the main idea of the essay

Reading to Understand

• Reading to Understand (8 minutes)
• Working with Context Clues (5 minutes)
• The Main Idea

Steps for Identifying the Main Idea

• Knowledge Check
• Academic Reading Challenges (7 minutes)

The main idea is the point or message - what an author presents and what a reader takes from a text. 

Searching for that main idea is a very important activity in understanding a text. It is usually found in the opening paragraph when the author is  setting up the topic  and  expressing the thesis.  

However, the location can vary according to the type of reading. For example, a research article's main idea is toward the end, whereas a persuasive essay's main idea is conveyed at the beginning.

Pre-read to Determine the Overall Topic

Examine the title and then skim the text to determine who or what the reading is about. If you see the same word repeated you know that it is likely the topic or at least an important element of the topic. The topic should be a noun or a noun phrase such as "online education." The topic itself does not convey any meeting us you must read on to determine the main idea.

Ask yourself questions about the text as you read in-depth. Pay close attention to the introduction, the first sentence of body paragraphs, and the conclusion. In these places, the author typically states and supports the main idea. 

Questions to Ask Yourself While Reading : 

• What elements make up this topic?
• What is the author saying about this topic?
• What does the author want me to know or believe about this topic?

Reflect on what you have read. If the main idea is not immediately apparent to you review the introduction and conclusion. The  main idea should be a complete thought  such as "because of its flexibility, comfort, and lower-cost online education is increasing in popularity for younger generations."

Questions to Ask Yourself While Reflecting:

• What is the message I take away from this reading?
• What point does the information add up to?
• What idea does the author reinforce in the conclusion?
• What is the final impression I have about this topic?

Finding the Main Idea

Once you believe you have found the main idea, check that each body paragraph relates to that main idea. The body paragraph should include  supporting ideas  that reinforce and provide greater detail about the main idea. 

Some students find it beneficial to sketch the main idea and supporting ideas in their notes as a concept map.

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Writing | Main Idea, Thesis Statement, and Topic Sentences

Amanda Renaud has taught Middle School and High School English for 4 years. She has a Master's of Education in Curriculum and Development with a minor in Reading Intervention from Concordia University. She is certified to teach English and Humanities in Washington and Texas.

Doresa holds a Ph.D. in Communication Studies.

Table of Contents

Main idea, thesis statement & topic sentence, main idea of an essay, thesis statement, topic sentence, lesson summary, what is a thesis or central idea statement.

A thesis statement is one sentence usually found in the introduction of the essay that explains the main argument or analysis of the essay. It will include the main points the author is trying to make as well as an overview of the supporting details that will be used to defend the argument.

How many sentences can your thesis be?

A thesis statement is one to two sentences; clarity for complex arguments is key rather than the number of sentences.

How do you write a main idea in an essay?

To write the main idea of an essay, a writer has to decide on a topic and what they would like to share with the audience about that topic. The topic needs to be narrowed down into a specific idea that can be explained and described throughout the essay.

It is important for a written piece - an essay, for example - to have structure and organization. Structure and organization help a writer clearly communicate ideas and help the reader understand the ideas being communicated. The main idea , thesis statement , and topic sentences all provide structure to an essay. It is important for both readers and writers to understand the roles of each of these in order to maintain clear communication and understanding of ideas.

• Main idea: The concept that is being discussed or analyzed throughout the entire essay.
• Thesis statement: A one-to-two sentence statement that is usually found in the introduction of the essay and explains the main argument of the entire piece. The body paragraphs and conclusion will all connect to and support this statement.
• Topic sentence: A key sentence at the paragraph level that discusses and elaborates on specific points from the thesis statement.

The main idea, thesis statements, and topic sentences structure an essay.

Difference Between Thesis Statement and Topic Sentence

It is important to be able to differentiate between a thesis statement and a topic sentence. Although they have similar purposes, they have different roles in communicating the ideas of the piece; one gives the main idea for the entire essay and the other the main idea in supporting paragraphs.

The thesis statement summarizes the argument or analysis that will be discussed throughout the entire essay. It is usually one sentence long, and it is usually located in the introduction paragraph . The supporting paragraphs that follow the introduction explain the important points and ideas of the thesis.

A topic sentence is the key sentence in a supporting paragraph that explains particular points of the thesis of the entire work. A topic sentence tells what that particular paragraph is about; it connects the supporting ideas in it to the argument or analysis that is explained in the thesis statement. Topic sentences occur throughout the essay near the beginning of each paragraph and help transition to new supporting ideas.

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• 0:07 Main Idea, Thesis…
• 1:01 Main Idea
• 1:35 Thesis Statement
• 2:39 Topic Sentence
• 4:21 Lesson Summary

The main idea is the concept being expressed or examined throughout the essay. The main idea is the gist , meaning what it is mostly about; it is what the whole text says about the topic of the essay. The thesis statement, topic sentences, and supporting sentences will all connect to this idea.

