3 1 3 Finding the
main idea or
theme of a written piece is one of the most important aspects of good reading comprehension. It is, however,
easy to confuse the main idea or
theme with the
subject.
Basically, the
subject of apiece of writing is what that piece is
generally about, plain and simple—the facts and information. However, when you look past the facts and information to the heart of
what writers are trying to say, and why they are saying it, that’s the main idea or theme. For example, the subject of this introduction is about distinguishing between a subject and a main idea or theme the main idea or theme is why it’s important to be able to recognize that difference. The main idea is the point that the writer is trying
to help the reader understand, whereas the topic is what the writer is using to get a main ideas across.
3
Main Ideas, ThemesWhat the passage is about—who or what is being discussed or described.
SUBJECT
6801_501_ReadingCompQuest_4E[fin].indd 31 3/18/10 1:34:49 PM
The answers to this section begin on page Read the following paragraphs and carefully determine what the
main idea is for each. The best way to approach these questions is to first
read the paragraph and then, in your own words, restate what you think the author is trying to say.
From the five choices, select the one statement that best supports the author’s point.
The best recipes for clam chowder all include onions and a bay leaf. The onions add a sharpness and zest to the blandness of the clams, and also help remove their slimy texture. The bay leaf complements the onion’s strong flavor.
101.
This paragraph best
supports the statement thatShare with your friends: