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Fluency
Learn Strategy: Main Idea & Supporting Details
Journal
Learn Vocabulary: Word Masters 1
Study Vocabulary
 Tomorrow
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Fluency
Review Strategy
Online Lesson
Review Vocabulary
The point of the
paragraph or text
 Everything else
should help prove
this point
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The proof that
supports the main
idea
 Can be examples,
causes, reasons, or
facts

Read the whole text.
2.
Ask, “What point is the author trying to
make?”
3.
Pay extra attention to the first and last
sentence.
 Be careful! Sometimes there is no main idea
sentence.
1.
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If that is the case, start by using the details as
clues.
Figure out how the details are related
Write the main idea in your own words
Look
for list words
several kinds of
various causes
a few reasons
a number of
several advantages
a series of
Look
for addition words
one
first of all
in addition to
furthermore
first
also
next
last of all
Test writers may ask you:
“Another good title for this passage would
be…”
It’s just a way of asking for the main idea.
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People in my family love our dog Punch. However, I
have several reasons for wanting to get rid of Punch.
First of all, he knows I don’t like him. Sometimes he
gives me an evil look and curls his top lip back to
show me his teeth. The message is clearly, “Someday
I’m going to bite you.” Another reason to get rid of
Punch is he sheds everywhere. Every surface in our
house is covered with Punch hair. Last of all, Punch
is an early riser, while (on weekends) I am not. He
will start barking and whining to go outside at 7 a.m.,
and it’s my job to take care of him. When I told my
family that I had a list of good reasons for getting rid
of Punch, they said they would make up a list of
reasons to get rid of me.
http://www.townsendpress.com/uploaded_files/tinymce/writing%20and%20motvn/RWC_chapter4.pdf
 Irish
immigration to the U.S. began during
the early development of the American
colonies. It is estimated that 200,000 Irish
came to the U.S. in the 17th and 18th
centuries. The numbers swelled from 1820
to 1850 to almost 2 million Irish immigrants.
Most of these were fleeing the potato famine
from 1845 until 1852. Steady numbers
continued to arrive during the late 19th and
20th centuries. Today, over 36 million
Americans claim some level of Irish ancestry.
http://www.k12reader.com/main-idea/paragraphs-2-main-idea.pdf
 Pick
a topic.
 Write a main idea sentence that states a
point.
 Write 3 supporting detail sentences that
prove the point.
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Living at home
TV commercials
Fast-food restaurant
Exercise
Sleep