Identifying the main idea
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The document discusses how to identify the main ideas in lectures and presentations. It explains that lectures typically have three parts: an introduction stating the overall thesis, a body presenting the main ideas and examples, and a conclusion summarizing the main points. Some keys to identifying main ideas are discourse markers used by the speaker, repetition of important words or phrases, a slower speaking pace on key points, and visual aids included in the presentation. The overall purpose is to help the listener understand the most important concepts the presenter wants them to remember.
Identifying the main idea
- 1. Listening for Main Idea What is the purpose of listening? We always have a purpose for listening. We may listen to the radio in the morning to decide whether to wear a coat or take an umbrella. We may listen to a song for pleasure. We listen in different ways based on our purpose. Having a purpose helps us listen more effectively. In most lectures, several main ideas are presented. These are the concepts the lecturer wants the audience to remember. Sometimes, the lecturer provides a general, or thesis, statement that includes all the concepts. When the lecture is well organized with a clear beginning, middle, and end, the main idea is easy to identify.
- 2. The Model Lecture Has Three Parts 1. Introduction Usually the general, or thesis, statement is included here. Sometimes the main ideas are mentioned, but not fully explained. 2. Body The main idea and examples are always presented here. 3. Conclusion Traditionally, this section contains a summary of all the main ideas. The general, or thesis, statement will be repeated, or it may be introduced here for the first time.
- 3. Keys to Identify Main Idea There are four keys to identifying main ideas in lectures and presentations: 1. a speaker may signal a main idea through discourse markers; that is, there are certain phrases that tell you a main idea is coming. Here are some examples: The point I want to make/cover here is... The main point is... The important thing here is... What I’m trying to show is... What I’m going to talk about today is... The purpose of my remarks is ... This afternoon I’d like to explain/focus on... Speakers often use rhetorical questions to signal main ideas, topics, and themes. These are questions that the speaker asks out loud, and that the speaker plans to answer in his/her presentation. In general, rhetorical questions will always be answered in the lecture or presentation. Therefore, rhetorical questions are important discourse markers to pay attention to.
- 4. 2. Repetition, or how many times a word or phrase is repeated. If something is repeated several times, it suggests importance. 3. Pace. Pace is the speed of speech. Unimportant points or small details are usually spoken more quickly. Important points, such as main ideas, are usually spoken more slowly and clearly. 4. A lecturer’s visual aids, such as outlines, lists or drawings, often provide obvious clues to a speaker’s main points. These visual aids should be taken advantage of.