TEN STEPS CH4

sometimes the main idea is implied,

only suggested by the supporting details and not clearly stated in one sentence. The reader must figure out such an implied main idea by considering the supporting details.

In this cartoon, you can figure out the implied main idea by noting the details.

The clearly implied idea is that that he has already broken up with her!

Sometimes a selection lacks a sentence that directly states the main idea. In such cases, the author has simply decided to let

the details of the selection suggest the main idea. You must figure out what that implied idea is by deciding upon the point all the details support.

To decide on the main idea, we must ask the same three questions we’ve already used to find main ideas:

“Who or what is this paragraph about?” “What is the main point the author is trying to make about that topic?” And when we think we know the main point, we can test it by asking, “Does all or most of the material in the paragraph support this idea?”

Read this selection, asking yourself, “Who or what is the paragraph about?” “Slashing their swords wildly, swordfish swim through schools of fish, trying to slice as many as possible; then they feast. When hooked by fishermen, they have been known to fight nonstop for three or four hours. They have pulled some fishermen to their deaths, and if they are not clubbed senseless when captured, they will slash fishermen on deck. A puncture wound made by a swordfish bill means a severe and nearly instantaneous infection. Their sword, which is a bony extension of the upper jaw, is deadly sharp on the sides and can grow to a length of four or five feet. It is a weapon backed up by five hundred pounds of sleek, muscular fish. Swordfish have even been known to attack boats, driving their swords right through the hull and at times sinking them.”

All of the details are about swordfish, so that must be the topic.

Ask yourself, “What is the main point the author is trying to make about swordfish?” Which statement expresses the general point that the author is trying to make about the topic?

Swordfish are aggressive, dangerous fish.

Remember, to find implied main ideas, it often helps to decide on the topic first. Do so by

asking yourself, “Who or what is the selection about?” After you find the topic, then ask yourself, “What is the author’s main point about the topic?”

What is the topic of this paragraph? “All writers get bogged down now and then. Accept the fact that sooner or later writer’s block will happen to you. When it does, one response is to try to write something—no matter how awkward or imprecise it may seem. Just jot a reminder to yourself in the margin (“Fix this,” “Redo,” or “Ugh!”) to fine-tune the section later. Another way to deal with a writing snag is leave a blank space—a spot for the right words when they finally come to mind at a later time. Then move on to an easier section, see if you can write that, and then return to the challenging part. It may also help to reread—to yourself or out loud—what you’ve already written. Regaining a sense of the large context may be enough to overcome writer’s block. You might also try talking your way through a troublesome section. Like most people, you probably speak more easily than you write; by speaking aloud, you tap this oral fluency and put it to work in your writing.”

Writer’s block

Which statement best expresses the unstated main idea of the paragraph from the previous question?

There are various ways to deal with writer’s block.

In the previous paragraphs in this chapter, you have been asked to choose the implied main idea from a list of statements. In general, however, when you read you will

often have to infer, figure out on your own, an author’s unstated main idea.

To help you identify the topic and the main idea, remember these strategies you saw in Chapter 2:

Look for repeated words as you read. Try to mark major supporting details. Major details are often signaled by such common addition words as the following: first of all, secondly, another, finally.

Can you determine the topic of this paragraph? “Nonverbal messages are more emotionally powerful than verbal ones. Nonverbal behaviors tell people about our emotional state. When we want to convey how we feel about someone, language often fails us. Nonverbal messages are also more universal than verbal ones. Members of different linguistic groups must spend a lot of time and effort to learn each other’s verbal codes, but they can communicate instantly by smiling or wrinkling their faces in disgust. Some researchers have shown a number of emotions to be expressed in the same way by members of different cultural groups. Last, nonverbal messages are more continuous and natural than spoken language. Because gestures and body movements flow into one another without obvious beginnings and endings, they seem to be a more natural part of our existence than words.”

nonverbal messages or nonverbal behaviors

There are three major details in the last paragraph, what are they. “1. Nonverbal messages are more emotionally powerful than verbal ones. 2. Nonverbal behaviors tell people about our emotional state. 3. When we want to convey how we feel about someone, language often fails us. 4. Nonverbal messages are also more universal than verbal ones. 5. Members of different linguistic groups must spend a lot of time and effort to learn each other’s verbal codes, but they can communicate instantly by smiling or wrinkling their faces in disgust. 6. Some researchers have shown a number of emotions to be expressed in the same way by members of different cultural groups. 7. Last, nonverbal messages are more continuous and natural than spoken language. 8. Because gestures and body movements flow into one another without obvious beginnings and endings, they seem to be a more natural part of our existence than words.”

