Main Idea
Background Information & Activities

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Identifying main idea and supporting details is an important part of reading comprehension. State-mandated tests often assess whether or not students are able to find the main argument of a piece of writing and identify the information that supports it. Thus, developing this skill at an early age will allow your children to excel at reading and comprehension.

The main idea of a piece of writing is the central point the author tries to make. This can be an opinion, argument, or a general idea. Most of the time, but not always, the main idea is stated in a topic sentence. This sentence is usually near the beginning and sets up what the rest of the writing will be about, although authors may chose place the main idea in the concluding sentence in a paragraph. The topic sentence not only sets up the thesis, but it also sets up tone, voice, and style.

Supporting details are sentences that support the main idea. These sentences have information that helps explain and prove the author’s point. For example, a paragraph about how animals hide might have supporting details about camouflage. Strong paragraphs have clear and organized details that relate to the main idea. Transitions, descriptive adjectives, and active verbs are other elements of good writing. We recommend watching the Writing a Paragraph movie together as a review.

Children may have an easier time finding the main idea in nonfiction than in fiction. You can help them by drawing upon their prior experiences. For example, many children can determine the moral of a fable. Teach them to look for a “big idea” or “message” an author is trying to get across with their story.

Encourage your children to think about main ideas and supporting details as they read. How did they identify the main idea? Where is the topic sentence? What details help support the main idea? Students may find it helpful to create a main idea chart as they read. This will allow them to organize and digest new information that they encounter and learn. As students become comfortable with identifying the main idea and supporting information, they will be able to incorporate what they learn into their own writing.

Main Idea Teacher Activities – Click Here!

Main Idea Family Activities – Click Here!

Main Idea Teacher Activities

© 1999-2009 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.

What’s the big idea?

Have students bring in magazine articles from children’s magazines. Have small groups work together and swap articles. Have them use a main ideas chart to find the main idea and supporting details. Small groups can pick an article and make a presentation to the class.

Give a Hand

Have students trace their hands and use it to write a short paragraph about their hands. The main idea/topic sentence can go in the palm. Some, or all, of the fingers can contain the supporting details. Make sure students write sentences that support their main idea. Display the hands around the classroom so students can look at each others’ work.

Main Idea Mobile

Have students make a paragraph mobile. They can write a topic sentence on a large piece of construction paper, foam block, or cardboard canister. Then they can write supporting details on smaller pieces and dangle them from the main idea. You may wish to have a list of suggested topics or have students research on their own. Have each student make a presentation of their mobile in front of the class. Then display the mobiles in the classroom so students can share their work.

Main Idea Family Activities

© 1999-2009 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.

Main Idea Movie

Watch a movie or television show with your child. Explain that the main idea of a piece of writing can also apply to movies and television shows. Together, come up with the main idea of the show. Encourage your child to think of details or scenes in the movie that support the main idea.

Fairy Tale

Take turns reading a fairy tale together, such as “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” or “Billy Goats Gruff.” Encourage your child to use expression and intonation as he or she reads. Explain that the main idea of a fairy tale is most often the moral or theme of the story. What is the lesson taught in the fairy tale? What details help support the main idea?

Give the Gift of a Main Idea

Children’s comprehension can be aided when they write about things they know. Have your child choose one person in their family and help them come up with a main idea about that person. For example, “Grandma is the best cook!” Then help them think details that support their main idea. For example, “Grandma always makes me a special breakfast when I sleep over” and “Grandma puts chocolate chips in her oatmeal cookies.” Help your child put their main idea on the front of a card and the details on the inside.