How to Write a Main Idea

An effective main idea can be supported by the details, analysis, and arguments found in the essay. To write a main idea statement , consider the general topic and what will specifically be shared about that topic. The main idea narrows the topic from a large general idea to a more specific idea. Then the main idea statement will be written as a statement that explains what will be shared about that idea.

1. Select a general topic: coffee

2. Narrow down the topic to a specific idea: organic coffee options

3. Write a statement that explains what will be shared about this idea: There are many benefits to choosing organic coffee.

The main idea statement explains the concept that will be discussed throughout the essay.

A thesis statement, sometimes referred to as the central idea statement , clearly explains the argument or analysis of the main idea. It is important because it helps readers understand what the essay is about. It is one to two sentences, usually located in the introduction paragraph, and explains the argument or analysis that will be discussed throughout the remainder of the essay. The thesis statement will help readers understand the purpose of the essay.

Writing a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement or central idea statement will indirectly state the purpose of the essay. After determining the main idea statement, writers should create a purpose statement . A purpose statement identifies the audience and explains how and why the content will be presented to the audience.

The purpose statement for the organic coffee example could be the following:

To convince readers to drink organic coffee instead of conventional coffee.

The purpose statement will not be included in the essay, but it helps the writer identify in their mind the reason for writing the essay and the argument being presented. The thesis statement can then be created using the purpose statement as a guide. The thesis statement will explain the main argument or analysis of the essay. The thesis statement should include the reasons that will be presented in the essay as well as the counterargument, if there is one.

Using this same organic coffee example, the following thesis statement can be crafted:

Although it may be easier and cheaper to buy conventional coffees, there are many benefits to drinking organic coffee, including health benefits, environmental benefits, and economic benefits.

How Many Sentences Should a Thesis Statement Be?

The thesis statement can be one to two sentences in length. It is critical that the argument or analysis is presented clearly, so clarity is the priority when constructing a thesis statement.

Writers should begin with a working thesis statement . The reason it is called a working thesis statement is that the thesis statement can be revised throughout the writing process to ensure clarity. Writers may begin with a shorter thesis statement, but then discover the statement needs to be revised to include more information, or they could revise it to succinctly communicate the argument. It is important to remember that the statement itself can be revised for clarity.

What is the Main Goal of a Thesis Statement?

The main goal of a thesis statement is to clearly express the argument or analysis that will be discussed throughout the essay. As mentioned, this statement should also include the supporting reasons and the counterargument. These elements can all be found in the organic coffee thesis statement below:

• Argument: There are many benefits to drinking organic coffee.
• Supporting Reasons: health benefits, environmental benefits, and economic benefits
• Counterargument : Although it may be easier and cheaper to buy conventional coffees

Depending on the purpose of the essay, a thesis statement could be explanatory or argumentative . The purpose of an explanatory thesis statement and essay would be to explain or inform the audience. An argumentative thesis statement and essay would aim to convince, persuade, or prove.

Topic sentences are used to introduce the main ideas in each paragraph. They are usually found near the beginning of each body paragraph, and they connect to and support the reasons that are stated in the thesis statement. Topic sentences occur throughout the essay and help transition to new supporting ideas.

Topic Sentence vs Main Idea

Topic sentences will include the main idea for that particular paragraph, but they do not explain the main idea for the entire essay. Topic sentences for the organic coffee example will include organic coffee, but also explain the new idea that is being presented about organic coffee.

Topic Sentence Ideas

Each body paragraph will contain a topic sentence that connects to the main idea and thesis statement. The thesis statement included supporting ideas that will be discussed throughout the essay. Each of these ideas can be explained further in a body paragraph.

The three supporting ideas (health, environmental, and economic benefits) mentioned in the example thesis statement will be included in the topic sentences of each body paragraph.

• Health benefits: Organic coffee provides health benefits to the coffee drinker.
• Environmental benefits: Sustainable growing methods for organic coffee lead to environmental benefits by preserving the health of the soil.
• Economic benefits: Fair Trade organizations are involved in organic coffee production resulting in economic benefits for coffee farmers.

The main idea, thesis statement, and topic sentences all provide structure and create clarity within an essay. Each plays a role in clearly communicating ideas to the reader. It is important for writers to understand each statement's role and how to use each statement in the essay.

• Main idea: The concept that is being discussed throughout the entire essay.
• Thesis statement: One sentence that explains the main argument or analysis of the main idea, as well as the ideas that support the argument or analysis.
• Topic sentence: The first sentence in each body paragraph that discusses the main idea of that paragraph; these all connect to the reasons provided in the thesis statement.

The main idea establishes the general idea for the piece; while the thesis statement explains the purpose and argument that surrounds the general idea. Topic sentences are used throughout the essay to support the thesis statement.

Video Transcript

Main idea, thesis statement, topic sentences.

Have you ever been really excited about a movie? I mean so excited you go to the theater, get popcorn and other snacks, and sit down waiting for an hour and a half of wonderful cinema bliss? Then it happens - it's an hour and a half later and you realize you have no idea what you just watched! Even when you try to explain it to people, the words escape you. The most you can say is that it had no plot and it made no sense. It's a terrible experience when you watch a movie with no plot, and reading an essay with no main idea, no thesis, and no cohesive points tying it all together is no less aggravating of an experience. The best way to avoid such a tragedy in your own writing is to get great at setting the stage for your writing.

