1、Unit 2 Travelling Study skills&DetailsPoints The main idea,also called the main point,is the most important thought about a topic.It tells the reader what the text is about.It is usually stated in one sentence.Details or supporting details are specific facts,reasons,examples or other kinds of inform
2、ation used to support the main points.A topic in a paragraph,an article or other passage is a general subject.It can often be expressed in a single word or phrase.DetailsMajor details which directly support the main ideaMinor details which directly support major detailsTopics,Main ideas and Details
3、Topics,main ideas or points,and details work together.The main idea tells the writers point about the topic,and it is supported by details throughout the paragraph much like the frame of a house supports the roof.How to Determine the TopicHow to Determine the TopicSmoking cigarettes is not only a di
4、sgusting and smelly habit,but also very bad for your health.It has been proven to cause cancer,lung disease,and heart disease,and to weaken your immune system.Smoking makes it a lot harder to breathe,which means its more difficult to play sports and get the exercise you need to stay healthy.Its also
5、 harmful for those hanging around a smoker,because they breathe the smoky air.Even though most people know how bad smoking is for them,more than 1,000 people die each day from its effect!Ask yourself “Who or what is the passage about?”Ask yourself “Who or what is the passage about?”Look carefully at
6、 the title.Often the general topic is one of Look carefully at the title.Often the general topic is one of the words in the title.the words in the title.Look for clue words or phrases that are used repeatedly.Look for clue words or phrases that are used repeatedly.Often that word or phrase is the ge
7、neral topic of the article.Often that word or phrase is the general topic of the article._ TopicMain point/idea?How to Determine the Main IdeaHow to Determine the Main Idea2.When stated in the paragraph,the main idea is 2.When stated in the paragraph,the main idea is expressed in the topic sentence.
8、expressed in the topic sentence.1.Ask Yourself 1.Ask Yourself What is this passage mostly about?What is this passage mostly about?Why did the writer write this passage?Why did the writer write this passage?3.If the main idea is not stated,first find the topic and then look 3.If the main idea is not
9、stated,first find the topic and then look at all the details that give you enough information to determine at all the details that give you enough information to determine the main idea.the main idea.Smoking cigarettes is not only a disgusting and smelly habit,but also very bad for your health.It ha
10、s been proven to cause cancer,lung disease,and heart disease,and to weaken your immune system.Smoking makes it a lot harder to breathe,which means its more difficult to play sports and get the exercise you need to stay healthy.Its also harmful for those hanging around a smoker,because they breathe t
11、he smoky air.Even though most people know how bad smoking is for them,more than 1,000 people die each day from its effect!_ TopicMain point/idea?Smoking is bad for your health.Costs were low that year and the output high.There was a good person for each job and the market remained firm.There were no
12、 lesson from fire.All in all it was the best years in the history of the company.The first three sentences give details to explain why it was the best year in the companys history.The main idea is stated in the last sentence.There are great numbers of deer around here.This whole area isa great count
13、ry for hunters and fishermen.There are bears,mountain lions,and wolves.To the east there are streams full of fishes,and there are ducks and geese.The writer begins and ends with examples.The main idea is stated in the second sentence.Finding the main ideasFinding the main ideasThe main idea is state
14、d in the first sentence.The remaining sentences give examples to explain the reasons.Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach.Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed.Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun.It is also fun to look for shells.Some people simply like to sunbathe.
15、People can do lots of beach activities to relax themselves.What is the implied main idea?State it in your own words.Can you find the main idea directly?Practicing implied main ideasPracticing implied main ideasHow to Find(Supporting)DetailsHow to Find(Supporting)Details1.Decide which details help to
16、 further the storyline.1.Decide which details help to further the storyline.2.Decide which details help you to understand the main idea.2.Decide which details help you to understand the main idea.3.Turn the main idea into a question by asking who,what,when,3.Turn the main idea into a question by ask
17、ing who,what,when,where,why,or how?The answer will give a set of details.where,why,or how?The answer will give a set of details.Supporting details answer all those questions Supporting details answer all those questions that you have about the topic sentences.that you have about the topic sentences.
