Use key details to determine the main idea
key notes :
The main idea of a text is the key point that the author is trying to make. It is the idea you learn from all the parts of the text together.
Details are parts of a text that support, prove or show the main idea.
You can use the details in a text to figure out the main idea. The main idea should cover all the details, not just some of them.
Learn with an example
đ„Look at these details from a paragraph about the same topic:
- Birds live in nests, but squirrels also make nests to stay in.
- Fish make nests of bubbles, sand or plants.
- Bees build nests either above or below ground.
đ„Choose the main idea that ties all the details together.
- Squirrels create nests in holes found in tree trunks or high up in branches.
- Most animals build their nests in the summer.
- Nests are homes to more than just birds.
Look at these details:
Birds live in nests, but squirrels also make nests to stay in.
Fish make nests of bubbles, sand or plants.
Bees build nests either above or below ground.
All three details talk about the different animals that build nests. So, this is the main idea that ties the details together:
(â)Nests are homes to more than just birds.
These sentences do not tie all of the details together, so they do not show the main idea:
(â)Squirrels create nests in holes found in tree trunks or high up in branches.This sentence gives a new detail about the different animals that build nests.
(â)Most animals build their nests in the summer.This sentence talks about when nests are made. However, the details from the paragraph are only about the different animals that build nests.
đ„Look at these details from a paragraph about the same topic:
- When baking, people measure the amounts of ingredients.
- People measure how much medicine they need to take.
- To stay on time, people measure how long it will take them to complete a task.
đ„Choose the main idea that ties all the details together.
- In sports you might measure the distance to a goal.
- Measurement is an important part of everyday life.
- Temperature measurements are important when baking.
Look at these details:
When baking, people measure the amounts of ingredients.
People measure how much medicine they need to take.
To stay on time, people measure how long it will take them to complete a task.
All three details talk about how measurement is used every day. So, this is the main idea that ties the details together:
(â)Measurement is an important part of everyday life.
These sentences do not tie all of the details together, so they do not show the main idea:
(â)In sports you might measure the distance to a goal.This sentence gives a new detail about how measurement is used every day.
(â)Temperature measurements are important when baking.This sentence only talks about one of the details.
đ„Look at these details from a paragraph about the same topic:
- An ant can lift things up to fifty times its own weight.
- To prepare for winter, some ants collect extra food and store it for later.
- Most ants spend their lives gathering food, building colonies and protecting the queen ant.
đ„Choose the main idea that ties all the details together.
- Worker bees and ants work hard to protect their queen.
- Sometimes groups of ants move large objects.
- Ants are strong, hardworking insects.
Look at these details:
An ant can lift things up to fifty times its own weight.
To prepare for winter, some ants collect extra food and store it for later.
Most ants spend their lives gathering food, building colonies and protecting the queen ant.
All three details talk about how ants work and how strong they are. So, this is the main idea that ties the details together:
(â)Ants are strong, hardworking insects.
These sentences do not tie all of the details together, so they do not show the main idea:
(â)Worker bees and ants work hard to protect their queen.This sentence talks about worker bees and ants. However, the details from the paragraph are only about ants.
(â)Sometimes groups of ants move large objects. This sentence give
s a new detail about ants.
let’s practice!
Look at these details from a paragraph about the same topic:
- Park GĂŒell has beautiful views of the city of Barcelona.
- People enjoy the interesting shapes and bright colours of Park GĂŒell’s buildings.
- There are also lovely gardens and wooded areas in Park GĂŒell.