Finding main idea, supporting details, marking a textbook, and charts to organize information A reading, like an essay, has an introduction (usually the first paragraph), and a conclusion (the last paragraph). Often, one sentence in the introduction gives the main idea of the reading. The main idea is the most important idea. It includes all of the smaller, more specific ideas of the reading. Frequently, the main idea appears again in the conclusion. Sometimes you can find important details (specific points) quickly if you look for numbers or words such as first, second, next, finally (transition words). Sometimes you have a lot of reading to do, and there usually is not enough time to read a chapter several times. You need to highlight the important information in a reading so that you can find it quickly later. Use one color for main ideas. Use a different color for important details. Be sure not to highlight too much information. Sometimes you can highlight key words instead of highlighting an entire sentence. When you read a section of a textbook, you can often find the main idea for the reading in the introductory paragraph and in the concluding paragraph. In the other paragraphs of a reading, the main idea of each paragraph is usually found in the first sentence. This is the topic sentence Its a good idea to highlight the topic sentences as you read. Graphic organizers are useful study tools that can allow you to record information such as main ideas, important details, and examples from a reading. They can allow you to see relationships among ideas. One type that is good for note-taking is a chart. QuestionDefinition or characteristics Examples What is biotechnology? What is genetic engineering? What can genetic engineering do? What is a gene? What is a protein? What are some examples of genetically modified products? Read Background Information on Biotechnology. (pages only) As you read, highlight the following: The topic sentence of each paragraph Definitions or characteristics of important terms Examples Fill out the graphic organizer with the answers to the questions and examples from the reading. Some of the information you highlighted may help you with the chart. Share your findings with the rest of the class. Using word, prepare a different chart with the remaining questions on the reading. (pages 59-62) Save your document on your computer.