How to Recognize Main Ideas

Main ideas usually answer these questions:

What is being discussed (the topic)?

• Look for the subject noun in the first sentence in a paragraph.
• Look for the subject noun in the last sentence in a paragraph.
• Look/listen for words that are repeated.
• Look/listen for definitions (Key terms are often defined).
• Look/listen for the one thing that everything written/discussed helps explain.

How does it (the topic) work or what does it do?

• Look/listen for processes
  • A process can be a series of actions.
  • A process can be a series of changes.
  • A process can be a series of events.
• Look/listen for sentences/comments that point to outcomes or results.

Why is it (the topic) important?

• Look/listen for statements about cause and effect.
• Look/listen for statements that talk about relevance.
  • Things that are relevant have value.
  • Things that are relevant serve a purpose.
  • Things that are relevant are useful.
  • Things that are relevant call for action or change.
• Look/listen for statements that call for judgements or decisions.

How do all the parts fit together?

• Cause/effect--Look/listen for these words: because, result, outcome, consequence, so (so that), cause, effect, leads, follows, prevents, provides
• Comparison/contrast--Look/listen for these words: like, as, similar, analogy, metaphor, different, compare, contrast, opposite, same, degree
• Process--Look/listen for these words: number words like first, second; finally, next, process, procedure, operation, formula, leads, follows
• Subordination/classification/division--Look/listen for these: lists, general statements followed by specific examples, characteristics, features, parts