How To Define The Main Idea

Name : Utari Apriliyani Dumbela
Class : B
NIM : 321418050
“Reading For General Communication”
 Topic
Topic is a subject of a conversation or something that will become the basis for
writing an article. Topics are the main core of all the contents of the writing that are intended
to be conveyed or better known as the topic of conversation. Topic is the first thing that is
determined when the writer will write. The topic that is still early, then developed by making
coverage narrower or wider. [2] There are several criteria for a topic that is said to be good,
including the topic must include the entire contents of the writing, which is able to answer the
question of what problems to write. [1] The main feature of the topic is its scope of a problem
that is of a general nature and is not described in more detail. Ordinary topics consist of one
short two or two words, and have similarities and differences to the theme of the essay. The
equation is both the topic and both themes can be used as the title of the essay. Whereas, the
difference is that the topic still contains general things, while the theme will be more specific
and more focused in discussing a problem.
Terms of a topic:
1. The chosen topic must attract attention,
2. Can be useful for writers and readers,
3. The topic chosen must have clear or real reference sources, etc.
 How to Define the Main Idea
The main idea of a paragraph is the primary point or concept that the author wants to
communicate to the readers about the topic. Hence, in a paragraph, when the main idea is
stated directly, it is expressed in what is called the topic sentence. It gives the overarching
idea of what the paragraph is about and is supported by the details in subsequent sentences in
the paragraph. In a multi-paragraph article, the main idea is expressed in the thesis statement,
which is then supported by individual smaller points. Think of the main idea as a brief but all-
encompassing summary. It covers everything the paragraph talks about in a general way, but
does not include the specifics. Those details will come in later sentences or paragraphs and
add nuance and context; the main idea will need those details to support its argument.
For example, imagine a paper discussing the causes of World War I. One paragraph might be
dedicated to the role that imperialism played in the conflict. The main idea of this paragraph
might be something like: "Constant competition for massive empires led to increasing
tensions in Europe that eventually erupted into World War I." The rest of the paragraph might
explore what those specific tensions were, who was involved, and why the countries were
seeking empires, but the main idea just introduces the overarching argument of the section.
When an author does not state the main idea directly, it should still be implied, and is called
an implied main idea. This requires that the reader look closely at the content—at specific
words, sentences, images that are used and repeated—to deduce what the author is
communicating.
How to Find the Main Idea
Finding the main idea is critical to understanding what you are reading. It helps the details
make sense and have relevance, and provides a framework for remembering the content. Try
these specific tips to pinpoint the main idea of a passage.
1) Identify the Topic
Read the passage through completely, then try to identify the topic. Who or what is the
paragraph about? This part is just figuring out a topic like "cause of World War I" or "new
hearing devices;" don't worry yet about deciding what argument the passage is making about
this topic.
2) Summarize the Passage
After reading the passage thoroughly, summarize it in your own words in one sentence.
Pretend you have just ten to twelve words to tell someone what the passage is about—what
would you say?
3) Look at the First and Last Sentences of the Passage

Authors often put the main idea in or near either the first or last sentence of the paragraph or
article, so isolate those sentences to see if they make sense as the overarching theme of the
passage. Be careful: sometimes the author will use words like but, however, in contrast,
nevertheless, etc. that indicate that the second sentence is actually the main idea. If you see
one of these words that negate or qualify the first sentence, that is a clue that the second
sentence is the main idea.
4) Look for Repetition of Ideas
If you read through a paragraph and you have no idea how to summarize it because there is so
much information, start looking for repeated words, phrases, or related ideas.
`Avoid Main Idea Mistakes
Choosing a main idea from a set of answer choices is different than composing a main
idea on your own. Writers of multiple choice tests are often tricky and will give you
distractor questions that sound much like the real answer. By reading the passage thoroughly,
using your skills, and identifying the main idea on your own, though, you can avoid making
these 3 common mistakes: selecting an answer that is too narrow in scope; selecting an
answer that is too broad; or selecting an answer that is complex but contrary to the main idea.
 Explicit Meaning
Explicit meaning means reading with a clear purpose. That purpose is to determine the
meaning of the text being read. When texts clearly state their pupose, they are explicit. When
texts are vague, leaving many questions about their purpose, they are implicit. As you can
guess, it is often less complicated to analyze explicit texts since there is less detective work
involved.

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Name : Utari Apriliyani Dumbela

“Reading For General Communication”

1. The chosen topic must attract attention,

2. Can be useful for writers and readers,

 How to Define the Main Idea

How to Find the Main Idea

1) Identify the Topic

2) Summarize the Passage

3) Look at the First and Last Sentences of the Passage

4) Look for Repetition of Ideas

`Avoid Main Idea Mistakes

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