Implied main idea

This presentation outlines strategies that readers can use when trying to identify an implied main idea in a piece of writing.

1. IMPLIED MAIN IDEA STRATEGIES FOR FINDING THE IMPLIED MAIN IDEA

2. WHAT IS AN IMPLIED MAIN IDEA? The main idea is the central point that is made in a piece of communication. The main idea is sometimes stated clearly. However, it can also be suggested through the details. In this case, it would be an implied main idea. Being able to identify an implied main idea is a worthwhile comprehension skill. There are some strategies that you can use to assist you in finding implied main ideas.

3. LOOK FOR PATTERNS The main idea is like the common thread that links the details together in a paragraph. You may be able to observe this commonality among the points if you look for patterns. Look for: Repetition Synonyms

4. LOOK FOR PATTERNS Example People around the world have become interested in yoga . Many practice it to improve their physical strength and flexibility. Others are intrigued by the mental health boost associated with it. Some simply enjoy it because it enhances their social life as there are many classes available now where people can attend and meet others. What patterns can we observe in this paragraph? Firstly, we see that all the sentences are about yoga . Yoga is therefore the topic. The words interested , intrigued and enjoy all refer to people’s attitude towards yoga and show that they feel positively towards it. The words improve , boost and enhance, which refer to yoga, are all synonyms for “to make better”. We can therefore infer that the main idea of the passage is that people like yoga because of its many benefits.

5. LOOK FOR TEXT STRUCTURE Text structure refers to how information in a text is organized. There are different types of text structure. Identifying the text structure can help you to understand the message the writer is sending. Try looking for signal words that indicate text structure. Types of Text Structures: Cause and Effect Comparison/Contrast Problem-Solution Sequence or Process Description

6. LOOK FOR TEXT STRUCTURE Example Many people are not always aware of the effects of this habit. Smoking can lead to diseases including lung cancer. As a result of second-hand smoking, the smoker’s friends and family can also contract the diseases. Another negative consequence of smoking is that it can lead to bad breath. This passage follows a cause and effect text structure. We can deduce this as the details inform us about the effects of smoking. Also, words like “effects”, “lead to” and “consequence” are words that signal a cause and effect relationship. Moreover, the transitional phrase “as a result” is meant to show cause and effect. Understanding that the passage shows us a cause and effect relationship helps us to infer that the main idea is that smoking causes many negative effects.

7. BREAK THE TEXT DOWN INTO ITS BUILDING BLOCKS OF MEANING It is possible to break down sentences and even longer passages into the following: The action (The verb of the sentence) The actor (The subject of the sentence) The circumstances (The situation and/or details surrounding the action and actor) Practicing this can help to give you a clearer mental picture of what is going on in the passage.

8. BREAK THE TEXT DOWN INTO ITS BUILDING BLOCKS OF MEANING Example Jesse Green was voted as the class valedictorian by the teachers and students. He speaks very well in public. Many thought that he would represent the class well because he participated in most school events. He scored the highest in the final examinations and smiles and chats with everyone in the year group. If we identify the verbs of the passage, we can see the majority refer to Jesse’s actions: “speaks”, “would represent”, “participated”, “scored”, “smiles and chats”. We can deduce from this that he is the subject of the paragraph. The number of verbs also shows that he has been a very active student. The circumstances mentioned in the passage are all positive e.g. he speaks well in public and scored the highest in his exams. We can infer that the main idea of the passage is that Jesse was chosen as the class valedictorian because of his positive actions.

9. ASK: WHAT IS THE TOPIC AND WHAT MESSAGE IS BEING SENT ABOUT THE TOPIC? A topic is what a paragraph is about. A main idea is the message that is sent in the paragraph about the topic. Asking ourselves what a paragraph is about and what message is being sent can help us to identify the main idea. What is the topic? What is the message being sent about the topic? Main Idea

10. ASK: WHAT IS THE TOPIC AND WHAT MESSAGE IS BEING SENT ABOUT THE TOPIC? Example The Christmas market is held every year in the month of December in Mayfair village. Craftsmen, farmers, bakers of the village all participate to sell their goods. Everyone in the village attends to shop for the season and thus, it is a chance for all to socialise. The market is definitely a Mayfair village occasion. What is the paragraph about? The Christmas market in Mayfair village. What message is being sent about the market? Let us examine all of the details in the passage to see what we learn about the market: The villagers sell at the market All the villagers attend and it is a chance to socialise -It is considered a village occasion From these details, we learn that the Christmas market is an event that the entire village participates in. This is the main idea.

11. TRY WRITING THE TOPIC SENTENCE YOURSELF When stated, the main idea is presented in a topic sentence in the paragraph itself. It is often found at the start of the paragraph, however not always. If the main idea is implied, then there will be no topic sentence. You can try to write one yourself to help yourself express the main idea. Try writing it while intending it to be the conclusion to the paragraph.

12. TRY WRITING THE TOPIC SENTENCE YOURSELF Example Baking soda and baking powder are sometimes confused as the same thing. Baking soda requires some form of acid and liquid in order to be activated in a recipe. However, baking powder contains acid, and so, only requires liquid for activation. The paragraph starts out telling us that baking soda and baking powder are sometimes confused for the same thing. Then, it states the differences between the two. The message that the paragraph seems to be trying to send is that they are two different products. If we were to end the paragraph with the sentence “Baking soda and baking powder are clearly, two different types of products” we get an idea of what could work as a topic sentence and therefore get our main idea.

13. SUMMARY The following strategies can be helpful when trying to find an implied main idea in a piece of writing: Look for patterns Look for text structure Break the text down into its building blocks of meaning Ask: What is the topic and what is the message being sent about the topic? Try writing the topic sentence yourself