The first place to start is with your main idea. The main idea is the key concept being expressed or examined. Putting this in our movie frame of reference, the main idea would be the broad context on what the movie is about, or the genre in which the movie will be viewed. Is it a romantic comedy about high school sweethearts? Maybe it's a historical drama about the Battle of Waterloo or the sinking of the Titanic. The main idea is the overall gist of what the piece will be dealing with as a whole.

Thesis Statements

Okay, so now that we have the main idea, we need to prepare ourselves to clearly explain it to our audience, the reader. What we need is a thesis statement! A thesis statement is a one- or two-sentence condensation of your argument or analysis that will follow in your writing. The thesis statement is our narrowing of our overall main idea.

Moving along with our movie idea, let's say our main idea is a romantic comedy about two high school sweethearts. While that helps narrow things a bit from the entire genre of romantic comedy, it doesn't really help give us the detail we need to truly understand what is unique about our movie. However, I can add the thesis statement of Two high school sweethearts ready to embark on the wonderful world of college. Will they follow their dreams and end up at separate colleges, or follow their hearts to the same school? Now we can better understand what this movie is about!

Of course, there is a bit more narrowing that can be done in this process. Sometimes space does not allow us to give a longer explanation. Sometimes people really need us to get to the point quickly. This is where our topic sentence comes into play. A topic sentence is generally at the beginning of the opening paragraph and gives a one-sentence summary of the main point. Think of the topic sentence as our movie blurb that everyone grabs a hold of. It's that bit of information the producers want us to hold onto that will allow us to build excitement for the movie and remember with ease the main point of the film.

In our fictional romantic comedy, our topic sentence might be Jordan and Willow must decide if their high school love is big enough to span not just one college, but two. In this sentence I now clearly see that this movie is about two high school students named Jordan and Willow. They are about to go to college, and they may even end up at two different colleges. They will be analyzing if their love really is big and broad enough to move from being a high school romance to an adult, long-distance relationship. In one sentence I have given a summary of the film - without giving away the neat surprises viewers may find along the way. The hope is that it generates interest and leaves the person wanting more. The same is true with the topic sentence. People are much happier reading an essay when they understand what it is supposed to be about. They can grab a hold of the context and read with purpose, thereby allowing a much easier and memorable reading experience.

So let's wrap up what we've covered in this video. We found that the main idea of a piece is the overall gist of what the piece will be dealing with as a whole. We look at this as the overall genre and plot of our essay. Next we saw that the thesis statement is a one- or two-sentence summary of your essay. We can look at the thesis as a more developed plot statement that allows us to bring some context to our piece. Finally, we moved to topic sentences - the one-sentence summary of the main point. While the thesis statement summarizes the genre and overall plot, the topic sentence summarizes the overall specifics in your piece itself.

Remembering our movie example, we went from our main idea of a romantic comedy to a thesis statement of two high school sweethearts trying to figure out if they would go to different colleges to pursue their careers or the same college to focus on their relationship. We finally moved to the topic sentence, where we were introduced to Jordan and Willow, who would decide if their high school love was strong enough to span not just one college, but two. This process allows for a narrowing of our topic for the reader to get a proper introduction to the context through which our writing should be examined.

Now you have the tools necessary to utilize main idea development, thesis statements, and topic sentences in your own writing as well.

Lesson Objective

After watching this lesson, you should be able to implement main idea development into your own writing, along with creating effective thesis statements and topic sentences for your readers.

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Parts of an Essay

Introduction paragraph, supporting paragraphs, summary paragraph.

Module 7: Drafting a Research Paper

Body paragraphs, learning objectives.

Describe the elements of effective body paragraphs

The body of your paper is where you support and discuss the main ideas for your topic. Each main idea requires its own paragraph and support. How you write the body of your essay is based on your own personal taste, but there are a couple of points you should consider:

The structure of each paragraph helps to connect the paragraphs into a logical train of thought.

• All paragraphs need to have a topic sentence that links ideas back to your thesis statement. A topic sentence is the sentence that communicates the main idea of your paragraph.
• All topic sentences will be expanded through the use of supporting details .
• In research papers, all paragraphs must integrate research to support your position.
• All paragraphs must logically connect to the other ideas in your paper.
• If you have information that contradicts your main idea, it is wise to acknowledge that information and explain why it has not changed your position.
• All paragraphs must end with a transition sentence that leads the reader from one idea to the next.

Topic Sentences

A  topic sentence  is the first sentence in a paragraph and provides the reader with a sense of purpose for the paragraph, just as the thesis statement defines the purpose of the paper. A topic sentence is the main idea of your paragraph and should have a clear relationship to your thesis statement.

Consider the following suggestions on this sample topic:

• What are some benefits of distance learning?

For the purposes of this topic, your thesis might read as follows:

• Distance learning students benefit from the flexibility of time and space; this meets the needs of individuals living far away from a post-secondary institution, working full-time jobs, or raising a family.

