Key ideas · Topic 1 of 8

Main Idea

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Reading · key ideas

The main idea is the author's point about the topic. Say it in one sentence, then choose the answer that covers every detail.

01 · What it isMain idea = the author's point about the topic

02 · Don't confuseTopic = subject; main idea = the point

03 · The strategyCovers every detail — no more, no less

Main idea = the author's central point about the topic must know

Stated main idea: one sentence says it (topic sentence or thesis)

Implied main idea: no sentence says it — add up what the details share

Step 1: name the topic — who or what is it about? Check repeated words

Step 2: say the point in one sentence of your own, then match it

Step 3: check the opening and closing sentences — the point often sits there

Step 4: test the size — it must cover every detail, and nothing more

Clue words: mostly about, central point, focus, best title

Paragraph or passage? The passage's main idea links every paragraph

Laptops, telescopes, seeds… → main idea: the library lends far more than books

✗ "Libraries help people" (too broad) · ✗ "It lends seeds" (too narrow)

Forecast, water, map, trail plan → implied: Dev prepares carefully

Topic = the subject (a phrase); main idea = the point (a sentence) must know

Commonly confused

	Topic	Main idea
Form	A word or short phrase	A complete sentence
Answers	Who or what is it about?	What does the author say about it?
Library example	Library services	The library lends far more than books
As an answer choice	Wrong: the "topic only" trap	The right answer

Too narrow: one true detail posing as the main idea

Too broad: a true, general claim the passage never covers

Topic only: names the subject but makes no point about it

Show 4 more facts

The main idea can come first, last, at both ends, or mid-paragraph

Thesis = the whole text's point; topic sentences = each paragraph's

Stories usually imply their central idea (the theme) instead of stating it

News writing states its main idea at the very start

Pearl

The topic answers "what is it about?"; the main idea answers "what does the author say about it?"

Practice this topic, then test the whole section.

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