chapter 4 – ideas © 2016. cengage learning. all rights reserved

Chapter 4 – Ideas

© 2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

By the time you finish reading and studying this chapter, you should be able to: LO1 Read for topics. LO2 Select a topic for writing. LO3 Read for main ideas. LO4 Establish a main idea for writing. LO5 Read for supporting details. LO6 Draw inferences. LO7 Choose supporting details in writing.

Learning Outcomes

© 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Suppose you were given the following assignment:Select a particular experience from your life that you remember well and that has had a significant impact on you. As you recall memorable experiences, consider those that you remember best and that have affected you most profoundly. Through such experiences, you may have felt excitement, joy, shock, anger, disappointment, sadness, regret, satisfaction, relief, shame, or a mixture of feelings. Write about one particular experience that stands out, and analyze its impact on you.

Now, let’s brainstorm some possible ideas for this essay topic:

Opening Activity


Reading for Topics Topic can be defined as what the writing is

about. When reading, the first step is to identify the

topic. Topics are often identified in the title, first few

sentences, or first few paragraphs.Topics can be a(n):

person – Barack Obama

place – New Orleans

object – baseball bat

idea – loyalty

animal – penguinsBloomua, 2014 / Use under license from Shutterstock.com


Choosing a Topic Writing is often tied to subjects you are studying. Most assignments will identify a general subject

area as a starting point. Always select a topic that interests you!

Selecting a Topic for Writing


Searching Strategies Clustering – begin with the general subject in the

middle, and cluster related words around it Freewriting – write nonstop for 5-10 minutes

without stopping to judge, edit, or correct your writing

Developing a Dialogue – create a conversation between yourself and another person

Selecting a Topic for Writing


Main ideas are a special feature, part, or feeling about the topic that the author emphasizes.

The main idea of a paragraph is usually found in the topic sentence.

The main idea of an essay is usually found in the thesis statement.

Main ideas can also be: found in a summary statement near the end of a

text. implied or suggested, rather than directly stated. varied in longer, more complex essays.

Reading for Main Ideas


In informational essays, main ideas tell you what feature of the topic or pattern of organization will be addressed.Example: Teenagers use and abuse drugs for many reasons, some of which are low self-esteem, parental neglect, and peer pressure.

In argument essays, main ideas identify the claim about a topic that the writer will argue for.Example: The usage of steroids in high school sports is increasing daily and must be stopped immediately.

In narrative essays, main ideas tell you how the writer feels about the experience or event.Example: I never truly realized the effect my parents’ divorce had on me until I started having marriage problems of my own.



Follow these steps to find the main idea:1. Review the title, headings, and first and last

paragraphs.2. Read the opening part for a general

understanding of the topic.3. Look for a sentence or two in an opening

paragraph that directs the writing.4. Underline, highlight, or write this sentence

down.5. Continue reading to see if that sentence

makes sense as the main idea.6. If your thinking changes, write down the new

main idea.



Topic sentences or thesis statements have 2 parts:1. a specific topic2. the author’s opinion about the topic

Do you think these are effective or ineffective thesis statements? Why?1. I remember my first day of college like it was

yesterday.2. Female candidates still face challenges in U.S.

elections due to political socialization, lack of experience, and open discrimination.

3. Texting and driving is a dangerous thing to do, especially for teenage drivers.



Implied main ideas are not directly stated in the paragraph or essay.

When a paragraph or essay contains an implied main idea, remember that there will be no topic sentence or thesis statement.

Follow these steps to find the implied main idea:1. Identify the topic.2. Pay close attention to the details.3. Write down the important idea that covers all

the details.4. Read the text again, and revise if needed.



Activity

An empty shopping bag on the floor

Wrinkled jeans and crumpled towels by the dresser

Candy wrappers and dishes under an unmade bed

An open dictionary, books, and papers on the floor

Dirty socks and muddy cleats next to a football

His lectures are well-organized

His tests are challenging but fair

His powerpoint presentations are creative and helpful

He’s an excellent storyteller, sharing anecdotes about history

Some students sit on the floor because there aren’t enough seats in the room

Look at these sets of details, and determine the implied main idea.

Activity


Ideas DescriptionFive W’s Answer who, what, when , where, and why about

your topic. Add how to generate more information.

Listing List first thoughts and questions about your topic. Record ideas nonstop for as long as you can.

Clustering Begin with your topic in the middle. Cluster related ideas around it.

Focused Freewriting

Write freely about your topic for at least 5 minutes. See what thoughts and feelings you can uncover.

Dialoguing Discuss your topic with another person.

Establishing a Main Idea for Writing

Here are some brainstorming ideas to help you establish a main idea for your writing.


Questioning – questions can guide your search for additional information about a topic

Choosing a focus – a strong focus or main idea helps you decide what information to include and in what order

Forming a thesis statement – a thesis is the controlling idea in an essay (topic + opinion = thesis)

Establishing a Main Idea for Writing


Supporting details are used to develop the main idea. Major details explain or illustrate the main idea. Minor details complete or clarify the major details.

Here are some types of details often included in writing:

Reading for Supporting Details

Facts and statistics

Explanations

Anecdotes Examples

Quotations Definitions

References Reasons

Analysis Reflections

Descriptions© 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

It is also important to evaluate details that you read.

Use the following criteria to decide if you can trust the details in your reading: The source is a textbook, or the reading comes

from a respected publisher, periodical, or domain (.edu, .org, .gov)

The author is identified and writing in the field of expertise.

The topic is covered in-depth, information is balanced and timely, and reading is clear and logical.

Reading for Supporting Details


Drawing Inferences An inference is a logical conclusion made

about something not actually stated. To make a thoughtful inference:

1. carefully read and reread the text.2. identify the main idea and supporting

details.3. then ask, What other conclusions can I

draw? What can you infer from these pictures?

Hurst Photo, 2014 / Use under license from Shutterstock.com

Alexey Losevich, 2014 / Use under license from Shutterstock.com

Vereshchagin, 2014 / Use under license from Shutterstock.com© 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

When planning a piece of writing, you need to: 1. Select a topic2. Gather details about the topic3. Form a thesis or focus for writing4. Decide how best to the use the details

Choosing Supporting Details for Writing

waveb

reakm

ed

ia, 2

01

4 / U

se u

nd

er lice

nse

from

Sh

utte

rstock.co

m


Closing Activity

1. A problem in today’s schoolsFocus:Thesis:

2. Salaries of professional athletesFocus:Thesis:

3. Social networkingFocus:

Thesis:4. Sex in the mediaFocus:

Thesis:

Together, let’s try to identify a focus and thesis statement for the following topics.

Quka, 2014 / Use under license from Shutterstock.com© 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Online shopping offers many benefits. You can shop anytime. You can’t try clothes on to see if they fit. You don’t have to leave home. You have to pay expensive postage to return items.

Physical appearance should be a primary factor in hiring employees.

More attractive people can generate more business for a company, especially for those involving customer service or sales.

Attractive people are more intelligent and competent than non-attractive ones.

Attractive people don’t work as hard as their less attractive counterparts.

People are generally drawn to beautiful faces, which can increase company profit.

Closing ActivityLook at the following main ideas and supporting details. Decide which details would best support the main ideas.


chapter 4 – ideas © 2016. cengage learning. all rights reserved

Documents

topic writing

cengage learning

main ideas

essay topic

accessible website

topic sentence

learning outcomes

possible ideas