Discovering the Main IdeaAll roads lead to . . .

What Is a Main Idea?

A main idea is the central idea of a selection. It can be stated or implied.

•A stated main idea is usually written out in a sentence or two.

• Example: Having a big brother can be a good thing.

•An implied main idea is suggested. It cannot be found in a specific sentence.

• Example: My older brother and I were riding bikes on the trails behind our house. I accidentally ran over a tree limb and was thrown from my bike, spraining my ankle. I thought my brother would laugh at me, but instead he was genuinely concerned as he helped me walk to our house.

How to Discover Implied Main Ideas

Step 1: Identify the important details in the selection.

Step 2: Think about the point that the important details make.

Step 3: Sum up this point, and write it in a sentence. Now

you have the main idea!

Discovering the Main Idea

Just remember . . .

All the important details in a selection will lead directly to the main idea.

Main Idea

Importantdetail

Importantdetail

Importantdetail

Importantdetail

Let’s Practice

The score is tied, and three seconds remain on the clock. If I make this free-throw shot, our team wins the game. As I walk to the line, I try to imagine myself in front of my basketball goal over the garage. Every night before dinner, I shoot free throws, making nine out of ten. “With those odds, I can make this shot,” I say to myself. I bounce the ball one last time, look up at the goal, and . . . SWOOSH!

Let’s Practice

shoots free throws every night

before dinner

“I can make this shot.”

SWOOSH!(makes the

winning shot)

free-throw shot wins the game

makes nine out of ten when practicing

Practicing a sport makes

you better at it.

On Your Own

When we arrived in New York City, our names changed almost immediately. At Immigration, the officer asked my father, Mister Elbures, if he had anything to declare. My father shook his head no, and we were waved through. I was too afraid we wouldn’t be let in if I corrected the man’s pronunciation, but I said our name to myself, opening my mouth wide for the organ blast of the a, trilling my tongue for the drumroll of the r; All-vah-rrr-es! How could anyone get Elbures out of that orchestra of sound?

from “Names/Nombres” by Julia Alvarez

“Names/Nombres” by Julia Alvarez. Copyright © 1985 by Julia Alvarez. First published in Nuestro, March 1985. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission of Susan Bergholz Literary Services.

The End