Locating Main Ideas

Question 1

Finding Main Idea or Thesis Statement and Topic Sentence

Answer 1

• increase speed in reading
• don’t have to read entire text but can get needed key information
• give idea of text and help evaluate author’s arguments
• serves as chief guides with supporting details

Question 2

Topic Sentence 1

Answer 2

the main idea

Question 3

Topic Sentence 2

Answer 3

guides, controls, and unifies ideas

Question 4

Topic Sentence 3

Answer 4

presents or describes point of paragraph

Question 5

Topic Sentence 4

Answer 5

develops one argument if thesis statement

Question 6

Paragraph

Answer 6

group of related sentences, composed of 3 to 5 or more sentences talking about one idea

Question 7

Elements of Paragraph

Answer 7

topic, topic sentence, supporting details

Question 8

Topic

Answer 8

who or what the paragraph is about

Question 9

Topic Sentence

Answer 9

• states the main or controlling idea
• 2 parts: topic and main point (writer wants to prove or explain - position, opinions, claims)

Question 10

Supporting Details

Answer 10

sentences that explain the main point

Question 11

Topic Sentence Explicitly Stated

Answer 11

beginning, middle, end, or beginning and end

Question 12

Topic Sentence Implicitly Stated

Answer 12

not directly seen and up to readers to deduce

Question 13

Inverted Pyramid

Answer 13

• t.s. at beginning, lead position
• deductive order
• easier for writers and readers
• t.s. > detail > detail > detail
• general to specific

Question 14

Pyramid

Answer 14

• t.s. at end, final position
• inductive order
• frequently used in persuasive writing
• reasons: create suspense, bring up a controversial topic
• detail > detail > detail > t.s.
• specific to general

Question 15

Diamond

Answer 15

• t.s. at middle, medial position
• least common and w/ transitions
• used in cause-effect or comparison/contrast
• function of linking texts with different ideas
• detail > detail > t.s. > detail > detail
• specific to general to specific

Question 16

Hourglass

Answer 16

• t.s. at beginning and end
• for stand alone paragraph
• repitition of topic helps readers follow paragraph context moreover if complex
• t.s. > detail > detail > detail > detail > t.s.
• general to specific to specific to general

Question 17

Square

Answer 17

• for implied t.s.
• since sentences of paragraph share equal importance
• readers must provide their own t.s.

Question 18

Strategies in Locating T.S.

Answer 18

• read first sentence
• browse sentences to identify what they describe
• find concept or idea being tackled, “big word”
• identify purpose of paragraph
• observe author’s writing style

Question 19

Thesis Statement 1

Answer 19

central idea

Question 20

Thesis Statement 2

Answer 20

one-sentence summary that guides, controls, and unifies ideas

Question 21

Thesis Statement 3

Answer 21

presents or describes the point of an essay

Question 22

Thesis Statement 4

Answer 22

found in absract or executive summary of last part of introduction

Question 23

Thesis Statement 5

Answer 23

written in a declarative sentence

Question 24

Purpose Statement 1

Answer 24

when thesis statement at last part of intro is replaced with this

Question 25

Purpose Statement 2

Answer 25

introduced by signal phrases (announce purpose, scope, direction, and focus of text)

Question 26

Strategies in Locating TH.S.

Answer 26

- read text title and make inferences on purpose - if no abstract or executive summary, read first few paragraphs - check conclusion

Question 27

To Remember with TH.S.

Answer 27

- tells readers paper's purpose, aim, or objective - presents and summarizes the writer claim or argument - gives readers idea on how the writer will explain, interpret, and elaborate the topic significance

Question 28

Synthesis 1

Answer 28

combing multiple sources and ideas

Question 29

Synthesis 2

Answer 29

based on your analysis of what you've read

Question 30

To Reach Synthesis

Answer 30

- critically read the research on your topic - connection of all ideas - similarities and differences in findings

Question 31

Strategies to Synthesizing

Answer 31

- do any authors disagree with another? - does one author extend the research of another? - are all authors in agreement? - does any author raise new questions or ideas?