If you ever took a reading or a writing course,
you learned that a paragraph must have
a main idea... very well...
A sentence expressing the main idea
is called "the main idea sentence."
In writing, it's called the topic statement
--well... it's the same thing.
They tell you to place the topic statement
at the beginning of the paragraph
when you write, but
when I read a textbook chapter
or a journal article,
sometimes it's not even there!
So, where is the main idea sentence?
How do I find it?
Hey, stick around.
And let's take a look.
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So, where is the main idea sentence?
The short answer is:
The main idea sentence can be
anywhere in the paragraph.
It can even be implied when
the context makes it clear enough.
Let's examine an example paragraph
and see where the main idea sentence
might be located.
During a volcanic eruption,
the wind can blow tons of
corrosive volcanic ash long distances
and cause nasal irritation, sore throats,
and upper respiratory problems.
Entire cities and crops
can be destroyed
under thick layers of ash.
However, when it breaks
down over time,
volcanic ash becomes new,
fertile soil.
Farmlands on volcanic soil
produce abundant crops.
First, let's identify
the topic of this paragraph.
Is it about "volcanic eruptions?"
Well, no, it's more specific than that.
Look! It mentions volcanic ash here...
here... here...
... and here.
So, the topic is "volcanic ash."
What does the author say
about the topic?
The paragraph mentions some
pretty nasty things that volcanic ash
can do to your health:
nasal irritation...
sore throats, ...
(ouch!)
Here are some more terrible things
about volcanic ash.
(destruction!)
So, I guess the main idea is that
volcanic ash is pretty dangerous
or hazardous.
But wait, wait, wait...
Over here, it says volcanic ash
can be very beneficial!
Over time, it makes great soil
to grow food on.
So, the main idea is
"volcanic ash can be both
a pain in the butt and really cool."
Well, let's say, "volcanic ash can be
both hazardous and beneficial."
But where's the
main idea sentence?
Well, in this paragraph, the main idea
is so clear that just looking
at the details
you can understand it.
So, the paragraph
does have a main idea;
it's just not stated.
It's implied.
In a writing course, your instructor
probably told you put the main idea
somewhere at the beginning
so... let's put it right here.
Writing instructors tell you to put your
topic statement at the beginning
of the paragraph because they want you
to practice writing clear paragraphs.
As you gain confidence as a writer,
you can put it pretty much anywhere.
How about this?
"Volcanic eruptions
can be hazardous."
Then I follow with the bad stuff.
And here, I add the second half of the idea:
"However, volcanic ash
can also be beneficial." ...
... and I follow with details
about all the good stuff.
... here, I essentially split
the main idea into two locations.
I can also write the paragraph
(including all the details that
support the main idea)
and add a main idea sentence...
here...
in sort of a summarizing statement.
... "We can see that
volcanic ash can be
both hazardous and beneficial."
Why not? It makes perfect sense.
To figure the main idea out,
first, determine what the topic is.
Then, determine what the writer
wants you to understand
about the topic.
A paragraph always has a main idea
(otherwise, it's not really a paragraph),
but it can be implied.
You understand the main idea
because the details in the paragraph
make clear what the author wants to say.
Or it can be in an explicit sentence
that expresses it.
In the paragraph, that main idea sentence
can be at the beginning
at the end,
or even split.
Now, get out there
and get some practice
by reading a lot and
reading all sorts of materials.
And make sure you read to understand
the content.
If the main idea is stated,
you'll see it there; if it's implied,
you'll see it in your mind
because ...
well, because you understood the idea.
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