This reading strategy teaches how to
identify the key concepts that the
author is conveying.
ARO3:
Fact Findings
Chapter 3
Proficient readers are able to identify
the main idea and supporting details.
They naturally are able to differentiate
between key ideas that are central to
the meaning of the text and less
important ideas. And then, combine
this new information with existing
knowledge to form an original idea or
interpretation.
Defining the Main Idea
The main idea in a paragraph is a general idea. In contrast, the
supporting information in a paragraph is made up of specific ideas
and details.
Definition
Paragraph
Topic
Main Idea
Details
Transitions
Meaning
A group of related sentences that develop an idea
The subject of the reading selection
The point that the whole paragraph makes
Sentences that explain the main idea
Words and phrases that connect the main idea
Step 1: Box the Topic
Directions and Purpose
§  Go to the reading selection of
the text.
§ 
BOX the topic for this
selection.
§  Remember, the topic is what
the selection is about. The
main idea can be located if
you can determine what the
topic is.
§  Topics: Person, place,
object, idea
§  Ask: Who or What is this
selection about?
Sample
Step 2: Circle the Main Idea
Directions and Purpose
§  Read the text selection.
§ 
Circle the Main Idea for this
selection.
§  Remember, the main idea is
the point the author is
making; the message.
§  Circle the main idea; the
topic sentence that is the
most general.
§  Ask: Which sentence is the
most general statement?
Sample
Step 2: Location of the Main Idea
The main idea is a topic sentence located throughout the
paragraph and sometimes, even inferred.
Location
Frequency
First
Most commonly used; states the main
idea
Last
Second most commonly used; previous
sentences build up to the main ideal
Middle
Has one or two sentences before the
topic related to the previous paragraph
First and Last
Inferred
Last re-emphasizes the main idea
The details suggest a main topic;
combine the points of all the details to
figure out the implied main idea
Step 3: Finding Supporting Details
Directions and Purpose
Sample
§  All the sentences in a
paragraph must relate/
support/explain the main
idea.
§  The supporting details are the
facts/points that describe the
main idea making it stronger.
§  Underline the supporting
details. Then, write them in
the RGO.
§  Ask: What provides the main
idea with more specific
information?
Supporting
Details
1.  Examples, Illustrations
2.  Facts and Statistics
3.  Reasons
Types of
Supporting
Details
4.  Incident
5.  Descriptive Details
6.  Steps or Procedures
7.  Comparison or Contrast
Step 4: Highlight the Transitions
Directions and Purpose
§  In the text, look for words that
connect the details together.
§  Highlight the transitions to
help understand the
organization of the paragraph
and locate the supporting
details.
§  Ask: What words connect the
details together?
Sample
Step 4: Transition Words
Purpose
To Show Addition:
Transitions
again, and, also, besides, equally important, first (second, etc.), further, furthermore, in
addition, in the first place, moreover, next, too
To Give Examples: for example, for instance, in fact, specifically, that is, to illustrate
To Compare:
also, in the same manner, likewise, similarly
To Contrast:
although, and yet, at the same time, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, in spite
of, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, though, yet
To Summarize:
all in all, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore,
to sum up
To Show Time:
after, afterward, as, as long as, as soon as, at last, before, during, earlier, finally, formerly,
immediately, later, meanwhile, next, since, shortly, subsequently, then, thereafter, until,
when, while
To Show Place or
Direction
above, below, beyond, close, elsewhere, farther on, here, nearby, opposite, to the left
(north, etc.)
To Indicate Logical accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this reason, hence, if, otherwise, since,
so, then, therefore, thus
Relationship:
Step 5: Summarize the Main Idea
Directions and Purpose
§ 
Comprehension is the goal of
reading. Summarizing the section
helps students to stop and reflect
about what they are learning before
continuing on to the next section.
This reflection is important to
connect the new concepts to their
prior knowledge to build a strong
conceptual framework.
§ 
Think about the main idea and the
supporting details.
§ 
Summarize how this relates to what
you know, what you are learning and
how you will apply it.
§ 
Ask: What message did I learn from
the author?
Sample
Summary
Step 5: Summary Example
Summarize the Section: Use a cloze to help students summarize.
The reading was about _________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
______________. One key idea was _____________________________
____________________________________________________________
__________This is important because _____________________________
____________________________________________________________
________. Another key idea was _________________________________
____________________________________________________________
_________________________________This matters because _________
____________________________________________________________
____________. This relates to what I already know by ________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
__________. This impacts me by ________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________ .