answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The main idea of a passage is the central point or main argument that the author is trying to convey. To find the main idea of a passage, you can try the following strategies:

Look for the topic sentence: The topic sentence is usually the first or last sentence of a paragraph and it summarizes the main idea of the paragraph.

Identify the supporting details: The main idea of a passage is often supported by specific details, examples, or evidence. Look for these supporting details and try to identify how they relate to the main idea.

Look for key words or phrases: Pay attention to key words or phrases that repeat throughout the passage. These may be clues to the main idea.

Consider the purpose of the passage: Think about why the author wrote the passage and what they were trying to accomplish. This can help to give you a sense of the main idea.

Summarize the passage in your own words: Try to rewrite the passage in your own words and see if you can capture the main idea.

By using these strategies, you should be able to identify the main idea of a passage.

User Avatar

MSK YOGA

Lvl 3
1y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

I'm trying to find an answer to this question as well, but this is what I have come up with:

  1. Notice text features (title, bold print, capitalized words, etc.)
  2. Read the text.
  3. Find the topic sentence. (Or Find the key words in the topic sentence).

I hope that helps, but I am also looking for this so I can teach my students a 3 step way of thinking about the main idea.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

The topic sentence, thesis statement, or main idea of any paragraph is usually the first sentence or the last sentence of the paragraph. It is the one that all of the other sentences are about.

One trick some people use is to mentally change each sentence into a question - the topic sentence or main idea will be the one that all the other sentences "answer."

More from our Wiki Contributors:
  • we can easily identity the main idea in the paragraph by looking for the most important details or most important word that is not familiar to you.

  • the main idea of a piece of writing is the central point the author tries to make.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Here are some strategies:

  • Pick what you think is the main idea and change it into a question. Does the essay or reading answer that question? If it does, that's the right main idea. If not, that's not it!
  • There will usually be one idea or point that the paragraph or essay repeats or paraphrases several different ways. That's going to be the main idea.
  • In a textbook or other educational book, main ideas are usually highlighted in some way, such as bold print or turning them into headings.
  • Summarize. Read the essay or paragraph and summarize what you've read into one sentence. That's the main idea -- just look for a sentence that states basically what you've just summarized.
This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

You need to read through the passage and find the topic. Once you find the topic, you've found the main idea. ;)

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

To find the main idea of an essay or story, you must first read it. You should be able to figure it out.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

The main idea of a paragraph is usually stated in its first sentence, and may have previously been listed as a main point of the essay or document.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

A main idea is usually stated in the beginning of the subject matter and is built upon throughout the rest.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

look in the first middle and last sentence of what your reading.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

by reading the passage

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What are the 3 steps to finding the main idea?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is the 3 main challenges in life?

1. Finding what you are good at 2. Finding what you enjoy 3. Finding them before you die.


How many syllables for main idea?

3


What are the steps for finding the prime numbers of 42?

The prime factors of 42 are 2, 3 and 7


What steps did minorities take to combat social problem and discrimination?

Well the minorities took 3 main steps 1:Violence 2:sex violence 3.Red ribbon(Google it) Sloution Those are the main


Why is eating to much saturated fat dangerous?

i have no idea... :) good luck finding the answer.. <3


What are the steps for finding 1 plus the square root of 9?

the square root of 9 is 3 so 1 +3 = 4


How do you figure out what number someone is thinking of in 3 steps?

finding out a number in 3 steps is pretty impossible if you dont have maximums or minimums. but asking if it is odd or even can narrow your search down alot.


What does main idea ans details mean?

Main Idea and details is a short statement about what the story/paragraph is about. Simpily it has 3-2 facts in it


What are the 3 main steps in the cell cycle?

1.Interphase2. Mitosis3. Cytokinesis


What is the meaning of main idea?

A main idea is the overall idea in a story also known as the gist. You can determine this by reading a story, and in your own words, tell what it was mainly about. usually this is 2-3 sentences.


Questions should you ask yourself in order to find the main idea of a passage?

Any passage, no matter the size, has a main idea. Finding it can be as easy as looking to the first sentence of the passage. In most higher-level texts, however, finding the "main idea" can be much more difficult than this. The questions you should ask yourself should be asked after three full readings of the passage. These are the questions I ask myself: 1. Why did the author write this? What is their personal attachment to this topic? 2. What is the focus of the passage? Is it a character? A place? 3. Is there action in the passage? Does the character do something or does something happen at the place? 4. What is the context of this passage? What is going on in both the writing and the author's life that corresponds to this piece. These four questions will almost always give you a deep understanding of the passage. Combine them and it will give you a simple sentence that is the main idea.


What does the water cycle have on the water cycle and why?

the water cycle have 3 main steps but there is really 7 steps. evaporation, condensation, accumulation, ground water, run off, transiration.