About This Lesson
The Main Idea is the central or most important idea in a paragraph or passage. It states the purpose and sets the direction of the paragraph or passage.
The main idea may be stated or it may be implied.
The main idea may be split. The first sentence of a paragraph may present a point
of view, while the last sentence presents a contrasting or opposite view.
To find the main idea of any paragraph or passage, ask these questions:
1. Who or what is the paragraph about?
2. What aspect or idea about the ‘who’ or ‘what’ is the author concerned with?
