TOPIC AND MAIN IDEA

WHAT IS THE TOPIC? 

    The topic is the general subject of a paragraph or essay. Topics are simple and are described with just a word or a phrase. Main idea is a complete sentence, it includes the topic and what the author wants to say about it. The main feature of the topic is it coverage of a problem that is still general in nature.

WHAT IS FUNCTION OF TOPIC?

    A topic sentence sets up the theme and subject of a paragraph, therefore the lead paragraph of an essay states the theme of that essay and how it will be treated.

HOW TO FIND THE TOPIC OF A SENTENCE?

    Generally, the topic sentence appears at the beginning of the paragraph. It is often the paragraph's very first sentence. A paragraph's topic sentence must be general enough to express the paragraph's overall subject

WHAT IS MAIN IDEA?

    The main idea is defined as the central point or big picture of a story or informational text. The details are those statements that support (go along with) the main idea. Main idea and details are important in all types of texts as well as in writing.

WHAT IS FUNCTION OF THE MAIN IDEA?

    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.

HOW TO FIND THE MAIN IDEA? 

1. Identify the topic

2. Summarize the passage

3. Look at the first and last sentence of the pasage

4. Look for repetition of ideas

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MAIN IDEA?

1. Must always have the topic (the word, name, or phrase that tells who or what the paragraph is about)

2. Must always be a complete sentence by itself (even if you were not able to read the rest of the paragraph)

3. Must be a sentence that summarizes the details of the paragraph