You might write the possible topic sentences:

• The paragraph could go on to discuss the benefits of distance learning for a student who has the flexibility of space.
• This paragraph could go on to discuss the benefits of distance learning for a student who has flexibility of time.
• This paragraph could go on to discuss how online learning would be helpful in meeting the individual needs of the student.

Topic Sentence Checklist

If you are writing a paper, use the following checklist to determine the effectiveness of your topic sentences:

• Identify and underline the thesis of the paper.
• Identify and underline the topic sentence for each paragraph.
• Compare each topic sentence with your thesis and make sure that there is a clear connection. Try writing down the thesis statement and topic sentences as a paragraph. If the ideas do not flow together, revise the topic sentences to make your writing more coherent.
• Read each paragraph. Ask yourself if all the supporting details in the paragraph are connected to the topic sentence. If not, ask yourself what the topic sentence is about. Then look for a way to connect it to the supporting details of the paragraph. If some details are unrelated, get rid of them and replace them with appropriate information. If none of the details are related, rewrite the whole paragraph.
• Look at the order of your paragraphs and topic sentences. Determine if there is a logical flow of ideas. If necessary, shift the order of paragraphs to make them more effective.

Supporting Details

Supporting details  are the pieces of research and information that are integrated in your writing to add authority to your argument. It is your way of saying that you have an idea that is well-informed and grounded in the course work or academic research.

Supporting details come in three forms:

• Direct quotations from sources
• Paraphrases from sources
• Personal opinion or experience (when assignment guidelines permit)

SEE Pattern

Whichever form of support you choose to use, you must integrate the information in your writing.

Consider using the  SEE  pattern to integrate the support in your paragraph:

• S tatement – Write a statement that precedes your quotation or paraphrase. This statement should provide the necessary contextual or background information and act as a transition to your piece of support.
• E xample – Insert your example: the actual quotation or paraphrase you have found in the literature.
• E xplanation – Give an explanation of how the quotation or paraphrase connects to the rest of the ideas in the paragraph.

Following this pattern will ensure that supporting details are relevant and connected to the point you are making.

• Body. Provided by : Lethbridge College. Located at : https://www.lethbridgecollege.net/elearningcafe/index.php/writing/general-paper-structure/body . License : CC BY: Attribution
• Train. Authored by : Tom Page. Located at : https://flic.kr/p/vyVorZ . License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike

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How to Find the Main Idea of a Narrative

Related articles, the tone in the book "pride & prejudice", examples of characterization in poems, examples of metafiction.

• What Are the Characteristics of an Epic Hero?
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Narratives often explore a wide variety of ideas and issues. While several ideas may prevail as important, one central idea usually takes precedence and drives the narrative. Identifying the main idea of a narrative requires close reading and analysis of the text.

Examine the Character Roles

Authors often use characters -- their names, actions, personalities and values -- to identify the main idea of the narrative. For example, in Ayn Rand’s final chapter of “Anthem,” the protagonist changes his name from Equality 7-2521 to Prometheus, restating the ongoing narrative of his rediscovery of individuality and initiative. Similarly, in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” Robert Louis Stevenson uses the actions and moral make up of both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to explore the varying degrees of evil.

Consider the Context

Most main ideas are implied, rather than clearly stated, using a variety of narrative techniques. One such technique includes providing ample context for the reader to discern. Analyzing the context -- societal setting, character roles, physical setting, genre, and historical era -- allows the reader insight into the author's intentions. For example, the juxtaposition of the 1930s deep South setting and a white man pursuing justice for an African-American man in Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" reiterates the narrative theme that justice should be sought regardless of circumstances and race.

Identify the Conflict

Conflict often drives a narrative. Whether internal or external, conflict is worth analysis as the struggle between the two opposing elements reveals new and meaningful ideas. Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado," for instance, exposes the internal struggle the narrator, Montresor, experiences as a result of an unknown wrong he suffered. Poe uses Montresor's internal conflict to reaffirm the narrative strand that wrongs internalized manifest as wrongs committed.

Reflect on the Work's Conclusion

Because the conclusion is the author's last chance to address the text's main idea and purpose, this is a critical piece to evaluate. For example, W.D. Wetherell's "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" concludes with the line, "... and I never made the same mistake again." While the rest of the plot addresses the narrator's decision to choose his childhood crush over an amazing catch, Wetherell uses the last line to reiterate the main -- and universal -- idea: When faced with two choices, a person's values are often most clearly revealed by the one he embraces.

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• "Anthem"; Ayn Rand
• "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant"; W.D. Wetherell

Based in West Palm Beach, Fla., Emily Layfield has been writing and editing education-related work since 2009. She holds a Bachelor of Science in English and English/ language arts education and a Master of Arts in secondary English education from Auburn University.

Is "Pride and Prejudice" a Cohesive & Narrative Discourse?

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• The four main types of essay | Quick guide with examples

The Four Main Types of Essay | Quick Guide with Examples

Published on September 4, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays.

Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and descriptive essays are about exercising creativity and writing in an interesting way. At university level, argumentative essays are the most common type. 

Essay type	Skills tested	Example prompt
		Has the rise of the internet had a positive or negative impact on education?
		Explain how the invention of the printing press changed European society in the 15th century.
		Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself.
		Describe an object that has sentimental value for you.

In high school and college, you will also often have to write textual analysis essays, which test your skills in close reading and interpretation.

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Table of contents

Argumentative essays, expository essays, narrative essays, descriptive essays, textual analysis essays, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about types of essays.

An argumentative essay presents an extended, evidence-based argument. It requires a strong thesis statement —a clearly defined stance on your topic. Your aim is to convince the reader of your thesis using evidence (such as quotations ) and analysis.

Argumentative essays test your ability to research and present your own position on a topic. This is the most common type of essay at college level—most papers you write will involve some kind of argumentation.

The essay is divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion:

• The introduction provides your topic and thesis statement
• The body presents your evidence and arguments
• The conclusion summarizes your argument and emphasizes its importance

The example below is a paragraph from the body of an argumentative essay about the effects of the internet on education. Mouse over it to learn more.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a topic. It doesn’t require an original argument, just a balanced and well-organized view of the topic.

Expository essays test your familiarity with a topic and your ability to organize and convey information. They are commonly assigned at high school or in exam questions at college level.

The introduction of an expository essay states your topic and provides some general background, the body presents the details, and the conclusion summarizes the information presented.

A typical body paragraph from an expository essay about the invention of the printing press is shown below. Mouse over it to learn more.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

A narrative essay is one that tells a story. This is usually a story about a personal experience you had, but it may also be an imaginative exploration of something you have not experienced.

Narrative essays test your ability to build up a narrative in an engaging, well-structured way. They are much more personal and creative than other kinds of academic writing . Writing a personal statement for an application requires the same skills as a narrative essay.

A narrative essay isn’t strictly divided into introduction, body, and conclusion, but it should still begin by setting up the narrative and finish by expressing the point of the story—what you learned from your experience, or why it made an impression on you.

Mouse over the example below, a short narrative essay responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” to explore its structure.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

A descriptive essay provides a detailed sensory description of something. Like narrative essays, they allow you to be more creative than most academic writing, but they are more tightly focused than narrative essays. You might describe a specific place or object, rather than telling a whole story.

Descriptive essays test your ability to use language creatively, making striking word choices to convey a memorable picture of what you’re describing.

A descriptive essay can be quite loosely structured, though it should usually begin by introducing the object of your description and end by drawing an overall picture of it. The important thing is to use careful word choices and figurative language to create an original description of your object.

Mouse over the example below, a response to the prompt “Describe a place you love to spend time in,” to learn more about descriptive essays.

On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.

My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbours. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the safety of the kitchen.

With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…

Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting.

Though every essay type tests your writing skills, some essays also test your ability to read carefully and critically. In a textual analysis essay, you don’t just present information on a topic, but closely analyze a text to explain how it achieves certain effects.

Rhetorical analysis

A rhetorical analysis looks at a persuasive text (e.g. a speech, an essay, a political cartoon) in terms of the rhetorical devices it uses, and evaluates their effectiveness.

The goal is not to state whether you agree with the author’s argument but to look at how they have constructed it.

The introduction of a rhetorical analysis presents the text, some background information, and your thesis statement; the body comprises the analysis itself; and the conclusion wraps up your analysis of the text, emphasizing its relevance to broader concerns.

The example below is from a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech . Mouse over it to learn more.

King’s speech is infused with prophetic language throughout. Even before the famous “dream” part of the speech, King’s language consistently strikes a prophetic tone. He refers to the Lincoln Memorial as a “hallowed spot” and speaks of rising “from the dark and desolate valley of segregation” to “make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” The assumption of this prophetic voice constitutes the text’s strongest ethical appeal; after linking himself with political figures like Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, King’s ethos adopts a distinctly religious tone, recalling Biblical prophets and preachers of change from across history. This adds significant force to his words; standing before an audience of hundreds of thousands, he states not just what the future should be, but what it will be: “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” This warning is almost apocalyptic in tone, though it concludes with the positive image of the “bright day of justice.” The power of King’s rhetoric thus stems not only from the pathos of his vision of a brighter future, but from the ethos of the prophetic voice he adopts in expressing this vision.

Literary analysis

A literary analysis essay presents a close reading of a work of literature—e.g. a poem or novel—to explore the choices made by the author and how they help to convey the text’s theme. It is not simply a book report or a review, but an in-depth interpretation of the text.

Literary analysis looks at things like setting, characters, themes, and figurative language. The goal is to closely analyze what the author conveys and how.

The introduction of a literary analysis essay presents the text and background, and provides your thesis statement; the body consists of close readings of the text with quotations and analysis in support of your argument; and the conclusion emphasizes what your approach tells us about the text.

