Main idea and summarising · Grade 3
The main idea is what a paragraph or text is mostly about: the point that all the sentences support. A summary gives the main idea and the most important points in a few words, leaving out small details and examples. Being able to sum up a text shows you have really understood it.
Key facts
- Ask: what is every sentence about? That is the main idea; the rest are supporting details.
- The main idea is often in the first sentence (the topic sentence), but not always: sometimes it comes at the end.
- A good title sums up the main idea in a few words: Why Towns Need Trees.
- A summary is short, uses your own words, keeps the main points and adds nothing that isn't in the text.
- Leave out examples, numbers and small details unless they are essential.