How do I find main ideas?

When the main idea is stated it is usually found at the beginning or the ending. Look at the beginning or ending of a paragraph. For longer pieces of writing, the main idea is usually found in the first and the last paragraphs.

When the main idea is not stated, look for clues about the main idea. Clues may be repeated words, phrases, or ideas. The sequence that facts are revealed will often help you discover the common relationship between the facts. Sometimes ideas are repeated by using different words or phrases. It is important to look carefully at how the ideas and sentences are related.

Skimming a work, reading parts of a work quickly, can help you predict the main idea of a work before you begin reading more carefully. Scanning, looking for specific words, phases, or patterns, can help you locate words or details related to the topic or main idea.