READING AND
WRITING A MAIN IDEA
WEEK 3
OSSLT PREP
READING
INFORMATIONAL TEXT
READING
 Read selection carefully.
 Students are permitted to write in selection.
TIPS FOR READING INFORMATIONAL TEXT
1. Scan the text by reading the title and headings.
Read the first and last sentence or paragraph.
2. Focus on the content by turning the first
sentences of each paragraph into questions and
searching the text for the answer.
3. Review the text by rereading the title, headings
and first sentences.
4. Reflect on what the selection made you think and
feel.
WHEN READING …
 There are four places to look for answers to a
question:
 Look in the selection
 Look in the selection and make inferences
 Look in the selection and add your personal opinion
 Look in the selection and add your prior knowledge
REVIEW TIPS FOR MULTIPLE CHOICE
Explicit (Knowledge)  Locate and Match
Implicit (Thinking)  Search and Think
Making Connections (Application)  Link &
Generate Own Ideas
REVIEW TIPS FOR MULTIPLE CHOICE
 Read the questions first
 Read the title
 Skim the selection, then read it closely
 Read the question again – look for key words in
the text
 Read all answers
 Watch for “distracters” and use “process of
elimination”
 No idea? GUESS! Never leave blanks!
HOW TO WRITE A
MAIN IDEA
WRITING A MAIN IDEA
 It involves choosing and relaying ONLY the most important
part of what you read.
 Writing a MAIN IDEA involves identifying what the author
says about the topic
 Student prompt: State a main idea of this selection and
provide one specific detail from the selection that supports
it.
 There are 6 lines to write. Write at least 4 sentences.
HOW TO WRITE A MAIN IDEA
MAIN + THREE
Main – Determine what the main idea of the text is
Three – Provide at least three examples from the text that
support your main idea
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
TIPS FOR WRITING A MAIN IDEA
1.
Read the article including the title and name the topic.
Topic answers the question “What is the article about?”
2.
Determine the main idea of the article. The main idea is
usually found near the beginning of the article and is usually
restated at the end. Find the main idea and highlight it.
Main idea answers the question “What does the author say
about the topic?”
3.
Write a topic sentence which states the main idea of the
article.
4.
Find 3 supporting details for the main idea in the article.
These are facts, statistics, examples or information which
can be used to explain and support the main idea.
TIPS FOR WRITING A MAIN IDEA
5.
Choose at least one supporting detail and write a
sentence to explain it.
6.
Write at least one more sentence that expands the
supporting detail. Begin with a phrase like “For
example” to say more about it.
7.
Put your ideas in the same order as they are in the
article.
8.
Write a concluding sentence that connects back to the
topic sentence and the main idea.
TIPS FOR WRITING A MAIN IDEA
 DO NOT include personal opinion or thoughts.
 All information in answer must come directly from
the text.
 All details to support the main idea must come
directly from the selection (statements, facts, dates,
numbers, etc.).
OSSLT SCORING RUBRIC
STUDENT CHECKLIST
Content
 Main idea stated in topic sentence
 Supporting details directly related to the main idea
 Reader will understand content of original selection
 I did not include my opinion.
Organization
 Transition words and phrases to link ideas
 Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation
 Complete sentences
 Appropriate tone
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
 Do NOT include personal opinion in response
 All support for the main idea must come directly
from the selection
 You do not get to use any graphic organizers on the
day of the OSSLT so practicing use the blank space in
the test booklet “Rough Notes” and create your own
graphic organizer
CONSOLIDATION
CONSOLIDATION
 Complete the following section in your practice
booklets
 Section V (Reading, Multiple Choice, Main Idea)
 When finished, complete STUDENT CHECKLIST
and leave in booklet
 Hand in booklet when finished