Main Idea Graphic Organizers

Below you’ll find ten different printable main idea graphic organizers that you can use in the class or at home. A graphic organizer is a tool that students can use to better understand and organize their thoughts while reading or writing. It helps students to focus on the most important information (main idea) and identify the key points that support it (details). By breaking down the information into manageable chunks, students also develop stronger critical thinking skills and improve their ability to clearly communicate their ideas.

Six helpful tips for identifying the main idea and supporting details

Here are some helpful tips for identifying the main idea and supporting details:

First, start by reading the passage carefully and paying attention to the main idea. Think about what the author is trying to tell you. Ask yourself questions about the text to help you understand it better. For example, “What is this text about?” or “What are the most important things the author wants me to know?”
Looking for words or phrases that are repeated throughout the text or seem like they might be important.
Try to summarize each paragraph in one or two sentences to help you understand what it is about. You might say to yourself, “If I can only remember one thing, what would it be?”. This can help you to identify the key points that support the author’s argument.
Look for pictures or diagrams that help to explain the text. These can provide important clues because the writer believes that something is important enough to emphasize with pictures. There will likely also be supporting details that help to clarify or explain the main idea. These might include examples, statistics, or other types of evidence that the author uses to back up their argument.
Pay attention to any subheadings, bolded text, or other formatting features that the author uses to draw attention to important information.
Use main idea graphic organizers, like a main idea and supporting details graphic organizer, to help you organize your thoughts and identify the most important information.

Main Idea and Details Worksheets

Ice cream scoops main idea worksheet

Students imagine that the ice cream cone is the main idea and each scoop of ice cream represents a supporting detail. They will then write the main idea and supporting ideas in the blanks to the right.

Simple main idea and supporting details worksheet

This is a simple worksheet where students write the main idea in the top box and any supporting details in the bottom box. Ask your student to write 2-3 details that support the main idea.

Main idea organizer with four supporting details blanks

This simple organizer includes four blanks for supporting details and is great for older students.

Fishbone graphic organizer

For this worksheet, students imagine that a fish's spine is the main idea and each bone represents a supporting detail. This is a fun activity that helps students really visualize how supporting details are relevant and contribute to a clear and effective main idea.