MAIN IDEA

Supporting Lecturer :

Andriamella Elfarissyah, S.Pd., M.Pd

ARRANGED BY : GROUP 2

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Anggieta Fatia Sari 372022027

ENGLISH EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION

UNIVERSITAS MUHAMMADIYAH PALEMBANG

SCHOOL YEAR OF 2023/2024

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD................................................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 1..................................................................................................................................4
PRELIMINARY.............................................................................................................................4
A. BACKGROUND.................................................................................................................4
B. PROBLEM FORMULATION..............................................................................................4
C. OBJECTIVES......................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER 2..................................................................................................................................5
DISCUSSION................................................................................................................................5
A. THE MEANING OF WH-QUESTIONS...............................................................................5
B. FORMULA OF WH-QUESTIONS.......................................................................................5
C. EXAMPLE OF MAIN IDEA.................................................................................................6
CHAPTER 3................................................................................................................................10
CLOSING...................................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................10
SUGGESTION.........................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES.............................................................................................................................11
 FOREWORD

In the name of Allah SWT, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, we offer praise and
thanksgiving for His presence, who has bestowed His mercy, guidance, and inayah on us, so
that we can complete the English Course Paper with the title “MAIN IDEA”. Don’t forget
sholawat and greetings, may they have always be poured out on the Prophet Muhammad
SAW and his family, friends and reach us as his people.This paper has been prepared with the
help of various parties and various reading sources. For this reason, we express our deepest
gratitude to all those who have contributed to the production of this paper, especially
Andriamella Elfarissyah, S.Pd., M.Pd. who has given this assignment. Apart from all that, we
are fully aware that there are still shortcomings both in terms of sentence structure and
grammar. Therefore, constructive suggestions and criticims from readers are very much
needed, so that we can improve further papers. Finally, we hope that this paper can provide
benefits to readers.
 CHAPTER 1

PRELIMINARY

A. BACKGROUND

Questions about the "main idea" of a passage are popular on reading comprehension tests, but
sometimes, those questions are pretty difficult to answer, especially for students who are not
completely sure they understand what the main idea really is. Finding the main idea of a
paragraph or longer passage of text is one of the most important reading skills to master,
along with concepts like making an inference, finding the author's purpose, or understanding
vocabulary words in context.

B. PROBLEM FORMULATION

1. What is the main idea?

2. How to find the main idea?

C. OBJECTIVES

So that readers know in depth about the MAIN IDEA.

 CHAPTER 2

DISCUSSION

A. THE MEANING OF MAIN IDEA

The essential idea, main message, or emphasized elementary idea given in a

paragraph or text is called the main idea. It is a thought that is short, essential, and unique.
The main idea constitutes the heart of the text. It includes the main message that the author
would like to convey to audiences directly or indirectly. As known, opinion texts are written
to explain an opinion, listing its positive and negative aspects, and so on. It is impossible to
mention any text purposelessly written. The main idea reveals the purpose of documenting
the text. It emerges as the reason why an author indites. In the same vein, it wise topic and
content. Thus, the main idea is significantly emphasized.

The main idea is the most important idea in the paragraph. It is a fact or opinion. The
main idea is usually the first or second sentence in a paragraph. This sentence is called the
topic sentence. All the other sentences support the topic sentence. They are details. They are
examples or explanations. They provide evidence to support the main idea.

There are numerous ideas in oral or written texts. These are threefold: main ideas,
secondary ideas, and details. The first one is the main idea. The concept ‘’main idea’’ is used
for being the unique idea emphasized in the text. The main idea is the sentence that
summarizes a text in the best manner. This sentence is called the “main idea sentence.’’ In
this sentence, the purpose and message of an author are presented, understandably, and
simply. At the same time, it leads to other surrounding sentences that contain information,
events, and examples in the text.

The ideas, explaining and supporting the main idea, are called secondary ideas in a
text. These encompass the main idea and gain importance to carry secondary significance in
the discourse. They are given examples, events, data, and information, and they strengthen
the main idea. The third group is detail. Secondary ideas and significant information should
be related to the main idea closely or remotely. Hence, the main idea is the most
comprehensive judgment or inference that could be deduced from a text. In brief, all
sentences of paragraph or text enclose and support the main idea. The main idea is mostly
given as a summary sentence, and it is called the main idea sentence. The main idea sentence
brings unity and integrity to a text since the storyline of the writing is built on the main idea
sentence. A well-written main idea sentence has some features. Understanding the main idea
of a text is the most important academic reading skill. After you have read an academic text
you will need to know the main idea to understand the text.

B. HOW TO DEFINE THE MAIN IDEA

A main idea of a text is found from both the overall text and paragraphs. The main
idea of a text is the answer given to the question ‘’What does the text mention about?’’
whereas the main idea of a paragraph answers the question ‘’What does this paragraph
mention about?’’ Main idea of a paragraph is a paragraph sentence in which the author
summarizes the most significant information to explain a topic. Main idea of a paragraph can
be in the sentences at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of the paragraph. If the main
idea is placed in the first sentence at the beginning of a paragraph or in the last sentence, it is
easy to find. However, if the main idea is placed in the middle, then it is harder to find.

How is the main idea of a text found? Depending on whether the main idea is explicit
or implicit, two main paths are followed. Certain paragraphs are examined to find the main
idea given clearly. For the implicit one, the whole text is examined. They are explained in the
order below.

