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Finding the Main IdeaMay 2009; g: ASC Eng/Read Finding the Main Idea Paragraph: A group of sentences organized around a topic, a main idea about thetopic, and details that support the main idea.Topic: The overall subject of a paragraph.Main Idea: A statement that tells the author’s point about the topic. The main ideaprovides the message of a given paragraph or the argument that is being made aboutthe topic.Details: The specific information about the main idea or support for the main idea. Main Idea = Topic + Author’s Point about the Topic How to Find the TopicAsk yourself the question:What or who is this paragraph about?How to Find the Main IdeaAsk yourself the question:What is the overall message or argument being made by the author aboutthe topic of this paragraph?How to Find Supporting DetailsTurn the main idea into a question by asking who, what, when, where, why, orhow? The answer will give a set of details.Hints✓ Boldfaced headings or titles may contain the topic and/or main idea✓ First and last sentences in the paragraph are usually helpful✓ Look for repeating words, these often indicate the topicRememberTopics, main ideas, and supporting details work together. The main idea tells theauthor’s point about the topic, and the details offer support for the main idea.
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Finding the Main IdeaMay 2009; g: ASC Eng/ReadFlorida is full of beautiful scenery, but the vegetation is exceptionally exquisite. Shoppingplazas, residential areas, and highway medians are often elaborately decorated with grand palm trees andtropical plants. Of the many types of vegetation found in Florida, one of the most majestic is the royal palm. Growing to nearly ninety feet tall, it towers over many shopping centers and hotels with splendor. Hibiscusplants, with their picturesque flowers, are a pleasing addition to any landscape. Adorned with pink, red, ororange flowers, the hibiscus sets a tropical scene to homes and businesses alike. Finally, the saw palmetto,though it has a harsh sounding name, works well as a buffer between roads and residences