Mouse over the example below, the introduction to a literary analysis essay on Frankenstein , to learn more.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, protagonist Victor Frankenstein is a stable representation of the callous ambition of modern science throughout the novel. This essay, however, argues that far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to portray Frankenstein in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as. This essay begins by exploring the positive portrayal of Frankenstein in the first volume, then moves on to the creature’s perception of him, and finally discusses the third volume’s narrative shift toward viewing Frankenstein as the creature views him.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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At high school and in composition classes at university, you’ll often be told to write a specific type of essay , but you might also just be given prompts.

Look for keywords in these prompts that suggest a certain approach: The word “explain” suggests you should write an expository essay , while the word “describe” implies a descriptive essay . An argumentative essay might be prompted with the word “assess” or “argue.”

The vast majority of essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Almost all academic writing involves building up an argument, though other types of essay might be assigned in composition classes.

Essays can present arguments about all kinds of different topics. For example:

• In a literary analysis essay, you might make an argument for a specific interpretation of a text
• In a history essay, you might present an argument for the importance of a particular event
• In a politics essay, you might argue for the validity of a certain political theory

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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• Middle School

Part A What is the main idea of the essay? Support your answer with evidence from the text. Part B Who is the audience for the article? Include details such as age and level of education. Support your answer with evidence from the text. Essay " Design out of a Paper Bag" by Henry Petroski I will give brainliest

• 194 answers
• 58.4K people helped

The main idea of the essay is stated in a single sentence called the thesis statement. You must limit your entire essay to the topic you have introduced in your thesis statement.

Explanation:

Several parts of the text indicate that the intended audience is educated adults who are interested in how products are made and how they work. The author goes into detail about purchasing and bagging items in a grocery store, which is a subject that adults have more experience with than kids.

The style of the text is complex and assumes that the reader is educated enough to understand complicated ideas. For example, the information about manufacturing bags is a complicated concept. The words and sentences would be hard to follow if you were not an advanced, skilled reader.

mark as brainliest plz :)

The best summary of Henry Petroski's "Design out of a Paper Bag" is:

B. "The essay talks about the evolution of the design of grocery bags. It shows that despite the recent enhancements in its design, there is still room for improvement."

According to the given question, we are asked to list out the statement which is the best summary of Henry Petroski's "Design out of a Paper Bag"

As a result of this, we can see that from the complete text, the author writes about the way there has been a change in the design of grocery bags and likes the changes because he believes they are more efficient, but believes more improvements can be made.

Therefore, the correct answer is option B

Read more here:

brainly.com/question/20711734

• 94 people helped

Explanation which is a subject that adults have more experience with than kids.

Still have questions?

Get more answers for free, you might be interested in, new questions in english.

Identifying the main idea of the story: A Guide for Students and Teachers

READING FOR MEANING: IDENTIFYING THE MAIN IDEA OF THE STORY

We have all been there, though it can often feel as futile as the search for that proverbial needle in a haystack…

Finding the main idea of a piece of writing can be challenging, but it is an essential reading comprehension skill for our students to develop. Students that become skilled in this art will benefit from it far beyond the perimeters of the school gates. From the small print of an insurance document to writing a book review, the ability to filter a text and identify its central idea is as much a crucial life skill as an essential literacy-based learning objective. Though it isn’t always easy, luckily, there is much we can do to help our students hone their abilities in this area.

WHAT IS ‘THE MAIN IDEA’? DEFINITION

Whether we are talking about the main idea of a paragraph, a poem, a chapter, or a longer text, finding the main idea requires the reader to identify the topic of a piece of writing and then uncover what the writer wants us to know about that topic.

As is so often the case, it is best to start small. When working with students on how to identify the main idea, begin by having students locate the main idea in a sentence before building up to locating it in a longer paragraph. As students gradually build their confidence in identifying the main idea in paragraphs, they will soon be ready to move on to longer texts in the form of chapters and eventually full-length books.

125 Guided Reading Activities

Ensure your students are constantly engaged with these INDEPENDENT & GROUP Reading Activities for ANY BOOK.

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A WORD ON PARAGRAPHS

The main idea of a sentence is usually fairly straightforward to identify. Often it is as simple as identifying the subject of the sentence. Whole chapters or books, on the other hand, can seldom be easily reduced to expression in the form of a single, main idea. For these reasons, the paragraph offers the student the most suitable format in which to practice their main idea identification skills.

Usually, if the writer knows what they are doing, we can identify a single main idea in every paragraph. We can think of this as the key point that is usually expressed as a topic sentence. It is often found in the paragraph’s first sentence, with subsequent sentences providing the supporting details. It can, however, occur in the middle, at the end, or even be split across the paragraph. It may not even be there at all – at least not explicitly.

Writers are a creative bunch, and so students will require more sophisticated means to accurately identify the main idea in all cases and that is exactly what this article will help you help your students to do.

HOW IS A MAIN IDEA EXPRESSED?

It can appear to be a reasonably clear-cut task to define the main idea, so why is it often so problematic for students to identify it? Well, the truth is that it needn’t be so. Often the central concept is expressed directly in the text and is as easy to identify as your own face in the mirror.

However, the main idea will not always be expressed so explicitly, and students must learn to identify it, whether it is expressed directly or merely implied, if they are to fully comprehend what they are reading.

