Main Idea and Details in Nonfiction
Learning Objective
I can find the main idea and supporting details in a nonfiction text.
Key Concepts
The main idea is the most important point an author is making when writing about a topic.
Supporting details provide information that explains, defines, or proves the main idea.
When writing, every sentence should be a supporting detail for your main idea.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 3 practice questions to reinforce learning.
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1. What is the most important point an author makes in their writing called?
2. Imagine you are writing a paragraph about your favorite animal. Your main idea is: 'Cats are the best pets.' Write two sentences that could be used as supporting details for this main idea.
3. Read the paragraph below and identify the main idea and one supporting detail: Penguins are amazing birds. They can swim very well in cold water. Penguins live in Antarctica.
Educational Video
Main Idea | Award Winning Main Idea and Supporting Details Teaching Video | What is Main Idea?
GrammarSongs by Melissa