sentences 1, 4, 7

Which statement best expresses the unstated main idea of the paragraph? “Nonverbal messages are more emotionally powerful than verbal ones. Nonverbal behaviors tell people about our emotional state. When we want to convey how we feel about someone, language often fails us. Nonverbal messages are also more universal than verbal ones. Members of different linguistic groups must spend a lot of time and effort to learn each other’s verbal codes, but they can communicate instantly by smiling or wrinkling their faces in disgust. Some researchers have shown a number of emotions to be expressed in the same way by members of different cultural groups. Last, nonverbal messages are more continuous and natural than spoken language. Because gestures and body movements flow into one another without obvious beginnings and endings, they seem to be a more natural part of our existence than words.”

Nonverbal messages have several advantages over verbal ones.

More often than not, authors of essays, articles, and textbook selections will state their central points or ideas in much the same way as they state their main ideas in a single paragraph. Occasionally, however, the central point will be implied rather than stated directly. In this case,

you have to infer an author’s unstated central point. The implied central idea that you come up with should cover all or most of the details in the passage.

To decide on the implied central idea, we must ask

the same three questions we’ve already used to find main ideas.

which of the following is true about facts?

they are claims that can be proven

which of the following is true about opinions?

they are personal beliefs that are not provable

identifying the authors purpose and tone

can tell you whether you are reading a fact or an opinion

choose the statement that is a fact

a distract attorney assists police departments in investigation and prosecutes criminal charges.

1. The death penalty in the U.S. should be abolished on a two grounds. 2. First, it is known to be racially biased. 3.Amnesty International reports that since 1977 the majority of those on death row are there for killing white Americans when African-Americans make up roughly half of all murder victims. 4. Second, the death penalty has claimed the lives of many innocent people. 5. The Innocent Project, a litigation and public policy organization dedicated to freeing those who are wrongly convicted, estimates that since 1986 more than 250 people have been exonerated of various crimes through DNA evidence. 6. The time has come to end the death penalty. 7. Aside from its unfairness, it is a waste of tax-payer dollars.

which sentences of the above passage offer factual support to an offered opinion.

sentences 3 and 5

1. The death penalty in the U.S. should be abolished on a two grounds. 2. First, it is known to be racially biased. 3.Amnesty International reports that since 1977 the majority of those on death row are there for killing white Americans when African-Americans make up roughly half of all murder victims. 4. Second, the death penalty has claimed the lives of many innocent people. 5. The Innocent Project, a litigation and public policy organization dedicated to freeing those who are wrongly convicted, estimates that since 1986 more than 250 people have been exonerated of various crimes through DNA evidence. 6. The time has come to end the death penalty. 7. Aside from its unfairness, it is a waste of tax-payer dollars.

which sentence of the above passage is an offered opinion with no factual support to back it up.

sentences 7

Passage 1

The U.S. Constitution does require due process when processing a criminal justice case. However, I do not believe that due process is granted in most criminal proceedings. We have had too many examples where defendants were denied rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution to believe that due process really exists. I urge the federal government to implement stricter oversight of due process to ensure than people’s rights are not violated.

Passage 2

The U.S. Constitution requires that criminal justice case processing be conducted with fairness and equity; this requirement is referred to as due process. Simply put, due process means procedural fairness. It recognizes the individual rights of criminal defendants facing prosecution by a state or the federal government. Under the due process standard, rights violations may become the basis for the dismissal of evidence or of criminal charges, especially at the appellate level.

how does the authors purpose and tone differ from passage 1 to passage 2?

passage 1 is persuasive and cynical, and passage 2 is informative and straightforward.

1. The U.S. Criminal Justice System is known for its fairness and equal application of the law 2. The U.S. Criminal Justice System presumes a defendant is innocent until proven guilty.

which statement is a fact?

#2

1. It is important to abolish the death penalty because it violate civil rights 2. There are 34 states in the U.S. that still have the death penalty as of 2011.

which statement is an opinion?

#1