Main Idea

Everything you read has a main idea. The main idea is what a text is mostly about. Texts contain many ideas but the main idea joins all of the other ideas together. Think of it like a heading. If the other ideas would fit under the main idea as a heading then you have found the main idea. If one of the other ideas would be better suited as the heading, then that is the main idea.

​Main Idea of a Text
A good title will give you a clue about the main idea of a whole text. ​The first paragraph usually tells you what the main idea of a whole text is. If it doesn't make it clear what the main idea is, the main idea is sometimes found in the last paragraph. If a text does not clearly state what the main idea is, you need to ask yourself, ​What is this text mainly about? ​

Main Idea of a Paragraph
Each paragraph in the main body of a text also has its own main idea that is related to the main idea of the whole text. The main idea of each paragraph is usually found in the first or second sentence, sometimes the last.

Comprehension Tests
When asked questions about the main idea:
1. Think about what the text is mainly about.
2. If you are being asked about the main idea of a whole text, look in the first paragraph, the introduction. If it isn't clear, look at the last paragraph, the conclusion.
3. If you are being asked about the main idea of a paragraph, look at the first sentence. If it isn't clear, look at the second sentence. If it still isn't clear, look at the last sentence.
4. Once you think you have found or worked out the main idea, think about whether that idea or some of the words in it would make a good title for the whole text or paragraph.
5. If it is a multiple choice question, make sure you check all of the possible answers. Think about whether the other ideas in the text provide more information about each of the answers.

The main idea is what a text is mostly about.

Example
​My sister likes reading books. My sister has her nose in a book every chance she can get. My sister is always asking my parents to drive her to the library or to different book shops. I think my parents should buy her a Kindle so she can download books whenever she likes.
What are the ideas in the text?
My sister likes reading books.
My sister has her nose in a book every chance she can get.
My sister is always asking my parents to driver her to the library or to different book shops.
I think my parents should buy her a Kindle so she can download books whenever she likes.
Which idea joins all of the ideas together? 
My sister likes reading books.
Check your thinking: 
The other ideas are not the main idea. If we were to write the main idea as a heading for the paragraph, every other idea would fit under that title. The other ideas would not make good titles.
Where is the main idea found? In the first sentence.​

Students registered with Quiz Egg can try the quick quiz with two practice questions on finding the main idea below. Registration is free.