Locating Main Ideas Flashcards
Finding Main Idea or Thesis Statement and Topic Sentence
- 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
Topic Sentence 1
the main idea
Topic Sentence 2
guides, controls, and unifies ideas
Topic Sentence 3
presents or describes point of paragraph
Topic Sentence 4
develops one argument if thesis statement
Paragraph
group of related sentences, composed of 3 to 5 or more sentences talking about one idea
Elements of Paragraph
topic, topic sentence, supporting details
Topic
who or what the paragraph is about
Topic Sentence
- states the main or controlling idea
- 2 parts: topic and main point (writer wants to prove or explain - position, opinions, claims)
Supporting Details
sentences that explain the main point
Topic Sentence Explicitly Stated
beginning, middle, end, or beginning and end
Topic Sentence Implicitly Stated
not directly seen and up to readers to deduce
Inverted Pyramid
- t.s. at beginning, lead position
- deductive order
- easier for writers and readers
- t.s. > detail > detail > detail
- general to specific
Pyramid
- 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
Diamond
- 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