© 2008 Townsend Press Fourth Edition John Langan Fourth Edition John Langan T EN S TEPS TO B UILDING C OLLEGE R EADING S KILLS

© 2008 Townsend Press

Fourth Edition

John Langan

Fourth Edition

John Langan

TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS

TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS

Chapter Four: Main IdeasTHIS CHAPTER IN A NUTSHELL

• Recognizing a writer’s main idea, or point, is the most important reading skill.

• Learn to think as you read by asking yourself, “What is the writer’s point?”

• The main idea is a general idea supported by specific ideas and details.

• It may help to find the topic or general subject of a selection and to then ask yourself, “What point is the author making about the topic?”

• Certain “clue words” such as several reasons or a number of causes or three factors often signal a main idea.

• Certain other words such as first of all, second, also, and finally often follow a main idea.

WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA?

Recognizing the main idea, or point, is the

most important key to good comprehension.


To find the main idea, or point, in a reading selection, ask yourself:

“What is the main point the author is trying to make?”

WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA?Read this paragraph, asking yourself, “What is the author’s point?”

Poor grades in school can have various causes. For one thing, students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.

Which statement expresses the main idea of the passage?

A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.B. For one thing, students may have financial problems. C. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. D. Some students have never learned how to take good

notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook.


Which statement expresses the main idea of the passage?

A. Poor grades in school can have various causes.B. For one thing, students may have financial

problems. C. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study

habits. D.Some students have never learned how to take

good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or

how to study a textbook.

• A is broad enough to include all the specific causes mentioned in the other sentences.The words various causes are a clue that this sentence expresses the main idea.

• B and C each mention only one specific cause. Neither sentence is general enough to include all three causes listed in the paragraph.

• D lists three specific study problems. It does not cover the other material in the paragraph.

WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA?The Main Idea as an “Umbrella” Idea

• The main idea is the writer’s general point.

• The other material of the paragraph fits under the general point.

HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE A MAIN IDEA?

• To recognize the main idea of a passage, you must become an active reader.

1 Look for general versus specific ideas.

2 Use the topic to lead you to the main idea.

3 Use clue words to lead you to the main idea.

• Here are three active reading strategies:

Look for General versus Specific Ideas

In the list of words below, which item is the general idea?

A. fryingB. bakingC. cookingD.

steaming



In the list of words below, which item is the general idea?

A. fryingB. bakingC. cookingD.

steaming


Cooking is the general idea. Frying, baking, and steaming are all specific types of cooking.

Poor grades in school can have various causes. [general idea] For one thing, students may have financial problems. [specific idea] If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. [specific idea] A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. [specific idea] Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.

Look again at the paragraph on poor grades. Notice that the general idea is supported by specific ideas.



• The topic is the general subject of a reading selection.

• Knowing the topic can help you find the writer’s main point about that topic.

Use the Topic to Lead You to the Main Idea


To find the topic of a selection, ask yourself:

Who or what is the selection about?



After you find the topic, ask yourself:

What is the main point the author is making about the topic?

What is the topic of the paragraph above?A. dangersB. phobiasC. worry about elevators



Phobias are continuing fears of things that are not likely to be harmful. For example, some people have a phobia about elevators. They worry that if they enter an elevator, the cable will break and they will fall hundreds of feet to their death. While such an accident can happen, it is extremely rare. Another instance of a phobia is a fear of medical needles. Some people will refuse to receive an injection, even if they are seriously ill. They may faint if given a needle; so great is their fear they are about to die. Perhaps the most common phobia is fear of public speaking. Some people will not go to school or take jobs if they have to speak before a group. Their fear—that they will embarrass themselves and that people will pity or reject them—has little basis in reality. These and other phobias can usually be overcome, often fairly quickly, with the right direction and treatment.

What is the topic of the paragraph above?A. dangersB. phobiasC. worry about elevators




Which sentence states the main idea of the paragraph?




Which sentence states the main idea of the paragraph?




The first sentence states a general idea that sums up what the entire paragraph is about. It is an “umbrella” statement under which all the other material in the paragraph fits.

• Sometimes an author signals the main idea by including a list word or words.

• A list word tells you that a list of items will follow.

Find and Use Clue Words to Lead You to the Main Idea


• The words various causes suggest that a list of causes for poor grades will probably follow.

• These list words help you identify the main idea.



The main idea in the paragraph about poor grades was stated like this:

Poor grades in school can have various causes.

several kinds (or ways) several causes some factorsthree advantages five steps among the resultsvarious reasons a number of effects a series

List Words



Here are some common words that often introduce a main idea:

• Another type of clue word is the addition word.

• It is generally used right before a supporting detail.





Here are some common words that often introduce supporting details and help you discover the main idea:

one to begin with in addition lastfirst another next last of allfirst of all second moreover finalfor one thing also furthermore finally

Addition Words

Reread the paragraph on poor grades. As you do, pick out the addition words that alert you to supporting details. Also note the list words that suggest the main idea.



Poor grades in school can have various causes. For one thing, students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.

Each new supporting detail is introduced by an addition word. The list words various causes suggest the paragraph will list different causes of poor grades.



Poor grades in school can have various causes. [list words] For one thing [addition words], students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another [addition word] cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or a lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm schoolwork. A final [addition

word] cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.

CHAPTER REVIEW In this chapter, you learned the following: • Recognizing the main idea is the most important key to good

comprehension. The main idea is a general “umbrella” idea under which fits all the specific supporting material of the passage.

• Three strategies that will help you find the main idea are to 1) look for general versus specific ideas; 2) use the topic (the general subject of a selection) to lead you to the main idea; 3) use clue words to lead you to the main idea.

The next chapter—Chapter 4—will sharpen your understanding of the specific details that authors use to support and develop their main ideas.

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© 2008 Townsend Press Fourth Edition John Langan Fourth Edition John Langan T EN S TEPS TO B UILDING C OLLEGE R EADING S KILLS