Lesson 2 of 5
Paragraphs
Lesson #2: Paragraphs
In Lesson #1 you found the main idea for a paragraph about the Bill or Rights. In that paragraph the first sentence presented its main idea. That will often be the case, but it is not necessary. A more reliable indicator for identifying the main idea depends upon determining the role of each sentence of the paragraph. One sentence is the main idea. Each other sentence is supportive of the main idea; it explains or clarifies the main idea.
Read the sample paragraph below. Its main idea is not in its first sentence.
Finding a paragraph’s main idea is not your major goal. You must understand the main idea of a paragraph. The supportive sentences are there to help you achieve that purpose. Look for the connection each supporting sentence makes with the main idea. That effort will help you understand the central goal of the paragraph.
To understand the paragraph above, re-write the main idea in your own words.
That process forces you to see the connections between the main idea and the supporting sentences. As a result you will gain an understanding of the whole paragraph. It cements the main idea in your mind. You will remember it!
For Lesson #2, re-write the sentence containing the main idea. Use your own words to express that idea.
You are finished with Lesson #2. Take a couple of days to think about main ideas and the value of expressing them in your own words. When you return, we’ll look at another process for making main ideas more understandable and memorable.
Reflection responses are saved on this device as you type. This demo does not send them to a server.