Reading for the Main Ideas in Paragraphs
As was introduced in Unit 1, finding the main idea of a paragraph is necessary for understanding a piece of writing. The main idea sentence of a paragraph is commonly known as a “topic sentence” or “topic statement”. The topic sentence most frequently appears at the beginning of a paragraph, as we can see in the following example taken from Reading Passage A:
Of course, names with a positive sense can work for you, even encourage new acquaintances. A recent survey showed that American men thought Susan to be the most attractive female name, while women believed Richard and David were the most attractive for men. One woman I know turned down a blind date with a man named Harry because "he sounded dull." Several evenings later, she came up to me at a party, pressing for an introduction to a very impressive man; they'd been exchanging glances all evening. "Oh," I said. "You mean Harry." She was ill at ease. (Para. 5, Reading Passage A, Unit 6)
Main Idea of the Paragraph: Names with a positive sense can work for you.
But the topic sentence may also appear in other places: in the middle or at the end of a paragraph. Look at two more examples taken from Reading A:
1. Naturally, the name change didn't cause Debbie/Lynne's professional achievement -- but it surely helped if only by adding a bit of self-confidence to her talents. Social scientists say that what you're called can affect your life. Throughout history, names have not merely identified people but also described them. "…As his name is, so is he..." says the Bible, and Webster's Dictionary includes the following definition of name: "a word or words expressing some quality considered characteristic or descriptive of a person or a thing, often expressing approval or disapproval." Note well "approval or disapproval." For better or worse, qualities such as friendliness or reserve, plainness or charm may be suggested by your name and conveyed to other people before they even meet you. (Para. 3, Reading Passage A, Unit 6)
Main Idea of the Paragraph: What you're called can affect your life.
The main idea sentence appears in the middle or in the midst of this paragraph.
2. Though your parents probably meant your name to last a lifetime, remember that when they picked it they'd hardly met you, and the hopes and dreams they valued when they chose it may not match yours. If your name no longer seems to fit you, don’t despair; you aren't stuck with the label. Movie stars regularly change their names, and with some determination, you can, too. (Para. 8, Reading Passage A, Unit 6)
Main idea of the Paragraph: You can change your name if you are determined to.
The main idea sentence appears at the end of this paragraph.
Sometimes the main idea of a paragraph is not directly stated by any one sentence in the paragraph: it is only implied. In these cases you have to write a sentence to sum up or state the main idea of a paragraph.
Reading for the Main Ideas in Paragraphs
As we learned in Unit 1, reading for the main ideas in paragraphs is one of the most useful reading skills we can develop and we can apply this skill to any kind of reading. Finding the main idea in a paragraph is necessary for the understanding of a piece of writing.
The main idea sentence most frequently appears at the beginning of a paragraph, as is clear from the following example taken from Reading Passage A:
Names become attached to specific images, as anyone who's been called “a plain Jane” or "just an average Joe" can show. The latter name particularly bothers me since my name is Joe, which some think makes me more qualified to be a baseball player than, say, an art critic. Yet, despite this disadvantage, I did manage to become an art critic for a time. Even so, one prominent magazine consistently refused to print “Joe” in my by-line, using my first initials, J.S., instead. I suspect that if I were a more refined Arthur or Adrian, the name would have appeared complete. (Para. 4, Reading Passage A, Unit 6)
Main idea: Names become attached to specific images
Notice that the main idea sentence may also appear in other places: in the middle or at the end of a paragraph. Sometimes the main idea of a paragraph may be only implied: it is not directly stated by any one sentence in the paragraph.