Lab Activity 21: Determining the Main Idea

Chapter 5: Locating Stated Main Ideas
Lab Activity 21: Determining the Main Idea

Objective
To identify the main idea in a paragraph by considering the supporting details.

Step 2: Read the following paragraphs. For each of the first two paragraphs, identify the main idea and then compare it with the one you wrote in Lab Activity 21 in your book. For paragraphs 7–10, indicate which sentence contains the main idea. Your instructor will tell you whether to write your answers in your book or to submit your answers online for electronic grading.

Compare this with the paragraph you wrote for item 3 in your book.

¹Her dorm walls are decorated with watercolor landscapes she has created. ²In addition, she frequently pencils drawings in a sketchbook she carries in her backpack. ³As gifts, for family and friends, she handpaints ceramic tiles with inspirational quotations. ⁴Finally, in the margin of her notes, she draws intricate pictures related to the lectures. ⁵Everyone who meets Shawna can tell that she is an artist.

Compare this with the paragraph you wrote for item 6 in your book.

¹An engaging film must include several key attributes. ²First, a well-crafted plot with surprises can hold a viewer's attention. ³Second, a talented cast that interacts well is critical. ⁴In addition, a good soundtrack can establish the mood. ⁵Finally, special technical effects enhance the visual appeal and create tension.


		7. ¹Read at least 15 minutes a day. ²In addition, make a habit of completing crossword puzzles. ³Also, find time to play board games. ⁴And work some jigsaw puzzles when you have the opportunity. ⁵Finally, limit your television viewing. ⁶According to some current research, these steps will help prevent the early onset of Alzheimer's because they encourage mental activity. Main idea:

		8. ¹With so many words in the English language, students are often surprised to learn that quite a lot of foreign words and phrases appear in our dictionaries because English speakers use them. ²For example, the Latin phrase quid pro quo, which means "something for something," is used in contract negotiations or sexual harassment cases. ³Another Latin phrase is ad infinitum, or "to infinity," which students jokingly complain is the length of some instructors' lectures. ⁴A third Latin term frequently used in businesses is ad hoc, literally "for this," which is applied to something, such as a committee, that is formed for a specific purpose but will be dissolved when its work is complete. ⁵Some French words have also been adopted into English, including potpourri, which indicates any kind of mixture, and en masse, which means "in a group" or "as a whole." Main Idea:

		9. ¹College students often add up to 20,000 new words to their vocabularies in a four-year period. ²Because college students encounter new words every day in lectures and their readings, they learn to determine the definitions of new words in several ways. ³One way is to use context clues. ⁴In addition, they use their knowledge of word parts and the meaning of the prefix, root, or suffix to lead them to the definition of a new word. ⁵Another strategy is to use the glossary entries that textbook writers frequently include in the margins of pages or in the back of the book. ⁶And students can always consult the dictionary if they encounter specialized terms that prevent them from comprehending a difficult passage. Main idea:

		10. ¹Arrive to class five minutes early, and attend every lecture. ²Look over your notes every day. ³Present positive body language by being alert and ready to actively participate in class. ⁴Also, try to ask a question and answer a question during each class. ⁵This strategy will prevent you from being passive in the classroom. ⁶In addition, remember to exercise good manners by not eating or drinking food in class. ⁷That is often viewed as impolite. ⁸Likewise, be sure cell phones and pagers are on vibrate or turned off. ⁹As you can see, there are a number of behaviors that instructors observe in successful students. Main idea: