhile and during can show this.

Story Structure in Fiction Then the conflict or problem is Story structure is is like a pattern confronted. This the climax thatofstories follow. a story. In the beginning, yououtcome have a Finally you have an problem or goal established. and the problem is resolved. Next, there is rising action that builds toward the climax.

Main Idea • The topic is what a paragraph, part of an article, or a whole article is about. • The most important thing the author has to say about the topic is the main idea. • The little pieces of information telling more about the main idea are the supporting details. Supporting Detail Main idea Supporting Detail

Think about the story statements. Decide which is a main idea and which is a supporting detail. • Giant sequoias are the world's largest trees and among the oldest trees on Earth. • These trees grow to be 300 feet tall and 40 feet around. Main Idea Supporting Detail

Main Idea • Giant sequoias are the world's largest trees and among the oldest trees on Earth. Supporting Detail • These trees grow to be 300 feet tall and 40 feet around.

Supporting Detail • It has incredible waterfalls, rock formations, and giant sequoia trees. Main Idea • Yosemite is known throughout the world for its amazing scenery.

Main Idea • Politicians have made efforts to protect the wilderness around Yosemite. Supporting Detail • President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant deeding land to California.

Supporting Detail • One of the sequoias is called Clothespin Tree while another is called Dead Giant. Main Idea • Many of the sequoias have nick-names.

Supporting Detail You can fish, wade, or raft. Main Idea • Active people find lots to do around the rivers and streams of Yosemite.

Remember that good readers can find the Main Idea, and it helps them to understand a story!