chapter 5: topics, main ideas, and topic sentences in concert: an integrated reading and writing...

Chapter 5:Topics, Main Ideas, and Topic Sentences

In Concert:An Integrated Reading and Writing Approach

by Kathleen T. McWhorter

Chapter 5: Topics, Main Ideas, and Topic Sentences

Goal 1

Goal 2

Goal 3

Goal 4

Structure a paragraph

Identify the topic of a paragraph

Locate main ideas

Write effective topic sentences

Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Important Terms

Paragraphs are made up of topics, main ideas/topic sentences, and supporting details.

1. Topic

2. Main Idea

3. Topic Sentence

4. Supporting Details


Goal 1: Structure a Paragraph

What is a Main Idea?

A Main Idea is :

•A general statement about the WHOLE passage that contains the TOPIC .

________________________________________________________________.Main Idea sentence

topic

The main idea (or point) is that the man is a terrible pet owner.

The main idea is vividly supported by the dog’s three specific reasons.

How do I know the topic of a paragraph?

Consider:

• What is the ONE idea the author discusses throughout the paragraph?

• Look for repeated words or phrases


Goal 2: Identify the Topic of a Paragraph

Strategies to locate the main idea:

1. Identify the topic

2. Locate the most general sentence (topic sentence)

3. Use key words to identify and write main ideas and details

4. The main idea is about the WHOLE paragraph


Goal 3: Locate Main Ideas

1. Find the topic first

The topic is the general subject of a selection. It can often be expressed in one or more words.

The main idea always contains the topic.

________________________________________________________________.Main Idea sentence

topic

Social psychologists have found that almost everyone gossips. Male or female, young or old, blue-collar or professional, humans love to talk about one another. All too often, such gossip is viewed as a frivolous waste of time.

What is the paragraph about?

Gossip

2. General vs Specific

Main ideas are general. Supporting details are specific

General Specific

GeneralSpecific

Attending college can help you make friends.

A college degree will help you get a higher paying job.

A college degree helps you earn respect.

College has many beneficial outcomes.

College will improve the way you think.

First to note are list words, which tell you a list of items is to follow.

The main idea in the paragraph about gossip was stated like this:

The expression several important functions helps you zero in on your target: the main idea.

However, gossip actually serves several important functions in the human community.

3. Use key words to help you find the main idea.

Here are some common word groups that often announce a main idea:

List Words

Note that each of them contains a word that ends in s—a plural that suggests the supporting details will be a list of items.

Addition words are generally used right before a supporting detail. Here is a list of words that often introduce major supporting details and help you discover the main idea:

Addition Words

When you see this type of clue, you can assume that the detail it introduces fits under the umbrella of a main idea.

Tips and things to remember about main idea

Key words that SOMETIMES (not always) let you know a main idea is coming:

In conclusion

Thus

In other words

However

Clearly

Obviously

If the passage is discussing a study, research, survey, or experiment, the main idea will be the results or the outcome of that study

The main Idea is NEVER a question.

The Function of Topic Sentences:

1. To make clear what the paragraph is about (the topic)

2. To express a view or make a point (about the topic)

Helpful Tip:Make sure topics are not too broad or too narrow


Goal 5: Write Effective Topic Sentences

Strategies for Writing Effective Topic Sentences:

1. The topic sentence should state the main point of the paragraph

2. Choose a manageable topic

3. Make sure the topic sentence is a complete thought

4. Place your topic sentence first in the paragraph to begin

5. Avoid “announcing” your topicCopyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Goal 5: Write Effective Topic Sentences

Goal 1: Structure a ParagraphReview Questions

Which of the following does NOT make up a paragraph?

A. Topics

B. Footnotes

C. Supporting Details

D. Main ideas/topic sentences



Review Questions

True or False:Looking for repeated words and phrases in a paragraph is an effective strategy for identifying its topic.

True or False:The author usually has two or three topics per paragraph.



Review Questions

True or False:True: Looking for repeated words and phrases in a paragraph is an effective strategy for identifying its topic.

True or False:False: The author usually has two or three topics per paragraph.


Goal 3: Locate Main IdeasReview Questions

The main idea or topic sentence of a paragraph can be located:

A. At the beginning of the paragraph

B. At the end of the paragraph

C. Neither A nor B

D. Both A and B


Goal 4: Think Critically About Main Ideas

Review Questions

True or False:

The main idea of a paragraph is always fact.

True or False:

The author’s opinion can be the main idea of a paragraph.


Goal 4: Think Critically About Main Ideas

Review Questions

True or False:

False: The main idea of a paragraph is always fact.

True or False:

True: The author’s opinion can be the main idea of a paragraph.


Goal 5: Write Effective Topic SentencesReview Questions

Which of the following is NOT an effective strategy for writing topic sentences?

A. Start your topic sentence, “This essay will discuss…”

B. To start, put your topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph

C. The topic sentence should be the main idea of the paragraph

D. Don’t choose a topic that is too narrow


Main Idea = Topic Sentence

by the reader by the writer

As you read the paragraph below, look for the main idea. 4. Make sure the main idea is about the WHOLE passage

Which sentence contains the main idea?

Today, most people in the Western world use a fork to eat. But before the eighteenth century, using a fork was highly discouraged. Most people in Europe ate with their hands. People from the upper class used three fingers, while the commoners ate with five. When an inventor from Tuscany created a miniature pitchfork for eating, Europeans thought that it was a strange utensil. Men who used a fork were often ridiculed and considered feminine. Priests called out against the fork, claiming that only human hands were worthy to touch the food God had blessed them with. One wealthy noblewoman shocked clergymen by eating with a fork she designed herself. Over dinner, they accused her of being too excessive. When the woman died from the plague a few days later, the priests claimed her death was a punishment from the heavens. They warned others that using a fork could bring them the same fate.

Topic: Drinking Water

Topic: Getting enough sleep

chapter 5: topics, main ideas, and topic sentences in concert: an integrated reading and writing...

Documents

main idea sentence topic

gossip slide

general specific slide

mcwhorter slide

main ideastopic sentences

general vs specific

list words

list of words