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A. Identifying the topic, main idea(s), and supporting details
Understanding the topic, the gist, or the larger conceptual
framework of a textbook chapter, an article, a paragraph, a sentence or
a passage is a sophisticated reading task. Being able to draw conclu-
sions, evaluate, and critically interpret articles or chapters is important
for overall comprehension in college reading. Textbook chapters, arti-
cles, paragraphs, sentences, or passages all have topics and main ideas.
The topic is the broad, general theme or message. It is what some call
the subject. The main idea is the «key concept» being expressed. De-
tails, major and minor, support the main idea by telling how, what,
when, where, why, how much, or how many. Locating the topic, main
idea, and supporting details helps you understand the point(s) the writer
is attempting to express. Identifying the relationship between these will
increase your comprehension.
1. Grasping the Main Idea:
A paragraph is a group of sentences related to a particular topic,
or central theme. Every paragraph has a key concept or main idea. The
main idea is the most important piece of information the author wants
you to know about the concept of that paragraph.
When authors write they have an idea in mind that they are try-
ing to get across. This is especially true as authors compose para-
graphs. An author organizes each paragraph's main idea and supporting
details in support of the topic or central theme, and each paragraph
supports the paragraph preceding it.
A writer will state his/her main idea explicitly somewhere in the
paragraph. That main idea may be stated at the beginning of the para-
graph, in the middle, or at the end. The sentence in which the main idea
is stated is the topic sentence of that paragraph.
The topic sentence announces the general theme (or portion of
the theme) to be dealt with in the paragraph. Although the topic sen-
tence may appear anywhere in the paragraph, it is usually first – and for
a very good reason. This sentence provides the focus for the writer
while writing and for the reader while reading. When you find the topic
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sentence, be sure to underline it so that it will stand out not only now,
but also later when you review.
2. Identifying the Topic:
The first thing you must be able to do to get at the main idea of a
paragraph is to identify the topic – the subject of the paragraph. Think
of the paragraph as a wheel with the topic being the hub – the central
core around which the whole wheel (or paragraph) spins. Your strategy
for topic identification is simply to ask yourself the question, «What is
this about?» Keep asking yourself that question as you read a para-
graph, until the answer to your question becomes clear. Sometimes you
can spot the topic by looking for a word or two that repeat. Usually you
can state the topic in a few words.
Let us try this topic-finding strategy. Reread the first paragraph
on this page – the first paragraph under the heading Grasping the
Main Idea. Ask yourself the question, «What is this paragraph about?»
To answer, say to yourself in your mind, «The author keeps talking
about paragraphs and the way they are designed. This must be the topic
– paragraph organization». Reread the second paragraph of the same
section. Ask yourself «What is this paragraph about?» Did you say to
yourself, «This paragraph is about different ways to organize a para-
graph?» That is the topic. Next, reread the third paragraph and see if
you can find the topic of the paragraph. How? Write the topic in the
margin next to this paragraph. Remember, getting the main idea of a
paragraph is crucial to reading.
The bulk of an expository paragraph is made up of supporting
sentences (major and minor details), which help to explain or prove the
main idea. These sentences present facts, reasons, examples, defini-
tions, comparison, contrasts, and other pertinent details. They are most
important because they sell the main idea.
The last sentence of a paragraph is likely to be a concluding sen-
tence. It is used to sum up a discussion, to emphasize a point, or to re-
state all or part of the topic sentence so as to bring the paragraph to a
close. The last sentence may also be a transitional sentence leading to
the next paragraph.
Of course, the paragraphs you'll be reading will be part of some
longer piece of writing – a textbook chapter, a section of a chapter, or a
II. SKILLS sentence, be sure to underline it so that it will stand out not only now,
but also later when you review.
A. Identifying the topic, main idea(s), and supporting details
2. Identifying the Topic:
Understanding the topic, the gist, or the larger conceptual The first thing you must be able to do to get at the main idea of a
framework of a textbook chapter, an article, a paragraph, a sentence or paragraph is to identify the topic – the subject of the paragraph. Think
a passage is a sophisticated reading task. Being able to draw conclu- of the paragraph as a wheel with the topic being the hub – the central
sions, evaluate, and critically interpret articles or chapters is important core around which the whole wheel (or paragraph) spins. Your strategy
for overall comprehension in college reading. Textbook chapters, arti- for topic identification is simply to ask yourself the question, «What is
cles, paragraphs, sentences, or passages all have topics and main ideas. this about?» Keep asking yourself that question as you read a para-
The topic is the broad, general theme or message. It is what some call graph, until the answer to your question becomes clear. Sometimes you
the subject. The main idea is the «key concept» being expressed. De- can spot the topic by looking for a word or two that repeat. Usually you
tails, major and minor, support the main idea by telling how, what, can state the topic in a few words.
when, where, why, how much, or how many. Locating the topic, main Let us try this topic-finding strategy. Reread the first paragraph
idea, and supporting details helps you understand the point(s) the writer on this page – the first paragraph under the heading Grasping the
is attempting to express. Identifying the relationship between these will Main Idea. Ask yourself the question, «What is this paragraph about?»
increase your comprehension. To answer, say to yourself in your mind, «The author keeps talking
about paragraphs and the way they are designed. This must be the topic
1. Grasping the Main Idea:
– paragraph organization». Reread the second paragraph of the same
A paragraph is a group of sentences related to a particular topic, section. Ask yourself «What is this paragraph about?» Did you say to
or central theme. Every paragraph has a key concept or main idea. The yourself, «This paragraph is about different ways to organize a para-
main idea is the most important piece of information the author wants graph?» That is the topic. Next, reread the third paragraph and see if
you to know about the concept of that paragraph. you can find the topic of the paragraph. How? Write the topic in the
When authors write they have an idea in mind that they are try- margin next to this paragraph. Remember, getting the main idea of a
ing to get across. This is especially true as authors compose para- paragraph is crucial to reading.
graphs. An author organizes each paragraph's main idea and supporting The bulk of an expository paragraph is made up of supporting
details in support of the topic or central theme, and each paragraph sentences (major and minor details), which help to explain or prove the
supports the paragraph preceding it. main idea. These sentences present facts, reasons, examples, defini-
A writer will state his/her main idea explicitly somewhere in the tions, comparison, contrasts, and other pertinent details. They are most
paragraph. That main idea may be stated at the beginning of the para- important because they sell the main idea.
graph, in the middle, or at the end. The sentence in which the main idea The last sentence of a paragraph is likely to be a concluding sen-
is stated is the topic sentence of that paragraph. tence. It is used to sum up a discussion, to emphasize a point, or to re-
The topic sentence announces the general theme (or portion of state all or part of the topic sentence so as to bring the paragraph to a
the theme) to be dealt with in the paragraph. Although the topic sen- close. The last sentence may also be a transitional sentence leading to
tence may appear anywhere in the paragraph, it is usually first – and for the next paragraph.
a very good reason. This sentence provides the focus for the writer Of course, the paragraphs you'll be reading will be part of some
while writing and for the reader while reading. When you find the topic longer piece of writing – a textbook chapter, a section of a chapter, or a
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