Chapter 4 Revised
- 2. Let’s Review: The Main Idea… 1. Answers the question: “What is the point the author is trying to make about the topic? 1. Functions as the umbrella of the paragraph/text 2. May be anywhere in the paragraph, but typically it is the beginning 3. Is supported by “pillars” or supporting details
- 3. Let’s Review: Supporting Details… Are the reasons, examples, facts, steps of other kinds of evidence that explain and support the main idea Appear as two types: major and minor details Can be identified by transitions like list words and transition words
- 4. STOP: Make an outline Take out a half sheet of paper Recall what you learned in Chapter 3 about outlines Draw out an outline that labels the main idea, the major details, and minor details Include transition words See what it would look like on the next page!
- 5. Here’s what your outline should look like… I. Main Idea 1. Major Supporting Detail (First…) 1. Minor Supporting Detail (for example…) 2. Minor Supporting Detail (Similarly, also,…) 2. Major Supporting Detail (Next, Second,…) 1. Minor Supporting Detail (for instance) 2. Minor Supporting Detail (In addition, moreover…) 3. Major Supporting Detail (Third, Finally…) 1. Minor Supporting Detail 2. Minor Supporting Detail
- 6. The Main Idea: Sneaky Business As you learned in Chapter 2, the main idea is stated, usually at the beginning of a text, right? News flash: it can also be “hidden” or what we call implied.
- 7. Implied Main Ideas When something is not said outright or stated, it is suggested or implied. An implied main idea is the overall point the author is trying to make, but it is only suggested by the supporting details and not clearly stated in one sentence. You have to figure it out in your own words.
- 8. I. ??????????????? 1. Major Supporting Detail (First…) 1. Minor Supporting Detail (for example…) 2. Minor Supporting Detail (Similarly, also,…) 2. Major Supporting Detail (Next, Second,…) 1. Minor Supporting Detail (for instance) 2. Minor Supporting Detail (In addition, moreover…) 3. Major Supporting Detail (Third, Finally…) 1. Minor Supporting Detail 2. Minor Supporting Detail
- 9. If the main idea is implied, ask yourself: What is the main point the author is trying to make about the topic? The sentence you come up with in your own words will be the implied main idea.
- 10. What is the main point the author is trying to make about the topic?
- 11. What is the main point the author is trying to make about that topic? • The man’s coworkers are complaining that he doesn’t leave coffee for anyone else. • He has such a caffeine high that he is flying! ANSWER IN YOUR OWN WORDS: That he is drinking too much coffee.
- 12. All people are concerned about a few great questions: the existence of God, the purpose of life, the existence of an afterlife, and morality. About the first, science has nothing to say: no test tube has either proved or disproved God’s existence. As to the purpose of life, although science can provide a definition of life and describe the characteristics of living organisms, it has nothing to say about ultimate purpose. Regarding an afterlife, science can offer no information, for it has no tests that it can use to detect a “hereafter.” As for the question of morality, science can demonstrate the consequences of behavior but not the moral superiority of one action compared with another. Science cannot even prove that loving your family and neighbor is superior to hurting and killing them. Read the following paragraph on page 146 and see if you can figure out its main idea.
- 13. Now ask yourself… What is the main point the author is trying to make about that topic?
- 14. Who or what is this paragraph about? In the paragraph, all the details are about science and great human concerns, so that must be the topic. What is the main point the author is trying to make about that topic? Science alone cannot tell us about the four main concerns that all people have. Do all or most of the material in the paragraph support this main idea? Yes. Every sentence is about the “great questions” people are concerned about and the lack of information science provides about them.
- 15. Imply vs. Infer When we speak or write, we can imply or make a hint But when we read, we have to infer or make an educated guess To infer means to make a conclusion based on your prior knowledge and evidence collected from the text Take a look at page 152 in your book
- 16. Imply vs. Infer: the difference explained Think of it like throwing vs. catching: To imply is to hint or suggest (the throwing) To infer is to make an educated guess (the catching) When you are reading, you are inferring. When you are writing, you are implying.
- 17. Inferring in a longer passage In longer works, you will most often have to figure out the implied main idea This is known as the thesis or central point It is a sentence that you will create using your own words Once you have created that thesis, you must make sure that most or all of the material supports that thesis Read the longer passage on 155 and then ask yourself the 3 hint questions to find the implied main idea
- 18. TEST YOURSELF 1. What is the difference between a stated main idea and an implied main idea? 2. What question can you ask yourself when trying to find the main idea? 3. What does it mean to infer? To imply? 4. How should you determine the implied main idea of a longer work?