How to Find the Main Idea – Have you studied the term main idea? If so, do you really understand it?
The main idea becomes one of the materials learned from various school levels. We are starting from elementary, middle, to high school. This material is usually often asked in midterm and final exams.
To understand the main idea of a text, of course, you must first understand its definition. For that, let's read the explanation below!
Also Read: How to Manage Stress and Negative Emotions
What is the Main Idea?
Do you know the meaning of the main idea? The main idea is the topic of discussion in a paragraph. According to the term, the main idea is often referred to as the main point of a text. Its location can be at the beginning, end, beginning, and end, or in all parts of the paragraph.
When you encounter a text, whatever its form, you will definitely find the main idea in it because the idea is the beginning of the formation of the writing.
For example, you come across an article about rising chili prices. Then, the causes and consequences of the price increase are also explained. Well, the main idea in this article is the increase in chili prices. Meanwhile, the causes and consequences are used as explanatory sentences.
The main idea consists of various kinds as well. Based on the location or position of the main idea, there are four kinds of paragraphs, namely deductive, inductive, mixed, and descriptive paragraphs.
The deductive paragraph is defined as a paragraph in which the main idea is at the beginning of the writing. As a result, the writing becomes a special-general pattern. Meanwhile, inductive paragraphs have the main idea at the end of the writing so that the writing has a general-specific pattern. There are also mixed paragraphs as a form of combining inductive and deductive paragraphs. Finally, there are descriptive paragraphs that lay out the main idea throughout the piece of writing.
How to Find the Main Idea?
Then, how do you find the main idea? Come on, see some of the following ways!
1. Define the Main Sentence or Keyword
To find the main idea, you can use speed reading techniques. That way, the keyword or main sentence will be visible.
The main sentence can be used as a key to the main idea of a piece of writing because the main sentence must be a sentence that will be explained more deeply by other sentences. You can recognize them by the frequently used words throughout the paragraph.
2. Read the Text Carefully and Thoroughly
This one method cannot be abandoned, you know. The reason is, reading carefully and thoroughly is key to understanding the topic of the reading.
Instead of reading it fast, you can read it slowly. From here, you can find the main sentence and the explanatory sentence.
Read the paragraph from beginning to end. Look at the sentences in each paragraph. Then, find sentences that contain the main idea. Usually, this sentence will be the main umbrella for the following sentences.
3. Determine the Type of Paragraph
You can use the previous explanation, which is about various main ideas, to find the main idea of a piece of writing. By categorizing the types of paragraphs, we can also find the position of the main idea in a piece of writing.
After reading an article, you will realize that there is one sentence that summarizes the entire topic.
4. Mark the Main Idea
After finding the main idea, you can mark it with a highlighter or pen. This is done to minimize forgetting or being distracted by other sentences.
By marking the text, you also don't have to bother reading the entire text. Instead, you can only read the parts that have been marked.
5. Take Notes of Important Information from the Text
Apart from marking the main idea, you can also record information that you think is important. By taking notes, you can find the keywords in the reading, namely by looking at the words and topics that are often discussed.
Thus, it becomes easier for you to find the main idea at the beginning, end, beginning, and end and throughout the paragraph.
Also Read: Here Are 10 Obligations As Children At Home
There are several ways to find the main idea in a passage. By applying these methods, you won't be confused anymore, okay?
You must be logged in to post a comment.