18、Why are(supporting)details important?Why are(supporting)details important?Details help you to better understand Details help you to better understand the main idea and see the big picture.the main idea and see the big picture.Details make the main idea stronger Details make the main idea stronger an
19、d more interesting.and more interesting.Details help the writing flow.Details help the writing flow.Smoking cigarettes is not only a disgusting and smelly habit,but also very bad for your health.It has been proven to cause cancer,lung disease,and heart disease,and to weaken your immune system.Smokin
20、g makes it a lot harder to breathe,which means its more difficult to play sports and get the exercise you need to stay healthy.Its also harmful for those hanging around a smoker,because they breathe the smoky air.Even though most people know how bad smoking is for them,more than 1,000 people die eac
21、h day from its effect!Main Idea Detail Detail Detail Smoking is bad for your health.Find the supporting details.All the sentences in the passage support the main idea.You should provide enough supporting detail in your paragraphs so the reader can easily understand what you are trying to communicate
22、.Smoking is bad for your health.SmokingIt can cause cancer,lung disease,and heart disease,and weaken your immune system.Smoking makes it a lot harder to breathe.Its also harmful for those hanging around a smoker.All the supporting details in the text or within All the supporting details in the text
23、or within a paragraph should tell us more about the main a paragraph should tell us more about the main idea.idea.Every story or paragraph has a main idea.Every story or paragraph has a main idea.Main Idea is like the heart of the text or a paragraph.Main Idea is like the heart of the text or a para
24、graph.Maria offered to help her mother clean the house.She vacuumed the living room and dusted the furniture.She picked up the toys in the playroom.She ate a ham sandwich for lunch.Then,she mopped the kitchen floor.Which sentence/detail does not support Which sentence/detail does not support the mai
25、n idea?the main idea?Practice:Understanding Details Practice:Understanding Details Which sentence/detail does not support Which sentence/detail does not support the main idea?the main idea?Winter provides the opportunity for many Winter provides the opportunity for many outdoor activitiesoutdoor act
26、ivities.Many people enjoy iceMany people enjoy iceskating on a pond.Swimming in the pond in skating on a pond.Swimming in the pond in summer can also be fun.Skiing can be an summer can also be fun.Skiing can be an exciting experience too.After a new snowfall,exciting experience too.After a new snowf
27、all,you can even build a snowman!you can even build a snowman!Benjamin Franklin loved to write.When he was twenty-two,he set up his own printing shop and started a newspaper.He also printed a book called Poor Richards Almanac.It had funny stories,information about the weather,and wise sayings.What i
28、s the main idea?A.Franklin loved to write stories and books.B.Franklin worked very hard when he was young.C.Franklin knew a lot about the weather.D.Franklin was very poor.APractice:Identifying Main IdeaPractice:Identifying Main IdeaBenjamin Franklin loved the city of Philadelphia.He started the city
29、s first hospital and fire department.Ben also started Philadelphias first public library.Benjamin Franklin worked very hard to make Philadelphia a better place to live.What is the main idea?A.Franklin worked hard to make his city a great place to live.B.Franklin worked for the fire department.C.Fran
30、klin knew a lot about books.D.Franklin went to school in Philadelphia.ABenjamin Franklin was very interested in electricity.One day he tried a very dangerous experiment to prove that lightning was electricity.He attached a key to a kite string and flew the kite during a thunderstorm.When the lightni
31、ng hit the kite,sparks flew from the key.Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning was electricity.What is the main idea?A.Franklin liked to play in the rain.B.Franklin performed an experiment that proved lightning was electricity.C.Franklin knew a lot about thunderstorms.D.Franklin invented a new kin
32、d of kite.BBenjamin Franklin invented many things that made life easier in the late 1700s.He invented the lightning rod that saved many homes from fires.He also invented the Franklin stove.The stove could heat a room better than a fireplace and saved people a lot of fuel.He also invented a special k
33、ind of glasses called bifocals.This new kind of glasses helped people to read better.What is the main idea?A.Franklin thought reading was important.B.Franklin was not afraid of fire.C.Franklin was a great inventor.D.A Franklin stove can heat a whole room.CPractice:Identifying Main ideas&Details Prac
