Main Idea Graphic Organizers

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

1. 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?”
2. Looking for words or phrases that are repeated throughout the text or seem like they might be important.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Pay attention to any subheadings, bolded text, or other formatting features that the author uses to draw attention to important information.
6. 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.