... remove.
b. fleeting, brief.
c. troubling, disturbing.
12. The main idea of this paragraph is best expressed
in which sentence in the paragraph?
13. Indicate whether the following sentences are fact
or ... sandwiches
g. stir-fried vegetables
3. The meaning of mimic is
a. reject.
b. copy.
c. ignore.
d. disregard.
4. Which of the following best summarizes the
main idea of the passage?
a...
... third, in
addition, and most importantly.
Main Idea
By the way, what is the main idea of the two para-
graphs above? Do you see a topic sentence? Write the
main idea of the paragraphs in this space.
You ... introduce you to new information and ideas.
Order of Importance to You
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Order of Presentation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
In which order did you choose to present your
ide...
... to
watch.
3. More independent films should win
Academy Awards.
4. The Academy Awards are an annual
event.
5. Best director is the most interesting
Academy Award category.
Answers
1. Fact
2. Opinion
3. ... terrible boss. I really don’t like him. He just
can’t get along with people. And he has stupid ideas
about politics.
Why is the first paragraph so much better?
Because it’s not just opinion...
... and how.
■
Lesson 2: Find the main idea. You learned about
topic sentences and how they express an assertion
about the subject of the paragraph. You saw how
the main idea must be general enough ... the
thought that controls the paragraph, and the other
sentences work to support that main idea.
■
Lesson 3: Determine the meaning of words from
context. You practiced looking for clues...
... until at last, you reach the president.
Likewise, in writing, ideas may be arranged in order of importance. In this pattern, which idea comes first?
Not the one that happened first, but the one ... approval
3
rd
–take course–
get C+
or better!
4
th
–write report
5
th
–fill out reimb.
request
6
th
–attach tuition,
report + grades
to request
7
th
–submit to
supervisor
8
th
–submit to HR
1
2...
... analysis. This reason or
point is the main idea, which is often stated in a topic
sentence.
– SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES: COMPARE AND CONTRAST–
71
Finding the Main Idea
Now that you’ve answered those ... What is the main idea of this passage?
Did you notice that the opening sentence, “Planting
a garden is a lot like having a family,” is the topic sen-
tence that expresses the...
... what were the effects
of the new marketing campaign?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Answers
1. Sales have increased 35 %.
2. Client references have doubled.
3. Client retention rates have increased.
4. Five new sales ... reader.
9
73
Answers
Cause 1: Ed’s father was always in the garage.
Effect 1: Ed would spend hours watching.
Cause 2: Ed would spend hours watching.
Effect 2: Ed became fascinated by c...
... importance (least important idea
to most important idea) or in order of decreasing importance (most important idea to least important idea) .
■
Lesson 8: Compare and contrast. Ideas are arranged so ... information and ideas:
■
Lesson 6: Chronological order. Ideas are arranged in the order in which they occurred (or in the order in
which they should occur).
■
Lesson 7: Order of importanc...
... importance (least important idea
to most important idea) or in order of decreasing importance (most important idea to least important idea) .
■
Lesson 8: Compare and contrast. Ideas are arranged so ... information and ideas:
■
Lesson 6: Chronological order. Ideas are arranged in the order in which they occurred (or in the order in
which they should occur).
■
Lesson 7: Order of importanc...