Finding the explicit main idea: It is easy to find the main idea that is directly stated in the
text. The main idea is found in three ways in a text written by the rules. The first one is about
looking for it in the first paragraph of the text, the second one is in the second paragraph, and
the third one is in the last paragraph. In a well-written text, the author starts presenting the
main idea starting from the first paragraph. In the last paragraph, he summarizes the
conclusion. Therefore, primarily the paragraphs at the beginning and end of the texts are
examined.

For this purpose, the following processes are applied.

Searching it in the first paragraph: In a text or article written within grammatical rules, the
author usually fits the main idea starting from the first paragraph. The reader should read the
title and first paragraph of a text to find the main idea. Next, he or she should read the last
paragraph, skipping the other paragraphs. The main idea of a text should be found based on
the two paragraphs.

Searching it in the second paragraph: If the main idea is not given in the first paragraph of
a text, then the second paragraph should proceed, and it should be searched in the second
paragraph. The author gives hints about the main idea in the second paragraph. After the
second paragraph, by skipping other paragraphs, the last paragraph should be proceeded. The
main idea of a text should be found based on the information in three paragraphs.

Looking for it in the last paragraph: In the past, authors used to avoid giving the main idea
in the first paragraph. There was no such a writing style. In those days, the authors would
give the main topic starting from the second paragraph and make a summary in the last
paragraph. In this kind of text, the main idea of the text should be found by reading the last
paragraph directly.

Finding significant sentences: After finding the main idea the significant sentences should
be followed to understand the text. Texts consist of significant sentences and details that
make them meaningful. Every part of a text does not carry the same importance. Apart from
the fundamental events explained in the text, information containing the details is given. In
other words, along with significant sentences, there are sentences containing details in
a text as well. The author frames the significant sentences with the sentences containing
Complementary information. He or she benefits from fancy transition sentences when passing
from one event to another. How are significant sentences found in such cases?

Main idea of a text is found through the method explained above. Significant sentences are
sought in paragraphs skipped or unread in a text. First, second and last paragraphs of the text
were read while searching for the main idea.

1. Read the title and introduction

The title and introduction of a text often give clues about the main idea. The title may
indicate the topic, the perspective, or the question that the text will address. The introduction
may provide background information, context, or a preview of the main points. Pay attention
to the words and phrases that the author uses to introduce and highlight the main idea.

2. Look for topic sentences

Topic sentences are usually the first or last sentences of each paragraph that
summarize the main idea of that paragraph. They often connect to the main idea of the text
and show how each paragraph supports or develops it. Look for topic sentences that contain
keywords, transitions, or indicators of the author's position or argument.

3. Identify the supporting details

Supporting details are the facts, examples, statistics, quotations, or explanations that
the author uses to back up the main idea. They usually follow or relate to the topic sentences
and provide evidence or reasoning for the main idea. Identify the supporting details that the
author uses and ask yourself how they contribute to the main idea.

4. Summarize the text in your own words

Summarizing the text in your own words can help you clarify and synthesize the main
idea. To summarize the text, try to answer these questions: What is the text about? What is
the author's point of view or argument? What are the main points or subtopics that the author
discusses? How does the author conclude or wrap up the text? Use your own words and avoid
copying or paraphrasing the text.

5. Compare your summary with the author's conclusion

The author's conclusion is usually the last paragraph or section of the text that restates
or reinforces the main idea. It may also provide implications, recommendations, or solutions
related to the main idea. Compare your summary with the author's conclusion and see if they
match or differ. If they match, you have probably identified the main idea correctly. If they
differ, you may need to revise your summary or re-read the text.

6. Evaluate the main idea critically

 Evaluating the main idea critically means assessing its validity, relevance, and
significance. It also means considering alternative perspectives, assumptions, or biases that
may affect the main idea. To evaluate the main idea critically, ask yourself these questions: Is
the main idea clear and coherent? Is the main idea supported by sufficient and credible
evidence? Is the main idea relevant and important to the topic and the audience? What are the
strengths and weaknesses of the main idea? What are some other possible main ideas or
counterarguments?

Main idea is mostly given as a summary sentence, and it is called main idea sentence.
Main idea sentence brings unity and integrity to a text since the story line of the writing is
built on the main idea sentence. A well-written main idea sentence has some features.
Therefore, a main idea should be as follows:

• It includes the core of the text.

• It states a thought, not a topic.

• It is expressed briefly.

• It is clear and understandable, not lead to different interpretations.

• It is general and universal.

• It leads to the sentences in the text such as explanation, event, example, comparison, cause
effect and so on

C. EXAMPLE OF MAIN IDEA

1. Main idea as first sentence

The main idea or topic sentence is shown in bold. The other sentences are supporting
sentences. The other sentences provide details.

Exercise is good for your heart. Jogging and swimming and other such activities are good
for your heart. Getting regular exercise can help you have a healthier heart. Regular physical
activity raises healthy HDL cholesterol levels and reduces unhealthy LDL cholesterol and
triglycerides. It also lowers blood pressure, burns body fat, and lowers blood sugar levels —
all of which benefit heart health.
 CHAPTER 3

CLOSING

A. CONCLUSION

Main idea constitutes a significant stage of reading and comprehension studies. Main
idea finding skills improve linguistic and mental skills such as reading, speaking, and writing
as well as contributing to the skills such as guessing, envisioning, making connections
between information, catching information, event and examples in the text and evaluation

B.SUGESTION

As the author of this paper, we realize that this paper has many errors and is still far from
perfect. Therefore, we as a writer need criticism and suggestions from readers, so that in the
future we can improve this paper in accordance with the criticisms and suggetions from
readers. we expect criticism and suggestions that can help me in making future papers to be
better.