MAIN IDEAS, TOPIC SENTENCES, AND SUPPORTING DETAILS

is the central or most important idea in a text

• a complete sentence that states the topic and explains what an author wants to say about it

main idea

is a word or phrase that describes roughly what a text is about

topic of a text

ex of topic and main idea in this paragraph:

The immune system is the body’s defense mechanism. It fights off harmful bacteria, viruses, and substances that attack the body. To do this, it uses cells, tissues, and organs that work together to resist invasion.

topic of this paragraph is the immune system

main idea can be expressed in a sentence like this: “This paragraph defines and describes the immune system.”

• Ideas about organisms and substances that invade the body are not the central focus

ex of topic and main idea in persuasive paragraph:

Football is not a healthy activity for kids. It causes head injuries that harm the ability to learn and achieve. It causes painful bodily injuries that can linger into adulthood. It teaches aggressive behavioral habits that make life harder for players after they have left the field.

topic of this paragraph is youth football, and the main idea is that kids should not play the game.

• to state main idea in a persuasive text, be objective (describe authors opinion / not argument)

ex of implicit main idea

Daisy parked her car and sat gripping the wheel, not getting out. A few steps to the door. A couple of knocks. She could give him the news in two words. She’d already decided what she was going to do, so it didn’t matter what he said, not really. Still, she couldn’t make her feet carry her to the door.

main idea is Daisy feels reluctant to speak to someone. Not stated outright, but it is clear from the details of Daisy’s thoughts and actions

Many paragraphs identify the topic and main idea in a single sentence, often appears at the beginning of a paragraph but the writer can choose to place it anywhere in the text

topic sentence

develop the main idea, contribute further information, or provide examples

• must relate back to the main idea

supporting details