A paragraph is a group of sentences that are related to a particular topic, or central theme. Every paragraph has a key concept or main idea. The main idea is the most important piece of information the author wants a reader to know about the concept of that paragraph. When authors write they have an idea in mind that they are trying to get across. This is especially true as authors compose
. paragraphs. An author organizes each paragraph's main idea and supporting details in support of the topic or central theme, and each paragraph supports the paragraph preceding it. A writer will state their main idea clearly somewhere in the paragraph. That main idea may be stated at the beginning of the paragraph, in the middle, or at the end. The sentence in which the main idea is stated is the topic sentence of that paragraph. The topic sentence announces the general theme that will be dealt with in the paragraph. Although the topic sentence may appear anywhere in the paragraph, it is usually first because this sentence provides the focus for the writer.Main idea worksheets usually contain sample paragraphs and ask the student to identify the main idea of each paragraph. Underlining the main idea is the most common way for a student to identify it in the paragraph. There are many sites that offer worksheets for use in classrooms or at home practice. One site is available at the web address www.rhlschool.com/read6n4.htm. Here, teachers have access to many different examples which feature the main idea sentences in different parts of the paragraphs. Another site that offers free worksheets for practicing the main idea concept is available at www.superteacherworksheets.com/reading/main-idea.pdf. This site offers many samples that are ready to be printed and used by students for main idea practice. More reference links: www.rhlschool.com/read6n4.htm www.superteacherworksheets.com/reading/main-idea.pdf