34、tice:Identifying Main ideas&Details There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world.First,Canada has an excellent health care system.All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price.Second,Canada has a high standard of education.Students are taught by
35、well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university.Finally,Canadas cities are clean and efficiently managed.Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live.As a result,Canada is a desirable place to live.CanadaCanadaMain IdeaMain IdeaThere are three reas
36、ons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world.Canada has an excellent health care system.Canada has an excellent health care system.Detail 1 Canada has a high standard of education.Canada has a high standard of education.Detail 2 Detail 3Canadas cities are clean and well managed.Canadas c
37、ities are clean and well managed.Topic There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world.First,Canada has an excellent health care system.First,Canada has an excellent health care system.All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price.Second,Canada has
38、a high standard of education.Second,Canada has a high standard of education.Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university.Finally,Canadas cities are Finally,Canadas cities are clean and efficiently managed.clean and efficiently managed.Canadian ci
39、ties have many parks and lots of space for people to live.As a result,Canada is a desirable place to live.The underlined sentence is the Main Point of the paragraph.The bolded sentences are Major Supporting Details.The italicized sentences in blue are Minor Supporting Details.When we write about an
40、experience or event,we can organize When we write about an experience or event,we can organize our ideas using the following five main points.our ideas using the following five main points.Then we should give details to support the Then we should give details to support the main points by giving rea
41、sons,examples,steps,main points by giving reasons,examples,steps,or any other information.or any other information.Main Points and DetailsMain Points and DetailsWriting Tips on Main Points and Details1.After deciding on your topic,choose two to four or five supporting points about the topic.2.Stay o
42、n the point.Each main point should be worth writing about.All the main points should relate to the subject and help develop the readers knowledge about the subject.3.Provide enough specific details(Reasons,Examples,Names,Numbers,Senses)to support the main points.Reason:Say why your idea is good or b
43、adExamples:Give proof of your ideasNames:Use specific names,titles,etc.Numbers:Give provable numbersSenses:Give details that refer to our senses(sight,touch,smell,sound,taste)Each of the main points must be different from all the others.Where wasTimmywhen the earthquake started?What happened to Timm
44、y in the earthquake?What did Timmy do/see/hear/feel in the earthquake?How didTimmyfeel when he was trapped?How didTimmysurvive the earthquake?Truly specific details excite the readers interest.They show what the writer means.They provide strong support for the main points.Strong supporting evidence
45、is Strong supporting evidence is at the heart of effective at the heart of effective writing.writing.Write your own paragraph.1.1.Choose from one of these ideas.Choose from one of these ideas.2.Write down some main points and details and organize your 2.Write down some main points and details and or
46、ganize your ideas before you write.ideas before you write.3.Think of a topic sentence and add supporting details.Make 3.Think of a topic sentence and add supporting details.Make your paragraph at least four sentences long.your paragraph at least four sentences long.4.Remember:Sentences belong in the
47、 paragraph only if they tell4.Remember:Sentences belong in the paragraph only if they tell about the main idea.about the main idea.The last day of school Your favorite sport Why do people lie?Main Point/IdeaTo avoid hurting someones feelings.To avoid a fight.To fit in.To avoid spending more time wit
48、h someone.Detail 1Detail 2Detail 4Detail 3Why do people lie?Think of a topic sentence.Add supporting details.Develop your writing and make it more interesting.Example People lie for different reasons.People lie for different reasons.One common reason is to avoid hurting someones feelings.For example
49、,a friend might ask,“Do you like my new haircut?“If you think its ugly,you might still answer,“Yes.”Another common reason for lying is to avoid a fight.Say a friend angers you and then asks,“Are you upset with me?”You might answer,“No,”to avoid an argument.People also lie so that theyll fit in,as wh
50、en you listen to a boring person and politely say,“Thats interesting.”Moreover,people lie to avoid spending more time withsomeone.For instance,you might lie,“I have to go now.”Possible versionWriting is like soccer.You want to stayWriting is like soccer.You want to staywith your point.Adding support