  THE STATEMENT OF THE MAIN IDEA

Attention is the key to pulling the main idea from a text, whatever the genre. Students need to identify the most relevant information from the work and use it to develop a statement expressing what they perceive as the main idea.

We can refer to this as The Statement of the Main Idea . This statement should be a lean sentence or two. The process of composing this statement starts with asking questions about the text. Not all questions will apply to every text, but they will provide a good starting point for extracting the main idea from any piece of writing.

●     Who – Can the student identify the person or people the text is about?

●     What – Can the student identify the topic or underlying theme of the text?

●     When – Can the student identify a reference to a specific time or period?

●     Where – Can the student identify a specific place or a setting ?

●     Why – Can the student identify a reason or explanation for what happens in the text?

●     How – Can the student identify a method or theory in the text?

These questions, and variations of these questions, can help students draw out what the text is about. The two most important questions of those above are who and what . These will sufficiently elicit the information required to identify the main idea in most circumstances. But, the actual litmus test of whether the student can absorb the text’s central idea is whether or not they can summarize what they have read in their own words.

The Litmus Test: Summarizing and Paraphrasing

We know through our experience in the classroom that learning through teaching is a highly effective instructional strategy. It also offers teachers opportunities to observe and assess their students’ grasp of the concepts they have been working on. Similarly, when we ask our students to summarize or paraphrase the main idea of an extract, we are creating an opportunity to observe their comprehension of what they have read and their ability to identify the main idea therein.

You can also encourage students to regularly practice these skills by challenging them to paraphrase and summarize things you have said or read to them in class, even during lessons entirely unrelated to literacy. Encourage them to be concise and to the point; you may even wish to set a word limit of 10 or 15 words within which they must express the main idea. Keep it lean!

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS IN IDENTIFYING THE MAIN IDEA

Get The Gist

In this method, give each student a copy of a nonfiction paragraph. If you wish, you can differentiate for students’ different abilities by choosing extracts of varying complexities. Regardless of the level of difficulty, the approach will remain the same. Have students:

1. Ask themselves who or what the paragraph is about.

2. Ask themselves what is the most essential information about the who or what.

3. Restate the main idea in 10 words or less.

You can model this strategy for your students by first walking them through the process. Project the text onto the whiteboard for shared reading and, with focused support and prompting, have them answer the initial questions.

Part 3 of the process above can be undertaken as a piece of shared writing which will model the correct approach before students begin to do it independently. Later, when students have written independent statements of the main idea, they can compare their responses and offer each other feedback. After feedback sessions, they can be given a further opportunity to redraft and modify their statements for accuracy and brevity.

Through these processes, students will improve their ability to identify and express the main idea clearly and concisely.

Get the Gist – Longer Texts

As we mentioned earlier, it isn’t always easy to reduce a longer extract, such as a chapter, down to a single central idea – much less a whole book! There will be times, however, when students will be asked to do just that. They will need a systematic approach to help them in such circumstances. The following process provides for a practical approach:

1. Look at the title – Often, the title provides a good indication of the topic of the text or at least helps to orientate the reader in the direction of the main idea.

2. Look at the extract’s first and last sentences/paragraphs – Often, the main idea will be introduced and summarized respectively in these parts of the text.

3. Look for repeated words and phrases in the extract -The frequency with which they occur will be a strong indicator of their relative importance and will point students toward that elusive main idea.

4. Instruct students to ask themselves, “ What does the writer want me to know? ” – Answering this question successfully will require them to uncover the text’s main idea.

As the students work through the above steps, they can highlight, underline, or circle the keywords and phrases and then use these to help them form their main idea statement.

HOW TO LOCATE THE MAIN IDEA WHEN IT IS IMPLIED

Inferring the main idea requires students to look for patterns in the details as they read. When the main idea is explicit, the student must first identify the topic of the writing before determining what it is the writer wants the reader to know about it. If the main idea is not stated explicitly in a sentence or paragraph, then it is implied, and students must consciously work to uncover it by analysing the details to infer the main idea. Conscious practice of this strategy will soon see it become second nature, and the student will quickly become skilled in identifying the main idea even when it is not stated explicitly.

To efficiently identify the main idea in a piece of writing, students should first determine the text’s topic. Then, they will need to work out what it is the writer wants us to understand about that topic. This is the essence of how to identify the main idea.

Students should understand that the main idea may not always be explicit, and they may need to work hard to uncover precisely what the text implies. Regardless of whether the main idea is explicit or implicit, every paragraph will have the main idea. Students should understand that it can be located at the beginning, in the middle, at the end, or even be split up throughout the paragraph.

With perseverance and hard-earned experience, students can use various methods and, at times, a fusion of these methods to uncover the main idea with speed and accuracy. Soon they will be able to apply these methods to a broad range of texts over a wide range of lengths and complexities.

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

 MAIN IDEA GRAPHIC ORGANIZER (FREE DOWNLOAD)

 VIDEO TUTORIAL ON TEACHING THE MAIN IDEA

ARTICLES RELATED TO THE MAIN IDEA OF THE STORY

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What Is An Inference? And How To Teach It.

How to Find the Main Idea

ThoughtCo / Mary McLain 

• B.A., English, University of Michigan

Questions about the "main idea" of a story or passage are popular on reading comprehension tests.But sometimes, those questions are pretty difficult to answer, especially for students who are not completely sure they understand what the main idea really is.  Finding the main idea of a paragraph or longer passage of text is one of the most important reading skills to master, along with concepts like making an inference , finding the author's purpose , or understanding vocabulary words in context.

Here are a few techniques to help understand what is a "main idea" and how to identify it accurately in a passage.

How to Define the Main Idea

The main idea of a paragraph is the primary point or concept that the author wants to communicate to the readers about the topic. In a paragraph, when the main idea is stated directly, it is expressed in what is called the topic sentence . It gives the overarching idea of what the paragraph is about and is supported by the details in subsequent sentences in the paragraph. In a multi-paragraph article, the main idea is expressed in the thesis statement, which is then supported by individual smaller points.

Think of the main idea as a brief but all-encompassing summary. It covers everything the paragraph talks about in a general way, but does not include the specifics. Those details will come in later sentences or paragraphs and add nuance and context; the main idea will need those details to support its argument.

For example, imagine a paper discussing the causes of World War I . One paragraph might be dedicated to the role that imperialism played in the conflict. The main idea of this paragraph might be something like: "Constant competition for massive empires led to increasing tensions in Europe that eventually erupted into World War I." The rest of the paragraph might explore what those specific tensions were, who was involved, and why the countries were seeking empires, but the main idea just introduces the overarching argument of the section.

When an author does not state the main idea directly, it should still be implied and is called an implied main idea. This requires that the reader look closely at the content—at specific words, sentences, and images that are used and repeated—to deduce what the author is communicating.

Finding the main idea is critical to understanding what you are reading. It helps the details make sense and have relevance and provides a framework for remembering the content. Try these specific tips to catch the main idea of a passage.

1) Identify the Topic

Read the passage through completely, then try to identify the topic. Who or what is the paragraph about? This part is just figuring out a topic like "cause of World War I" or "new hearing devices;" don't worry yet about deciding what argument the passage is making about this topic.

2) Summarize the Passage

After reading the passage thoroughly, summarize it in your own words in one sentence . Pretend you have just ten to twelve words to tell someone what the passage is about—what would you say?

3) Look at the First and Last Sentences of the Passage

Authors often put the main idea in or near either the first or last sentence of the paragraph or article, so isolate those sentences to see if they make sense as the overarching theme of the passage. Be careful: sometimes the author will use words like but , however ,  in contrast , nevertheless , etc. that indicate that it's the second sentence is actually the main idea. If you see one of these words that negates or qualifies the first sentence, that is a clue that the second sentence is the main idea.

4) Look for Repetition of Ideas

If you read through a paragraph and you have no idea how to summarize it because there is so much information, start looking for repeated words, phrases, or related ideas. Read this example paragraph :

A new hearing device uses a magnet to hold the detachable sound-processing portion in place. Like other aids, it converts sound into vibrations, but it is unique in that it can transmit the vibrations directly to the magnet and then to the inner ear. This produces a clearer sound. The new device will not help all hearing-impaired people—only those with hearing loss caused by infection or some other problem in the middle ear. It will probably help no more than 20 percent of all people with hearing problems. Those people who have persistent ear infections, however, should find relief and restored hearing with this new device.

What does this paragraph consistently talk about? A new hearing device. What is it trying to convey? A new hearing device is now available for some, but not all, hearing-impaired people. That's the main idea!

Avoid Main Idea Mistakes

Choosing a main idea from a set of answer choices is different than composing a main idea on your own. Writers of multiple-choice tests are often tricky and will give you distractor questions that sound much like the real answer. By reading the passage thoroughly, using your skills, and identifying the main idea on your own, though, you can avoid making these three common mistakes : selecting an answer that is too narrow in scope; selecting an answer that is too broad; or selecting an answer that is complex but contrary to the main idea. 

Resources and Further Reading

• How to Find a Stated Main Idea
• How to Find an Implied Main Idea
• Finding the Main Idea Practice
• Finding Main Ideas In Paragraphs
• Finding the Main Idea, Columbia College

Updated by Amanda Prahl 

• How to Write a Good Descriptive Paragraph
• Questions for Each Level of Bloom's Taxonomy
• How to Find the Implied Main Idea
• How to Find the Stated Main Idea
• Find the Main Idea Worksheets and Practice Questions
• Finding the Main Idea Worksheet 2
• How to Outline a Textbook Chapter
• Top 5 ACT Reading Strategies
• Paragraph Unity: Guidelines, Examples, and Exercises
• How To Write an Essay
• How to Find the Main Idea - Worksheet
• How to Teach Topic Sentences Using Models
• How to Boost Reading Comprehension With Reciprocal Teaching
• How to Write a Descriptive Paragraph
• An Introduction to Academic Writing
• What is The Author's Purpose?

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